Community complied with restrictions and will continue to do so
HONOURABLE Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa,
The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, South African Muslim Network and Minara Chamber of Commerce note the letter to government from attorney Zahir Omar regarding the opening of mosques for congregational prayers during the period of lockdown.
Omar demands relaxation for Muslims of the regulations on gatherings as part of the fight against the Covid-19 disease.
His clients represent a minute fraction of the total mosques in South Africa.
The majority of mosques have complied with the initial restrictions and later lockdown provisions and will continue to abide by the law of our land.
We note that many essential workers and those going to seek food and/or medical help have no choice but to use minibus taxis and other forms of public transport which increases their risk of contracting/ spreading the coronavirus. We salute these essential workers for their courage during these testing times.
We congratulate government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus in our country.
We support its actions, in the national interest, until the pandemic is brought under control and will continue to be guided by experts in as far as the suitability of having crowds of people gather is concerned.
Our communities have rallied to the call for action and millions of rand of food aid has been distributed to the needy. We have set up production of cloth masks, and distribution is already under way via NGOs.
People are making face shields and people from the manufacturing industry are working to make PPE (personal protective equipment) available to all who need it.
Volunteers from our communities and NGOs are finding creative ways to help the infirm, sick and elderly.
Our medical personnel have made themselves available to assist and NGOs are working together to procure/import face masks and PPE and ventilators to supplement an anticipated shortage.
We are a proudly South African community who have rallied and will continue to rise to challenges we all face as a rainbow nation. | YAKUB ESSACK, Imasa national president FAISAL SULIMAN | Samnet SOLLY SULEMAN | Minara Chamber of
Commerce