South Africa’s first gay-friendly mosque, called the “Open Mosque” is sparking quite a bit of controversy.

The mosque has been described as extremely liberal, allowing women to lead prayers, and showing tolerance for gay individuals.

Authorities in Cape Town, where the mosque is located, are planning on shutting it down, BBC reports.

Taj Hargey, the founder of the mosque, alleges that city council is trying to close the mosque by using “ridiculous” by-laws as an excuse.

” I will not be threatened by them or anyone else. We have freedom of religion and expression in this country. No-one has the right to tell anyone what to believe in. This is a gender equal mosque, autonomous and independent and will remain so,” he said.


However, city councilor, Ganief Hendrickshas stated that plans to shut down the mosque have nothing to do with its liberal stance. He stated that Hargey had converted the building from a warehouse to a mosque, without considering the health and safety implications. He also said that the building violated violated municipal by-laws by not having any parking spaces.

However, Hargey insists that the city council wants to close down the mosque due to its desire to maintain a “theological monopoly.”

“This mosque is based on the original mosque in Medina with one door where men and women come together to pray.

“I want my mother, wife, daughter to pray alongside me. Not be second class citizens. They pray together at Haj, why can’t they pray together in the mosques of the world?”

“This is not a gay mosque. But I will not turn anyone away based on race or sexual orientation, he said

gabriel212: South Africa’s first gay-friendly mosque, called the “Open Mosque” is sparking quite a bit of controversy.

The mosque has been described as extremely liberal, allowing women to lead prayers, and showing tolerance for gay individuals.

Authorities in Cape Town, where the mosque is located, are planning on shutting it down, BBC reports.

Taj Hargey, the founder of the mosque, alleges that city council is trying to close the mosque by using “ridiculous” by-laws as an excuse.

” I will not be threatened by them or anyone else. We have freedom of religion and expression in this country. No-one has the right to tell anyone what to believe in. This is a gender equal mosque, autonomous and independent and will remain so,” he said.


However, city councilor, Ganief Hendrickshas stated that plans to shut down the mosque have nothing to do with its liberal stance. He stated that Hargey had converted the building from a warehouse to a mosque, without considering the health and safety implications. He also said that the building violated violated municipal by-laws by not having any parking spaces.

However, Hargey insists that the city council wants to close down the mosque due to its desire to maintain a “theological monopoly.”

“This mosque is based on the original mosque in Medina with one door where men and women come together to pray.

“I want my mother, wife, daughter to pray alongside me. Not be second class citizens. They pray together at Haj, why can’t they pray together in the mosques of the world?”

“This is not a gay mosque. But I will not turn anyone away based on race or sexual orientation, he said

If true then I support him.

It is not a matter of supporting. but there are some things WOMEN can not do in Islamic line of worship like leading prayers, preaching. and when ever any person is going against the doctrine, the Islam body have right to call the person to order.
All religion has it own mode of service whose gender equality/rule of law can not be use to define it eligibility

South africans should stop being cowards and say the truth. They are shutting it down out of fear of attaks from islamic terrorists.

Finaly they have enterd south africa with their religeon.
My prediction.
If they are not driven out and destroy in 5years time they will start asserting their right by throwing bombs every in protest over nothing.

2cato: Finaly they have enterd south africa with their religeon.
My prediction.
If they are not driven out and destroy in 5years time they will start asserting their right by throwing bombs every in protest over nothing.

I pity Your life
Muslims have been in S/A for decades

2cato: Finaly they have enterd south africa with their religeon.
My prediction.
If they are not driven out and destroy in 5years time they will start asserting their right by throwing bombs every in protest over nothing.

Muslim had been existing in South Africa for many years!

gabriel212: It is not a matter of supporting. but there are some things WOMEN can not do in Islamic line of worship like leading prayers, preaching. and when ever any person is going against the doctrine, the Islam body have right to call the person to order.
All religion has it own mode of service whose gender equality/rule of law can not be use to define it eligibility

mumu hw did all religions havee their own mode of service how come mode of service of sunni, shia, alawi, jafariyah and sufi differs?? tell me olodo like you..how come their is no unity in service amongst these different groups??