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‘Seeking the truth and uncovering the realities of past injustices is crucial for both honouring the memory of those who suffered and ensuring that similar wrongs do not occur again.’
The khutbah by IMAM ABDUL RASHIED OMAR at Claremont Main Road Masjid, Cape Town, was delivered on September 27, 2024, exactly 55 years after the death in detention of Ash-Shaheed Imam Abdullah Haron.
Allah, the Lord of Guidance, proclaims in the Glorious Quran in Surah al-Baqarah:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ
بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَكِنْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ
وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Do not say of those who are killed in the way of God (i.e.; the cause of the oppressed) that they are dead, Nay, they are alive though you perceive it not. We shall test you with some fear and hunger, and we shall test you with the loss of wealth, your lives and the fruits of your labour. Glad Tidings to those who Patiently Persevere. Those who Cry Out: We Belong to God and to God We are Returning (al-Baqarah, 2:154-156)
Introduction
On the September 27, 1969, exactly 55 years ago, South Africa’s Apartheid security branch, informed Aunty Galiema Haron (nee Sadan), that her beloved husband, Imam Abdullah Haron, had died as a result of a fall from a flight of stairs at a police station where he had been incarcerated.
Imam Haron was arrested on the May 28, 1969, a few hours before he was scheduled to lead his congregation at the Al-Jaamia Masjid in Stegman Road in the Moulood-un-Nabi celebrations. The ruthless Apartheid security branch had kept Imam Haron incommunicado for 123 days without allowing any family member or legal representative to visit or see him. The narrative and story that Imam Haron had died as a result of a fall from a flight of stairs in a police station remained as part of the official history of South Africa for 54 years. On October 12, 2023, after a year-long re-opened inquest into the cause of the death of Imam Haron, a Cape Town High Court Judge, Daniel Thulare, ruled that the anti-apartheid activist, Imam Haron, had been tortured to death by South Africa’s Security Branch.
Imam Haron’s eldest daughter, Shamela Shamis, passed away earlier this year on January 4, 2024, almost exactly three months after hearing the truth about her father’s death. It would appear, therefore, that the truth had set her free on her journey to meet her Lord and Sustainer and to be united in the life hereafter with her beloved father and mother. May God reward al-marhuma Shamela Shamis for her patient perseverance and unite her with her beloved father and mother in al-Jannah. Allahumma Amin.
The Cape High Court judgement was not surprising to the Haron family, or anti-Apartheid activists, since they never believed the Apartheid lie that Imam Haron had died as a result of a fall from a flight of stairs. The verdict finally corrected the historical record after 54 years. Future generations will learn that Imam Abdullah Haron died in an Apartheid prison after being tortured to death while held in detention. In addition, the painful High Court proceedings and verdict provided some solace and closure for the Haron family. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s everlasting peace and blessings be upon him) has taught us that: ‘The truth is a source of dignity and honour for the believer.’ (This hadith can be found in the collection of Imam al-Tirmidhi).
Calling for justice for all victims of Apartheid deaths in detention
Seeking the truth and uncovering the realities of past injustices is crucial for both honouring the memory of those who suffered and ensuring that similar wrongs do not occur again. So, while we celebrate the Cape High Court verdict, which established the real cause of Imam Haron’s death, this judgement and the rulings in the cases of Ahmed Timol in 2017, and that of Dr Neil Agget in 2022, and that of Ernest Dipale and Dr Hoosen Haffejee in 2023, all of which established that they had been murdered while in police custody, have highlighted the need to revisit and re-examine other cases of injustice from our past. It is imperative to investigate other similar cases where injustices occurred, ensuring that the truth is revealed, and that justice is served.
Currently, there are scores of other families of victims who, like the Haron family, have been waiting for decades to find out the truth about the cause of the deaths of their loved ones who died under mysterious circumstances while incarcerated by the Apartheid police force.
On this 55th anniversary of the death of Imam Abdullah Haron, while we celebrate the emphatic verdict issued by Cape Town High Court Judge Thulare that Imam Haron did not die as a result of a fall from a flight of stairs in a police station but was brutally tortured to death, we call on the South Africa’s justice system to expedite the other outstanding cases. Among these outstanding cases are the following nine:
- The COSAS Four whose trial is in progress and has been postponed.
- The case of Nokothula Simelane whose trial is in progress and has been postponed.
- The case of Caiphus Noyoka whose trial is in progress and has been postponed.
- The Cradock Four whose trial is in progress and has been postponed.
- The case of Griffiths Mxenge whose trial is awaiting the appointment of a judge.
- The case of Chief Albert Luthuli whose trial is awaiting the appointment of a judge.
- The Northcrest Five whose trial is awaiting the appointment of a judge.
- The Highgate Hotel case which will commence in 2025.
- The case of Jameson Ngoloyi Mngomezulu whose trial is in progress and has been postponed.
Islam places a profound emphasis on justice. The Qur’an commands us in Surah al-Nisa:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ
وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ
“O Believers, Be persistently standing firm for Justice, as witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives.” (al-Nisa, 4:135)
The pursuit of justice is not just a right but a duty, and it is essential for healing and reconciliation. Moreover, to prevent future injustices, we must advocate for the establishment and strengthening of mechanisms that ensure accountability. This includes supporting legal and governmental reforms that promote transparency and fairness in dealing with past wrongs.
As conscientious Muslims and responsible South African citizens, we must continue to engage in advocacy efforts that push for the conclusion of other inquests and the thorough examination of past injustices. In this regard we should support organisations and initiatives dedicated to these causes, contributing our voices to the call for justice and truth.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, as we reflect on the legacy of Imam Abdullah Haron and the implications of recent inquests, let us recommit ourselves to the values of justice, truth, and healing that are central to our faith and the legacy of ash-Shaheed Imam Abdullah Haron. The pursuit of justice for past wrongs is a noble and necessary endeavour, and it is a testament to our collective commitment to creating a just and compassionate South African society.
The Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) congregation’s vision and mission has been inspired and shaped by the legacy of ash-Shaheed Imam Haron and the Claremont Muslim Youth Association which was forged in the late fifties and throughout the sixties. On this 55th anniversary of the killing of Imam Haron we recommit ourselves to this legacy of witnessing for justice and the human dignity for all in our country and the world
At this time, we also pray for the oppressed people of Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, the DRC, Sudan and everywhere else where the dignity of human beings is being assaulted and devalued.
We pray that Allah will grant us the strength and wisdom to continue the pursuit of justice with integrity and compassion. May the Lord of Compassionate Justice guide us in our efforts to address past injustices and to build a future rooted in truth and reconciliation. And most of all may God grant all those like ash-Shaheed Imam Abdullah Haron who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of justice and freedom salvation in the life hereafter. Allahumma Amin.
- My thanks and acknowledgment to Imtiaz Cajee for the update on the status of outstanding apartheid death cases.
