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MRN

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Terror claim mocks south African muslims

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(source: Voice Of The Cape fm Online)

The Gauteng-based advocacy group, the Media Review Network (MRN), has hit back at renewed claims made by Pretoria academic, Prof Hussein Solomon regarding a terror threat on this year’s FIFA 2010 World Cup. In his response, MRN chairperson, Iqbal Jassat, said it was clearly evident that the self-proclaimed "expert on Islamic extremism" was running out of time in his crusade against Muslims as the clock ticks away towards the countdown of the Fifa World Cup.

"It is also known that his credibility as a serious researcher and academic on the subject of ‘Islamic terrorism’ – an oxymoron – has suffered a great deal ever since his outrageous allegations were uncovered and challenged by us. It is thus pertinent to recall where and in whose company those ridiculous allegations were made," Jassat wrote.

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Conflict in thailand may lead to civil war

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By Dr Firoz Osman – Secretary General, Media Review Network

The likelihood of violence spiralling out of control in Bangkok, Thailand, has increased with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s threat of using live ammunition against the ‘red shirt’ protestors, killing and wounding scores of protestors.

The image of this country as a passive, non-violent Bhuddist nation has long been belied by it’s brutal decades-long campaign against the Muslims in the south of the country.

The Thai government, which placed Bangkok and surrounding provinces under emergency law in April 2010, moved to enforce the decree by sending troops to clear  the supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) from Phan Fa Bridge. The move sparked bloody clashes as the protesters refused to budge and fought back with sticks, Molotov cocktails, grenades and rifles.

Read More »Conflict in thailand may lead to civil war

Stay away from sa al qaida warned

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By Zohra Mohammed Teke

(source: Daily News, 18 May 2010)

South African Muslims will not allow al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group to turn this country’s World Cup into their political battlefield, warns the country’s top Muslim representative body, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC).

The warning from the body’s national president, Moulana Ighsan Hendricks, comes amid reports of the arrest of a 30-year-old Saudi army officer and al-Qaeda operative in Iraq, for allegedly planning attacks on South Africa’s World Cup next month. Welcoming the arrest, Hendricks has lashed out at the planned attacks, saying al-Qaeda was a terrorist organisation that did not have the support of the vast majority of Muslims in South Africa.

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Does it have to be al qaeda?

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By Iqbal Jassat

(source: Voice of the Cape Online)

"Cup terror arrest" or "Saudi held for al-Qaeda attack on WC" are some of the sensationalist headlines accompanying reports on the Iraqi army’s announcement of a possible terrorist threat to the Fifa World Cup in South Africa. The allure and power of these screaming headlines allows not only a huge hike in sales of newspapers; it also impacts on public opinion to the extent that more people are likely to accept that al-Qaeda poses a major threat to disrupt this country’s much awaited soccer spectacle.

Media would correctly argue that its function as a public watchdog is to disseminate news and information. It will say too, with full justification, that its role to do so will not be sacrificed at the altar of any holy cow. It will remain faithful to its discipline without fear or favour. If al-Qaeda is suspected of plotting to sabotage the soccer festival, then it’s the function of the media to say so.

Read More »Does it have to be al qaeda?