The director of Umvoti Light newspaper and member of the Tactical Shooting Team (TST) Rivaj Ramdas whose initiative to broadcast the athan on loudspeakers and protest against the banning of the Athan (Islamic call to prayer) in Isipingo Beach has passed away.

According to a post on social media, Ramdas passed away on Tuesday after he lost his battle with COVID-19.

In a post of Facebook, Durban Muslims says Ramdas was well known to the Durban community as a humanitarian.

“Whilst not being born into the fold of Islam, Mr Ramdas played an important role in the unbanning of the Azaan in Isipingo Beach. We recognize him for his respect of other religions and offer condolences to his family and loved ones.”

In August last year, Ramdas told Radio Islam that when TST heard about the banning of the athan, they were livid.

“Tears rolled from our eyes because the truth of the matter is we love God in all His forms and I must say to you that we are especially fond of the Muslim community. Because we are so deeply involved in outreach and feeding and serving the homeless, we are more than acutely aware that the one community that you can count on when it comes to taking care of widows as per the Prophet’s (Muhammad [PBUH]) instructions, taking care of the less fortunate, doing charity, it’s the Muslim community.”

Residents of all faiths took to the streets in Durban in a convoy playing out the athan on loudspeakers in Isipingo Beach and surrounding areas in protest of a Durban High Court judgment that limits the athan or the Islamic call to prayer after resident Chandra Ellaurie said it disturbed his peace and enjoyment of his property.