Overturn ban on calls to prayer

The court order against the Azaan is a gross blunder that can have serious implications not only for Muslims, but for South African citizens. The ruling disregarded a number of constitutional freedoms, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to equality.

If not corrected, it can impact on the religious and cultural practices of all religions.

Just like how freedom of expression is not absolute, “property owners do not have an absolute right to undisturbed enjoyment of property”, to quote Pierre de Vos, professor of constitutional law at the University of Cape Town.

Regrettably, almost three decades after dismantling the discriminatory laws of the apartheid regime, SA has to deal with religious intolerance and other hate crimes.

South Africa – a country of diverse languages, cultures, religions and communities – is built on the principles of ubuntu, coexistence, universal human values and unity in diversity. In order to deepen democracy, South Africans have to practice tolerance, acceptance and a sense of social cohesion.

The Azaan, a divine inspired call to prayer, is delivered five times a day to remind Muslims to come to mandatory prayer and leave worldly matters behind.

The Azaan is an essential and integral part of Islam and I support the application for leave to appeal the recent KwaZulu-Natal High Court judgment.

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Mohamed Saeed