ISIS recruits 'jeopardise the freedoms that SA Muslims enjoy': imams
On Friday‚ imams in mosques across South Africa will deliver a “national unified khutbah" to encourage Muslims “to be wary of Islamic State (ISIS) recruitment activities” in the country. According to a statement issued on behalf of various Muslim organisations and scholars who met recently to discuss the problem posed by the group‚ there is concern about “growing sympathy for ISIS among some South African Muslims‚ and reports received that more South Africans have left for Syria since news of the 16-year-old Cape Town girl broke early in April”.The statement acknowledged “the sacrifices that Muslims made to ensure that Islam and Muslims became part of the South African social fabric” and “the South African culture of peaceful co-existence”‚ and the khutbah to be delivered on Friday will say South African Muslims “have much to be grateful for and for which to celebrate the praises of God”.“However‚ it warns‚ this gratitude is meaningless if ‘some individuals within our community affiliate themselves with such groups or persons that would jeopardise the freedoms that South Africans enjoy’‚” the statement said. The khutbah will also acknowledge that “millions of Muslims across the globe are experiencing occupation and other kinds of oppression”‚ but will call “for a response that is consistent with the spirit and values of Islam”.“The vast majority of Muslim scholars around the world have clearly condemned ISIS and have categorically stated that it does not represent Islam or the Shariah‚” the khutbah will say.“As South Africans‚ we will work with other institutions within South African society – such as government‚ the media and community organisations – to stem any attraction of South Africans for this group‚ or any similar group such as Boko Haram or Al-Shabab. We must be uncompromising in our rejection of their ideologies and their actions‚” a spokesperson for the group of organisations and scholars said.The organisations involved are: Call of Islam‚ Faithworks Network‚ Jamiatul Ulama South Africa‚ Masjidul Islam‚ Brixton‚ Muslim Judicial Council‚ Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa‚ South African Muslim Network‚ Sunni Ulama Council‚ Union of Muslim Students Associations‚ and the United Ulama Council of South Africa...
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