The Durban Muslim community honoured Dr Naledi Pandor, the minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the iconic Grey St masjid on Friday, 1April.
The mosque’s chairperson, Dr Ahmed Vally “AV” Mohamed, gave the honour to Pandor for her success in asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians.
“The honour was given to show respect to the South African government, the president and Dr Pandor for their dedication, while other countries look on,” Mahomed.
Pandor, in her speech, said that the Palestinians were going through what South Africa went through during apartheid, and it was a worthy call for South Africans to act as they were victims of an apartheid regime.
She said that Israel was an apartheid state as named by the United Nations, and the people of South Africa have been the strongest activists in support of the people of Palestine.
“This is because South Africans understand what apartheid is, what oppression is, and what it means to fight for freedom and justice. South Africans have embraced the concept of Ubuntu, which means that they have an obligation to humanity, and where there is oppression, repression, and freedom is denied, they must stand up and join others as they joined them in their struggle for freedom,” she said.
Pandor expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the solidarity that the people of Durban, and especially that the Muslim community have shown support for the people of Gaza.
“The position taken by the South African government relates to the country’s obligations under the Geneva Convention and that it is these values that have informed their decision to approach the premier international body of the UN to charge the leaders of Israel with individual criminal liability for the atrocities in Palestine.
“Following an urgent request to the ICJ once more to further set out measures to prevent Israel from resetting and causing irreparable harm to the rights invoked by South Africa under the Genocide Convention, we were pleased that the court agreed with the request and welcomed the additional provisional measures ordered by the court,” said Pandor.
Pandor urged the brothers and sisters of the people of Palestine to ensure that they do not drop their voices, to ensure that they are visible and that they were speaking for the people of Palestine.
She said that it was only the “freedom-loving people of South Africa” who can continue to ensure that the world does not forget, that the world does not stop to act, to ensure that the people of Palestine enjoy freedom, democracy and justice.
Pandor thanked the people of South Africa for what they have done to support Palestine and urged them to “make dua” (pray) for the people of Palestine every time that they pray.
Abdool Valodia, president of United for Palestine (UFP said the aim to have Pandor Grace the Jumma Mosque was aimed at enhancing Palestine solidarity following the month-long fast of Ramadan, and to promote awareness and youth activism in support of the Palestinian cause.
Pandor also visited the youth from the Durban University of Technology at the Cane Growers Hall for an engaging session focusing on youth activism and the importance of standing in solidarity with Gaza.
