A massive fire nearly destroyed one of Africa’s largest and oldest mosque in the South African city of Durban.
The Jumah Mosque also known as Grey Street Mosque was engulfed in huge blaze after one of its seven staff apartments located above the mosque triggered the inferno.
The damage to property which is a landmark in the central Durban could amount to millions of dollars.
“Next year will be 140 years since the establishment of the mosque,” Advocate AB Mohamed, chairman of the Grey Street Mosque, adding that the building – which held the status as the southern hemisphere’s largest mosque until the late ‘70s – hadn’t been frequented by worshippers since the lockdown came into effect.”
Emergency service who rushed to the scene said no casualties were reported.
The 139-year old place of worship accommodates 7,000 worshippers and has been visited by prominent figures including South’s Africa first black president Nelson Mandela, and boxing superstar Muhammad Ali.
