IUMS condemns decision by Angolan authorities to ban Muslims from practicing rites
All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, His messenger, and upon his family, companions and faithful followers.
Today, 25th November, 2013, media outlets have reported news of a decision by Angolan authorities banning Islam on its territories, and preventing Muslims from practicing their religious rites under claims that Angolan government doesn’t welcome extremists on its land. Earlier in October, Angolan authorities had swept down a mosque in the village in the Capital Luanda.
The International Union of Muslim Scholars severely condemns this decision that contradicts the basic rights of a human to a dignified life and religious freedom. The decision is not in line with the principles of tolerance and co-existence, particularly in Africa where Muslims account for more than half of its population and where Islam and its culture represent a common heritage among most of its nations. It is particularly conflicting for such a decision to come at a time when all voices and efforts join for a world where peace, tolerance and freedom prevail. Hence, the union asserts the following:
1-The union calls the Angolan authorities to withdraw this unjust decision, return to fairness and justice toward the peaceful Muslim minority, to avoid confusing Islam with extremism, terrorism, and other practices that are unfamiliar to the Islamic creed, Shariah, and spirit, which the union has endlessly condemned and denounced.
2-The union calls the UN and its agencies concerned with human rights and the protection of the freedom of creed, religion, opinion as well as cultural and religious minorities to intervene immediately to guarantee justice for the Muslim minority in Angola, and defend their right to practice their religious rites.
3-The union calls the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the African Union and other regional and international organizations and agencies concerned with rights, freedoms, world peace and coexistence among nations to intervene speedily to persuade the Angolan government to withdraw this racist and unjust decision toward the Angolan Muslim minority. The decision prevents Muslims from their right to practicing their acts of worship and religious rites, and is thus in collision with all international and rights conventions on human rights and freedoms. It also stands contradictory to the international inclination toward peace, and the prevention of conflicts as well as internal and civil wars, particularly those based on religion and race.
4-The union calls Muslim rulers in Africa and in the Muslim world to defend their defenseless brothers of Islamic minorities, since the similitude of a believer to another is that of construct all enforcing each other.
5-The union affirms its solidarity with the Muslim minority in Angola in their cause, and particularly calls its leaders to demonstrate patience and wisdom, deal with the situation reasonably, and away from extreme reactions.
6-The union rejects the call by any Muslim for extremism in religion or joining a terrorist organization and calls all Muslims to what Allah called them for: {O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.} [Quran 2:208].
Doha: 19 Muharram, 1435 H
Dated: 25 November, 2013
Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President