Faizel Patel – 27/08/2020
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) says the Hindu community in Isipingo Beach in Durban are opposed to the action taken by a lone Hindu resident to limit the athan or Islamic call to prayer.
Chandra Ellaurie sought a court interdict to silence the athan and shut down the Madrasah Taleemuddeen Islamic Institute’s operations in the residential neighbourhood and sell its property to the state or to a non-Muslim entity.
Judge Sidwell Mngadi ruled on Friday that the Madrasah must ensure that the athan from the institute is not audible within the buildings of Ellaurie’s property, 20 metres away.
Judge Mngadi said the applicant, who is Hindu, was “unashamedly opposed” to the Islamic faith propagated by the Madrasah.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Samnet’s Dr. Faizal Suliman says according to filed affidavits by other Hindu neighbours, the athan is not audible to them and is not a problem or a disturbance at all.
“Also privately I was contacted by senior members of the Hindu community who assured me they are not in favour of this action.”
The Isipingo Beach Christian Fellowship has also reacted to Ellaurie’s interdict saying it is
“appalled by the issue against our Muslim brother and sisters.”
Speaking to Radio Islam, the organisations Pastor Levi Emmanuel David says it’s hard to believe that Ellaurie has taken court action against the athan and Muslims.
“The community is still shocked by this. Many of us saw it on the news last night and its something that’s still hard to believe that something of this sought has happened in our community. The reason I say that is because as the Christian community, we have lived in peace and harmony with the Muslim community for many, many years and so we don’t understand how something like this could happen.”
Radio Islam also spoke to Taleemuddeen Islamic Institute’s attorney, Aslam Mayat who indicated that he had been instructed to appeal against the ruling.
Listen to the interview with Dr. Faisal Suliman
Listen to the interviews with Attorney Aslam Mayet and Pastor Levi Emmanuel David
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