About Salaam's Cape Town

Bilal Hassam, founder

I'm Bilal Hassam, and I started Salaam's Cape Town.

I moved here in 2021 and found a Muslim city far older than I had expected, from the kramats on the hillsides to the mosques of Bo-Kaap. This guide is the one I wish I'd had when I arrived.

Before Cape Town I trained as an emergency doctor in the NHS in West London. I was one of the first people to work at Penny Appeal, and I went on to found The Muslim Agency, a consultancy for Muslim leaders. I write as well, for the Guardian, GQ, Newsweek and The Independent. These days I split my time between Cape Town and London.

Everything on this site is checked before it goes up. Where we are not sure, we say so, and every halal detail comes with a reminder to confirm on the day.

How we check the guide

We keep a facts sheet with sources for the guide. Confirmed information, estimates and dated details are marked separately. Venue statements are recorded as statements. An inspected certificate is separate evidence.

Find the sources on each heritage chapter and the food guide. For a correction, write to info@salaamscapetown.com.