Cape Town hosts a historic meeting between prominent Saudi Shia scholar Shaikh Hassan al-Saffar and Sunni Scholar Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari, representing the Cape Town Ulama Board.
By SAYED RIDHWAAN
ON Tuesday, August 6, Cape Town played host to a historic meeting between prominent Saudi Shia scholar Shaikh Hassan al-Saffar and Sunni Scholar Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari, representing the Cape Town Ulama Board.
The meeting, which aimed to foster engagement and dialogue between academics of Shia and Sunni theological groups, was attended by key figures such as Shaikh Husain Suwailih from Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Moulana Syed Aftab Haider of the Ahlul Bayt Foundation of South Africa, Dr Rashied Omar of Claremont Main Road Mosque, and Shaikh Muhammed Saalieg Isaacs.
Additionally, a few academics and representatives of local organizations were present at the meeting.
The meeting which was held at the Hyatt Hotel, provided a platform for discussions on important topics such as building character, societal development, promoting understanding and tolerance, as well as protecting human rights. Shaikh Al-Saffar emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence despite religious differences, urging attendees to adopt a peaceful approach towards one another.
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The event was hailed as a significant step towards intrafaith dialogue by the Cape Town Ulama Board, acknowledging the irreconcilable differences between Sunni and Shia beliefs. Despite these theological disparities, the meeting was viewed as a demonstration of maturity and a willingness to engage in open dialogue on common issues within a multicultural and pluralistic society.
Participants expressed gratitude for Shaikh Al-Saffar’s insights and expressed hope that such meetings would continue to promote engagement, tolerance, and understanding within the Muslim community in Cape Town and beyond.
