Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 24-04-2019

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

With just 14 days left before the general elections, renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Zubair Bhayat says political parties who identify with oppressed Muslims across the world should be closer to voter’s hearts when they cast their ballots.

While some political parties have included promises of addressing the Palestinian crisis amongst others affecting the Muslim world in their manifesto’s, other political parties are scarce of providing solutions to these conflicts.

Muslim voters in South Africa have long called for political parties to get actively involved in resolving the oppression of Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Sudan and other countries, hoping that they could use the lessons learnt from South Africa’s struggle against apartheid to liberate these countries as well.

Mufti Bhayat says voters should ponder on political parties international policies before they cast their ballots.

“It’s not about just the international policy per se, but it also is about standing up for justice and what is right. When a political party takes the side of the oppressed around the world, then you can hope that that is the kind of value system the party will stand for in its own country. But if they’re going to side with the oppressors than you cannot hope for much justice from such a party”

Ml Rafiq Mohamed says that while the oppression of Muslims across the globe needs to be addressed, there should be more focus on the Palestinian crisis.

“Palestine is so very important and critical for Muslims, the main reason being Masjid-ul-Aqsa is considered the third Haram. That issue we should not allow to be placed on the backburner and forgotten. We have to keep that alive and we have to give major consideration when looking at which party is giving the support to the Palestinians, because that’s a struggle we cannot neglect.”

General elections will be held in South Africa on 8 May 2019