Community rallies against vandalism at Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi
Image: Supplied
Public outrage has erupted following the vandalism of the Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi, a designated national heritage site at Mowbray Cemetery, on Tuesday evening.
A kramat, or mazaar, is a shrine or tomb of a revered Muslim holy person, significant in South Africa as a place of pilgrimage and respect for the Muslim community, often marking the graves of those who contributed to the early spread of Islam in the region.
The Moslem Cemetery Board condemned the actions, noting that this incident follows a recent theft of the katal, the bier used for transporting the deceased, from the same site.
Criminals damaged and removed the burglar bars.
Image: Supplied
'The confluence of these incidents reveals an emerging pattern of targeted criminality that strikes at the core of religious reverence, heritage preservation, and communal dignity.
"It must be emphasised that these violations occurred despite the recent implementation of comprehensive and high-level security upgrades across the Mowbray Cemetery precinct,' the board said.
CCTV cameras, advanced motion-sensitive alarm systems, and additional burglar bars have not seemed to deter criminals
The damages to the Kramat include the damaging and removal of burglar bars, removal of ceiling cornices, light fittings, wiring, and all electrical fittings, removal of the grave covering, and leaving the area in disarray.
The burial site of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was also damaged.
Image: Supplied
The Moslem Cemetery Board said it immediately engaged the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), and the Cape Mazaar Society (CMS) to ensure that this act is investigated and prosecuted with the full weight of the law.
It said such conduct constitutes a violation of basic property and criminal statutes and is prosecutable under the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, given the status of the site as a protected national heritage landmark.
Chairman of Moslem Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Faizal Sayed, said this desecration represents a breach of physical security and a violation of the moral and cultural compact that underpins a civilised society.
'Sites of sacred and historical import, such as Kramats, are not passive relics of the past. They are dynamic embodiments of spiritual continuity and communal identity. The calculated intrusion upon such a sanctified space signals a deeper societal malaise, an alarming erosion of reverence for sanctity, cultural heritage, and the inviolability of death. The theft of the katal, followed by this incident, depicts a pattern of conduct that warrants rigorous criminal investigation and compels urgent civic reflection on how we, as a society, uphold the dignity of the deceased and preserve the sacred architecture of collective memory,' Sayed said.
The burglar bars were removed from the windows.
Image: Supplied
The MJC said it viewed this act as a violation of sacred space and as a flagrant affront to religious and cultural sensibilities, an attack on the moral sanctity of the dead, and a disruption of public peace in direct contravention of South African laws protecting religious sites and heritage institutions.
President of the MJC, Sheikh Riad Fataar, said this incident is extremely troubling.
The damage to the kramat.
Image: Supplied
'This criminal act is deeply disturbing and must be understood as vandalism, theft, and the desecration of sacred heritage. The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi is not only a site of Islamic significance, but a repository of the collective memory of the Muslim community of South Africa. We urge the authorities to investigate this matter with the seriousness it demands, and we call upon all communities to treat our burial sites and sacred spaces with the reverence they deserve,' Fataar said.
The Moslem Cemetery Board has called on the public, faith-based organisations, civil society bodies, and local residents to remain vigilant and consider the preservation of sacred burial spaces. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Vandalism at sacred Kramat condemned by religious and heritage organisations
The Kramat was broken into on Tuesday evening. Image: Supplied The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi nestled within the Mowbray Cemetery has been subjected to a break-in and act of vandalism, drawing strong condemnation from various religious and heritage organisations. This incident has spotlighted growing concerns over the security of sacred sites and reflects broader societal issues regarding respect for communal heritage. On Wednesday, July 30, the Muslim Cemetery Board released a statement revealing that the Kramat, a formally recognised national heritage site revered by the local Muslim community, was unlawfully entered and desecrated, as reported by the Southern Suburbs Tatler. This act follows a recent theft at the same cemetery involving a katal—a bier used to transport the deceased with solemnity—signalling what the Board describes as a 'pattern of targeted criminality' aimed at undermining religious reverence and communal dignity. Despite recent security upgrades, including the installation of CCTV cameras, motion-sensitive alarms, and reinforced entry points, the Kramat was not spared from intrusion. Intruders reportedly damaged and removed essential fixtures such as burglar bars, light fittings, wiring, and the grave covering, leaving the sacred site in disarray. Faizal Sayed, chairperson of the Muslim Cemetery Board and secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), expressed profound dismay over the incident. 'This desecration represents both a breach of physical security and a violation of the moral and cultural compact that underpins a civilised society,' he stated, stressing that such sites are vital to the spiritual continuity and communal identity of the populace. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The burglar bars were removed from the windows. Image: Supplied Advocate Yusuf Khan Dalwai, public relations officer of the Cape Mazaar Society, echoed these sentiments, expressing that the vandalism represents not merely an attack on a site of spiritual significance, but an affront to the entire community. 'We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,' he urged. The MJC took to social media to label the incident an 'abhorrent act of vandalism,' underlining the Kramat's significance as a key element of the spiritual and historical heritage of the Muslim community in South Africa. Sheikh Riad Fataar, president of the MJC, called for renewed respect for sacred sites, urging all communities to take a stand against such acts of desecration. Cape Town provincial police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk, confirmed that the break-in was reported at Woodstock Police Station. 'The incident occurred between Tuesday, July 29, at 4:30pm, and Wednesday, July 30, at 7am. No suspects have been identified yet, and investigations are ongoing,' he stated.
IOL News
2 days ago
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Public outcry following vandalism of sacred burial site
The burial site of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was also damaged. Image: Supplied There has been public outrage after a designated national heritage site at the Mowbray Cemetery was broken into and vandalised by criminals. The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was severely vandalised on Tuesday evening. A kramat, also known as a mazaar, is a shrine or tomb of a revered Muslim holy person, particularly prominent in South Africa. These shrines are places of pilgrimage and respect for Muslim communities, often marking the graves of individuals who played a significant role in the early spread of Islam in the region. The Moslem Cemetery Board condemned the actions and stated this incident follows another theft where the katal, the bier used for the transportation of deceased persons, was stolen from the same premises just weeks ago. The Kramat was broken into on Tuesday evening. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The confluence of these incidents reveals an emerging pattern of targeted criminality that strikes at the core of religious reverence, heritage preservation, and communal dignity. "It must be emphasised that these violations occurred despite the recent implementation of comprehensive and high-level security upgrades across the Mowbray Cemetery precinct,' the board said. CCTV cameras, advanced motion-sensitive alarm systems, and additional burglar bars have not seemed to deter criminals The damages to the Kramat include the damage and removal of burglar bars, removal of ceiling cornices, light fittings, wiring, and all electrical fittings, removal of the grave covering, and leaving the area in disarray. Criminals damaged and removed the burglar bars. Image: Supplied The Moslem Cemetery Board said it immediately engaged the police, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), and the Cape Mazaar Society (CMS) to ensure that the incident is investigated and prosecuted. It said such conduct constitutes a violation of basic property and criminal statutes and is prosecutable under the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, given the status of the site as a protected national heritage landmark. Chairman of the Moslem Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Faizal Sayed, said the desecration represents a breach of physical security and a violation of the moral and cultural compact that underpins a civilised society. 'The calculated intrusion upon such a sanctified space signals a deeper societal malaise, an alarming erosion of reverence for sanctity, cultural heritage, and the inviolability of death. The theft of the katal, followed by this incident, depicts a pattern of conduct that warrants rigorous criminal investigation and compels urgent civic reflection on how we, as a society, uphold the dignity of the deceased and preserve the sacred architecture of collective memory,' Sayed said. The burglar bars were removed from the windows. Image: Supplied Advocate Yusuf Khan Dalwai of the Cape Mazaar society said that they are saddened and shocked at the incident. 'This is not only vandalism of a sacred site but an attack on our community. We call on the authorities to do a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,' he said. The MJC said it viewed this act as a violation of sacred space and as a flagrant affront to religious and cultural sensibilities, an attack on the moral sanctity of the dead, and a disruption of public peace in direct contravention of South African laws protecting religious sites and heritage institutions. President of the MJC, Sheikh Riad Fataar, said the incident is extremely troubling. 'The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi is not only a site of Islamic significance, but a repository of the collective memory of the Muslim community of South Africa. We urge the authorities to investigate this matter with the seriousness it demands, and we call upon all communities to treat our burial sites and sacred spaces with the reverence they deserve,' Fataar said. The Moslem Cemetery Board has called on the public, faith-based organisations, civil society bodies, and local residents to remain vigilant and consider the preservation of sacred burial spaces. 'While infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms are essential, the enduring protection of such sites depends equally on communal consciousness, moral restraint, and active public cooperation. 'We urge any member of the public with knowledge of or information relating to the recent incident to contact the relevant authorities immediately. The dignity of the deceased, the preservation of sanctity, and the continuity of our historical memory demand nothing less,' the board added. Anyone with information on the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 0860010111, or use the MySaps app. Cape Times
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Community rallies against vandalism at Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi
The burial site of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was also damaged. Image: Supplied Public outrage has erupted following the vandalism of the Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi, a designated national heritage site at Mowbray Cemetery, on Tuesday evening. A kramat, or mazaar, is a shrine or tomb of a revered Muslim holy person, significant in South Africa as a place of pilgrimage and respect for the Muslim community, often marking the graves of those who contributed to the early spread of Islam in the region. The Moslem Cemetery Board condemned the actions, noting that this incident follows a recent theft of the katal, the bier used for transporting the deceased, from the same site. Criminals damaged and removed the burglar bars. Image: Supplied 'The confluence of these incidents reveals an emerging pattern of targeted criminality that strikes at the core of religious reverence, heritage preservation, and communal dignity. "It must be emphasised that these violations occurred despite the recent implementation of comprehensive and high-level security upgrades across the Mowbray Cemetery precinct,' the board said. CCTV cameras, advanced motion-sensitive alarm systems, and additional burglar bars have not seemed to deter criminals The damages to the Kramat include the damaging and removal of burglar bars, removal of ceiling cornices, light fittings, wiring, and all electrical fittings, removal of the grave covering, and leaving the area in disarray. The burial site of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was also damaged. Image: Supplied The Moslem Cemetery Board said it immediately engaged the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), and the Cape Mazaar Society (CMS) to ensure that this act is investigated and prosecuted with the full weight of the law. It said such conduct constitutes a violation of basic property and criminal statutes and is prosecutable under the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, given the status of the site as a protected national heritage landmark. Chairman of Moslem Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Faizal Sayed, said this desecration represents a breach of physical security and a violation of the moral and cultural compact that underpins a civilised society. 'Sites of sacred and historical import, such as Kramats, are not passive relics of the past. They are dynamic embodiments of spiritual continuity and communal identity. The calculated intrusion upon such a sanctified space signals a deeper societal malaise, an alarming erosion of reverence for sanctity, cultural heritage, and the inviolability of death. The theft of the katal, followed by this incident, depicts a pattern of conduct that warrants rigorous criminal investigation and compels urgent civic reflection on how we, as a society, uphold the dignity of the deceased and preserve the sacred architecture of collective memory,' Sayed said. The burglar bars were removed from the windows. Image: Supplied The MJC said it viewed this act as a violation of sacred space and as a flagrant affront to religious and cultural sensibilities, an attack on the moral sanctity of the dead, and a disruption of public peace in direct contravention of South African laws protecting religious sites and heritage institutions. President of the MJC, Sheikh Riad Fataar, said this incident is extremely troubling. The damage to the kramat. Image: Supplied 'This criminal act is deeply disturbing and must be understood as vandalism, theft, and the desecration of sacred heritage. The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi is not only a site of Islamic significance, but a repository of the collective memory of the Muslim community of South Africa. We urge the authorities to investigate this matter with the seriousness it demands, and we call upon all communities to treat our burial sites and sacred spaces with the reverence they deserve,' Fataar said. The Moslem Cemetery Board has called on the public, faith-based organisations, civil society bodies, and local residents to remain vigilant and consider the preservation of sacred burial spaces. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
