Provincial Synod condemns anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

Provincial Synod today approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and adopted formal definitions of each.

The full text of the resolution follows.

The address of Bishop Brian Marajh motivating the resolution can be found here >>

4.1 DEFINING ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ANTI-SEMITISM

This Provincial Synod,

Noting that:

1. The 2019 ACSA motion Solidarity with Palestinians affirms that “all forms of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia should be condemned in the strongest terms”,
2. Muslims and Jews are small minority groups in South African society and therefore vulnerable to actions arising from Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism,
3. Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia share in common a racism based on perceived racial features, ethnic appearances, cultural practices or political allegiances,
4. In South Africa there is a casual Islamophobia that manifests in different social contexts such as towards a Muslim woman wearing the hijab, and
5. Globally there is a rise in Anti-Semitism leading to attacks on Jewish places of worship, Jewish schools, individual Jews on the street, the defacing of Jewish cemeteries and use of Nazi imagery on social media,

Acknowledging that:

1. Defining Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia will help identify more clearly what the Anglican church is taking a stand against and condemning, and
2. There are no perfect definitions as academics have made plain,

Resolves to adopt the following internationally accepted definitions:

1. ISLAMOPHOBIA is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims or non-Muslim individuals that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. It is motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism which targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
2. ANTI-SEMITISM is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Proposer: Bishop Brian Marajh of George
Seconder: Bishop Tsietsi Seleoane of Mzimvubu