Al Jama-ah, DA in war of words over remarks on queer community

The leader of Al Jama-ah, Ganief Hendricks, has come out guns blazing in defense of the party’s national spokesperson’s homophobic comments.

This after the DA called on the Minority party’s leaders to clarify whether they endorse Advocate Shameemah Salie’s comments in which she called into question the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ groups in the parliamentary process on new family policies.

“It’s a minority group in our society imposing an agenda and narrative on the majority, and this has subtly been happening for a while now, and now it’s being pushed onto our family structures. And on the right of families and parents to educate their children, especially with regards to their religious beliefs, their traditional and cultural beliefs of families are being impacted by a minority group,” Salie said in an interview with 24-hour television news channel, NewzroomAfrika.

She was being asked about her party’s rejection of of a White paper on family life which addressed the inclusion of the community in the parliamentary process.

The DA has denounced Salie’s views, saying they are an attempt to scapegoat and divide South Africans based on race, sexual identity, or faith.

 

DA National Spokesperson, Solly Malatsi, says the country’s official opposition will continue to champion a future that embraces hope over hate, unity over division, and progress over stagnation.

In response, Hendricks says there is nothing homophobic about God’s divine law, which is a matter of faith for Muslims and other faiths.

He says the party is seeking legal advice with the view of laying criminal charges against the DA and its big corporate funders.

Hendricks accuses the DA and its funders of creating a narrative that seeks to groom young children to conduct sexual sin and promote gender confusion.

The DA has rubbished the threats by Al Jama-ah.

The controversy comes amid a storm over the EFF’s decision to invite Kenyan scholar, Professor Patrick Lumumba, to deliver a lecture during the party’s 10th anniversary celebrations next month.

♦️Do Not Miss It♦️

The EFF 10th Anniversary Public Lecture will be addressed by Prof P.L.O Lumumba on Monday, 24th of July 2023 at Sarah Baartman Hall University Of Cape Town. #EFFTurns10 pic.twitter.com/SKWNepZfYv

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 8, 2023

Lumumba has expressed his support for Uganda’s anti-gay law, which could see those convicted of breaking it face the death penalty, among others.

EFF has been vocal against the bill, even protesting outside the Ugandan embassy in April.

However in the face of the backlash – party leader Julius Malema defended the party’s decision to invite the scholar.

Malema says: “You don’t censor a different opinion on your platforms simply because you disagree. Allowing different views makes a discourse even more exciting.”

All Africans of goodwill should congratulate Ugandan Parliamentarians and their President YK.Museveni for defying Western Countries and doing the right thing. We must define ourselves as Africans. @KagutaMuseveni @Parliament_Ug https://t.co/QUmOXzMquL

— PLO Lumumba (@ProfPLOLumumba) May 30, 2023