Deedat's son is in a critical condition, and the motive behind the attack was not clear

The researcher and Muslim activist Youssef Deedat, the son of the late Islamic preacher, Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, was hospitalized in a critical condition, after an unidentified man shot him from behind in the head in Durban, South Africa, yesterday morning Wednesday.

According to Prem Balram, a spokesman for the South African first aid unit, Yusuf (66 years old) was heading towards the "Verulam" family court with his wife when someone approached him, declared a firearm and shot him from behind.

"Upon arrival, the victim Yusif Deedat was found on the sidewalk, and he was hit with a live bullet in the head from the back," the spokesman told Al-Jazeera Net, noting that he was airlifted to a nearby hospital in the area who did not want to be identified for security reasons.

In a related context, Colonel Thimbika Mbili indicated that the case of an attempted murder had been opened in the city of Verulam, and the motive behind the attack was not clear.

Regarding what is described as the incident because of the sheikh's "controversial views on Christianity and Hinduism", the family's friend, Imam Saeed Muhammad, said - in his talk to Al Jazeera Net - that they are just private opinions.

Sidik Deedat confirmed that there is no connection at the present time between the views of the Sheikh and previous cases and the shooting of him, adding that the police are still looking into the causes of the accident.

Family statement
In this regard, the family said in a statement to the media that Deedat is alive but still in critical condition, but according to what he described as "stable".

The statement added that he is in the intensive care unit, stressing that the next 24 to 48 hours will be important in terms of his recovery.

His son confirmed in the statement that his father was in critical condition in the hospital, and that despite his serious injuries, "he is receiving the best available medical care."

In her statement, the family concluded by thanking the Muslim community and the public for their support, and demanded that their privacy be respected during this "painful" period.

It is noteworthy that the media had reported rumors of Deedat's son's death within hours of the shooting, but his family confirmed that they were untrue.