Over 1000 days of the Gaza Genocide | Renewing solidarity through our purchase decisions 

 

A COMMUNITY APPEAL

(United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA))

 

As the world marks over 1,000 days since the onset of the devastating assault on Gaza, the cries of the oppressed continue to pierce the conscience of humanity. What we are witnessing is not a distant conflict, but a prolonged humanitarian catastrophe of staggering proportions.

 

More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands still missing beneath the rubble. Entire families have been wiped out, and over 21,000 children— innocent souls whose only crime was to be born into a land under siege— have lost their lives. Vast areas of Gaza lie in ruins, with reports indicating that up to 90% of the territory has been destroyed, leaving millions displaced, hungry, and without basic necessities. This is not merely a statistic. It is a scar on the conscience of the Ummah and the world.

 

As consumers, we possess a powerful, often under-estimated tool: the ability to choose where and how we spend our wealth. Boycotting entities that are complicit in, or supportive of oppression is not symbolic; it is a meaningful act of resistance. Every purchase is a statement. Every rand spent can either contribute to injustice or stand firmly against it.

 

We must recognise a fundamental truth: our actions shape outcomes. What we support, what we ignore, what we normalise, all of it determines the direction of events around us. The boycott movement is a peaceful yet impactful means of exerting pressure, raising awareness, and aligning our actions with our values.

Yet, beyond our outward actions lies a deeper responsibility; our individual relationship with Allah. Let us seek forgiveness for our shortcomings, abandon actions that incur His displeasure, and strive to live lives of obedience, justice, and humility. Our du’ās must be matched with reform, both individually and collectively. For it is not only our external actions, but the condition of our hearts, that determines outcomes.

 

“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (Ar-Ra’d 13:11)

 

The United Ulama Council of South Africa has consistently called upon the Muslim community to exercise responsible consumer choices. As a start, UUCSA originated a call identifying companies that should be boycotted as follows:

• Clover(AII products)
• Cape Union Mart Group (incl. Poetry, K·Way, Old Khaki, nod Last Chance)
• DisChem (All non-dispensary merchandise)
• Teva (All products).

 

As we commend those who have remained observant of this boycott, some even extending it to other products according to their conscience, we urge every Muslim household, business, institution and organisation to revisit this call, implement it conscientiously, and promote the campaign widely within families, circles of influence, and the wider community.

 

Buy with your conscience. Act with purpose. Turn to your Creator.

 

Released by:

 

Yusuf Patel (Moulana)
UUCSA Secretary General

20 Muharram 1448 / 06 July 2026