Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 23-03-2017
A resident of Atholl has told Radio Islam that while there are reservations about a masjid being built in the area, people should refrain from making their objections about religion.
Hundreds of people for and against the project gathered at the site of the proposed masjid in Sandton today.
Among the objections which include water usage and the Athan, residents claim that parking and traffic congestion will be a major factor if the construction of the masjid goes ahead.
As residents voiced their concerns about the proposed construction of a masjid, one resident who was part of the objectors questioned the Muslim/Christian demographics of the area.
Local resident Deirdie Mason told Radio Islam the issue is not about religion and that communities should work together to resolve the impasse.
“I object to somebody standing up there and making divisive religious comments. This is not about Muslim, Christian, Jews. This is about other things and I disassociate myself from anybody who’s trying to turn this into a divisive religious event.”
Social cohesion activist Yusuf Abramjee says the site visit went very well.
“We make dua that Allah will make this journey easy for us to have the masjid. We also need to be patient, legal processes take a long time. We’ve seen it in Valhalla, we’ve seen it in Malelane, we’ve seen it in Knysna now. The fact that we are standing united, this process is Insha’Allah going to go smoothly.”
Community leader Mufti Muhammad Minty says that while the proposed masjid construction received over 700 objections, the application for a church at another site received no more than 20.
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