Prayer for peace in Parliament
THE Muslim Judicial Council (SA) congratulates the South African nation on the opening of the South African Parliament scheduled for tonight.
In honour of the 20th year of the officially adopted Constitution of South Africa by the South African Parliament and brought into effect on February 4, 1997, the theme for Sona 2017 has been aptly named “The Year of Oliver Reginald Tambo: Unity in Action Together Moving South Africa Forward”.
It is in keeping with this theme that we pray for a successful opening of Parliament. We have hope for the future of South Africa.
We as South Africans are ready to contribute to “Moving South Africa Forward”. It is our hope and we are optimistic that Parliament will be successfully convened.
In the first session, President Jacob Zuma should be allowed to address the nation without interruptions, which will allow MPs to prepare themselves efficiently for the post- Sona debate. In the second session parliamentarians will be afforded the opportunity and right to express their views on the president’s address without interruption as confirmed by parliamentary procedure. We pray that all MPs present at the opening session of Parliament and the session will abide by their Oath of Office as parliamentarians and not betray it.
The MJC, in the spirit of patriotism, hereby encourages our patriotic nation to reflect on the significance of the opening of Parliament and Sona.
The State of the Nation is the right of the president to be afforded the opportunity to set out the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.
It is the constitutional right of the people and Parliament to know what the head of state envisages for the nation without fear, threats or disruptions. We pray that our constitutional rights as citizens will be respected by those who are representing us in Parliament and which they are obligated to do as per their Oath of Office.