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IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
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. 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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
a day 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
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Outrage as criminals vandalise the sacred burial site of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi
The Kramat was broken into on Tuesday evening. 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 broken into and 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. 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 Advocate Yusuf Khan Dalwai, the Public Relations Officer of the Cape Mazaar society said that they are saddened and shocked to discover the desecration and vandalism at Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi. '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 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. '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. [email protected] IOL
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Faith and civic leaders unite to confront Cape Flats gun violence crisis
Faith leaders and activists pledge to reclaim streets from gang violence, led by moral regeneration and grassroots organising. Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete In response to a deadly surge of shootings across Cape Town, interfaith leaders and civic organisations have vowed to lead a grassroots moral and structural regeneration campaign to address what they describe as a 'constitutional, moral and humanitarian emergency'. The gathering, convened by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (CCCC), the Western Cape Council of Churches (WCCC), and other civil society partners, followed a wave of gun violence that left numerous people dead in recent weeks. MJC President Sheikh Riad Fataar said the gathering was prompted by the deteriorating security crisis across the Cape Flats and broader Western Cape. 'In line with our earlier statement on 7 July, where we condemned the proliferation of organised criminal activity, the circulation of illicit arms and drugs, and the resultant violation of constitutional rights to life, security and dignity, the MJC has now engaged directly with state authorities in an urgent bid to arrest the deepening spiral of social decay,' Fataar said. He confirmed that a high-level engagement was held at the MJC offices with South African Police Services (SAPS) regional commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, senior SAPS management, and Members of Parliament from the police oversight committee. 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 ✕ Fataar said the MJC 'welcomed the frank and constructive tone of the dialogue' and extended appreciation to those 'who recognised the gravity of the moment'. He reiterated that the unchecked violence was not just a policing crisis, but 'a moral, constitutional and humanitarian emergency'. 'As articulated in Section 72 of the Constitution, the state bears a positive and non-negotiable duty to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights of all persons, especially the most vulnerable.' He added: 'What we see is not only the consequence of gang warfare, but the result of decades-long structural abandonment and institutional erosion. The right to life, dignity, and safety is not aspirational; it is constitutional. When that right is systematically denied, we are compelled by faith and law to act with urgency, clarity and unity.' Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (CCCC) founder Dr Llewellyn MacMaster warned that society must adopt 'multi-focal lenses' when analysing the crisis. 'A lot of the time, we're restricted. Sometimes we must zoom in on the details, but also widen our lens to see the national and international systemic issues. We are the crisis committee, but we must ask: Why are we still in a crisis?' he said. MacMaster called on religious institutions to reclaim their role in addressing what he termed a deep moral and ethical collapse in South African society. 'We've handed over the responsibility for moral regeneration to the government. Remember the last time it was led, it was under Jacob Zuma. We must take back that responsibility. We need courageous leadership, leaders who are not seduced by photo ops with politicians. If we think our role is to take pictures at the table, we are fooling ourselves.' He urged collaboration across faith groups, even without state funding or resources. 'We are building this movement every day without money. But we must reach consensus and act. As the African proverb goes: 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.'' Community leader Dean Ramjoomia issued a challenge to faith groups, calling for inward accountability: 'You talk about crime and criminality, but are you dealing with the criminal in your home? Our society is psychosocially dysfunctional. It's easier to deal with a criminal than with the brokenness that produces them.' Ramjoomia also pointed to overlooked trauma among men: 'More men are victims of sexual violence than we admit. But we only see men as perpetrators and villains. There is no healing for the brokenness of men in this society.' Philippi-based leader Nandi Vangqa-Mgijima called for deepened political education and mobilisation among the working class, particularly around the historical roots of gangsterism. 'Gangsterism was a system created by the apartheid government. But it seems now that this very system is being reinvented under the democratic dispensation. We need to understand these root causes, the socioeconomic ills that continue to confront our communities.' She criticised the government's use of commissions of inquiry as ineffectual and wasteful: 'They are often useless and drain resources that should be going to the very communities that suffer most. We need to be informed when we make our demands, not symbolic, but strategic.' Former Western Cape top police officer Jeremy Vearey stressed that the faith sector must now take full leadership of the country's moral regeneration agenda, and not simply play a supporting role to the state. 'The religious community is no longer leaving moral regeneration to the state, policing, or spiral crime prevention programmes,' said Vearey. 'They've now come to the point where they are leading; they've decided to lead their campaign for regeneration.' But he cautioned that this shift must come with state support. Vearey said the collective energy of interfaith leaders, civic groups, and community organisers must now be redirected back into neighbourhoods. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from faith and civic leaders to take charge of the moral regeneration agenda, not just as support to state efforts, but as a leading force.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Religious leaders, political parties unite against gang violence
A meeting was hosted this week by the Muslim Judicial Council with the South African Police Services Western Cape leadership and various civil society and public representatives from the community to seek collective solutions to the violence ravaging the Cape Flats and surrounding areas. Image: Supplied The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has called for a transparent plan of action to secure the safety and wellbeing of gang and violence ridden communities in Cape Town, following a meeting with various stakeholders on Monday. The most recent incident of violence saw a mass killing in Bishop Lavis on Friday night which claimed the lives of four people. Recent weeks have seen a surge in mass shootings wreaking havoc in areas across the city, including in Mitchells Plain, Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, and Lower Crossroads. MJC president, Sheikh Riad Fataar said they called the meeting in their capacity as a senior religious authority and civil society stakeholder. The purpose of the meeting was to initiate 'meaningful deliberations on the immediate and coordinated implementation of solutions'. The meeting saw civil society groups, political parties and the provincial police in attendance. The MJC called for a transparent plan of action. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ Suggestions included visible policing in high crime areas and the implementation of targeted programmes to prevent the criminal recruitment of children and adolescents into gangs. Attendees expressed optimism about the way forward. National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams said: 'I'm optimistic. I think it's about time our religious fraternity and all faiths come together and stand with us, as parents and as activists. I believe we can come up with something that truly benefits our kids.' He added that meaningful dialogue about how sectors like sport, social development, and education can be brought into the fold were necessary. ANC leader of the opposition in the provincial legislature, Khalid Sayed said it was a very constructive meeting where practical ideas were put forward to police in the province. 'The one focus being for greater police visibility and actual boots on the ground in crime-ridden areas. Also to make sure there's greater cooperation. "The other thing that came through which Saps agreed with, was for faith leaders need to be called upon. (Saps) must feel free to walk hand in hand with religious leaders in communities because it's at the community level where religious leaders are active. Whether it be in the mosques or churches, where youngsters who are going into this type of criminality where, their families are at. "The strengthening and vetting of CPFs also needs to happen. Another big aspect was that tackling crime in our communities is not just an issue of policing and boots on the ground. It requires all spheres of government. It requires the social and economic aspects to also be in place. All spheres of society and government must work together to ensure young people have alternatives. From our side, we need to ensure that the necessary oversight must take place to ensure Saps and government implement what they are committing when they have meetings such as this,' Sayed said. A follow-up meeting to discuss a workable plan is expected in the coming weeks. Western Cape police did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Cape Times
