Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) and Western Cape Religious Leaders’ Forum (WCRLF) are deeply saddened by an incident this week in which eggs were thrown at the Bait Ul Awal Masjied in Athlone.

On Tuesday, 9 February 2021, around 10pm, 4 cars drove slowly past the Bait Ul Awal Masjied.  An occupant of one of the vehicles was seen to pelt the Masjid with eggs. The cars then drove off.

While the incident itself is minor, the sinister undertones of premeditated violence against the community are cause for serious concern particularly as it occurs in a context of ongoing harassment.

 Archdeacon Mark Long, Chairperson of WCRLF, said: “History has taught us that small acts of contempt left unchecked turn easily to more damaging violence, conflict and loss. We are therefore compelled to call out such actions of separation, particularly in this time of pandemic where additional stress on a community is not only criminal and cruel, but also potentially highly inflammatory.”

 CTII Chairperson, Reverend Berry Behr said: “The Covid19 pandemic has highlighted the need for humans in all their diversity to work together for the security and survival of people and planet. People have every right to be who they are and to practice what they believe, but nobody has the right to hurt others.”

CTII and WCRLF call on local authorities to take acts of aggression against religious communities seriously. The right to religious freedom is a Constitutional promise which needs to be safeguarded in the interests of a peaceful, prosperous, free and functional society.

CTII and WCRLF both adhere to the principles of the Charter for Compassion which states:

 “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves”.

Bait Ul Awal Masjied is an active participant in the interfaith movement and is dedicated to building friendly relationships across all religions in South Africa, supporting the core values of Cape Town Interfaith Initiative and the WCRLF.

When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free. – Nelson Mandela

Compiled by Rev Berry Behr and Archdeacon Mark Long

 

 

 

“We envision and embrace a country and peoples unified by interreligious and spiritual understanding and respect.”

The 7^th of our 8 objectives calls upon us to generate good coexistence values.

CTII stands in solidarity with an urgent call by the Rabbinic leadership of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism and others, to President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure justice for the 11 citizens killed during lockdown and for all those who have suffered indignity and violence at the hands of South African police officers. The tragic deaths of Collins Khosa, Petrus Miggels, Sibusiso Amos, Adane Emmanuel and others are unacceptable breaches of a security force entrusted with the care and safety of the people.

To call these 11 deaths an act of over-enthusiasm is to belittle, dismiss and subtly condone a deeply disturbing trend of brutality of government’s law enforcement agencies against the very people our armed forces and our leadership are sworn to protect.

South African courts have demanded an end to the violence, and yet it has continued and even appeared to escalate.  People have continued to lose their lives, livelihoods and freedom due to “over-enthusiastic” action by security agents. We ask our President where this blatant disregard for law comes from, and why it is being allowed to continue so rampantly, with apparent impunity.

At this time of heightened trauma due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in an already traumatised society beset by inherent injustices, we ask the President to mindfully consider the Government’s duty to maintain safety, calm and security. Brutality and violence can never be regarded as a path to safety, calm and security. Neither can hunger, and we note that the inability of many people to access basic food requirements has been a contributing factor in the developing conflict between the state and the population.  The lack of food security must be seen as another form of violence perpetuated on a disempowered nation. We refer to our Constitution which promises an environment free from danger and violence, and enshrines the right to adequate food and water. We encourage the South African Government to take seriously the mandate of the Constitution.

South Africa is a deeply religious country with a vibrant diversity of faiths. All our religions without exception speak the language of peace, compassion and respect. We invoke the Golden Rule that lies at the heart of all our beliefs: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Mr President, there can be no peace where there is no justice. And we will know peace when we know justice. May peace prevail on Earth, and may it begin with us.