OPEN LETTER
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) calls Mosque trustees, Ulema, Imams and all Mosque representatives to come on board and join the 2019 National Mosque Open Day.
The National Mosque Open Day campaign held annually encourages Mosques to open their doors to the public simultaneously on Heritage Day. The aim is to ease tensions caused by negative media attention towards Muslims and Islam, build and strengthen relations with other religious groups, and encourage members of the public to get to know their local mosque.
The 2018 National Mosque Open Day campaign hosted over 800 participants across 20 mosques. Participants left the mosque with a better understanding of Islam, a sense of community and more accurate information and mutual understanding and tolerance that it brings.
At the time of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), mosques were safe places where communities could gravitate toward. Mosques have the capacity and potential to not only act as places of worship but as a place of education and a community center. The campaign is not about evangelism and proselytizing but about information sharing and making information accessible to people of other faith groups.
Some of the comments by visitors and hosts at the 2018 National Mosque Open Day:
‘I had been watching TV for many years which had shaped my views on Muslims. Today my entire perspective has changed’ – A visitor of the Mosque Open Day at Musallah on Musgrave
‘What impressed me the most was learning about Islam and seeing their view of their religion.’ – A visitor of the Mosque Open Day at Husami Masjid
‘I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Musallah on Musgrave and managed to build on what I have learnt over the years from Muslim colleagues and staff members. I think SAMNET’s annual Mosque Open Day initiative is a worthy initiative well worth continuing.’
We have had participating mosques across Kwa-Zulu Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng and hope to see the numbers increase tenfold this year. We appeal to mosques in Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga and cities such as Benoni, Lenasia and Pietermaritzburg. We also hope to see the National Mosque Open Day reach townships and rural areas. This is a campaign to shine light and spread understanding about Islam and Muslims on all corners of South Africa. This will only be possible with your influence and courage.
Some of our Mosque representatives hosted their Mosque Open Day for the first time last year and they have been pleased with their efforts. SAMNET endeavors to provide mosque representatives with all the necessary information required to host a successful Mosque Open Day. Guidance is provided by the Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI) who will send pamphlets and booklets to participating mosques across the country. The IPCI carries out mosque tours to people of other faiths throughout the year and is in a position to provide expertise.
SAMNET will do national marketing and invitations to community leaders, police chiefs and schools to name a few. The participating mosque is encouraged to do local marketing on the ground.
To participate in the 2019 National Mosque Open Day or if you have any queries, send us an email on info@samnet.co.za or call us on 031 207 4223.
Faisal Suliman
Chairperson
