Verulam Mosque bomb: Foundation condemns acts of religious extremism
A muslim cleric says there's anxiety among muslims in South Africa following last week's knife attack at a Durban mosque and the subsequent discovery of a bomb.
Last night, the bomb squad was called to the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam after a device was found in the place of worship.
Residents who live near the mosque were evacuated while the device was removed.The Hawks have since confirmed that it was a bomb.
The discovery came a few days after assailants stormed the mosque and stabbed worshippers and locals.
One of the victims - Abbas Essop - died later in hospital.
Moulana Aftab Haider who is the national coordinator for the Ahlul Bait Foundation of South Africa - an umbrella body representing the rights of Shia Muslims in the country - says the incident is unsettling.
"There's a very great deal of anxiety at the moment especially seeing that Ramadan is around the corner - it's in two days time. Every night we have gatherings - it's a very challenging situation," Haider said.
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But Moulana Haider says they've been receiving support from religious leaders of different faiths in the country.
"At this moment, I would like to emphasize that we are receiving very positive responses that brings hope to us. Religious extremism and committing crime in the name of religion is not acceptable," Haider said.