South Africa’s mosques see larger gatherings during Ramadan this year

JOHANNESBURG (AA) — South Africa has witnessed that more Muslims have gathered at mosques during this year’s holy month of Ramadan.

Muslims that gathered at the fast-breaking dinner- iftar- held at the Soweto Mosque in the country’s largest city Johannesburg, said that the number of mosque visitors is increasing. Reportedly, the rate of conversions to Islam in the country has increased, as has the level of practice by born Muslims.

Over 1 million Muslims currently live in South Africa, which has a population of nearly 60 million.

The majority of the Muslim population in the country comprises Asian-origin Malay and Indian Muslims.

Solidarity between Muslims and Blacks in fighting the apartheid regime that ruled the country in 1948-1994 has played an important role in the spread of Islam among the Black community.

Mecid, a member of the Soweto Mosque community, said that he had embraced Islam as a member of the Black community.

“Thank Allah, more and more people are embracing Islam here. We’ve witnessed this change since the 1980s. We didn’t know Islam that well before,” he added.

Another member of the mosque community, Resul, said he used to be a Christian and has converted to Islam.

“They (Muslims) welcomed me very well. I feel like a part of a family,” he noted.

Mohammad, another member of the community, said they had a very productive Ramadan this year, stressing that the mosques have particularly attracted the youth.

Islam’s egalitarian message that rises above the distinctions of race and skin colour is powerfully appealing in a country with a history of apartheid.