By Riches Soberekon
In Cape Town, hundreds of members from the Muslim community came together to show solidarity with Palestinians following a major attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on Israel.
The gathering, held at the Al Quds mosque in Cape Town, aimed to voice support for the Palestinian people.
Moulana Abdul Khaliq Ebrahim Allie, President of the United Ulema Council South Africa, emphasized that the issue goes beyond religion, stating that it’s a matter of human rights and the violation of others’ rights to practice their religion freely.
The attack, which took place on Saturday, involved Hamas gunmen crossing the border and launching a heavy barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip. In response, the Israeli government formally declared war and initiated significant retaliatory military actions.
Shaykh Shahid Esau, a former member of the South African Parliament, drew parallels between the situation and South Africa’s liberation movement, highlighting the necessity of taking up arms to make an impact.
He also criticized Western countries for supporting Israel despite their previous stance against apartheid in South Africa.
In light of the escalating violence, the South African government issued a statement on Sunday, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) expressed grave concern over the situation, attributing the recent escalation to the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, continued settlement expansion, desecration of holy sites, such as the Al Aqsa Mosque, and ongoing oppression faced by the Palestinian people.
The Cape Town gathering and the South African government’s statement reflect the growing global concern over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The call for an end to violence and the recognition of human rights violations highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding tensions in the region.
The international community continues to closely monitor the situation, hoping for a swift resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
