MJC Condemns Normalisation of Relations with Apartheid Israel

The Muslim Judicial Council notes with alarm and deep concern recent political events in the Middle East that seek to normalize diplomatic and economic relations with the illegitimate Zionist State of Israel.

As South Africans who suffered the oppressive and draconian laws of successive colonial and apartheid regimes, we are all too aware of the realities of living under occupation where human rights and dignity are systematically violated. This was our living experience for over 350 years, firstly as slaves, and then as legally marginalised communities. The founding father of our democracy, President Nelson Mandela, reminded us in a statement in 1997 on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:

“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” Political freedom in South Africa carries with it the responsibility to ensure the freedom of the Palestinians and all other oppressed peoples.

Our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him and all prophets of Allah) said: “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor.” (Bukhari 43:662).

It is, therefore, our duty and responsibility as a Muslim leadership – albeit of a minority community to remind our brothers in leadership positions in the Middle East and across the world that the oppression currently being meted out against the Palestinians cannot be solved by the normalisation of relationships with the terrorist Apartheid Zionist entity of Israel, a government that continues to subjugate and oppress the Palestinian people after 70 years.

The conflict in the Middle East requires the application of justice and the return of the illegally occupied and stolen land of the Palestinian nation. Failure to ensure this, will undoubtedly, lead to the continuation of the conflict and the ongoing ethnic marginalising of the Palestinian people.

We also draw attention to the challenges and extremist incursions faced by the Waqf authorities in the blessed sanctuary of Masjid al-Aqsa. The deafening silence of Muslim leaders at the violation of the sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa is disheartening to Muslims across the globe.

We call on the International community to remain steadfast in its boycott at all levels of the Apartheid Zionist entity of Israel. The isolation of Apartheid South Africa played a significant role in bringing about its downfall.

We pray that sanity and justice prevail in the region. Aamin

End

Issued: Sh Zaid Dantie

Office of the Secretary General

12/09/2020