A Muslim businessman in South Africa has sought a legal interdict against a firm, owned by another Muslim, for its refusal to allow a church to operate welfare services from its premises.

Riaz Khan applied for the interdict in a high court at Pietermaritzburg after Sara Manufacturers refused members of the Shunem Ministries - a Christian church - access to premises that Khan had sublet to the church.

Khan said his lease agreement allowed him the right to sublet the premises, but the Muslim owner of Sara Manufacturers had objected because he did not want any Christian organisation operating on his property.

The church, led by South African Indian Pastor Siga, is an evangelical organisation that works against drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, and poverty alleviation.

Khan said he admired the "excellent work" the church was doing.

The court extended an earlier interim interdict pending a further hearing May 30.