DURING a council meeting held on June 29, Ward 54 Councillor Sergio Isa Dos Santos (chairperson) of the Section 79 Oversight Committee Meeting, tabled the third quarterly report in council.
Throughout the proceedings of the day, opposition parties passed racial comments at every given opportunity.
“Although the standing rules allow for free debate, when closing I quoted prophet Mohammed (peace and blessing of God be upon him) in an effort to bring calmness to council and an effort to bring unity,” said Dos Santos.
He requested to read the quote and said, “Speaker, before I close I would like to read a quote by prophet Mohammed. Peace and blessing be upon him. Mohammed quoted in his last sermon 1400 years ago, in fact over 1400 years ago. Speaker, I quote: ‘There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab. Neither is the white superior over the black, nor is the black superior over the white, except by piety’ end quote,” said Dos Santos.
Councillor Dos Santos stated that he believes this is something everyone in the Council aspires to.
It is quite unfortunate that an ANC Councillor showed disdain to Councillor Dos Santos for his quote. Chief Whip of the ANC, Councillor Solly Mogase, responded by saying “Don’t make your problems, our problems.”
Dos Santos told the COURIER that it was quite clear that the ANC had absolutely no respect and tolerance for other religious beliefs and said this was the third time this was made evident by the ANC caucus.
Dos Santos confirms that during his second quarterly report to council, there had been heckling from some of the members when he quoted a verse from the Holy Quran.
He also spoke of how an ANC councillor stood up on a point of order at a council seating on June 8, requesting that a Muslim EFF Councillor should remove his “hat” (Islamic headwear).
“It is quite disturbing that the ANC shows this disrespect to fellow councillors of the Muslim faith. Although I am a reverted (converted) Muslim, I am proud of my faith and will always defend it,” said Dos Santos.
The COURIER attempted to reach Solly Mogase for comment but to no avail.
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