Al-Qalam 
Respected Ulema, Imaams, Trustees, Brothers and Sisters.
Recent events in South Africa, the UK and across the world have highlighted the challenge that prejudice, hate and Islamophobia are being incited in countries where Muslims are minorities (especially Influential ones).
While we must recognize that the drivers are a small minority, without any effort to counter the prevailing narrative that often dehumanises Muslims and feeds racist, xenophobic and religious tropes, it will grow, and we will become complicit in its spread through inaction.
In the last few weeks, we have seen how Far Right Ideologies are now turning to Acts of Terror.
In South Africa, we have witnessed (Attempted bombing, the murder of a Muslim woman and the stabbing of her family. In the UK, we see how the current terrorism of minorities by ED is taking place.
France and EU (Far Right Election gains, Anti-Immigration voices getting louder, in the US (Trump campaigning on Muslim Ban, Israeli Lobby, and various others like India, Burma, Xinxiang, Australia, etc are increasing in frequency and violence and threatening social cohesion even among well-established relationships.
We need to Proactively offer a counter Narrative.
Over the last 300 days, the killing and crisis in Gaza have polarized many communities, and we need to recognize that this is largely being fed by a single false narrative perpetuated over decades.
Forgotten
We need to proactively offer a truthful view. We need to start at the grassroots in our own communities. We need to defuse tensions through mutual respect, understanding, and
During the 2021 Rioting in SA, Musaajid became the epicentre of many communities.
In some cases, these were the same Musaajid that were vehemently opposed.
We can still build on goodwill NOW before it is forgotten.
We must also recognize that despite the huge contribution and immense value of our traditional model of Relief, Feeding, water, healthcare and social Support, without engaging as equals, we remain marginalised and isolate ourselves.
SAMNET has been promoting the Programme of a ‘National Mosque Open Day’, linking it to the ‘Heritage Day’ national holiday on 24th September since 2017.
Alhumdolillah, the concept has now spread across South Africa, and to over 6 sub-Saharan countries in Africa, with over 60 Mosques participating across the country and region.
We need many, many more to participate this year to deliver a global message of peace, safety, service, human rights, equality, and justice that is Islam.
Those Musaajid who have hosted Open Days have shared exceptional positive feedback.
If we are to “demystify” our Mosques and Deen, we need to open our spaces to our neighbours (all “40 homes” on each side of us).
Globally, “Meet/Know your Muslim Neighbour” events and “Mosque Open Days” have yielded positive perspectives.
Feedback has been nothing short of *Inspiring, especially from many Musaajid with limited resources but BIG Hearts.
Muslims have been in South Africa for over 300 years and across Southern Africa for over 1000 years.
Islam is part of our National Heritage.
From exiled Leaders of Southeast Asia in the Cape to the Indentured Laborers from India and the various parts of Africa to those who fought Apartheid and led us through freedom, Muslims and Islam have been interwoven into So
If we are to educate our fellow citizens about the history, contribution and future of Islam in South Africa, when better than on our *National Heritage Day.
It’s time to Invite Our Neighbours to our Mosques (for a few hours)
We are calling on our Leaders and Musaajid Leadership to commit to opening their Mosques from (2 pm to 4 pm on 24th September 2024 and host their communities.”
*Please email SAMNET at info@samnet.co.za with your contact details to express your interest in participating and for more information.
Dr Faisal Suleman
Chairperson of South African Muslim Network (SAMNET)
