Mosque sparks Islamophobia probe
Allegations of hate speech and Islamophobia against some residents and organisations opposed to the erection of a mosque in Valhalla, will be investigated by the CRL commission.
The polemic surrounding the building of a mosque in the predominantly Christian suburb of Valhalla refuses to die down, with allegations of hate speech and Islamophobia now being probed.
Community activist Yusuf Abramjee said on Tuesday a complaint by him was being investigated by the commission aimed at protecting religious freedom in the country.
“We are just waiting for a date for the hearing,” Abramjee told Rekord.
He confirmed the Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistics Communities (CRL commission) was investigating claims of hate speech and Islamophobia against some residents and institutions opposed to the building of the mosque.
At the time of going to print, the CRL commission had not yet responded to emailed questions about its investigation.
The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) recently also again expressed its opposition with renewed vigour against the donation of the R2,9 million land parcel to the Thaba Tshwane Islamic Centre Trust, which planned to build a mosque and a community centre on the property.
According to FF+ ward councillor Sakkie du Plooy, the majority of residents were, among other concerns, extremely uncomfortable with the prospect of a mosque near them sounding the Call to Prayer several times during the day as well as the establishment of a centre and culture in the suburb totally foreign to them.
However, it was earlier stated on radio by Abramjee that loud public address systems would not be used for Call to Prayer and other methods would be used to replace this tradition in Valhalla.
“The Muslim call to prayer won’t be broadcast over a PA system but Muslims living in the area will have wireless receivers in their homes. The general public won’t hear the call to prayer at all,” Abramjee said.
In April, Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa donated the land as part a metro decision to hand underutilised land to a number of different religious groups.
This sparked protests from certain residents and political parties which allegedly involved threats and hate speech against Muslims.
Since the signing-over ceremony of the land, donated to the Thaba Tshwane Islamic Centre Trust by the Tshwane metro, emotions have been running high in the predominantly white Christian suburb in Centurion.
Threats, among other of pigs to be slaughtered on the piece of land where the trust intended to build a mosque and a community centre for the Muslim community, have been doing to rounds in the press and on social media by residents opposed to the plans.
The hate speech and what was termed in the media as Islamophobia, prompted Abramjee to report the matter to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in April.
The HRC however recently ruled that it was not the most appropriate institution to deal with the matter.
“In terms of your complaint, you allege the upcoming establishment of a mosque in
Valhalla has generated hate speech on social media platforms and also acts that may constitute discrimination based on religion and in particular, Islamophobia,” the HRC said in a letter to Abramjee.
After careful assessment, the HRC has established that the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL commission) would be the ideal institution to investigate the claims.
According to Chantal Kisoon, provincial manager of the HRC Gauteng, the CRL commission investigated complaints involving religious intolerance and related hate speech among others.
“Due to the gravity of the complaint and the important issues raised therein, the HRC has referred the complaint directly to the CRL commission on your behalf,” Kisoon said in a letter to Abramjee.
Also read:
Valhalla mosque fight gets ugly
Mosque site quiet after slaughter threats
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