{"id":5876,"date":"2026-06-29T01:18:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T23:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1nationmedia.com\/?p=5876"},"modified":"2026-06-29T01:18:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T23:18:27","slug":"22-south-african-muslim-groups-reject-june-30-shutdown-over-xenophobia-and-vigilantism-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1nationmedia.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/29\/22-south-african-muslim-groups-reject-june-30-shutdown-over-xenophobia-and-vigilantism-fears\/","title":{"rendered":"22 South African Muslim groups reject June 30 shutdown over xenophobia and vigilantism fears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A coalition of 22 South African Muslim organisations has rejected the planned June 30 \u201cnational shutdown\u201d against undocumented immigrants, warning that the campaign risks fuelling xenophobia, Afrophobia, Islamophobia and unlawful vigilantism.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a joint statement published on June 25, the organisations said they were \u201cunited in our opposition\u201d to the proposed shutdown and to \u201cany acts of violence, intimidation or vigilantism\u201d directed at South African citizens or foreign nationals, regardless of whether they are documented or undocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement was signed by a broad range of Muslim organisations, including the Afro-Middle East Centre, Call of Islam, Cape Town Ulama Board, Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, Media Review Network, Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa, South African Muslim Network and the South African National Muslim Women\u2019s Forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coalition said its opposition was rooted in \u201crespect for the inherent dignity of all persons\u201d and concern that recent anti-immigrant mobilisation had shown \u201cincreasingly violent and intimidatory tendencies\u201d, creating instability and fear in several communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Islamophobia and Muslims joining shutdown<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisations also warned that the campaign against foreign nationals was increasingly targeting Africans from neighbouring countries, including vulnerable communities seeking safety, shelter and livelihoods in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSuch conduct promotes xenophobia and Afrophobia,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and Operation Dudula: Vigilantes or voices of South Africa\u2019s poor?<\/a><\/blockquote>