The sheikh of a mosque in Driftsand says he will continue serving the community despite being robbed at gunpoint TWICE in four months.
The 41-year-old sheikh at the Naqshbandi Muhammadi Masjid says the two robberies amounted to a loss of R240 000 for the mosque and has angered the community, as the masjid does a lot in the poverty-stricken area.
Sheikh Yaseen Katona has started several programmes in the area, including workshops on safety, sexual health, general health and spreading the word of Islam.
He says more than 150 children and adults attend the classes, while the mosque feeds over 400 people every day.
He says one night during the July school holidays, when they started their youth programmes, six armed men came to the gate of the premises shortly before Eshaa (late evening prayers).
HELPING HANDS: Sheikh Yaseen Katona runs community programme.
“Including the staff, there were about 30 people in the mosque,” explains Yaseen.
“The gate was locked and as I pulled up, one put a gun to my head and demanded I unlock the safety gate.
“I gave them the keys and they took me into the mosque where they pointed the gun at us all and demanded we lie down on the floor.
“They went into the house and took food, meat, the TV and cellphones from everyone.
“I was afraid for the children. They then loaded everything into my car and left.”
LEARN: Kids attend class.
The sheikh says on 18 October, just before 5pm, five men entered the premises by jumping over the fence and held up the children at gunpoint, demanding money and cellphones.
“They took the five computers, Wi-Fi cabling and equipment, the food again, and everyone’s cellphones.
“I have since moved off the property for the safety of my family. My son is still traumatised and is afraid of everything now.”
They reported both incidents to police, but he says they do not know if any arrests have been made.
Katona says the Ihata Women and Children’s Shelter has extended a helping hand with the traumatised children.
COUNSEL: Nuran Osman helping kids.
Director, Nuraan Osman, has provided counselling to the community.
“The community outreach provided (by mosque) has been a godsend to families here and we will support them in any way we can.”
Katona says despite the robberies, they are carrying on their work: “We will continue to serve this community with good.”