Muslim prayer space inches closer in Ballito
It is clear that a wider prayer offering is needed, particularly as the North Coast continues to grow in population, but the approval process has so far been an arduous one.
A prayer hall to accommodate more than 300 Muslim worshipers is nearing approval stage in the Ballito business park.
Should municipal approval be granted, the hall will be built on Nandi Mthembu Drive and is intended to service the resident Muslim population as well as those who travel to Ballito for work.
It is estimated that more than 100 Muslims live in Ballito and they currently have to travel to Tongaat, Shakaskraal or KwaDukuza to pray in a mosque or full sized prayer room.
Ballito’s offering only includes individual prayer rooms and one musallah which accommodates around 70 people.
It is clear that a wider prayer offering is needed, particularly as the North Coast continues to grow in population, but the approval process has so far been an arduous one.
The Ballito Muslim Trust (BMT), which is behind the prayer hall, has owned the land for a few years but has been met with multiple obstacles, including objections from surrounding businesses.
“We await final approval for our plans, but we believe the objection process has been finalised,” said member of the BMT and Ballito Imaam, Molana Bilal Vally.
“Funds are in place and construction will begin as soon as the approval is granted.”
Vally confirmed that as part of the approval process, the BMT agreed to have no outside speakers for the call to prayer and it should not be audible to the wider business park.
The BMT is an organisation founded and run by Muslim residents and believe they are best placed to serve the needs of the Ballito Muslim community.
As for the proposed mosque to be built in Townsend Park, which BMT are not involved in, there has been radio silence since the public objection process ended in December.
That proposal was submitted by the Zululand Islamic Society, based in KwaDukuza, who approached the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) to purchase a portion of Townsend Park known as Butterfly Park.
KDM acknowledged receipt of the submissions but has not responded to multiple requests for comment over the past few months regarding both proposals.
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