Johannesburg – Over the weekend, a disturbing video circulated depicting an encounter between armed security personnel and the Muslim community in Soweto. The footage captured a group of community members attempting to enter the premises of the Dlamini Mosque for what seemed to be a meeting.
However, the gatekeepers were adamant about not allowing them access. Thabo Maisela from the Soweto Muslim Shura explained the heightened security resulted from an “overzealous” individual, who remained unnamed, taking it upon themselves to secure the premises for the scheduled meeting.
He further stated the Mosque had been facing internal challenges, and the purpose of the meeting was to engage with the community to explore potential solutions. The gathering also aimed to secure a potential sponsor who could fund various projects planned by the Mosque and its committee.
“Part of our road map is that we need to bring in other people who are going to be able to assist us to better run the Masjid … We have a committee that has … done relatively well, but we think we can take [our programs] to the next level.”
Likening the Incident to Masjid Al-Aqsa
Although the meeting was well-intentioned and aimed to address numerous issues, Maisela found it offensive that armed guards were obstructing community members from entering their local Mosque, drawing parallels to how Israelis restrict Palestinians.
Nonetheless, the meeting could only commence after the armed guards departed, facilitated by the assistance of SAPS. What ensued was a highly productive and positive gathering.
“We were able to resolve that issue with the intervention of SAPS. The meeting did take place within the Masjid, and we had a very fruitful and good [one].”
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The Spread of False Narratives
Maisela highlighted that one of the identified issues was the absence of communication between the committee and the community concerning the Mosque.
Consequently, this meeting catalysed rectifying this communication gap and updating the community on the forthcoming steps and objectives.
However, Maisela pointed out several baseless narratives circulating within the community. One such story falsely claimed the Mosque had been sold to an “unknown” individual who would subsequently lead the Soweto Muslim Association. As a result, these narratives agitated community members further.
As part of their broader objectives, the purpose of the meeting also included safeguarding community control over the Mosque after securing funding. Maisela clarified that one of their key objectives in discussions with potential donors is to stress that the grant should come “with no strings attached”.
“For us to be treated as equals on the table of brotherhood, we need to uplift ourselves as a community … Now you can’t come to us and dictate what to do and what not to do as if we can’t think for ourselves … it has been happening and we have been rejecting it.”
