SAMNET

Category: Media

  • COMPLAINT – THE WITNESS NEWS

    04 August 2020

    ATT : THE PRESS COUNCIL OMBUDSMAN

    RE: LETTER OF COMPLAINT AGAINST MISLEADING ARTICLE IN THE WITNESS

    The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) identified a rather misleading photograph featured in an article on the front page of The Witness Newspaper online on the 4th August 2020.

    HEADLINE: ‘Alarm Raised At ‘Disproportionate’ Covid Deaths Among Sa Muslims.’

    We would like to point out the following:
    1. The picture featured is not from South Africa, as we do not have crowds like the one displayed in this photograph.
    2. This is a pre-corona picture that shows people in mass without PPE and standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

    The picture is completely misleading and gives the impression that this is what the Muslim community is doing in violation of the laws and social distancing. It gives the impression that the Muslim Community could be a source of a Covid 19 epidemic, literally. In an atmosphere of ISLAMOPHOBIA and viral transmission of photographs and fake news, this maligning picture can lead to increasing Islamophobia. We think that this is disingenuous and that is grossly misrepresenting the community and the circumstances of something as sacred as the Eid Prayer. It would have been very easy for the newspaper and the author to contact Muslim Organizations for comment on and to get an appropriate picture. There are numerous organizations, even in Pietermaritzburg, that could have been asked for an appropriate picture that is current in Covid conditions.

    We believe that The Witness should have a full front-page apology as this is such a gross violation by the author (Niyanta Singh) and they deserve to be fined and sanctioned so a clear example is made for them not to have a picture that is so damning. Furthermore, the article gives the impression that this view is widely held by the community, when in fact, it was a view expressed in a closed Zoom meeting within a small circle of participants and that in itself is misleading in the article.

    Kind Regards
    Dr F.Suliman
    SAMNET

     

  • RACISM FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

    Before Racism was even a major issue in the world, The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) was the first person in human history to declare his views concerning Racism and condemn racism. We are all equal, no colour or race is superior to any other. Humanity should exist in unity irrespective of race/colour/gender etc.

    No person is above another by virtue of Race or Ethnicity.

    Take a few minutes to watch this amazing clip on racism from an Islamic Perspective by a non-Muslim.

  • Islam and Religious Pluralism featuring John Esposito

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    Islam is a great religious tradition, the second largest and fastest growing of the World’s Religions, embracing some 57 Muslim countries and is the second or third largest religion in Europe and America. Despite the global achievements of Islam as a faith and civilization, since the Iranian Revolution, Islam has been viewed through the lens violence and the actions of militant terrorists.
    John Esposito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown, addresses the questions:
    1. Who are Muslims and what do they believe?
    2. What do Islam, Judaism and Christianity share in common?
    3. Why does it matter?
    The humanities encourage us to think creatively and explore questions about our world. UCTV explores human culture through literature, history, ethics, philosophy, cinema and religion so we can better understand the human experience. UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California — teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world. (https://www.uctv.tv)

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