Land needed for mosques

I noted with reserved optimism the news that the metro council is tackling the backlog of applications for land for religious purposes (“City moves on church applications”, September 19).

The issue is of serious concern in Nelson Mandela Bay.

I am a bit worried about the fact that mention was only made about land for churches. I do hope that cognisance has been taken of the fact that other religious groupings need land for religious purposes as well.

The Muslim community, which has 20,000 or more adherents in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, has not had it easy in getting land for religious purposes.

A moratorium on the granting of land for religious purposes has existed for more than a decade.

The council around 2004 expressed its desire to redress the imbalance in granting of land to all faith groups.

Since that time no land has been granted to an ever-growing Muslim population.

Communities have had to resort to purchasing land at full market value.

Added to that they have had to contend with numerous obstacles in getting this land zoned for religious purposes.

In my research, I’ve unearthed at least eight applications for land to establish mosques from the Muslim community in Port Elizabeth dating back to 2011.

No appreciable response has been forthcoming from council over almost a decade.

The northern areas of Port Elizabeth is home to an estimated 30 to 35% Muslim population. In an area covering 17km², there are only six places of worship for Muslims.

I also noted with concern that the article makes mention that land can no longer be made available at a nominal fee and that communities would have to fork out market value for municipal land.

Religion is a stabilising force in a community riddled with crime, violence, drugs and abuse.

It is time for our council to take the issue of religion seriously and not just pay lip service.

The council is the servant of the city, elected to do the job of seeing to every aspect of the life of its population, including the right to worship.

I trust that this council will address the minority concerns adequately.

Muhammad Badsha, spokesperson, Eastern Cape

Masjid Forum