The Maqam of Sheikh Noorul Mubeen, South Africa.

The Maqam of Sheikh Noorul Mubeen at Oudekraal, Cape Town, South Africa.

Sheikh Noorul Mubeen is said to have been banished to the Cape in 1716 and incarcerated on Robben Island. According to a popular legend he escaped from Robben Island  by unknown means and came to make his home in this desolate spot. Soon he made contact with the slaves on the estates in the area, teaching them mainly at night, the religion of Islam. When he died, he was buried on the site where he had most frequently read his prayers.


Legend has it that he escaped from Robben Island by swimming across the Atlantic Ocean. His tired body was discovered by a slave fisherman who nursed him back to health and hid him in the mountains. The fishermen soon discovered he was a holy man and started to take lessons from him. Sheikh Noorul Mubeen became their Imam and teacher.