THE MUSLIM JUDICIAL COUNCIL (SA) CALLS FOR PEACE AND SECURITY LOCALLY AND ABROAD

With the myriad of challenges faced both globally and locally, the Muslim Judicial Council (SA) calls for both peace and security throughout the world.

Successive generations globally, in some of the most war-torn areas, have suffered under the scourge of war and violence. In many regions like Palestine and Kashmir, occupation has become the only reality the people know.

Instability has also become the new normal in countries like Syria, Yemen and Libya; with sporadic outbreaks of violence specifically in Africa, Latin America and Asia. This violence, while linked to both the social, economic and political conditions of specific countries, places citizens in a precarious position.

Often, in instances of violence and war, the human dignity of civilians are violated and as such not protected. At a doctrinal level, Islam and the United Nations (UN) Bill of Rights are in agreement, that Human dignity is the foundation of Human Rights.

The Maqasid al-Shari’ah confers the right to life and other constituent rights based on the inherent dignity of all humans. This makes it a duty for Muslims to act in cases of need, where people’s rights are being violated.

Aisha (RA) reported that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Jibril (Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation) enjoined me incessantly with the care of my neighbours, to the extent that I thought that God would grant my neighbours the right to inherit from me.” Bukhari 6015, Muslim 2625

This point is further exemplified in Surah At-Tawbah in the Quran,

 “The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another.” At-Tawbah, 9:71

Therefore, when we collectively analyse the challenges we face, we need to be consistent in our actions and responses both locally and internationally.

The recent attacks on two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia, damaging facilities that process the vast majority of the country’s crude output and raising the risk of a disruption in world oil supplies, is of grave concern.

This attack feeds into a geo-political axiomatic posturing, which places countries in the Middle East on a coalition course. For all peace-loving people in the world, this is of grave concern, especially when it is perceived that this posturing is a proxy battle for global dominance.

Furthermore, this disruption in oil supplies could have an adverse effect on South Africa, and the cost of living for ordinary South Africans, if petrol prices continue to increase. Rising fuel prices affect the cost of living and will have a direct impact on transportation for both public commuters as well as private vehicle users.

The Muslim Judicial Council (SA), therefore calls for a restoration of normalcy to the region, with the protection of human life of paramount importance.

This concern is also echoed locally.

Gender-based violence, femicide, gangsterism, xenophobia and crime are all acts that rob people of their dignity right here in South Africa. Communities are being torn apart, and mere condemnation is insufficient to both pacify and deal with the root causes of the moral decay within our communities.

Therefore, it is critical that substantive action is rooted in collaboration across the spectrum of society, with moral regeneration as a core pillar. The moral, political and social issues in South Africa are interrelated and as such it is necessary to have a wide-ranging discourse and strategy on them.

Issued by Shaykh Isgaak Taliep

MJC Secretary-General

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