Wed Jun 19 16:00:34 SAST 2013
Wed Jun 19 16:00:34 SAST 2013

First Dutch Reformed Church now Muslim

Apr 16, 2012 | Sapa | 8 comments

The conversion of the first Dutch Reformed Church in Johannesburg into a Muslim school has caused an uproar among Langlaagte residents.

City Press reported that the church was "the latest casualty" of the migration of Afrikaans-speakers from Johannesburg's inner city suburbs.

Reverend Hennie van Rooyen told the newspaper the church was sold to Muslim buyers because its maintenance was too high.

"I wish it could've been different but we can't afford hundreds of thousands of rands to maintain the building," he said.

"And the demography of the area has changed to a predominantly Indian community."

Bishop Ryan Sooknunan, a pastor who used to rent the church for his independent Pentecostal church services, accused Van Rooyen and the Dutch Reformed Church of violating an agreement made with him by selling the church.

He threatened to take legal action and would arrange a march in protest of the sale. He also lambasted Van Rooyen's congregation for allowing a "foreign religion" to move into the building. The church grounds also contain the graves of its first minister.

Van Rooyen said the deed of sale specified that the building's historical nature would be respected.

Comments

Wed Jun 19 16:00:34 SAST 2013 ::
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Apr 16, 2012

talldude

Indians got money
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Apr 16, 2012

Shredder

Ok
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Apr 16, 2012

maneater

haai kabi but i would not like the mosque next to my house either imagine having to daily deal with the noise " WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELE .....................................WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALA...................Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiila!!!!!!!!!!!! no no that will not do!!!
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Apr 16, 2012

Papage

Muslims are taking over, everything, soon they will take the Government from ANC
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Apr 16, 2012

Shredder

@papage - Then they will persecute the Christians
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Apr 16, 2012

somaartakeit

LoL Papage, Maneater and Shredder you guys rock!!!
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Apr 16, 2012

Solm

Papage and Shredder, I dont know whether to laugh or feel sorry for both of you.Why would Muslims persecute Christians in South Africa?LOL.You people are out of touch with reality.
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May 28, 2012

Pointman

Mislims are spending their money on magnificent buildings - christians are spending their money on starving muslims in Somalia.
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