The counsel for United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) says if Judge Brenda Neukircher makes a decision on the religious beliefs of three applicants, it will establish a principle that has to accommodate people of every religious belief.
Advocate Azhar Bham as amicus curiae was arguing in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in the matter relating to the unconstitutionality of the lockdown regulations.
Muhammed Bin Hassim Mohomed, Anas Mohammed Chotia and the As-Saadiqeen Islamic Centre are challenging the President in a bid to declare certain parts of the lockdown regulations unconstitutional as it prohibits Muslim daily prayers in Masaajid.
Advocate Bham says the regulations impact on every civil liberty in the bill of rights.
He says UUCSA are very concerned about the duration of the sacrifice and that certain actions would unnecessarily extend the sacrifices that Muslims are making.
“It’s incredibly painful. That pain is not a pain limited to Muslims in South Africa. This Ramadan period is going be terribly painful for Muslims. We must realise that we could be sitting with this next year, if we relax too soon.”
Advocate Bham says there’s no question that the applicants have referred to illustrious Islamic scholars who support their bid, but they themselves have not seen it necessary to attend court.
Faizel Patel
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