The largest council of scholars in South Africa have refused to welcome the Grand Mufti of Egypt to the country due to his support of the tyrannical regime of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The following statement was issued on Radio Islam on Saturday 24 September:
“The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) has echoed the sentiments of other Ulama bodies that have announced not to welcome the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr Shawqi Allam, during his scheduled visit to the country.
The matter of meeting the Grand Mufti was hotly debated at the recent annual general meeting of the Ulama body.
It had, however, been left to the officials to continue consultations and decide on the appropriate course of action.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Secretary General of Jamiatul Ulama South Africa Moulana Ebrahim Bham cited “the role of the Mufti in the political persecutions of the current regime in Egypt”, as the reason why the Ulama body has taken the decision.
Moulana Bham says that after deliberations with the various Ulama bodies across the country, it was decided that it would not be fitting to meet Dr Shawqi Allam, who is also Sheikh-ul-Azhar.
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“The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa after deliberation with other Ulama bodies and discussions of the various options in front of it have decided not to meet the Mufti of Egypt in his proposed visit to South Africa. This is in view of the political role of the Mufti in persecution carried out in Egypt.”
Moulana Bham adds that he hopes this position will send a clear message of solidarity to the persecuted and register their disapproval of the conduct of the regime with respect to human rights.
Meanwhile, Dr Shawqi Allam faces possible arrest on South African soil on charges of crimes against humanity and related offences.
If the Muslim Lawyers Association’s application with National Prosecuting Authority succeeds, under the Rome Statute, South Africa would be obliged to investigate, arrest and prosecute the Mufti, for his role in abetting the tyrannical regime of Abdul Fattah Sisi.”
