21 APRIL 2020

ATT: KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PREMIER
         MR. SIHLE ZIKALALA

CC : MEC FOR HEALTH
MS NOMAGUGU SIMELANE-ZULU

Dear Honourable Comrade Sihle Zikalala

RE: SELF ISOLATION

SAMNET notes with pleasure your clarification of initial media reports suggesting that your office and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health had instructed that all self-isolation should be done in State facilities and that home or private institutional self isolation would not be permitted in our province. We believe and are relieved at your clarification, given the fact that the State facilities are already overburdened financially, logistically and under staffed with human resources.

Had the policy of isolation in state facilities, as initially reported, been implemented, it would have overburdened already stretched state facilities, state resources and funding to care for asymptomatic or well patients in isolation, whereas this can adequately be done at home or another controlled setting. People would also have been discouraged by such a policy, to test and report. Our extensive information campaigns in association with organizations like the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA), have been directed towards health education and compliance with national disaster management act regulations and provisions of the lockdown.

Our community has for the overwhelming majority, responded very positively and proactively to
help “flatten the curve“. We continue to urge our communities and those who have tested Covid 19 positive, to strictly follow self quarantine regulations and to abide by our laws and general medical advice. Muslims are going to start the holy month of Ramadhan on Friday, the 24th April 2020, which entails many additional requirements over and above the normal requirements of prayer as well as enhanced spirituality and praying time, and the ability to self-isolate will certainly allow fasting Muslims, not withstanding the inability to go to mosque to pray, the ability to carry out the requirements of the month of Ramadhan within their homes with adequate support structures while still self-isolating and strictly abiding by quarantine regulations.

We will continue to promote our information campaigns and look forward to working with you to ensure that we all beat the disease together. We should not be burdening state facilities, nor punishing the entire public, because a few people have not abided by quarantine regulations. Our community will continue, even during the fasting, to be at the forefront of delivering food and PPE to vulnerable communities, as we have been since the pandemic started. We attach a report detailing the spend of our community in food provisions for the deserving since the start of the lockdown.

Kind Regards,
Dr Faisal Suliman
Chairman of SAMNET

18th April 2020

SAMNET & IMASA COVID 19 STATEMENT

The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) and the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) wish to commend government’s evidence based and definitive approach to dealing with the COVID19 crisis and the exceptional efforts of our Medical and Scientific Experts.

We call on the public to be patient and support the staged and scientific plan to assess the lockdown. It is imperative that the public participate in the testing measures using the 28,000 community health care workers.

We urge the public to be vigilant and to ensure that they take safety precautions when approached for testing and note the critical advice provided:

▪ Testers are not required to enter your home.
▪ They should be accompanied by members of the SAPS.
▪ If you are uncertain ask for any private security or via neighborhood groups to verify that testing is underway in your area.

We encourage the public to show courtesy, respect and to thank these workers who are making a concerted effort to ensure the safety of our families, communities and the country. The faster we can test and more testing we complete the quicker we may be able to beat this Pandemic, Insha Allah – Almighty God willing. We note that many citizens are undergoing different hardships especially where they have lost income.

Our Caring Sisters Network (CSN) Team in association with many other relief organizations including IMASA has been working hard to assist those in need. Sadly, we must recognize that there will be tough times ahead for everyone. We encourage families and communities to start working at self-sufficiency projects like home vegetable gardens to supplement their needs in the next few months.

Media reports suggest that there is a growing element of stigmatization of people who have tested positive for COVID19 and this may lead to people not testing or disclosing, which could result in further spread of the virus and prolong the period of the pandemic. We remind anyone inclined to be judgemental or who uses social media to denigrate someone who has tested positive, whether ill or not, that such people would have become infected accidentally and unwittingly, through no fault of their own. Our religious teachings and the example of our Prophet, peace be upon him, is that of
compassion and mercy, and we need to demonstrate this in our words and actions.

Remember the Hadith (saying of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Wondrous is the affair of the Believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the Believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah (SWT) and thus there is good for him, and if he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Let us not STIGMATIZE, DISCRIMINATE or LOOK DOWN UPON anyone who is COVID19 positive. Rather:
▪ Communicate – keep in touch.
▪ Assist with medication, shopping, food deliveries etc – with all the necessary precautions and within the lockdown guidelines.
▪ Remember them in your prayers and supplications to Almighty God. (Duas)

TO THE PATIENT AND PATIENT’S FAMILY

Do not feel guilty about your or your family members’ illness. Insha Allah (Almighty God willing) you will earn a reward from Allah (SWT) by notifying ALL possible contacts of the patient within the preceding 14 days, to seek medical advice. Kindly employ physical distancing and self-isolation, which are the most important tools to stop the spread of the disease. Do not neglect social engagement. We encourage our community to use the extended lockdown to improve skills,
education and to be productive.

We pray that the Almighty guide us and protect South Africa and the world.

SAMNET : Dr Faisal Suliman
IMASA : Dr Yakub Moosa Essack

MAINTAINING BAN ON ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSIDERATION OF RELAXATION OF TRADE FOR SELECTED INDUSTRIES WITH STRICT CONTROLS

Durban, April 13, 2020: The South African Muslim Network [SAMNET], the Islamic Medical
Association of South Africa [IMASA], the Minara Chamber of Commerce and the
Association of Muslim Accountants & Lawyers of South Africa [AMAL] wish to express our
support for the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Dhlomo, in his call for the President and the Command Council to reject the call of the alcohol industry to allow the selling of alcohol during the National State of Disaster.

We recognize that the industry, like all other nonessential industries, have been crippled by the lockdown and placed under severe strain. We also acknowledge that the lack of trade does have direct impact to state revenue in income tax and levies, and to employment. However, we believe that the call by the alcohol industry is irresponsible and not in the interest of the greater public. The ban on alcohol sales have been associated with a reduction in a number of crimes during the lockdown and confirms the Minister of Police’s presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police in September 2019, showing a direct correlation between alcohol and drug consumption, particularly crimes committed during weekends.

There is also substantial evidence of alcohol being a contributory factor in the instances of gender
based violence and assault of women including rape. At this time when there have been increased
reports of domestic abuse during the lockdown in South Africa and internationally, we are certain that
the availability of alcohol will aggravate this situation. We need to consider that exposing children
within homes to alcohol, if as the industry is proposing sales for off-site and at home, consumption is not conducive to their safety, education and socialization. It is also common cause that alcohol
consumption is often associated as a social event and at a point in time when we need to ensure social distancing, any relaxation in the current prohibition will almost definitely result in parts of the
community undertaking irresponsible behaviour and ignoring social distancing. We understand that the South African constitution allows for the commercial production, sale and consumption of alcohol but we need to reinforce that that right must be balanced with the greater good to protect and save lives at a time of national disaster and crisis. The social and entertainment sector, to which alcohol as a product belongs, despite its considerable contribution to the fiscus, cannot be a priority. Furthermore, in a healthcare and medical crisis, we believe that a 5 week or longer dry spell has considerable social and health benefits, and that once we are past this national crisis, those who wish to exercise the right can be allowed to do so. We sympathize with all industries, employees, and employers affected by the lockdown and the socio-economic and impacts that have resulted. But believe that there are more critical actions and issues to be addressed. The consequences of alcohol sales or any relaxation will extend much further and harder to enforce than to extend the current complete ban.

Consideration of Industries for Relaxation of Trade with Strict Controls

We believe that with the lockdown regulations there are many more critical and pressing sectors that need to be prioritized for relaxation. We recognize the challenge government faces in balancing the risk of spreading the virus against the need for critical services and economic activity. In consultation with the Chamber of Commerce we wish to highlight the following industries which offer valuable and constructive services needed at this time currently. We support a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice.

We recommend the following industries and businesses are considered for limited
trading, with strict conditions:
➢ Basic DIY Hardware and construction materials, especially where emergency repairs and
improvements need to be made.
➢ Educational material especially where it supports students learning from home under what is an
extended lockdown like laptops, textbooks and school stationary.
➢ Clothing and textiles, especially as we approach the Winter season.
➢ Essential home and business Electrical and plumbing services, which are largely delivered
independent of public interaction.
➢ Delivery only services for “White Goods” and appliances for those who have to replace or repair
essential home appliances like fridges and freezers.
➢ Online and Delivery only businesses, where there is no physical interaction between the public
consumer and suppliers.

Conditions for trade and supporting economic activity

By limiting businesses to delivery, we would allow small businesses to trade with limited risk to the
public. This should be supported by a campaign for people to buy from local businesses and not only
Networking for a better South Africa large online retailers. Furthermore, this can be linked to limiting the number of employees at business premises to ensure that only critical staff are traveling to and from work. We would also propose that in lieu of productive days lost, to support employment and business, and “get the economy moving” the Sunday and Public Holiday double time rule be relaxed during lockdown.

This will incentivize businesses to work 7 days a week but should still maintain protection for
employees on the 40/45-hour workweek. We commend the presidency and government for their leadership at this time.

SAMNET: Dr Faisal Suliman
IMASA: Dr Yakub Moosa Essack
Minara Chamber of Commerce: Mr Suleman Goolam Hoosen Suleman
Muslim Accountants & Lawyers of South Africa: Mr Shabir Chohan