Afrikaner objection to mosque

“A MOSQUE will invade our privacy and our homes. It will also change the ethos of our Christian community.”

This is the view of the Christian Democratic Party (CPD) who have objected to a mosque being erected in Valhalla, Pretoria.

Party leader Reverend Theunis Botha said 2 600 Afrikaans residents signed a petition to stop the Thaba Tshwane Islamic Centre Trust from building a mosque in the area.

“Afrikaans people in Erasmia, where a mosque was built, were moving out and more Muslims were moving in.

“In the last few years at least three mosques were built.” He added that the CDP will not let their suburb suffer the same fate and will stop at nothing to ensure the place of worship is not erected.

“We are not trying to stir up tension between the religious groups. We just don’t see the need for a mosque in our area because we only have 13 Muslims residents.

“They can travel to mosques in Erasmia and Laudium which is 15 minutes away to render their prayers,” said Botha.

“Having a mosque in our area will be a huge invasion of our privacy because of the loud noises and the prayers that are rendered seven times a day. We will not even be able to watch television peacefully,” said Botha.

He added that the Tshwane Municipality donated the mosque a portion of land that was supposed to be used as a park for children.

“We also approached them for the land to be used as a church but were turned down. The majority of our community is Christian and we should have been given the land,” said Botha. Muhammad Kader, spokesperson for the trust, said the organisation believed that the objections had nothing to do with religion, but was more racially motivated.

“Many Afrikaans residents told me that they are supporting our campaign to build a mosque and have given us their blessing. CDP is still stuck within an apartheid mentality”.

He added that Valhalla was home to more than 100 Muslim families.