How South Africa Muslim migrants dedicated their Eid and Ramadan to Gaza

This year, Musa Maliki, a 28-year-old Malawian living in South Africa, found himself immersed in a Ramadan and Eid unlike any other.

As the sacred month unfolded, justice and solidarity with the civilians of Gaza dominated the sentiments of Muslims in the country, like in much of the world.

For Musa and many others, it was not merely a time of personal devotion but a collective awakening to the plight of the Palestinian people. 

"Muslims were urged to pray and fast for the end of the suffering of the people of Palestine. Some employers provided television sets at our workplaces to enable us to follow the live broadcasts of the war on Gaza. I am now well informed about how apartheid Israel is waging a war to cleanse Gaza of its people,” Musa told The New Arab. 

Musa is a Malawian immigrant and a devout Muslim who has lived and worked in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) South Africa, for the past three years with his wife.

"The mood during Ramadan and Eid was revolutionary, with several Muslim organisations in South Africa dedicating prayers and sacrifices to those affected by the conflict in Gaza"

Throughout Ramadan, mosques and Muslim organisations across South Africa led the way in solidarity with the Palestinians.

"The mood during Ramadan and Eid was revolutionary, with several Muslim organisations in South Africa dedicating prayers and sacrifices to those affected by the conflict in Gaza," Musa recalled. 

Musa set up a WhatsApp group with his fellow Malawian Muslims to share updates and put pressure on the government back home to do more.

"There’s a need for self-introspection on the part of the government of Malawi. How can they send our youths to Israel to work as labourers thereby propping up that government? Israel is killing young children and defenceless women in Gaza with impunity," Mustafa, also of Gqeberha and a leader within the Malawian community, emphasised.

"Yes, there are very limited job opportunities in Malawi, but do we have to stoop so low as to aid and abet a country that is committing genocide against our Muslim brothers and sisters?”

Malawi's parliament recently allowed the government to proceed with a programme to send 10,000 labourers to work on farms and industries in Israel, many replacing Palestinian workers now shut out of Israel.

“Maybe these youths are aiding the IDF to commit its genocide on Palestinians? Our government does not consider the welfare of its citizens and that of the people of Palestine. Yes, there are very limited job opportunities in Malawi, but do we have to stoop so low as to aid and abet a country that is committing genocide against our Muslim brothers and sisters?”

Mustafa also drew parallels between Israel and apartheid-era South Africa, pledging continued support for Palestine until justice is achieved. 

Nasir Moalin, a Somali Muslim community leader echoed Mustafa's sentiments, stressing the need for solidarity with Palestine during Muslim holidays and beyond. 

“Palestinians have suffered enough. Their lands were taken by force, and now they are being subjected to genocide. Though there’s nothing much we can do as ordinary Muslims in a foreign country (South Africa), we will keep our prayers with them," Nasir told The New Arab. 

"We have a righteous belief that God is with the people of Gaza in this challenging time and God will guide them in whatever endeavour they’re taking. Our prayers will not be in vain."

Support for the people of Palestine during the month of Ramadan was not limited to Muslims but extended to institutions like the South African Council of Churches (SACC) National Executive Committee.

Expressing their commitment, SACC stated, “The NEC further undertook to continue its long-standing work in advocating a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in the Holy Land. This commitment includes working with others, especially Palestinian Christians, to expose all forms of discrimination based on race or religion in the Holy Land. As victims of Apartheid ourselves, we know Apartheid structures and systems when we see them and we are committed to work for its eradication — wherever it is identified.”

SACC announced May 5, 2024 as the National Day of Prayer for the 2024 General Elections, a day to be observed by all Christians from South African Development Community (SADC) countries and Palestinian Christians.

This significant gesture underscores the solidarity of Christians with the people of Palestine during their time of need.  

The South African Council of Churches has set aside 5 May, as a National Day of Prayer for the 2024 General Elections. #eNCA #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct #IFPManifesto pic.twitter.com/QnKvUDyDQe

— eNCA (@eNCA) March 10, 2024

During the week of May 3-9, 2024, Palestinian Christian leaders and activists will visit various parts of South Africa.

As part of the same statement, SACC emphasised, “Palestinian Christian leaders and activists will visit various parts of the country, presenting an opportunity for the Christian community to not only see and hear Palestinian Christians but to engage them as fellow believers in the same Lord.”

Joseph Chirume is a freelance journalist from Zimbabwe based in South Africa, writing on human rights and immigration issues with a focus on the South African landscape. He has reported for GroundUp News