Cape Town - Arsonists have attacked Cape Town’s controversial “open mosque”, but despite this incident and death threats made against its founder, its doors will remain open.
In the early hours of yesterday the front door of the mosque was set alight and windows were broken.
There were no injuries and no arrests have been made.
The mosque’s founder, academic Taj Hargey, said a door was damaged and a section of the building was covered in soot, but there was no structural damage and the mosque was operating as usual.
“We are not frightened. They damaged the house of God,” he said.
The mosque was opened in Wynberg on September 19, infuriating some in the Muslim community who believed it was blasphemous.
“This was a deliberate arson attack,” Hargey said.
“They used petrol and oil.”
He said CCTV footage showed that unidentified people had made several reconnaissance trips to the mosque two hours before the attack.
Police spokesman Andre Traut, said the incident was being investigated.
Today Eid celebrations are being held at the mosque and Hargey said women worshippers would be welcome.
“Instead of preparing for the holy day these people were preparing to destroy the house of God... it’s very sad, disrespectful. They cannot shut us down, they can try whatever they want.
“They have tried verbal intimidation, threats and now arson. This should be the last.”
Hargey said the attack was the latest in a string of attempts to try to close the mosque.
About 10 days ago the mosque was temporarily shut down, apparently because it did not comply with a by-law regarding the number of parking bays it needed to provide.
“But I think this is the last straw. They’ve tried all means. We’ve had death threats. They wish to shoot me… I get anonymous calls.”
The Muslim Judicial Council declined to comment on the incident. - Weekend Argus