BMA against religious intolerance

We would like to refer to a headline article that appeared in the local media recently referring to a cable released by Wiki Leaks. The article is titled, “Motswana Muslim on CIA, FBI watch list”.

The report further indicates that; the US envoys tried to feel out the President of the Muslim Association. Muslim leaders have delayed meeting with u” etc. Whilst this report makes some veiled allegations about “delays in meeting with us’, the truth is that a meeting was held with Embassy officials at the Gaborone Mosque premises at the time. We have documents available to show the date, time, place and issues discussed thereat. As an organisation, Botswana Muslim Association’s (BMA) stance is clear. We will never allow any “radical” elements to derail us from the true path of Islam, that of peace.

In fact the word “Islam” means peace. Those who use the name of Islam for their heinous agendas will not find comfort and solace within our ranks. It may come as a surprise to many that BMA is part of the still fledgling Interfaith Dialogue Group (currently composed of more than seven different faith groups) that is being forged with support of the US Embassy in Gaborone - the BMA is represented therein by its Vice President. As for the allegations that the Muslim Youth was exerting its authority on the issue, this is a common feature throughout the world and not confined to Muslims; the youth of today see what they consider injustices being carried out throughout the world and are sensitive to these issues. A case in point is the current discord and violence that are being perpetrated in Ferguson, Missouri. 

As Muslims, we can only say that all these allegations and mistrust are only part of what the global community of Muslims considers an ‘Occupational Hazard” of being a Muslim in this day and age. Our faith is being singled out and tarnished with names and labels in every media report, as a result Islam is put on trial instead of the individual on every perceivable occasion; for example should a murder take place and the perpetrator happens to be a Muslim, the media will never fail to mention his religion. On the other hand, take for example Anders Breivik who shot and killed 77 students in Norway, to this day no media report has ever mentioned his religion.

Despite killing millions, does anyone know what Adolf Hitler’s religion was? Why? This letter is not in defense of perpetrators who carried out and still carry out vile acts of murder and violence. The message is that any Muslim, who does so, does not represent what Islam is all about. We can assure the nation that the Botswana Muslim Association will not allow any radical elements to develop or to use the cover of BMA for any of their own nefarious activities.

 Executive Committee

The Botswana Muslim Association