SA Muslims slam assassination
2004-03-23 22:26
Johannesburg - Muslim organisations in South Africa on Tuesday called on the government to cut all ties with the Israeli government after Sunday's assassination of Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin.
Yassin was the founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, the largest militant organisation in Palestine. He died in an Israeli missile attack shortly after his morning prayer session.
According to reports, four people died in the attack and another 12 were injured.
The Media Review Network, which promotes Islam, on Tuesday called on the government, non-governmental organisations, religious groups and political parties to condemn the attack and see it as a criminal incident.
"We are shocked and angry at the assassination attack against the spiritual leader of Hamas," said the network.
Confined to a wheelchair
The South African government on Monday condemned the attack and said it went against international laws and against United Nations conventions.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) also expressed shock at the attack on Yassin, who was confined to a wheelchair.
They called on the government to ensure that no South Africans be allowed to join Israel's allied forces.
"The government must stop training police officers in Israel, they must halt all diplomatic relations with Israel."
The organisation said it was concerned that more blood could be spilt.
"The murder will probably lead to a lot more deaths. Every drop of blood that is spilt will be (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon and his government's fault."
The secretary-general for the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Achmat Sedich, said on Tuesday: "It is incomprehensible how Sheik Ahmed Jassin could have been a threat to anyone as he was a quadriplegic and blind."
"What right did they have to murder Yassin. He was a political prisoner who became paralysed and blind while in prison," said Sedich.
He said a memorial service was held in Rylands, near Cape Town, for Yassin on Monday. - Beeld/Die Burger