STATEMENT OF SUPPORT AND A CALL TO ACTION

 

There have been passionate debates around the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to become Leila Khaled Drive. Strong voices have come from two sides— either supportive of the move or against the step. The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa would like to add its voice in support of the move, on the basis of solidarity with the struggles for the self-determination of the people of Palestine, and the liberation of the Occupied Palestinian Lands.

 

Leila Khaled has been recognised as an iconic figure in a people’s struggle for freedom across the world, among whom are long-suffering women. The genocidal campaign by the Israeli military in Gaza has killed more women and children than any other recent conflict.

 

JUSA backs the renaming of the Drive to Leila Khaled, as an expression of defiance against imperial forces that have given a carte blanche to Israel, giving the rogue regime munitions and the financial wherewithal, with which to annihilate Palestinians, and in the process, rendering moot any claims of an international rule-based order.

We urge all residents of Johannesburg to support this move which is an assertion of our independence and consistent with our heritage of the struggle for liberation, on one hand, and on the other, an expression of continuing solidarity with the people of Palestine, whose crime is only the desire for freedom and dignity.

 

We appeal to the members of the community and the residents of Johannesburg to sign and forward petitions to the City of Johannesburg, in support of this move, before the closing date of 16 October 2024.

 

Scan the QR code to email a message of support:

 

The Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

 

07 Rabi al Thani 1446 / 10 Oct 2024