Image Source: The Citizen
Local – Chairperson of the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), Dr Faisal Suliman, warned that the motive behind the perpetrator vandalising walls and signs across Durban, including at a mosque, may point to something far more organised than a lone act of bigotry.
The graffiti, which surfaced recently, has reignited concern about religious intolerance and the erosion of social cohesion in South Africa.
Dr Suliman acknowledged that while the visibility of this case raised immediate alarm, it does not exist in isolation. SAMNET has received reports over the years of harassment of Muslim women, hostile behaviour toward Muslim pupils in schools, attacks on Muslim families, and pig heads dropped at mosques, pointing to a pattern of hostility that occasionally erupts into something more visible.
“Why is this happening? Is it someone who just is the business deal wrong and suddenly hates all Muslims? Someone was treated badly by Muslims, or is this part of a greater, orchestrated attempt to now besmirch the Muslim name in the public domain?”
Calls for Accountability and Community Protection
Dr Suliman argued that the hostility towards Muslims in the country has become harder to ignore, particularly as South Africa has taken a firm political stance on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. He linked this pattern to a well-funded campaign, asserting that certain political and religious movements have actively worked to demonise Muslims in South Africa.
“It is orchestrated. It is funded. The trolls, people paid to have these comments, and media agencies are engaged. And this is the bigger worry for us. You know that agenda behind a growing Islamophobic motive, churches being brainwashed with Christian Zionism, being told that Islam is the enemy.”
Dr Suliman welcomed the swift response from the Community Policing Forum, which moved to remove the graffiti and begin identifying the perpetrator. He stressed that once found, the full extent of the law must be applied.
According to reports, a case of incitement of violence, intimidation, and hate speech has been opened by the North Beach CPF and the community at the SAPS Durban Central.
He called on the Muslim community to respond through legal channels, community outreach, and stronger documentation of incidents. SAMNET has maintained a hate crime register and is working to expand reporting mechanisms across mosques nationally.
