By Mohammed Arai
The Legal and Executive Services Unit in the Presidency on Thursday replied to Attorney Zehir Omar’s letter which was addressed to President Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs, disagreeing with a request by the attorney to allow the reopening of mosques in South Africa during the lockdown period.
Omar has been representing the Majlisul Ulama of Port Elizabeth, an organisation known as the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) aligned to the Majlis and 20 other mosques in the country.
This JUSA should not be confused with an organisation of the same name operating from Fordsburg, Johannesburg.
The letter from the Presidency to Omar notes that the current measures in place – including closing places of worship – are necessary to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic that the world has been experiencing. The decisions taken have been as a result of a concern for all South Africans, regardless of which communities they belong to.
The letter reiterates that President Cyril Ramaphosa had consulted with leaders of religious communities – including Muslim leaders – before implementing those measures.
In reply to Omar’s request, the Presidency stated that the Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa (JUSA with offices in Fordsburg), the Association of Muslim Lawyers and Accountants, the Gauteng Muslim Shura Council, the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa, and the Islamic Medical Association have shown their full support for all measures taken by the government as part of the goal to preserve life. “The Islamic Medical Association made express reference to your letter as not being representative of the majority of Muslims in the country,” the letter states.
The Presidency acknowledges that being unable to worship in a mosque is a great sacrifice being made not only by South African Muslims but by other Muslims around the world. It refers to restrictions on communal worship and closure of mosques in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Kuwait, Oman, Iran, and Sudan.
“In light of the serious risk to public health and human life that all forms of communal worship would pose, and taking into account the views expressed by other representatives of your client’s faith, we are unable to acquiesce to your demand. We dare not repeat errors made in countries around the world where social distancing and prohibition of gatherings came too late for thousands of their citizens,” the letter concludes.
Salaamedia has verified the letter as being authentic and from the Presidency to Omar.
The media coverage around the request for a relaxation of the rules towards Muslim congregational prayer has caused a social media storm that has resulted in serious antagonism from some towards the broader Muslim community.
A few social media users have used the opportunity to brand the entire South African Muslim population as inconsiderate to the plight of the entire nation, and this has led to many Islamophobic and racist responses.
SA isn’t an Arab country of some sort,we are a Christianity country hence our churches are locked during this time of Covid19 crises,those Islam religious people must be reminded that and be deported to their countries of origin!!
— STAY THE FUCK HOME 🇿🇦❤️ (@MissB20_10) April 10, 2020
If mecca can be closed who the hell they think they are.
— ephraim (@ephytnw) April 10, 2020
Ai Indians and their big egos!
— ManDeepest🌙☀️ (@ManDeepest) April 10, 2020
Several Muslim responders to the media attention pointed out that the application was being made by only 20 unknown mosques and two organisations that represent a mere fraction of the South African Muslim population.
Racist remark and just to inform u that theres more black muslims in this world than indians. Now u know!!!
— Yaser (@yaser_saley) April 10, 2020
I am a Muslim and I don’t support the call of those who are asking for mosques to be opened during this time.
Just a reminder, SA is not a Christian country. It is a secular country as per our constitution.
Lastly, since I am of SA origin, how do you deport me back to SA?
— Ismail Abramjee (@IsmailAbramjee) April 10, 2020
New24 being disingenuous with headline. The application is from a MINORITY Muslim grouping representing a mere 20 mosques. Majority of South African Muslim organizations and people follow government ruling and have nothing to do with this minority grouping
— Goolam (@goolammv) April 10, 2020
Lenasia alone has about 35 mosques. There are literally thousands of mosques in the country which fall under the major govouring bodies of the community. These bodies shut down the mosques even before lockdown. These mosques are the majority and number in the 1000s.
— Small wolf. (@wais_essack93) April 10, 2020
Meanwhile, The Witness has reported that Omar has been preparing court papers and hoped that the Pretoria High Court would hear the matter in the coming week. According to the report, “Omar maintains further that government acted unconstitutionally in not declaring a state of emergency that would have allowed it to restrict freedom of movement”.
Featured image from NewZimbabwe.com via Google.
