Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-07-16

The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa has been been alarmed by a report that worshippers have become an easy target for criminals during the nightly prayers in Ramadhan.

The latest incident at a masjid in Kensington east of Johannesburg, follows another on 3rd July when it was reported that at a masjid in the Johannesburg CBD, men carrying weapons interrupted a prayer service. At gun point, the suspected criminals forced congregants to surrender cell phones, wallets and other valuables from their pockets before escaping.

On Monday, two armed men assaulted worshippers after storming a masjid compound, robbing them of undisclosed sums of money before fleeing the scene.

“We condemn such an acts of disrespect for a place of worship and the cowardly harassment that takes advantage of worshippers at the moment of their vulnerability, during their reflections and devotions,” Secretary General of the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa, Moulana Ebrahim Bham said in a statement.

“Our appeal to authorities is to investigate these incidents, bring perpetrators to book and stop this disturbing development that seems to be a trend.”

“We urge all congregations to be alert and take appropriate measures in order to prevent such incidents from occurring,” added Moulana Bham.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)