Construction of the mosque in Meyersdal approved by council
The proposed construction of the mosque was brought before the council in 2009.
The RECORD has received questions regarding the mosque which is under construction on Philip Engelbrecht Drive in Meyersdal.
The proposed construction of the mosque was brought before the council in 2009.
Concerns about the influence of the mosque on surrounding areas were discussed at the initial application and given to the applicant to consider.
According to Michael Basch, then ward councillor for Ward 94 between 2011 and 2016, the application was re-served to the council during his time as a councillor. The applicant satisfied the concerns of the council, affirming it would be a silent mosque to serve as a cultural and religious instructional centre.
“Numerous engagements with the affected public were held, including several one-to-one meetings,” says Basch.
“The community was given the opportunity to raise concerns and these were dealt with accordingly. The response to these included number of articles by me in the Alberton Record as well as the Tame Times.”
The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution. As part of Chapter 2, the Bill of Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion, and those religious observances may be conducted at state-aided institutions provided that those observances follow the rules of appropriate public authorities, are conducted on an equitable basis and attendance is free and voluntary. The section gives people the right to form, join and maintain cultural, religious and linguistic associations.
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