UUCSA Statement | Violence Begets Violence

A Statement from the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA)*

 

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) notes with concern the escalation of communal tensions in Durban, particularly in the Phoenix area where a number of fatalities have been reported.

 

We strongly denounce racism and those who would like to drag our country back to its horrid past. Our nation has endured a traumatic past on account of tenuous interracial relations. In 1994, we committed to work towards a national project of unity based on mutual respect and harmonious pluralistic co-existence. South Africans of different persuasions aspired to confront the bane of racialism until it ceases to define them.

 

We call upon all compatriots across the racial divide to be circumspect in their characterisation of our social challenges on racial lines. We condemn all forms of vigilantism, vengeance and extrajudicial operations that serve only to fuel violent conflict.

 

We reiterate our call to the government to provide adequate protection and security to members of the public so that communities are not compelled to defend and protect themselves. When fear and panic prevails our sense of reason wanes. The security apparatus of the state has suffered incalculable loss of confidence. It has to restore law and order by being visible in hotspots and by acting in a manner that will reassure people who hitherto feel betrayed and let down by their inept response.

 

We call upon community leaders and activists to help quell communal tensions. Nothing good can come out of violence other than increasing misery, hurt and loss. Violence simply begets violence!

 

We urge authorities to speedily investigate and bring to book the instigators and the perpetrators of criminal activities that can never be condoned, under any circumstance.

 

We pray to the Almighty to heal our fractured nation and bless us with peace, prosperity and security.

 

Yusuf Patel (Moulana)
UUCSA Secretary General

 

09 Dhu al Hijjah 1442
19 July 2021

UUCSA (United Ulama Council of South Africa) is an umbrella body comprising nine affiliate members. It represents approximately 1500 Muslim Scholars. It has a national foot print across the nine provinces of South Africa.

Head Office:
P.O. Box 38311, Gatesville, 7764, Cape Town, South Africa,
Tel: + 27 21696 5150 Fax:+ 27 21696 5154

Secretariat:
P.O. Box 257, Middelburg, 1050, South Africa
Tel: +2713 243 2423, Fax: +2713 243 2423
Email: [email protected]