The Delft community came out in their numbers on Saturday morning for a milestone event – the trench digging of a new mosque. With the commencement of the construction process for the mosque, the organising committee said the project aimed to unite the Muslim community.

“The idea of the trench digging is to is to get the community together,” says chairperson Isgaak de Jager.

The impoverished community faces a number of socio economic issues, which have been compounded by gangsterism and drug abuse. With the growing population of Delft there is a need to accommodate more people in Islamic institutions. Soon, there will be the construction of housing for Delft residents that will be situated opposite the area and as a result the committee found a need to build the structure to accommodate those anticipated residents.

“There is a vast growing population of Delft that needs to be catered for so we need the space to provide another place of refuge for the community,” says de Jager.

Despite the project lacking funding the committee commenced with the project. The estimated cost for the construction of the mosque is R5 million and organisers have only raised R20 000.

“We thought lets start with R20 000 and then maybe people will see and assist us with sponsorships,” says treasurer Neamatula Isaacs.

The space is currently occupied by a madrassa which is under the leadership of Niyaaz Ishaaq as principal and current imam Shakier Achmat who is the H.O.D. The madrassa caters for over 250 children. The existence of a new mosque accompanying the madrassa has promised to bring about more projects that will unite the community and educate the youth serving as a beacon of hope.

“We hope to have more events with the construction of the mosque like sporting activities and islamic occasions,” says de Jager.

Delft police enforcement are in favour of the construction of the mosque as they feel it will unite the community and rid the community of many of the problems which plague it. They said they have maintained a good relationship with the community through mosque.

“It is quite an achievement. This projects is part of the partnership the Delft police has formed with community structures. We have formed a strong partnership with the committee of this mosque,” says Captain Joe Wilison. VOC