Al-Qalam 
By Nabeelah Shaikh
Trustees of Durban North’s Musjidur Rahman believe that police are trying to “cover-up” an attempted terror threat at the mosque after homemade explosive devices were found on its property earlier this week.
The mosque’s committee member Yusuf Desai said they had reviewed video footage, and it was evident that it was a deliberate attempt to target the property. However, in a conflicting statement, KwaZulu-Natal police said that the suspects were on Kenneth Kaunda Road, where the mosque is situated, and when they were interrupted by a security vehicle, they had thrown the homemade explosives into the mosque’s yard.
“I don’t know why the police are trying to downplay this incident. The person who made the statement hadn’t even visited the site, nor did the police conclude their investigation. So how can he say that the suspects were going to another site and they had dumped the explosives at the mosque?” probed Desai.
He said there was going to be a meeting with police to ask them what made them make such a statement without the investigation being complete.
“It does not make sense to say that they were going to another site and they dumped it there. Why would they do that and specifically choose to dump the explosives at the mosque, instead of anywhere else in the area?” asked Desai.
Desai said the mosque’s security guard noticed a vehicle entering the driveway around 00:45 am that morning. The security observed an unidentified male exiting the passenger side and placing an object into the shrubs near the mosque entrance.
“Upon noticing the guard approaching, the individuals fled the scene. The package was found to contain a bomb and approximately 40 meters of detonation cable, which the SAPS bomb squad successfully rendered safe and removed,” said Desai.
Desai said when they had reviewed the video footage, it appeared that two white males had been in the vehicle. He says the vehicle has since been identified, and an investigation is now ongoing.
Desai said he believes the incident could be linked to the initial objections to the building of the mosque in the area.
“When we bought the property, neighbours started objecting to the building of the mosque. They were questioning why people were coming to pray at the property. A lady was canvassing and started going around to the community, collecting objections. She had gathered about 130 objections against the mosque. She got neighbours to sign these objections,” said Desai.
He said they then applied for rezoning of the property.
“We got approval for the rezoning of the musjid. We got over a thousand people in support of the rezoning of the property. We got the ANC involved as well at the time. We then got the rezoning done and built the mosque. It is unbelievable that even after the mosque was built, some people were still objecting to it,” said Desai.
Desai said after the 2021 looting in Durban, they saw a great change in attitude from the side of the community towards the mosque.
“Our mosque was used as the security and admin centre for the entire Durban North area. People of all races and religions were in and out of our musjid around the clock for two weeks. And then we saw a change in the way the community responded to our mosque thereafter and they started to stand with the musjid. They started to protect us and said that we must continue with our prayers,” he said.
Desai said that whenever there’s a water shortage, they have boreholes and tanks ready and on standby, and the community comes to the mosque for help.
“We have a good relationship with the community and we believe there is a third force behind the explosives incident, and they’re trying to create animosity between the mosque and the community,” he said.
Desai says the Muslim community’s contributions to Durban North’s economy and
social fabric have significantly mitigated earlier misunderstandings and stereotypes.
“This attempted act of terrorism, therefore, underscores a grave concern for the Durban North community,” said Desai.
The mosque has now heightened security measures, urging anyone with
information on or motives behind the bombing attempt or who may have been in the
vicinity during the incident to contact law enforcement or the mosque directly.
“Efforts to apprehend those responsible will be relentless and thorough. This reprehensible act will not deter the Muslim community from practicing their faith or engaging in dialogue with other faiths,” said Desai.
He said that the mosque will remain open to welcome visitors as usual.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed that they are on the hunt for two suspects following the incident.
“A case of illegal possession of explosives is being investigated,” said KZN Police Spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker.
