The Waterloo Road Mosque in Kenwyn.
Image: masjieds.co.za
The Kenwyn Islamic Society (KIS) has called for the resignation of the trustees of the Ashrafiah Trust, which oversees the Waterloo Road Mosque in Kenwyn, following an outcry from the Muslim community in Cape Town over the arrest of a former Imam of the mosque.
Last week, Moulana Mogamat Farouk Rylands, was arrested for being in contravention of a court order.
He was found in contempt of the order that was granted in December 2023 and detained at Pollsmoor Prison.
Moulana Mogamat Farouk Rylands was arrested and detained at Pollsmoor Prison.
Image: screenshot
Rylands was the officiating Imam at the mosque for about 20 years.
Rylands was released from Pollsmoor Prison on Thursday.
The KIS has called for the immediate resignation of trustees.
“We, the community of Kenwyn and beneficiaries/donors of the Ashrafiah Trust, call upon all Muslims to demand the resignation of the trustees of the Ashrafiah Trust.
"We have completely lost all confidence in their ability to effectively administer the Waterloo Road Masjid. Their leadership has demonstrated serious failures in their judgment, particularly in light of the recent incarceration of Moulana Farouk Rylands, where the writ used to incarcerate Moulana was patently invalid and therefore Moulana was wrongfully arrested,” the executive wrote.
A vote of no confidence in the Trust was launched, and the document, which was widely shared on social media platforms, has since garnered about 4000 votes in favour of impeaching the trustees.
The KIS has confirmed that the votes are currently undergoing a verification process.
“We call on the trustees of the Ashrafiah Trust to heed the call of the community and resign their positions with immediate effect. We appeal to the broader Muslim community to support this call to action,” it said.
In a video, Rylands thanked the muslim community of Kenwyn, the broader Muslim community of the Western Cape and surroundings for their support.
“I just want to express my deepest gratitude. A heartfelt thanks to each and every Muslim that came out in their droves to support the challenge that I had to undergo. To support me to overcome the challenge. To come out in their droves for Allah SWT to fight the unfairness and injustices,” he said.
The Ashrafiah Trust said claims of Rylands’ arrest were over a prayer were inaccurate.
“The arrest did not arise from any religious utterance. It followed a physical and confrontational incident in which a Trustee was pushed and threatened inside the Waterloo Road Masjid by Moulana Rylands shortly before congregational prayers in January 2026.
"This incident must be understood within the broader history of the matter and the legal processes that have unfolded since his dismissal in February 2023,” it said.
“Since 2023, the dispute concerning the position of Imam at the Waterloo Road Mosque has been the subject of ongoing litigation. Moulana Rylands was afforded multiple opportunities to present his case through the appropriate legal channels.”
“Following due process, comprising numerous hearings, court orders, and judgments over a period of three years, and during which Moulana Rylands was represented by highly experienced Muslim legal counsel, a lawful and binding order was ultimately granted by the Honourable Judge Whitcher J in December 2023,” the Trust explained.
In terms of that order, Rylands is prohibited from officiating as Imam at the mosque on the basis that his dismissal was found to be lawful.
The Trust said to date, Rylands has not elected his right to refer the dispute to the CCMA.
The Trust further stated that, in addition to Rylands’ non-compliance, public statements made by him, which contributed to a division of the congregation, aggravated the situation.
“These statements have had the effect of inciting hostility, encouraging confrontation, and creating an environment in which Trustees have been subjected to intimidation, threats, and obstruction in the execution of their lawful duties,” it said.
“On occasion, Trustees have been prevented from accessing the masjid and performing their responsibilities. This conduct directly undermines both the governance of the masjid and the authority of lawful court orders."
Cape Times