CLAREMONT MAIN ROAD MASJID UNVEILS INTRA-FAITH CAPE ACCORD

On Friday 22 December 2017, the Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) unveiled a framed copy of an intra-faith document called the “Cape Accord”. This intra-Muslim tolerance commitment is displayed on the front wall of the masjid next to the minbar and right next to an interfaith tolerance plaque the Charter of Compassion. (The latter is an international interfaith movement spearheaded by the renowned scholar, Karen Armstrong, and was installed at the masjid in 2010).

The Cape Town Accord was endorsed on 1 December 2017 coinciding with the 12th of Rabi` al-Awwal 1439 at the newly opened campus of the Jam`eyyatul Qurra Hifz School in Schaapkraal. It was endorsed by a number of local Muslim organizations and communities "United Against Hate Speech and Discord, including Jam`eyyatul Qurra, Islamic Peace College of South Africa (IPSA), Islamia College, Madina Institute, Masjidul Quds Institute, the Islamic Council of South Africa (ICSA), Al-Ghazali Mosque and College, Al-Ansaar Foundation, and the Abubakr Siddique Mosque.

Before the unveiling of the Cape Accord, Shaykh Sadullah Khan, one of its architects of document introduced its key principles and context during a khutbah delivered at the masjid. CMRM’s participation in the Cape Accord is part of its modest contributions to foster a local environment of adab al-ikhtilaf and ta`wun - an ethics of disagreement and cooperation in the promotion of goodness. It is expected that many more South African Muslim organizations and leaders will endorse the Cape Accord in 2018 and that it will spawn a robust national movement calling for intra-Muslim tolerance. An international conference at which the Cape Accord will be formally launched is planned for the second half of 2018.  Here is the full text of the Cape Accord: Communities United Against Hate Speech and Discord.

WHEREAS the current geo-political climate of Islamophobia, both internationally and locally, which promotes intra-faith hostility and unwarranted attacks on foremost figures, by individuals and groups within our broader faith community, compels leading organizations in our societies to connect, collaborate and understand each other to proactively engage in promoting concord, fraternal union and the eradication of extremism;

AND WHEREAS, such an alliance fosters greater connectivity, increases collaboration, promotes comprehension and enhances contribution to  the attainment of the higher objectives of the Shariah;

AND WHEREAS, in the spirit of the Amman Accord, declared in Jordan in November 2006, endorsed by more than 500 leading Muslim Scholars from 84 countries, Eminent Citizens, Ministers and Heads of State of all 56 countries of the  Islamic World; Scholars, Muftis and Alims of Six International bodies and the Jeddah Academy of Fiqh;

AND WHEREAS, such Amman Accord, constitutes a global and universal principle  of  persuasive and binding effect upon all Muslim Societies,
AND WHEREAS, we, the representatives of Communities United Against Hate Speech, Division and Discord, in the Republic of South Africa;
RECOGNISING  the Prophetic Command:

“The Believer is never one who taunts, curses; nor is indecent nor abusive.” [Tirmidhi, Bayhaqi]
ACKNOWLEDGING  that we live in a world of religious pluralism;
APPRECIATING  that South Africa is a state model of multi-culturalism and diversity of faiths;
NOTING   that the right to follow one’s faith or conscience is among the basic human rights that underpins our South African Constitution;
AFFIRMING that such right resonates with the Maqasid of the Shariah in promoting the welfare and goodness of the human being;
ASSESSING the critical importance of social stability and peace for the promotion and material welfare of South African Civic Society;
DECLARING our firm resolve to dissuade and/or engage  and/ or take appropriate legal action within the framework of the South African Constitution and the Chapter 9 Provisions against any individual or group who abuses the higher ethical principles of Islam as the basis for a deliberate and unwarranted attack on the dignity of a fellow South African citizen or group or entity with malicious intent, publicity and incitement to harm;
DO HEREBY, by our signatures hereunder,
SOLEMNLY AFFIRM  the spirit of the Amman Accord and strive to uphold the dignity of Muslims and the positive image of Islam and call upon all South African Muslims to protect, promote and advance this image as commanded by our Prophet MUHAMMAD
(Upon Whom Be Peace).

Dated at Cape Town, South Africa, this 1st day of December 2017.
ISLAMIA COLLEGE
ISLAMIC PEACE COLLEGE OF SOUTH AFRICA (IPSA)
MEDINA INSTITUTE
JAMI ATUL QURRA
GATESVILLE MOSQUE AND CENTRE
CLAREMONT MOSQUE
AL ANSAAR RADIO
AL ANSAAR FOUNDATION
AL GHAZALI MOSQUE AND CENTRE