CAIRO A leading Muslim organization has vigorously condemned Angolas move to
ban Islam in its land and prohibit Muslims from worshipping in their mosques, calling on the United Nation to protect the rights of the religious minority to practice their religion freely.
The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) widely condemns this decision which contradicts with simplest human rights of social security and
freedom of religion, the IUMS said in a statement obtained by OnIslam.net on Monday, November 25.
The move contradicts with tolerance and peaceful coexistence, especially in Africa where more than 50% of the population are Muslims, the Union added.
Several African and Angolan newspapers and news agencies have reported that Angola has banned Islam in its country, in a very unprecedented step taken by a country against one of the Abrahamic faiths.
Taking first measures on ground, the Angolan authorities moved to destroy mosques in the country, including a mosque in the urban municipality of Viana, Luanda which was destroyed on last October 17.
Several Angolan officials have also asserted that Muslims were not welcome in Angola and that
the government would not legalize the presence of mosques in the country.
Rejecting the intolerant move, the IUMS called on Angola to withdraw its decision, urging moves at the UN, African Union to condemn the unprecedented decision.
The Union urged the Angolan authorities to relinquish this unjust decision, be tolerant with the peaceful Muslim minority and not to confuse Islam and terrorism, the statement said.
The union has urged international bodies to interfere immediately to alleviate the suffering of Angolan Muslims.
The IUMS also calls on the United Nations and its specialized agencies in human rights, freedom of belief and religion, freedom of opinion and the minorities religious and cultural rights to interfere immediately to support Angola Muslim minority and defend its tight to practice its religion, it said.
The Union calls on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the African Union and other international and regional organizations concerned with rights, freedoms , world peace and coexistence to intervene urgently with the Angolan government to reverse this unjust decision.