JOHANNESBURG
Mohamed Kandulu was immersed in Tarawih, the special nighttime prayers performed during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and enjoying the Quran recitation by the mosque imam – when suddenly the tranquility was shattered.
Gunmen stormed the Faizan-e-Bilal Mosque in central Johannesburg late Friday, robbing nearly 200 worshippers at gunpoint.
"I was shocked because I did not expect to be robbed while praying in a mosque," Kandulu told Anadolu Agency at the mosque. "This shows how dangerous our city has become."
Maulana Aasim, the mosque's imam, said he had been in the middle of performing his prayers when he heard noise and loud voices inside the mosque.
He continued praying until the voices became louder.
"When I turned around, I saw armed men robbing worshippers," Aasim told AA.
"They told everyone to lie down. They searched everyone and took cellphones and money, but did not shoot at us, by the grace of Allah," he added.
The robbers also broke into the donation box used to collect cash contributions for the mosque's upkeep.
Rashid Ali, another worshipper, said he saw six armed men.
"They looked unkind, but, Alhamdulillah [thank God], they didn't harm us," he told AA.
Police confirmed that a robbery had been reported and that investigations were currently underway.
Muslims account for roughly 2 percent of South Africa's population of 52 million.
Despite their small population, Muslims are involved in all sectors of national activity, including the economy and politics.
Islam is considered one of the fastest growing religions in South Africa, with hundreds of mosques, Islamic schools and colleges throughout the country.
-Unfazed-
Kandulu, along with most other Muslims in the community, appeared largely unfazed by the robbery.
"It won't stop me from continuing to perform my prayers here," he told AA. "This mosque is closer to where I live."
A number of Muslims who reside on President Street in Johannesburg's Central Business District have come to depend on the mosque for their daily prayers.
When AA visited the mosque, worshippers were continuing to flock to it to perform their nightly prayers.
Security, meanwhile, was also stepped up, with a security guard stationed at the mosque entrance and police vans patrolling the area.
Worshippers, for their part, appeared unconcerned by the recent robbery.
"I don't think the robbers will return again," one worshipper named Yassin told AA. "They know we are now prepared for them."
Muslims all over the world are currently observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan during which they are expected to abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset.
Throughout the course of the fasting month, Muslims are urged to perform extra prayers, especially at night (tarawih); recite the Quran; give to the poor; and generally refrain from misbehavior.
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