across the world
14 October 2007
Premier Ebrahim Rasool says Muslims in the Western Cape are setting an
example for their brothers and sisters across the world by living side-by-side
with other faiths and cultures.
"There is a very important lesson that Cape Town is able to teach the rest
of the world," Rasool said at the Western Cape's official Eid celebration this
weekend. "We are showing the rest of the world that Muslims, Christians, Jews,
Hindus and all other faiths need to tolerate each other. We are showing that,
indeed, we can co-exist, we can co-operate, we can begin to accept each other
and we can overcome our differences. "We are showing that different faiths and
cultures can find a common bond that unites all people of faith and the whole
of humanity across the world," he said.
The Premier was addressing some 500 mainly Muslim guests from various parts
of the Western Cape who were joined by clergy from different faiths to
celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr at his official residence, Leeuwenhof, yesterday
(Saturday). Local Muslims with roots in Somalia, Senegal and Nigeria also
joined in the celebrations, as well as several members of the diplomatic corps.
"Our lifestyle here in the Western Cape is the envy of Muslims across the
world," said Rasool, who has become been described by the Sunday Times as 'The
New Guru on Muslims in the West'. "Here we have a unique and special ability to
combine who we are with who we are with. We are rooted in our own faith but, at
the same time, we are reaching out and co-operating with people across the
board and that is the formula that comes so simply to us in the Western Cape
and South Africa but is so elusive elsewhere in the world."
Rasool said the gathering was not only an opportunity for Muslims to
celebrate Eid but it was also an opportunity for Muslims themselves to see who
the Muslim community was. "Sometimes, when you are in the Bo Kaap, you will
think that the Muslim community of Cape Town is Malay. When you are in Rylands,
you will think that the Muslim community of Cape Town is Indian. When you are
in Masiphumelele, you will think that Muslims are Somali. And so we can go on.
The point is that Muslims are a diverse community united by the principles of
the New Islam." It was very important for Muslims to retain their identity and
forge greater unity amongst themselves. Most importantly, however, Muslims had
to connect with other faith communities.
"We need each other. We need to co-operate with each other and Cape Town has
a vital role to play in showing the rest of our brothers and sisters across the
world that we can co-exist. That is a very important lesson that Cape Town is
able to teach many others across the world. "I hope that we will appreciate
that, all over the world, we are busy building a positive image of who we are
as Muslims, not defined by the extremists amongst us, not defined by those who
often follow their own agendas, but defined more and more by the beautiful
example of co-operation, co-existence and multi-culturalism that we have here
in the Western Cape."
For enquiries:
Jeremy Michaels
Acting Chief Director: Communications
Tel: 021 483 9955
Cell: 082 772 1122
Fax: 021 483 7196
E-mail:jmichaels@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
14 October 2007
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
