SA+Muslims+not+targeted+by+SA+government,+Pahad+and+Jeenah

MEDIA RELEASE:
=“SOUTH AFRICAN MUSLIMS NOT BEING TARGETED BY GOVERNMENT”=


 * //Issued jointly by the Office of the Presidency and representatives of the Muslim delegation//**
 * //13 July 2006//**

//No Embargo//

On 13 July 2006, a Ministerial delegation headed by the Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad met with a delegation of 60 representatives of the South African Muslim community at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The full Ministerial delegation comprised the following:


 * Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad;
 * Minister of Intelligence, Ronnie Kasrils;
 * Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula;
 * Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad;
 * Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development; Johnny de Lange; and
 * Deputy Minister of Education, Enver Surty.

The government called the meeting to discuss the perceptions of the Muslim community that leading religious figures, as well as some Muslim religious and educational institutions, might be the subject of security concerns by the state.

In an open and candid discussion, Ministers Pahad and Kasrils assured the Muslim leadership that there was no security policy specifically directed at the Muslim community.

In response to questions regarding the deportation of foreign nationals, the Ministers emphasised that the government was opposed to renditions and remained committed to following due legal process.

In order to allay the concerns of the Muslim community it was agreed that mechanisms be created to ensure better communication and liaison between the government and the Muslim community on security issues.

Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad also briefed the meeting on the government’s approach and on-going efforts in respect of the current crisis in the Middle East. The meeting raised serious concerns at the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, the military offensive in Lebanon, the on-going construction of the ‘apartheid wall’ and humanitarian crisis resulting therefrom.

The government and the Muslim delegation unequivocally expressed their condemnation of the current Israeli military offensive both in Gaza and in Lebanon and called on organs of civil society in South Africa to mobilise mass support and solidarity for the Palestinian people.

The Muslim delegation was grateful for the opportunity of airing matters of mutual concern and interest in a frank and cordial manner; and committed itself to on-going dialogue and interaction with government.


 * //For more information, contact://**


 * Minister in Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad – 082 552 3564**
 * Na’eem Jeenah – 084 574 2674**

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