Al Qaeda inroads in sleepy SAfrican town?

LAUDIUM, South Africa, Jan 30 (Reuters) The sleepy South African town of Laudium seems a world away from the forbidding, mountainous frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan believed to be Osama bin Laden's hiding place.

But US officials see a link, alleging a popular Muslimcleric in this obscure place surrounded by soothing green countryside is part of al Qaeda's fundraising network.

In the heart of a country where the vast majority of the 600,000 Muslims are moderate, Washington believes there is a newproblem -- support for US public enemy number one.

Last week, the US Treasury Department put Laudium mosque preacher Farhad Docrat and his dentist cousin Junaid on its list of suspected al Qaeda supporters and will freeze their assets.

''These allegations are not true. I preach from the pulpit to students and other members of the public. I have no ties with militant groups,'' Farhad told Reuters recently.

Farhad's supporters at the Darus Salaam (House of Peace) mosque number in the hundreds.

Inside the sprawling structure on Friday, nearly the entire congregation gathered to hear him speak was wearing traditional white turbans, flowing robes and long beards.

But they were disappointed. The cleric did not appear.

Worshippers, some who travelled from South Africa's commercial capital Johannesburg, expressed regret Farhad has been keeping a low profile since coming under the spotlight.

Highly conservative Islam exists around the world but its presence in Laudium, near South Africa's capital Pretoria, reinforces Washington's concerns over bin Laden's global reach.

Many of the worshippers in Laudium seemed to be of Pakistani origin, others said they were from Malawi, underscoring conservative Islam's appeal across ethnic and racial lines.

Last week, South African Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils gave an address on the possible links between ''terrorism'' and radical Islam in the country. He said there was no need for alarm but remained cautious.

''Let me make it clear that we are not talking about a large number; our security services are on top of the problem and we remain vigilant,'' he said in an excerpt in the Sunday Times.

US officials maintain that al Qaeda operatives are active in Somalia, Sudan and North Africa and say that fundraising by the group has become a serious concern in South Africa, Nigeria and the Saharan region.

Sources close to the Docrats' cases say US authorities have been on their trail since before the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

They are described as prominent members of a small group who are not violent but back al Qaeda's crucial financial network.

RELIGIOUS COMPETITION Supporters said Fahrad never speaks of al Qaeda.

They describe his as a charismatic preacher who strongly encourages Muslims to convert Christians. It appears he has had some success in a town where mosque minarets tower above typical South African homes.

A handicapped man who took the name Youssef Mohammed after converting said Farhad has also persuaded other Christian black Africans to embrace Islam.

''I can't get a job. My parents died a long time ago and you can see problems with my arm. The sheikh gave me hope,'' he said.

Laudium is also home to Christian places of worship, like the Reformist Church of Africa, which has a sign that says ''Charisma'' on its gate and reminds passersby that Jesus is Lord.

If there is religious competition, Muslims seem far more organised. The first thing visitors see is a ''Welcome to Islam'' sign at the entrance to Laudium.

One mosque has an electronic billboard informing worshipers the precise time when they must pray in the direction of Mecca.

Sunrise prayer at 05:38 and sunset at three minutes past seven.

Those who give to Allah are promised tenfold in return. Signs offer phone-in lines for advice on proper women's dress.

Muslims also own many businesses, like Muhammad's Hardware.

At the lavish mosque where Farhad preaches, boys as young as seven knelt in prayer and girls of the same age in veils walked past from a nearby Muslim school.

Several plain-clothed worshipers seemed watchful, perhaps looking out for any unfamiliar visitors.

Farhad urges youths to resist temptation, supporters say.

Advertisements for parties with tequila and top DJ ''Jazzy D'' are plastered on telephone poles not far away.

The only hint of holy war was a poster inviting people to visit Abbas' ''Wear the Sword'' Islamic shop.

REUTERS PB ND0910