
When Sheikh Rafeek Hassen threatened to quit the KZN Inter-religious Council if it didn’t condemn the genocide in Gaza, the leaders held a meeting and decided to stand up to the truth, writes Ismail Suder.
Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Rafeek Hassen, who last week threatened to resign from the KZN Inter-religious Council unless the committee members condemned the Israeli genocide in Gaza, told Al-Qalam that he was satisfied with the strong statement of condemnation released by the multifaith group.
Last week, Dr A.V. Mahomed, head of the Juma Masjid, abruptly resigned from the Inter-Religious Council because he claimed the group failed to raise the matter of the genocide in Gaza.
But Bishop Nathi Zondi, Chairman of the Inter-religious Council, said that Mahomed, who served as a senior member in the Council, did not table a motion to discuss the matter on Gaza. So, when Mohamed suddenly resigned, all the members were taken aback by his departure from the group.
Zondi, who is also the deputy chair of the KZN Council of Churches, said if Mahomed had only raised the issue of Gaza’s genocide at their council meetings, he would certainly have addressed the matter with other members and come to a resolution.
The committee represents members of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Baha’i, Muslim, Buddhist and other faiths. The primary purpose of the group is to foster peace among all peoples and faiths.
Zondi said Mahomed was always welcome to rejoin the organisation either as an executive member or as a patron–whichever he chooses.
In an interview with Al-Qalam, Zondi said the council views the mass killings of innocent Palestinian men, women and children, including the willful starving of hundreds of thousands of people, “as a genocide.”
In a statement, the KZN Interreligious Council has “reconfirmed our shared belief that all human life is sacred. We condemn the untold human suffering inflicted upon all in the current Middle East conflict, especially the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as an indictment on the moral conscience of the world. We call for an immediate end to the conflict and starvation, immediate supply of humanitarian aid, release of all of those held in captivity and resumption to a negotiated solution where Jews, Christians, Muslims and other faiths can live in peace and harmony again.”
Meanwhile, Hassen, founder and director of iiFRi – Islamic Interfaith Research Institute – who was present at the AGG, said. “I am pleased to announce that when the matter of Gaza came up on the agenda, the Chairperson of KZN IRC, Bishop Nathi Zondi gave all those present the opportunity to air their views”.
Hassen reiterated that the IRC should issue a statement to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and Palestine, which the house, after some deliberations, unanimously accepted and issued with no objections.
“In personal interaction with the IRC members of various faiths– all of them expressed their shock and disapproval of the genocidal horrors unfolding in Gaza. The meeting also highlighted the principle that IRC must engage with Government and stakeholders and should be the moral compass for justice, human rights, peace and unity”, he added.
Hassan told Al-Qalam that it was of paramount importance to interact with all communities and faith organisations to enhance social cohesion.
“One of the first things the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did when he reached Medina after the Hijra was to establish a ‘Community Shura Council’ (a form of Local Government) comprising the Jews, Christians, traditional leaders and Muslims.
“In similar spirit, some of the aims of this Council is to work together, regardless of our religion or tribe or culture,” he added.