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South African Police Minister Bheki Cele apologized for a “blasphemous” comment made by a policeman to pray to Muslims while enforcing the blocking rules.
The apology, issued Sunday by the minister through a statement, came after the event was captured on video.
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The images, posted on social media and authenticated by authorities, show police entering a room on Saturday where about 20 Muslims were praying and ordering them to earth.
One of the policemen is heard saying: “Are you greater than the President? Muhammad is greater than the President?”
Cele said he “issued an apology to the Muslim community for the blasphemous comments during the arrest” and an “urgent investigation” was launched to “establish the identity of the person behind the sacrilege.” in the incident that took place in the province of Mpumalanga.
In a separate statement, the police said the police comment was “rather unfortunate and it is unacceptable that someone could make such a statement.”
He also said that people of all faiths had to abide by the rules during confinement. On Friday, the police had already detained 17 people in a religious ceremony for violating the blocking rules.
The Council of Muslim Theologians in Jamiatul Ulama, South Africa, said the comments were not only “degrading on behalf of the prophet Muhammad”, but that the police entering a prayer room with “their heavy boots”, as seen in the video, it was “distressing for Muslims”. who consider the places of prayer as sacred. “
The Council also reminded Muslims to observe the closing rules.
The incident occurred when South Africans are ordered to observe strict confinement to combat the spread of the coronavirus, and are allowed to leave their homes only to buy food or for medical appointments.
All other meetings are strictly prohibited.
South Africa is the sub-Saharan country most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. More than 85 people died amid more than 4,350 infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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