Hawks investigate Verulam mosque attack

The Hawks are investigating the brutal attack of three worshippers at a mosque in Ottawa near Verulam, north of Durban on Thursday.

One person died and two others are fighting for their lives. It’s alleged that three Egyptian Nationals attacked people with knives and set fire to the mosque on Old Main Road in Ottawa.

No one has been arrested.

Meanwhile, various Muslim organisations in the country are calling for calm in the community following the attack.

Secretary-General of the United Ulama Council of South Africa, Yusuf Patel, says people should not panic – adding that they should rather let law enforcement officers conduct their investigations.

He says, “We condemn the senseless killing of individuals and the desecration of the place of worship. At this stage we do not know the motive behind the violence, but it would be grossly irresponsible to assume that this is some kind of sectarian violence within the community. Many people naturally assume that this is some kind of sectarian violence and that is going to spiral out of control.”

“Until now we don’t know the cause and the reason behind what has happened, we should not create undue panic. We appeal to people not to take the law into their own hands and let the process unfold legally,” adds Patel.