The United Ulama Council of South Africa has strongly denounced the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The religious body called for immediate calm and respect for all citizens during a recent gathering in Johannesburg.
Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie, president of the UUCSA, addressed delegates at the closing of the Municipal Elections Indaba on Wednesday. His remarks came as thousands of Malawians fled their homes due to violent threats across several provinces.
Recent reports indicate a sharp rise in hostility towards foreign communities in urban areas. The council emphasised that violence against any group is fundamentally unacceptable in a democratic society.
“Any form of violence upon people is not acceptable. We are a peace loving nation. We have come out of apartheid. We must be able to distance ourselves from all acts of violence upon people,” he said.
Moulana Allie acknowledged concerns regarding illegal immigration but insisted that citizens must not take law enforcement into their own hands. He urged community members to direct grievances through proper legal channels rather than resorting to vigilante action.
“There are channels that [we have] to follow. We are not a police force. Don’t let us assume that we want to take the police function as our own. There are structures that these matters need to be directed to.”
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Image credit: Nasreen Naidoo/Salaamedia
