King passionate about social cohesion
IT HAS been 40 years since King Goodwill Zwelithini visited the Grey Street Juma Masjid and his intent was clear.
The king, who celebrated 47 years on the throne this year, was eager to promote social cohesion. His visit on Friday came prior to the start of the holy month of Ramadaan this week.
“It is an absolute delight to visit the mosque after 40 years. It is a place of worship, friendship and solidarity. During the month-long fast of Ramadaan we urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to give a thought and prayer for the poor among us.
“Family and marriages are under attack and a weak family results in a weak and immoral society. It is therefore vital to encourage greater respect, understanding and community dialogue,” he said.
It is evident the king is passionate about social cohesion. He will be involved in a number of projects, including the We Are One Festival on June 18 and 19, which aims to promote engagement between residents of Phoenix and KwaMashu, and the economic dialogue on June 23, which will create a platform for African and Indian businesses to engage.
He said that peace among institutions did not necessarily translate into peace among citizens and there was always a human direction to peace-building.
“It is time we stand up and rebuild our country. Let us defend our differences and protect our young. Engagements like this, involving different diversities and cultures, help us move from tolerating to accepting each other,” he said.
The event helped build bridges among different religious groups with Cardinal Wilfrid Napier from the Cath- olic faith and Vijay Misra from the South African Hindu Maha Sabha also present.
All guests were given a white shawl symbolising honour. Zwelithini was presented with a Qur’an.
Napier said all religions taught people to practise the traits of acceptance, love and respect.
“Renewal and reform have to take place to improve relations among people. With the Ramadaan period, I pray that it is a period of reforming your life and renewing your faith as you experience the goodness of God,” he said.