On Friday 2nd January 2026. Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac of Bethlehem, together with his family, was welcomed to Masjidul-Quds, or Gatesville Mosque, in Athlone, Cape Town.
The large facility was packed to overflowing and Munther’s message on Christian Zionism was met with rapt attention. Being of course a Palestinian whose first language is Arabic, he is more adept that most at appreciating and interpreting the Quranic texts, and pointed out that despite propaganda to the contrary, Palestinian Moslem and Christian populations had lived in harmony for 1400 years.
And most significantly Christianity has its roots in Palestinian soil … Bethlehem, birthplace of Yeshua/Jesus, means the House of Bread – bet lachem. One is reminded by the New Testament saying:
“Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst'”
One feels that the gathered faithful, regardless of their traditions, were fed.
Imam Sheikh Abduragmaan Alexander presided, welcoming all in an important statement of interfaith unity at the start of 2026.
Alexander asked Dr Imtiaz Sooliman to introduce Munther. Imtiaz is of course the founder the renowned global aid agency Gift of the Givers. He has done much relief work in Palestine and specifically Gaza, at great cost.
My good friend Dr. Imtiaz says, “Humanity is my religion.” This is not a rejection of his faith. I believe it is its highest expression. [Munther Isaac]
While taking place over Friday Prayers at a major Moslem centre, the heart of this event was interfaith. The message that came through clearly was that every faith, especially in this context Islam, Christianity and Judaism, carried at their hearts a call to deep unity.
All were unequivocal, the problems in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank are caused by a political ideology and not a faith tradition… Zionism’s connection to supremacy, occupation, domination and genocide, sets it apart from the key tenets of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and of course a host of other spiritual traditions. Munther rejected anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and related ills, notably denouncing the most recent attack on the Jewish community in Bondi Beach Australia.
While Palestine/Israel is seemingly a world away, Zionism affects us all in ways we are only coming to appreciate. We need to tirelessly dismantle the narratives upon which it is built.
“Friends, differences will remain between people of faiths. I will leave this mosque as a Christian… I do not hide my beliefs and I do not impose on you to share my beliefs. But I will also leave having gained your friendship, your respect and love and with a renewed commitment to work together for a more just and humane world and for a free Palestine.” [Munther Isaac]
All addresses are available here:
