Wicked Welcome: Anti-Somali Riots, Port Elizabeth

Whoever does not worry about things that affect Muslims, is not from the Muslim community.’
On the afternoon of February 12, 2007 the Somali community’s worst nightmare materialised: locals, spurred on by criminal elements, looted 130 Somali Muslim shops in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. R6 million in stock was looted with 30 shops burnt to the ground.

DOORSTEP
Somalia is a 99% Muslim country. Thousands fled 16 years of warfare. Many Somalis have emigrated to Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage and have set up successful businesses.
Jealousy from local businessmen has resulted in over 500 being killed around the country in robberies. Riots have taken place against them in areas like Bloemfontein in 2005, Kwanobuhle (Uitenhage) in 2001 and Knysna (2006).

MUSJID
To their credit, Somalians have a great attachment to the Musjid, frequenting them and reading much Qur’aan. They are distinguished in their business practices in that many are honest.
There was hope that 16 years of lawlessnes in Somalia, exacerbated by America, was coming to an end with the rise of the Islamic Courts led by Ulama. They brought peace to many areas of the south, banned drugs and tackled piracy along their shores.

INVASION
In December 2006, thousands of Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia and overthrew the Islamic government. They were aided by US fighter jets which bombed civilians and the US navy which blockaded the ports.
The war that Somali refugees fled has followed them to SA. The latest riots are an ideal opportunity for SA Muslims to emulate the Ansaar (helpers) of Madinah who accepted the Muhajireen (refugees/emigrants) of Makkah with open arms when they fled persecution.

EASY REWARD
Local Muslims can earn easy reward by making refugees welcome. Let us not fall into the trap of xenophobia and look down on anyone, least of all a Muslim refugee who came to our land for help.