By William Madouk
Secretary-General of the South Sudan Islamic Council, Sheikh Abdallah Barac, has taken the lead in driving out believers who sought refuge at mosques.
A decision at aftermath of a believer killing a Muezzin, aims at preventing potential crimes like the killing of a Muezzin.
“I hereby issue a directive as the South Sudan Islamic Council, that from today onward we will not allow anyone to stay or live in the mosque,” said Shiekh Barac on Sunday.
A muezzin is person who calls Muslims for daily prayers at the mosque and late Sheikh Musa Abaker, killed following a quarrel, was one at Nimra talata mosque.
“Mosques are for prayers, during praying hours, come to pray then after prayers go back to your residence,” he added.
He explained that many Sudanese youth have resorted to taking sanctuary at mosques after being displaced by the raging war between government army and Rapid Support Forces.
“Two months ago, we wrote a letter to a security agent on the phenomenon stay of Sudanese youth in the mosque. The Sudanese youth or refugees entered the country, especially Juba, and they are facing settlement issues,” he enlightened.
“So, some of them took shelter in mosques as they go about doing their businesses in the market during day hours and sleep at mosques,” Barac noted.
However, Sheikh Barac described the mosque as a place for worshippers and not a place to lodge in.
He urged refugees to go to refugee camps or get themselves a place to rent if they wanted to be residents.
“Any refugee must go to refugee camps, a resident should go and stay where he is renting or stay with his brothers South Sudanese by renting a house,” Barac advised.
Sheikh Barac issued a stern warning that anyone who defies the eviction directives would be nabbed by security apparatus.
“We take necessary measures to arrest anyone who stays in the mosque or takes it as a home which is not allowed,” he echoed.
The Muslim Cleric called on law enforcement agencies to execute the order immediately, only leaving Imam, Muezzin, and mosques workers.
“I urge the state police, CID and national security to assist us to evacuate people who are living in mosques with an exception of Imam, Muzzin, clears and guard,” he added.
On Friday evening, a Sudanese national – identified as Omer Ibrahim Al-Ebeid who resides in a mosque had an argument with a Muezzin, identified as Sheikh Musa Abaker – a South Sudanese national.
The argument later escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in the death of a muezzin and the injury of another person.