It is well known that the corrupt Egyptian military dictatorship is doing its best to foster links with Muslim scholars the world over in a bid to give itself relevance and credence. Unfortunately, throughout the Muslim world there exist well known examples of state-sponsored ‘ulema (scholars) who serve their corrupt governments, churning out fatawa that prop up these corrupt governments. However, there are also sincere, genuine scholars everywhere who stay true to their knowledge and learning and enjoin good and forbid evil through it.
A current example worth highlighting is a noble statement written by some scholars in South Africa who have rejected the overtures of the Egyptian government. We highlight this as an example of the much-needed political awareness by our scholars, and pray that Allah (swt) rewards them for their stance and makes their step an example for others to follow.
Full statement of JKZN statement regarding Egyptian Grand Mufti’s trip to South Africa
Jamiat KZN Statement – Egypt Grand Mufti’s planned visit to South Africa…
The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC – Cape Town) was recently approached by the Egyptian Embassy to facilitate the Cape Town leg of a planned visit to South Africa by the Grand Mufti of Egypt and his delegation. Their intended visit to South Africa was planned for 2nd and 3rd October 2016 with the main objectives of their visit as outlined by the Egyptian Embassy in Pretoria being:
1. Support the efforts made by the MJC and other Ulama bodies in South Africa in their service to Islam.
2. Correct possible wrong fatwas and underlining the real moderate values of Islam.It is gratifying to note that the MJC has declined to host Egypt’s Grand Mufti’s visit and we applaud and endorse their decision. The fact of the matter is that Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Shawki Allam has been instrumental in supporting the illegal coup of Egypt by General Sisi. He has stood in solidarity with Sisi as he butchered thousands of innocents throughout Egypt as he supplanted Egypt’s legitimate government through brutal military force.
This “Mufti”, who is drenched, head to toe, in support of a despotic government that fights against the revival of Islam and treacherously gives support to Israel, now wants to support efforts in the service of Islam in South Africa and wishes to save us from our wrong Fatwas and teach us the meaning of moderate Islam. There are no words that can adequately describe the insulting arrogance of the objectives of this planned visit.
The Jamiatul Ulama KZN distances itself from any notion that we would support this visit in any way. We are pleased to learn that a docket has been opened seeking the investigation, arrest and prosecution of the Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam for his role in supporting the illegitimate Sisi regime and enabling its crimes in terms of international law. Just as there is no place in South Africa for the war criminals of Israel, so too must there be no place for the war criminals of Egypt.
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
