Morningside family calls for religious tolerance amidst controversial court ruling

A Muslim man is calling for tolerance in the wake of tensions over Mosque call to prayers.

Ebrahim Badat, a Morningside resident, said that people need to live with each other especially in a diverse country like South Africa.

This comes after a court ruled that the call to prayer at a Durban mosque was too loud and ordered it toned down after a complaint from a nearby resident.

The ruling has led to outrage across the country and even reached international news site.

“Being a good human being transcend being a good Muslim, if you cannot be a good person you cannot be a good Muslim. The bigger picture is the greater mankind, common courtesy and mutual respect for everyone else,” he said.

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“In my household I promote being a good person, empowering and uplifting others and being of service and servicing mankind. Those are the values that we preach and teach about.”

Like most families across the country, the Badat household will be hosting a braai on Heritage day.

“In our community food is a big thing, it plays an integral part of that meeting,” he said.

“For us, Heritage month is celebrating and remembering the people that came before us, their struggles and sacrifices for us.”

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Huzaifar Badat, 15, echoed his father’s sentiments of celebrating diversity in SA and within their religion.

“When you step into a mosque, you’re all on a level playing field. Whatever colour you are, White, Black or Indian, we all come together, stand in the same rows and pray to one God. Everyone can put their differences aside for five times a day just to pray,” he said.

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