South Africa To Shut Down First Gay-Friendly Mosque

oge okonkwo

September 25, 2014 5:43 PM

Its founder, a popular Imam in the UK, Taj Hargey said the mosque would help counter radicalism

The first gay-friendly mosque in South Africa which also allows women to lead prayers will soon be shut down.

According to the BBC, the City of Cape Town councillor says the newly established Open Mosque has violated municipal by-laws by not having any parking spaces.The mosque officially opened last Friday despite criticism from members of the local Muslim community.Its founder, a popular Imam in the UK, Taj Hargey said the mosque would help counter radicalism.

Hargey told the BBC.he said.City councillor Ganief Hendricks denied that the closure request was part of a witch-hunt.he told the BBC.He said Hargey had not applied to change the use of the building from a warehouse to a mosque. Hendricks said.A local by-law stipulates that a place of worship should have one parking bay per 10 worshippers on the premises but Mr Hendricks said there were not any.The process of applying for the necessary paperwork could take up to six months, he said.Hargey told the BBC that he believed everything was in order. he said.“This is not a gay mosque. But I will not turn anyone away based on race or sexual orientation.

oge okonkwo