The Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) has strongly condemned the acts of Cape Union Mart, calling it bullying tactics after it approached the Western Cape High Court to seek an interdict restraining the local organisation Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) from labelling them as supporting genocide.

The CTUB is a body of erudite Sunni Scholars, professionals, and religious leaders. It is a representative body comprising various imams of mosques, Muftis, and teachers of madrasas. Members also include certified professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and educators.

One of its members, Shaykh Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed, is one of seven respondents named in the application. 

“It is disheartening to see a corporation resort to legal threats and intimidation as a means to hinder peaceful protests and suppress the voices of those speaking out against human rights violations. This behaviour only underscores the urgent need to stand against corporate bullying and show solidarity with activists fighting for justice globally,” it said. 

The CTUB called on Cape Union Mart to reconsider their actions and engage in constructive dialogue with protesters outside their stores. 

“Intimidation and legal threats have no place in a democratic society, and it is essential for Cape Union Mart to respect the rights of protesters and activists advocating for justice. 

“As moral agents of God on this earth, we stand with all those who have been targeted by Cape Union Mart. We will continue to support these activists and their efforts to achieve justice for the Palestinian people,” the CTUB said. 

The other respondents in the application are: Magmuda Ockards, Muhammad Shafiq Gamiet, Mohamed Zaid Jeenah, and Sherazaad Rahima Sylvester. 

The sixth respondent is unidentified protesters, and the seventh respondent is the PSC. 

In its application, Cape Union Mart asked the court to interdict/restrain PSC from harassing and intimidating customers and staff.

Cape Union Mart is cited as the first applicant, and the second applicant is owner and executive chairman Philip Krawits.

The application, which was submitted last week, claims that the ongoing protests and boycott campaign at its stores have resulted in financial losses and reputational damage. 

The application urges the respondents to stop making claims that the retailer and its associated brands “fund genocide, killing children, or are complicit in the killing of children.”

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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