Cape Town – The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has expressed deep concern over the violation of the Simon’s Town mosque after a pig’s snout and blood were found outside its door on Saturday morning.
The incident was believed to have occurred after Fajr (morning prayers) – sometime between 4am and 8am – as a caretaker was the first to see the snout. On Sunday, MJC secretary-general Sheikh Isgaak Taliep condemned what he called a hate crime against the sanctity of the mosque in Simon’s Town.
“The MJC believes that the rights of the broader Muslim community have definitely been violated, and this is something that will never be tolerated.
“The MJC continues to condemn all forms of racism, discrimination, Islamophobia, xenophobia and all forms of human rights violations. The MJC reiterates that places of worship are places of sanctity and as such all such places of worship must be respected.
“We call upon all Muslims to be law-abiding citizens and act in accordance with the law of our country.
“In exercising our rights as citizens, the MJC has lodged an official complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission... for justice and freedom to prevail.
Read: Pig's snout left at Cape Town mosque
“A criminal charge has also been lodged against the perpetrator of this particular crime at the Simon’s Town police station.”
Advocate Mohamed Shafie Ameermia, Commissioner of the South African Humans Rights Commission (SAHRC), said the organisation was committed to maintaining the values of the constitution in the investigation.
“We take this matter very seriously and a violation is a violation. We will not tolerate intolerance.
“We really want now to go to Parliament and legislate for hate crimes to be criminalised because I think that more than 20 years into democracy we keep on talking about these things, but it's falling on deaf ears.”
Mayor Patricia De Lille also condemned what she believed was intended to hurt members of Cape Town’s community.
“Every day, we urge residents to work with us as we build an inclusive city where all kinds of diversity are celebrated. The true beauty of our city lies in all cultures living together. There is no place for religious intolerance in our city.
“Now is the time for all the people of Cape Town to stand together and reject those who disrespect the religious practices and choices of others. Freedom of religion is enshrined in our Constitution, and this right must be safeguarded.”
MJC president Sheikh Irfaan Abrahams also urged fellow Muslims not to take the law into their own hands in retaliation.