Islam is Banned in Angola Under Law
By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi
When the entire world
is crying to protect and respect the "Human Rights" and the
"Freedom of Religion" on the globe level, at the same time, it's
irony to hear that the Angolan Ministry of Justice and Human Rights couldn't
legalise the Islam as a mere religion in the country. The government of
Republic of Angola announced to ban Islam and Islamic activities in the country
only few days ago on 19th November 2013.
Republic of Angola, a
Christian dominated country is situated in the Southern-Central Africa, with a
population of 17 million peoples, bordering Namibia to the south, Zambia to the
east, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and with the west coast
along the Atlantic Ocean. Luanda is the capital city. Kikongo is one among six
recognised national languages; whereas Portuguese is the official language
which is commonly written, spoken and understood in the whole country.
From 16th century till
October 1975, it was a Portuguese Territory known as the Overseas Province of
Angola. With sacrifices and efforts made by the Angolan people, it achieved its
independence on 11th November, 1975. After the independence, civil war broke
out and it remained the scene of an intense civil war around 26-year, until it
came to an end on 4th April, 2002, following a peace and reconciliation
agreement between civilians and the government.
While on the one hand
the news about banning Islam in Angola has spread like jungle fire within few
days in the entire world, the information about being the said news false has
been circulated on social networking sites on the other. Now the common Muslims
are confused in this regard. It's shameful that a Muslim leader of an African
or Arab country doesn't want to break his silence on such serious issue; while
the common Muslims want to hear him.
A verification is being
circulated on social networking site, Facebook, without any reliable source, is
as follows: "Upon verification from Angloan scholars it was found that the
story of Islam being banned in Angola is completely fabricated. Sadly, the
demolition of all structures that were built without proper documentation,
planning, procedure etc. was carried out. This happened to include some
religious structures too, amongst them a Masjid. Interestingly the picture
doing its rounds is not even from Angola but the Middle East. This happened
quite some time back but is being carried mischievously by some media houses.
It is important that Muslims only build Masaajid after proper approvals to
avoid this. It has happened in other countries before. Please clarify the truth
with those who have become emotional about the so-called banning of Islam in
Angola. May Allah Almighty grant us a lesson and safeguard the Deen. Aameen!"
Speaking about the
banning Islam, the Angolan President, Jose Edurado dos Santos was quoted by
several news agencies and Angolan Newspapers as saying: "This is the final
end of Islamic influence in our country."
The Angolan Minister of
Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva said, "The process of legalisation of Islam has
not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, their mosques
would be close until further notice," Silva's statement was made during
her appearance at the 6th Commission of the National Assembly.
Silva further said,
"All sects on the list published by the ministry of Justice and Human
Rights in the Angolan newspaper, "Journal De Angola" are prohibited
to conduct worship. So, they should keep their doors closed," as she was
quoted by Cameroon Voice.
It is reported that as
part of the ban, the Angolan government has ordered the demolition of the
mosques, Qur'anic Schools and Islamic Centers.
In early October 2013,
the minarete of a mosque, in the municipality of Viana Zango of the capital
city Luanda, was dismantled into pieces on the ground without any prior
information in agreement with the decision of the Angola authorities. It took
place after the announcement made by the governor on 3rd October, 2013 in the
morning in a radio spot that radical Muslims are not welcome in Angola and the
Angola government is not ready for legalisation of mosques in Angola.
On 28th November, 2013,
The Guardian has quoted David Ja, president of Islamic Community of Angola as
saying: "We can say that Islam has been banned in Angola. You need 100,000
to be recognised as a religion or officially you can't pray."
"The mosques in Luanda
were supposed to be closed yesterday but because of an international furore
about reports that Angola has banned Islam, the government decided not to do.
So, at the moment, mosques in Luanda are open and people are going for
prayer," Mr. Ja added.
As to me the report
published in the Guardian is more authentic and reliable, because under Angolan
law, a religious group needs more than 100,000 members and to be present in 12
of the 18 provinces to gain legal status, giving them the right to construct
schools and places of worship. There are only about 90,000-80,000 among
Angola's population. So, it is impossible for Islam to be recongnised in
Angola. In another word, Islam is banned in Angola under the present law and
the freedom of religion is being snatched from the people, as I think.
We observe that when
some unwanted actions occur at any place, the leaders of the so-called
civilised countries start condemning with the strongest meaning of the word
within a moment; but when those are against Islam and Muslims, they keep mum as
they are dumb, deaf and blind. To my utter surprise, the heads of the Muslim
countries show their courage and cruelly power against their own people, even
if they want to protest for a right purpose, and when something goes wrong
against Islam and Muslims, they never dare to speak against anti-Islamic
elements for the sake of Islam and Muslims; rather they become a coward and
chicken. Now banning Islam in Angola is a burning issue and the Muslims are
disturbed and pained; but not yet even a single responsible Muslim leader has spoken
on this issue.
According to the
International Religious Freedom Report 2008 (published on www.memeorandum.com),
"Islam is a minority religion in Angola with 80,000-90,000 adherents,
composed largely of migrants from West Africa and the families of Lebanese
origin. The Muslims comprised between 2.5 to 3 percent of Angola's overall
population of 17 million people, most of them Christians."
During the last few
years, the Muslim community in Angola has grown appreciably and Islamic
activities have become more common in major cities. Mosques have sprung up in a
number of places and the Qur'anic Schools have been built to provide Islamic
instructions and teach Arabic language to the followers of Islam.
If the news regarding
banning Islam is true, then the Republic of Angola has become the first country
in the world to ban a peaceful religion: Islam. Now about 80,000-90,000 Muslims
of Angola are criminal by law, whereas the constitution guarantees the Freedom
of Religion, but only for 47% pagans and 53% Christians, not for a small
minority Muslims. Is it democracy or what? At least I failed to understand the
democracy of this so-called civilised world. May Allah protect Islam and
Muslims all over the world! Aameen!
(The
author is a Darul Uloom, Deoband alumnus and presently teacher of Moon Rays
Trust School, Zambia, Africa. He can be reached at
qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in)
