‘SOBHUZA II WARNED OVER INHERITANCE OF FIRST MOSQUE’

EZULWINI- “King Sobhuza II warned my father against constructing the first Muslim church in the country at his homestead.”

These were the words of the late Mshangama Msellem’s son Juma. Juma, who still has memories about the construction of the first mosque in the country, said King Sobhuza advised his father after he registered his desire to build the church structure on his piece of land at Enyonyane in Ezulwini. He said his father, who was born in Comoros Ireland, wanted to build the church because he had no place of worship when he arrived in the country in 1919.  According to elders of Ezulwini, Mshangama was the first chef in the first hotel in the country.
The elders stated that Mshangama was privileged to meet King Sobhuza II due to his cooking profession.

One of the elders of the area said King Sobhuza II was a frequent visitor in places like KaMchoza and KaMahlalela. He said it was during the King’s visit that Mshangama met him.
“When my father arrived in Eswatini, there was no Muslim church. As a result he worshipped at his homestead with a few members of the church. As membership increased, he wanted to build a church within his homestead. He got the King’s advice when he communicated his desire,” said Juma. Juma said when the King advised his father, he put it clear that churches should not be built at one’s homestead because they were independent. “The King told my father that a church should be built at a neutral place to avoid a situation where children fight for inheritance after the death of their parents,” he said.

Identified

He said while looking for a suitable place for the church, an Asian man he only identified as Tilly donated a piece of land on his farm for the construction of the church. He mentioned that the land in question was the one where the Ezulwini Islamic Institute was built. Meanwhile, Juma said he had observed many changes in the operation of the church since its formation.
He claimed that Muslims used to participate in national events such as Easter services at the time where they were held at Emagomini. He mentioned that members of the church used to participate in royal kraal church services something which was no longer happening nowadays.

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