IN memory of Imam Abdullah Haron, murdered by apartheid security police 40 years ago – 28 September 2009

Imam Abdullah Haron, who served as imam at the Stegman Road Mosque in Claremont, Cape Town, died 40 years ago this week. He was arrested by the South African apartheid security police in May 1969, and accused of being involved with the banned Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). He died 133 days later while in detention. He is recognised as being the premier Muslim leader of the 1950s and 1960s who spoke out against apartheid and challenged the apartheid regime.

His life and death were commemorated this week with a prayer service at the Stegman Road Mosque, and a thickr (prayer) at his grave on Saturday morning (September 26). The second annual Imam Haron Memorial Lecture – arranged by the Abdullah Haron Education Trust – was held on the anniversary of his death (September 27).

Haron’s daughter, Fatiema Haron-Masoet, paid tribute to the father she barely knew. She said his fight against injustice had not been given the recognition it deserved. As editor of Muslim News, he’d used the paper and public lectures to highlight racial oppression.

* HD footage and photos available