Cape Town - The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) has called on imams across Cape Town to attend a disaster readiness workshop following the shooting at the city’s Brooklyn Masjied.
In a statement, the MJC says the comprehensive workshop will be held in partnership with the Disaster Risk Management team of the City of Cape Town to improve emergency preparedness in mosques and community religious institutions.
MJC president Sheikh Riad Fataar said that in response to the recent shooting at the Brooklyn mosque, they are committed to improving emergency protocols. This will ensure that both the imam and the community are informed on how to effectively manage such situations.
“The goal is to provide religious leaders with the knowledge and abilities they need to manage emergencies within their organisations. The workshop aims to make the community at large and visitors to places of worship safer by promoting co-operation between the MJC, local authorities, and the religious community.
“Participants will gain knowledge about emergency response protocols, evacuation procedures, and risk mitigation strategies throughout a variety of crises through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises.
“The programme emphasises how crucial it is to plan and co-ordinate proactively to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being in the event of an incident when visiting places of worship.”
The attempted assassination of an alleged 28s gang boss at the mosque on July 26, during midday prayers, shocked worshippers as a lone gunman opened fire inside the mosque.
Videos and sound clips taken by worshippers have gone viral. Some describe their fear that the mosque was under attack, while police and gang sources suggest the shooting may be connected to an underworld assassination plot.
The victim, reportedly a 28s gang leader, was shot by a lone gunman who opened fire as he attempted to leave the mosque. The gunman had entered the mosque armed and waited for an opportunity to shoot. The victim survived and has been discharged from the hospital.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi says the shooting is still under investigation.
“We can confirm that the investigations are now being driven by the AntiGang Unit who are investigating a case of attempted murder. The investigating team are pursuing the available leads.”
Fataar urges all imams to attend the workshop on Saturday from 9am at the Al-Azhar High School.
Cape Argus