Help tackle the terror

WHEN all eyes were on Durban as it hosted the annual Africa Travel Indaba, the warm, friendly city was shaken by what was described as a terror attack at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam.

When the attack took place, many of the visitors investigating investment opportunities, which would put money in the pockets of locals, were probably still in the city. It became a souvenir they took home with them.

Durban and South Africa made world headlines for the wrong reasons. The nation suddenly lost its innocence. For Durbanites and South Africans, the incident was a serious wake-up call.

After laying to rest Abbas Essop, nursing the wounds of survivors and calming mosque congregants and the community, a mountain of work remains to be done to ensure such a thing never happens again.

This scourge will not go away if we don’t do something about it. The hatred and reckless talk and action have gone on for too long without being reined in.

It’s time for action – and those unsure of how to deal with such a sensitive issue should consider what the Diakonia Council of Churches has proposed.

The interfaith organisation has proposed dialogue among religious, business and community leaders to help the Muslim community through the difficult period ahead. We support this call and urge that much more be done to promote peace and tolerance.

Our condolences go to the family of the deceased and the community affected.

We also support the calls by the council and others for calm among all Muslims, and join everyone in condemning the attack, which threatens the freedom of religion guaranteed by our constitution.

But it’s not enough to leave the action to the police and criminal justice system.

Many worked long and hard to ensure South Africa could live in harmony, united in its diversity. The relative peace and the human rights we have now did not descend like manna from heaven.

This valuable legacy needs to be cherished and nurtured. We are all obliged to contribute to protecting this treasure.

In a few days the holy month of Ramadaan will begin. For Muslims it’s a time for spiritual revival and self-restraint, a time to think less about material things and more about charity, service to others and being grateful for what one has.

This time of giving need not exclude non-muslims. We can all be of service to our country now by helping to foster a lasting peace.