Rolling back xenophobia through community dialogues

Nurudean Ssempa*1, Fatima Hendricks*2 and Minhaj Jeenah3

*1MRASA Refugee Centre *2Madina Institute Cape Town 3Islamic Relief South Africa

Abstract

Since May 2008 there have been sporadic country-wide xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals residing in South Africa, with significant loss of life and property. According to United Nations High Commission for Refugees, non-nationals doing business in South African townships are more likely to fall prey to violence, as South Africans often blame them for crime and unemployment, and view them as responsible for depriving “more deserving” citizens of jobs, housing, and other economic goods.

This is contrary to the principles enshrined in the South African Constitution and The Refugees Act, 11 enacted in 1998, which details the definition of a refugee and the requirements and rights pertaining to asylum seekers and refugees in obtaining their status and documentation, and access to social services. However, due to challenges with implementation of these rights, many refugees find themselves vulnerable.

This paper discusses the multiple approaches used by the Muslim Refugee Association of Southern Africa (MRASA) and its partners, in engaging with grassroots communities in order to build social cohesion and counter xenophobia.

Islam has a strong heritage of forced migrant protection, stemming from the original teachings of the Qur’an as well as from historical examples taken from the lives of great Prophets Peace Be Upon Them all. Additionally, the concept of Ubuntu - the principle of caring for each other’s well-being and as a spirit of mutual support; is already embedded in African society.

This paper explores the use of Islamic traditions and institutions, together with African traditions, in crafting messages at different communities with the aim of rolling back xenophobia and strengthening social cohesion in South Africa.

Keywords; Xenophobia, Ubuntu *Lead authors