IRRESPONSIBLE REPORTING BY VOCFM
JAMIATUL ULAMA GAUTENG AGAIN TARGETED BY SMEAR CAMPAIGN!
“So I see a dangerous combination of the Jamiatul Ulema De Deur and Al Jamah calling for ‘jihad’ if the bill is passed, changes or not.” (Johannesburg-based independent researcher, Adlie Jacobs quoted by VOC.)
The Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng in no uncertain terms condemns the above provocative and groundless statement quoted on the website of the Voice of Cape Radio station on the 5th March 2011.
Any fair minded person who has read and studied our views on the MMB will concur that nowhere did we ever call for any form of Jihaad against the South African Government. We believe that any such irresponsible call is against both the spirit and letter of Islam.
The Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng has in fact lauded the South African Government’s relationship with the Muslims of our wonderful Country in numerous publications. It has interacted with Government on several issues which affect the Muslim community in a spirit of goodwill and mutual respect.
It is indeed regrettable that independent researchers such as Adlie Jacobs would resort to such baseless inciting pronunciations and prophesies.
Worse is the behaviour of the pro-Uucsa, pro-MMB Voice of the Cape. By quoting the ‘independent researcher’ without bothering to contact the Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng, VOC is party to the incitement and must necessarily accept full responsibility.
Under normal circumstances we, in the spirit of Muslim brotherhood and unity, would have ignored the provocative statement. After all, this is not the first time nor do we expect it to be the last time that The Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng is smeared, slandered and demonised on air.
The VOC article is peppered with fiction. The severe and inflammatory nature of the statement “So I see a dangerous combination of the Jamiatul Ulema De Deur and Al Jamah calling for ‘jihad’ if the bill is passed, changes or not” quoted by the VOC, leaves us with no other choice but to demand an unreserved apology from both Mr Adlie, the independent researcher, and the VOC, failing which,in consultation with our team of lawyers, the matter would be reported to ICASA and legal steps initiated.
In conclusion, we publicly wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to ‘Radio Watch’ who brought this matter to our attention. May Allah reward you for your dedicated services for ensuring that public Radio stations do not become propaganda tools and a law unto their ownselves.
Was-Salaam
