Al-Qalam 
We are all well aware about the rising Islamophobia in South Africa.
Fuelled by a combination of deliberate media negative framing of Islam and Muslims, Zionist linked communities are actively promoting Islamophobia in pursuance of a political agenda.
Wherever you turn, you will see negative images of Islam and Muslims being portrayed in the mainstream media, social media, in novels and in movies, etc. These negative images of Islam and Muslims are being driven mainly by Zionists and Christian Zionists.
One of the ways to counter this negative stereotyping and imagery, and as a form of soft dawah, is to invite the media to your local masjid or musalla to witness Iftar and maghrib salaah.
Let them witness the universal brotherhood, unity and spirit of Iftar and Ramadan, and our salaah, where people across all races and social classes break fast together and pray next to each other – shoulder to shoulder.
Invite all media, but particularly the local community newspapers, the local community radio stations, podcast hosts and influencers, in addition to the usual mainstream media.
In addition, you could also consider inviting the local religious leaders, the head of the local police station, the principals of local schools where children from the community attend, community leaders and local councillors.
Let one or two musalees be appointed to chaperone the guests and guide them along, doing soft dawah.
No amount of preaching can substitute the visual effects of seeing people of all races and social classes share Iftar together and perform Salah shoulder to shoulder.
SAMNET encourages everyone to try their best to Google your local reporters, your local newspapers, radio stations, etc., in each of your areas, no matter how small or how large your Masjid or your Musallah is, and invite them to the beauty of Islam.
Keep it apolitical; just focus on ‘breaking bread together’ – consider the same for Eid salah, whether at Eidgah or musjid.
South African Muslim Network (SAMNET)
Durban
