MOGHUL PARK MOSQUE TO PARTICIPATE IN DRIVE TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Kimberley – In fostering a better understanding of Islam and aimed at countering rising acts of Islamophobia, Kimberley’s Moghul Park Mosque will be hosting the National Mosque Open Day on Monday, 24 September 2018 from two o’clock to four o’clock in the afternoon. Imam at the mosque Moulana Achmat Keraan says they hope to attract inter-faith groups and individuals.

“The purpose of the campaign is to learn about Islam and Muslims, to dispel myths and to demystify the misconceptions about Islam as well as build and strengthen relations with other groups. We are encouraging a good geographic spread of masjids throughout South Africa to open their doors on Heritage Day to the general public for a visit to a mosque, meet with Muslims and ask questions,” explains Moulana Keraan.

With the Moghul Park Mosque participating in the campaign, Moulana Keraan explains that their mission is not aimed at recruiting or brainwashing but rather one of building community relations, improving the image of Islam and teaching others about their faith.

“We hope to work together in ensuring the success of the campaign as well for it to be recognized as a national event featuring on the Department of Arts and Culture’s calendar as well as to be included as part of the official South African Heritage Day programme of activities.”

The National Mosque Open Day has been adopted by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the wake of overseas success and has been staged over the past three years on Heritage Day in the spirit of celebrating the country’s diversity. It will be for the first time ever that a Northern Cape based mosque marks the campaign.

Activities at the Moghul Park Mosque are likely to include; meet and greet, a tour of the mosque, an explanation of prayer and ablution and a question and answer session.

By Thabo Mothibi

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Thabo Mothibi is a former broadcast journalist (TV and Radio) – with specialist reporting experience; SABC Political/Parliamentary and TRC Teams over a period of five years (1995 to 2000).

One key foreign assignment - is the 11-nation African Connection Rally – overland journey from Africa’s northern-most pole in the coastal Tunisian city of Bizerte to the southern-most pole in South Africa’s Cape Agulhas. From the journalistic years, Thabo then delved into Government media liaison and serving two former Ministers and three MECs. He became the Northern Cape Provincial Government’s first department based Communications Director at Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development - 2008-2010 – where he also served as Head of Ministry from 2003 – 2008.

As a former anti-apartheid activist, his political background and professional training aided him in spearheading the Northern Cape ANC’s 2004 National Elections media and publicity campaign and that of the 2006 Local Government Elections.

Whilst based in Waterkloof in Pretoria -2010 to end 2011, he consulted for Manstrat Agricultural Intelligence, then returned to the Northern Cape in 2012 to date, to consult independently and pursue other entrepreneurial interests in media and communications through KwaVuko Communications and Marketing.

Thabo Mothibi obtained his NQF7 through Wits University’s Graduate School of Public and Development Management (P&DM) in Johannesburg, a Unilever Mandela Rhodes Academy for Marketing and Communications Academy (UMRA). The goal of the NQF7 programme was to educate and train public and private sector professional communicators and marketers in government communications..

Heritage DayMoghul Park MosqueMoulana Achmat KeraanNational Mosque Open DaySouth African Muslim Network
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