ACDP’s objection to march was surprising

The Stanger Muslim Association (SMA) notes with interest the various responses received regarding the palestine solidarity march recently held in KwaDukuza. In particular, we note Pastor Nel Sewraj’s objection to the march and the ACDP’s unfortunate stance on the conflict in Palestine, acknowledging these as indisputable rights entrenched in our constitution. However, there are many inconsistencies and fallacies in these arguments which we wish to clarify, in a clear, responsible and non-derogatory manner.
Islam is a universal religion of peace and goodwill strongly advocating non-discrimination on the basis of race, colour, creed and/or other religious values or beliefs. As such, Muslims are commanded in the Quran, to love and respect all God’s people, more especially Jews and Christians, being direct descendants of the Abrahamic faith. To openly declare our hatred for all Jews would therefore be inconsistent with Islam. We are opposed to the Zionist ideology of supremacy and racism which has led to the denial of rights, dispossession and expulsion of the indigenous population of Palestine.
To understand this as a South African, we do not have to look too far back at our own history. The evil, draconian system of apartheid, degraded and forcibly removed our people into ‘’bantustans”. The situation, since 1948, is worse in Israel. 78% of the Palestinian population was tortured and expelled to neighbouring countries with many killed in the ethnic cleansing process. The remaining Palestinians are to this day, confined to tiny swathes of land in Gaza and the West Bank, devoid of any human rights. Are these not acts of extreme aggression and terrorism? Is it surprising then that Hamas, in defending its people, will react with the same violence and terror inflicted upon them? Was this not how the ANC was similarly portrayed as terrorists whilst fighting for freedom? – the same freedom being enjoyed by all South Africans today, including the ACDP!
The ACDP makes reference to a statement by an Imam about the Promised Land. As an association, we refrain from stating such opinions since it is relatively easy to find individuals to promote one’s viewpoint, on both sides of the argument. We prefer to rely directly on God’s word as the truth and as recorded “The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying ‘And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession’.” If it is assumed that Palestine is the land referred to by God, can it be denied that it was promised to both Muslims and Jews since Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac? Is it not a violation of God’s decree that one group has usurped control over the land and keeps the other under military occupation and subjection? Is it fair that Muslims and Christians do not have unrestricted access to their holy sites such as Musjid-Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus?
The ACDP’s objection to the march is therefore surprising considering that Palestinian Christians are also persecuted in Israel. To set the matter straight, the KwaDukuza march was initiated by the KwaDukuza municipality. The SMA responded to the Mayor’s request to assist with the planning of the march and we applaud the KwaDukuza municipality and the ANC government for its pro-Palestine stance. It is indicative that they have not forgotten their roots! Being their initiative, we were not involved with the costs of the march. A budget was presented to council which at the time included advertising and transport costs. It was later decided by the committee not to hire buses etc but to mobilise people within close proximity of the town. The costs therefore should be considerably lower with advertising in local newspapers making up the bulk of the cost. The ACDP would also have us believe that it is not possible to emphatise with the Palestinian cause whilst also expressing concern and sympathy towards other problems or strife in our world. As an association, we will continue showing our solidarity with humanitarian rights issues and our contempt of such violations. And we will continue treating all people with kindness and generosity in seeking a just and equitable world order built on love and peace.

SHAIN MANJOO, PRO
KwaDukuza