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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR
ANC CONDEMNS THE RISE OF ISLAMOPHOBIA AND REAFFIRMS ITS SOLIDARITY WITH THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
The African National Congress, the ANC, condemns in the strongest terms the recent rise of Islamophobia in South Africa, including the hateful rhetoric directed at Muslims in public life and on social media. Muslims have actively participated in our liberation movement from the days of Dr Yusuf Dadoo, Moulvi Cachalia, Rahima Moosa, Imam Abdullah Haron, Fatima Meer and Ahmed Kathrada, to Dullah Omar, and have helped build this nation in every sphere. An attack on any South African because of their faith is an attack on all of us.
The violent threats against the Muslim community pose a danger to national security, fuels hatred and create a climate of hostility as the country approaches the local government elections. The ANC's commitment to non-racialism and religious freedom is the foundation of the democratic state we fought to build.
The Freedom Charter declares that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, and our Constitution guarantees every person equality, dignity and the right to practise their religion without fear. Those who stoke fear of Muslims betray these founding principles and seek to divide a nation that has paid too high a price for its unity. We are alarmed by the organised and coordinated nature of this hatred, driven by networks of bigotry that seek to import division into our democracy.
The state must investigate who is behind it and who is funding it. Law enforcement agencies must investigate these threats, and bring to book perpetrators. The ANC rejects bigotry in all its forms, whether directed at Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, African traditional believers or any other community.
Relevant institutions, including the South African Human Rights Commission and the Equality Courts are called upon to act swiftly against hate speech and incitement, and we further call on all political and religious leaders to refuse to profit from division.
We will continue to work with Muslim organisations and all faith communities to protect the right of every South African to live, worship and thrive in safety. South Africa is home to all its people, and the ANC will defend that promise.
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