Johannesburg – The South African Government has been commended for allowing the free practise of all religions.
Speaking on behalf of a Muslim Faith Based Organisation (FBO), Professor Farid Esack, said he has travelled to many countries, but has never seen a country like South Africa where people are free to express their religious identity.
“There’s no other country in the world where we are free as Muslims. We are grateful to government for taking the leadership they do on religion. This is our Government who fought with blood, sweat and tears for our people,” said Professor Esack said on Friday.
He was speaking during a National Interfaith Thanks Giving Ceremony to celebrate 20 Years of Freedom. The ceremony, which took place at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, was organised by the Department of Social Development. It celebrated the country’s smooth transition to the fifth democratic administration.
On behalf of a Christian FBO, Father Michael Lapsley also praised the South African government for how far they have come. He stressed the need to learn and listen to one another and recommended that FBOs should assist government to make people feel safe.
“It will take several generations to heal the wounds (apartheid), but with God’s help, we can all travel the journey together,” said Father Lapsley.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said FBOs play a key role in bringing positive change in a country. She emphasised the importance for massed based programmes, adding that FBOs must be mobilised to strengthen the principle of Ubuntu.
She said they were looking at forming long term partnerships with FBOs to help move South Africa forward.
Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, thanked the department for its vision on the programme to acknowledge interfaith groups.
MEC Mayathula-Khoza said many South Africans walked around with deep unseated pain as they had no time to mourn in 1994.
“This is the moment to reflect on the past, present and the future. Let’s ensure that nation healing continues as we build a South Africa that truly belongs to all,” said MEC Mayathula-Khoza.
Candles were lit during the ceremony, where religious leaders took turns in praying and committing to the unity of people.
“In this prayer, we shall adore highness of God, confess what we’ve done and haven’t done, give thanks to God for travelling with us in these 20 years. We shall petition God to walk with us to the future, we shall evoke the presence of God,” Reverend Vukile Mehana said before the eight leaders from different FBOs started praying. – SAnews.gov.za
