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Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg |
| Title: | Political Intolerance and Violence must be Stopped |
| Posted: | 02 February 2009 |
| Author: |
Moulana Ebrahim Bham |
| Source: |
The
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3897741 |
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PRESS STATEMENT (for immediate release) |
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The Council of Muslim Theologians is
alarmed with the upswing of violence which has
resulted in fatalities in apparent incidents of
political intolerance. High-profile murders have been reported in the KwaZulu-Natal region within a 14-day period. Other reports of politically-related violence have been recorded elsewhere in the country. This trend is raising apprehension and gives the perception that the period in the run up to this year’s general elections will be a bloody one. In order to allay fears of the general public, we would like to appeal to leaders of all political parties to publicly denounce acts of violence. Political parties should help to bring to book perpetrators of such heinous crimes even those within their ranks. In a plural society that is built upon mutual respect and peaceful co-existence like ours, a culture of intolerance should not be condoned but stymied in the bud. Our remarkable record of achievements over relatively short period of time as a nation should not be tainted by a culture of hatred that feeds on bigotry. Political leaders should therefore desist from the use of inflammatory language and mudslinging in a manner that builds tension as it has been in certain cases recently. Besides rejecting uncivil behaviour that often leads to violence, the rest of us also have the responsibility of making sure that our leaders, in the interest of our nation, are more accountable in what they say and do especially during the political campaigning period. Let us all promote fairness and harmony in our land. [Signed] E.I. Bham (Moulana) Secretary General 02 February 2009 |
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| Source: | Jamiatul Ulama Media Desk |
http://www.islamsa.org.za