Justice department trains imams
Capetown-141203-Imaan abduragmaan Abrahams during the training of Imaams by the justice department on Child protection Act. the trianing was in MJC buildings in Athlone -Picture by BHEKI RADEBE Capetown-141203-Imaan abduragmaan Abrahams during the training of Imaams by the justice department on Child protection Act. the trianing was in MJC buildings in Athlone -Picture by BHEKI RADEBE
Cape Town - The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is training Muslim leaders in aspects of law, starting with those affecting children.
It is part of the Muslim Judicial Council’s (MJC) partnership with the department to provide them with tools to better deal with situations of abuse and other crimes.
MJC spokesman Abdul-Khaliq Allie said it was the duty of imams as religious leaders to make a difference in communities plagued by crimes against children, for instance.
“Imams are exposed to the high level of abuse and high crime levels taking place in their areas, and we have to create an environment where they can make an impact and ensure that those who are vulnerable are protected,” he said.
“It is part of our empowerment programme to ensure imams fully understand the law and how to apply them.”
Allie said the initiative was part of the MJC’s ongoing commitment to the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
He said the training imams will be receiving will enable them to apply correct law and criminal procedures when confronted with criminal activities.
“If they have a better understanding of how the law works, they will be equipped in dealing with different justice centres.
“Imams represent thousands of people in their communities, so having access and knowledge of laws will enable them to make the correct decisions and ensure that justice is done.”
The first of the training seminars, which will be held regularly until March, was conducted on Wednesday at the MJC’s offices in Athlone by advocate Hishaam Mohamed, provincial head of the justice department.
He gave imams a detailed explanation of the Children’s Act, which sets out principles relating to the care and protection of children, and the Child Justice Act, a law pertaining to the justice system designed for children involved in crimes.
“We have never engaged with imams on important pieces of legislature, and we believe that instruments of law and religious prescripts must go hand-in-hand in dealing with crimes involving children. In the past, we have worked with the Christian community and now we are elated that we can do it with the Muslim community as well,” said Mohamed.
“Imams are technically social workers who by law can assist in the justice and court system.”
Mohamed said the department, together with commissioners, will be doing training programmes with imams on the West Coast, the Boland region, as well as the Southern Cape.
Cape Times