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No call for Open Mosque protest: MJC

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The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has categorically denied rumours that it has called a protest at the launch of the Open Mosque on Friday. A message circulating on social chat group Whatsapp states that the ulema body has called for the community to protest the controversial place of worship, being opened in Lester road in Wynberg on Friday.

MJC deputy president Sheikh Riad Fataar said: “The message does not come from the MJC and we have not put out any statement to that affect.”

The message appears to stem from the United Ulema Council’s secretary-general Shaykh Ibn al-Fikr Fulaani. This is not to be confused with the United Ulema Council of South Africa (UUCSA), considered the legitimate body representing various ulema groups in the country.

The message states: “News of a Qadiani place of worship opening in Cape Town has caused concern amongst the Muslim community. We strongly condemn the opening of this so called “open mosque….”

“We urge the community to stay away from this devious group masquerading as upright progressive Muslims. We support the call of the MJC not to call it a mosque. A march is planned for Friday the 19th to have this place closed down permanently. Please support this as we support the Palestinians.”

The matter has raised the alarm within the Cape Muslim community, who feel the concept of the Open Mosque goes against traditional Islamic practices. Open Mosque founder Dr Taj Hargey has been labelled as a divisive figure as he rejects the MJC’s authority in the Western Cape. He has also been accused of launching this mosque under the guise of Ahmadiism.

Ahmadi followers are considered to be out of the fold of Islam by mainstream Sunnis and Shia’s as they do not regard the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to be the last messenger.

The MJC has refused to wade into the matter until its investigation is concluded. Meanwhile, members of the ulema have been called to an urgent meeting on Thursday at the MJC offices to discuss the issue.

“MJC president Maulana Igsaan Hendricks has called for an emergency meeting for all imams in the MJC boardroom at 11am. The attendance of the imams is vital.” VOC


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6 comments

  1. The Open Mosque has the right open its doors in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Anyone has the right to freedom of association as long as they do not harm others. If I as a “Sunni” claim that I am harmed by the existence of a gender neutral mosque, or a “gay-friendly mosque, or a whatever mosque then I have to prove injury. Failing which I might not have a legal leg to support my claim.

    We have people who use the mosque and its reach in the community to call Shias kafir and incite people to not marry Shias. Some even claim that it is fine to kills Shias. All of these claims can be proved to be baseless but as a community we have tolerated this. There is a masjid very close to Klipfontein Road and Vanguard Drive where musallees have failed to stop their bigoted Sheikh from spreading fitnah about the Shias.

    The Open Mosque might be a different case. Unless people are prepared to go to jail then they have to live with the rights of freedom of conscience, speech and association that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa allows. After all, the Constitution of islam, the Quran has indeed granted people the same freedoms but in our masajid we violate these rights. Sometimes we are not very different from ISIL, Boko Haram and al-Qaeeda. The killing of others start when we begin with demonising them. The Quran does not say wajaadilhum fullstop. It says wa jaadilhum billatee hiya ahsan.

    If we have a problem with the Open mosque then present a good argument. That mean have facts and then link them i.e. Because of A, B, C and D therefore … . IDo not tackle the man. It is not billatee hiya ahsan to say that the founder is this or that. Stick to the facts and make an orgument. Otherwise let us eat some samoosas and dhaltjies and make sure that there is enough sugar in the boeber.

    1. Salaam to All,

      Just a few points on the previous comment, Firstly Sunni, Shafi, Hunifih, Shia’s are all man made followings, Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the supremely successful man in the entire human history. But he was not just a hero. According to the Qur’an, he was a good example for all mankind. He has shown us the way of achieving supreme success in this world. he only followed one way, the way of Allah (SWT).

      Who are we to go astray of his teaching and call it and OPEN MOSQUE? Never in the history of Islam or any other religion was any gay, homosexual, lesbians been allowed to exist If you know the quran i suggest you read the Surah of Nabi Lot. what punishment awaits those people who form love relationships with the same gender, You are more worried about the constitution of South Africa then the Constitution from the Quran….

      Below is an overview of the Story of Nabi Lot.

      The Qur’an shares stories which are meant to teach people valuable lessons. The Qur’an tells the story of the people of Lut (Lot) , which is similar to the story as shared in the Old Testament of the Bible. We learn of an entire nation which was destroyed by God due to their obscene behavior, which included rampant homosexuality.
      As a prophet of God, Lut preached to his people. We also sent Lut. He said to his people: ‘Will you commit lewdness such as no people in creation ever committed before you? For you come in lust to men in preference to women. No, you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds’ (Qur’an 7:80-81). In another verse, Lut advised them: ‘Of all the creatures in the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? No, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!’ (Qur’an 26:165-166). The people rejected Lut and threw him out of the city. In response, God destroyed them as punishment for their transgressions and disobedience.

      So seriously how can anyone even support homosexuals?????? And how can we suggest or even call this a place to Worship Allah that allows this type of people that firstly disobey the laws given to all Prophets, Shaytan is misleading all people who thinks this is right.

      May Allah grant us and our children a safe place in this world and guide and keep us on a straight path, the path of Islam and the way of our Beloved Brother, leader, hero, mentor, father of Islam Muhammad (PBUH)

      In Shaa Allah Ameen.

      SHukran
      Concerned Brother in Islam

      1. Dear Brother,

        My concern is that unless we acknowledge that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa determines what we can say or do then we are not honest. What the Quran says about homosexuality is clear to me. It is forbidden. What do I do with that awareness in the Republic of South Africa? How do I translate the message of Nabi Lut (AS) within the legal context of South Africa? When does being pro-Nabi Lut result in being homophobic and therefore subject to legal proceedings? Am I required, as a matter of faith, to take issue with what might be a masjid aldirar? How do I do so, if I am so persuaded, without breaking the law in South Africa?

        We cannot discuss these issues as if we have the freedom to act as our conscience might dictate.

      2. We all know that no observant and truely reflective Muslim across all sects and persuations with an iota of understanding of his chosen religion will support the vice in question in any form. However, how do you know that the individual entering the mosque is engaging in that vice unless he announces it to you or uses the mosque platform to openly call for this way of life? Are you going to ask for the MJC-issued marriage certificates of musallees before they enter? The truth is that their is nothing we can do about any place which opens its doors to any-one under any religious auspisces under any name. The title “Islamic place of worship” is not copyrighted. Yes you can advice others on the nature of the the place etc or in the worst case disparage it and so forth but other than that their is pretty much nothing you can do. We live in world of free choices which extend to our personal space and our own outlook on religious understanding. The sooner we understand and accept that, the less headaches we will have as a community and the more astute we will be on concentrating our focus as a community on real important issues which have far more graver implications than the “open mosque” saga.

  2. Whether people are gay, lesbian, etc. masaajid should not prevent these people from coming to them for worship. Neither should the musallees stop them from entering the mosque.

    This Shia/Sunni thing is getting old very fast.

    The constitution of South Africa allows freedom of worship. If Muslims, dont ike this idea, they are free to leave SA and go to a country which implements the version of Shariah to their liking.

  3. May Allah have Mercy and Forgive us all and guide us all to the truth, In Shaa Allah, Ameen, Thumah Ameen

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