Al-Qalam 
Dr Faisal Suleman of SAMNET has urged mosques in SA to take protective measures against Islamophobic or common criminal attacks, writes Ismail Suder.
With hate crimes against Muslims and masjids on the rise around the world, including in South Africa, an activist group has suggested that mosque committees should keep non-lethal self-defence equipment and first aid packs at the ready in case of any attacks.
Dr Faisal Suleman, Chairman of the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), cited a recent attempt to bomb Musjidur Rahman, a Durban North Mosque. The assailants used an improvised bomb to attack the mosque, but their attempt was unsuccessful. Nobody has yet been arrested.
It was widely condemned by all sectors of the wider community, including the Jamiatul Ulama (South Africa (JUSA), which released a statement at the time saying, “It is an attempt that has all the hallmarks of Islamophobia and hate, which should be condemned by everyone”.
Dr Suleman said congregants should not become sitting ducks in the face of any attacks.
The attack and congregants should take steps to defend themselves in the face of an attack.
“The leaders of all mosques should be prepared to counter any hate crimes against the masjids and Muslims within the ambit of the law.
Islamophobic attacks are happening, not only against mosques but against individuals as well.
“Recently, we have already seen one Muslim family attacked for their Palestinian views by a Zionist that involved the cold-blooded murder of a Muslim sister and the brutal stabbing of her husband.
“There have already been numerous incidents of people being robbed, attacked and shot within a masjid area, whether by criminals or during attempted assassinations.
“We are well aware of repeated incidents in other parts of the world, where masjids and musalees have been attacked by criminals, and also by terrorists like the one in New Zealand, or by right-wing fascists as has happened in the United States, Europe and most recently, in the UK.
In an interview, Dr Suleman told Al-Qalam that mosque leaders could take important measures to protect mosques and musalees.
“Important measures like improving lighting, cameras, first aid training, some sort of self-defence classes can all be helpful – it can save lives.
“SAMNET is suggesting that all masaajids ensure they have a security cupboard stocked with pepper sprays, handcuffs, gauzes, crepe bandages, baseball bats, hockey sticks or similar batons, and possibly a taser that should be kept regularly on charge.
“While there are limited options when armed persons enter a Masjid, it is not unforeseeable or far-fetched that criminals may enter a masjid with knives or similar weapons or going on some sort of stabbing spree, or a hate crime attack,” he added.
“Money needs to be kept aside for masjids that cannot afford this to ensure that all our places of worship are protected and have some self-defence capabilities.
Similarly, donors need to consider sponsoring security guards at madrassas.
He said SAMNET has for some time now been advocating for at least 5% of present charity spend to be redirected towards more strategic spending and this should be one of the ways.
“Don’t be sitting ducks, take urgent preventative measures now,” he urged.
