Azhar Vadi – Cii News, Pic: uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com – June 4, 2012

Concerned South African citizens have started a campaign calling on the South African President, Jacob Zuma, to stand in the way of US President Barack Obama receiving an honorary award from the Cape Town Metro Council.

The city is run by a coalition made up of the Independent Democrats and Democratic Alliance with Patricia De Lille as Mayor. The council has approved of awarding President Obama and his wife Michelle with the freedom of the city and the matter will now go to the Presidency for further consultations and final approval.

Moulana Khalid Dhorat of the No To Obama Award Campaign told Cii they intend collating a series of letters addressed to the South African Presidency voicing opposition to the move spearheaded by the Cape Town Metro.

“We can make a stand, “ he said. “We have decided to create a central email address where people can forward their letters of opposition to.  The address is ntoacsa@gmail.com. We will then forward the letters to the Presidency.”

Ml. Dhorat said that as peace loving people it was important to voice opposition to the honouring of man who has increased the level of violence and destruction around the world.

“It is a crime for people to keep silent when there are injustices taking place around the world. The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is known to all. We need to defend the truth and we need to suppress evil according to our ability.”

Social network users like @TheRealRafiek however felt that letters alone would not be effective. He tweeted @channelislam stating, “I doubt a strong worded letter to the presidency will affect the outcome. Still in favour of a march. Lets do something.”

On Monday morning the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and the Media Review Network (MRN) made public a letter addressed to President Jacob Zuma wherein they listed several points why they believe Obama was not deserving of the award.

Published in the name of MJC president, Moulana Ihsan Hendricks and MRN chairperson, Zaakir Mayet the statement noted that the two organisations were, “…astonished and dumbfounded that the Democratic Alliance (DA), with Patricia de Lille in tandem, have announced their intentions to bestow the freedom of the City of Cape Town on Barack Obama.

“Our understanding to bequeath such an honour on any individual is based on outstanding achievements which distinguishes him or her as being a member of the human society par excellence.”

It further noted that, “On becoming President of the US in 2009, Obama’s speech in Cairo on the ME peace process was morally bankrupt as any of his predecessor’s. He has not brought the world any closer to peace, as the US Memorial Day suggests. Instead he has continued on the path of retaining the mantra of ‘permanent war’ accompanied by zero accountability.”