Plan to build mosque close to church sparks dispute

OBJECTIONS against the construction of a mosque in the Karoo have been raised by a church that says the mosque will be “too close to it”.

The Friends of Christ Community Church wrote in its objection letter, which the Cape Times has seen, that “nowhere in South Africa or anywhere else in (the country) will you find a mosque next to a Christian church.”

The Touws River Islamic Society applied for rezoning to the Laingsburg Municipality, which was approved, provided certain conditions were met.

Yesterday municipal project manager Johan Mouton said the church appealed against that decision and it was now under consideration by the municipality’s town-planner.

“The application and the appeal are being considered. Once we know we will let the parties know,” Mouton said.

Ismail Bhyat, for the Islamic Society, said that in Ceres and Worcester there were churches and mosques opposite one another.

“The existence of the mosque is imperative to our Muslim travellers from the N1, so much so that every town from Johannesburg to Cape Town has a place to stop and pray.

‘‘Our legal team has done research on this matter and finds the objection nonsensical and is prepared to take this matter to the highest court if necessary, as there is no law against what we’re doing.”

Pastor Jerome Willemse, who signed the objection letter, did not respond to e-mail requests for comment.