Cape Town - The controversial Open Mosque has invited Muslim women “to celebrate the end of the hajj pilgrimage on Sunday”, in the latest volley in the saga.
Dr Taj Hargey opened the mosque, at 4 Lester Road, Wynberg, on September 19 - and has since been involved in debate within the local Muslim community around the status of women in Islam.
He said: “The Open Mosque warmly welcomes all female worshippers as full and equal participants. While it is common for most Muslim women throughout South Africa to remain at home and not attend Eid al-Adha prayers, this pernicious form of gender apartheid was not sanctioned by the Prophet Muhammad himself.
“For the first time, Muslim women will be at the centre stage and heart of Eid devotions in a mosque.”
Hargey said contrary to “blatant misrepresentation”, his mosque had been open since September 19 - “despite attempts by the Muslim Judicial Council-supporting people in the city council trying to close us down on technicalities”..
The MJC declined to comment on the matter on Thursday.
Cape Argus