MJC to highlight dangers of internet

TOMORROW, mosques under the umbrella of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) will educate parents about the dangers of social media and the responsibility they have in monitoring their children’s actions on it.

This comes after a 15-yearold schoolgirl from Kenwyn was taken off a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, after evidence emerged she might be on her way to join the self-styled Islamic State (IS).

Evidence in her bedroom, including a money transfer to an unknown source, suggested to her family she had been in contact with IS recruiters. She had actively engaged on social media networks.

The MJC has on several occasions denounced IS and stated it was not an Islamic faith-based group. Yesterday, it condemned IS again.

About 75 imams and sheikhs attended a workshop yesterday where they were educated about the power of online networking.

They will preach their findings at their sermons tomorrow. MJC spokeswoman Nabeweya Malick said they had been invited to discuss how to prevent such recruiting in South Africa.

“At the heart of it all is that 15-year-old girl. If something like this can happen to her, it can happen to others. That is why we have started this initiative – to raise awareness,” chairman of the Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum Xola Skosana said. The recruitment of the girl came as a huge shock to the forum.

“We commend the MJC for being proactive in raising the... awareness.

“None of us were prepared for what happened to that girl. It is a wake-up for us to educate our children.”