We condemn in the strongest possible terms the offensive and unwarranted attacks on the Botswana Muslim community as evidenced by the recent graffiti or spray painting of anti-Muslim sentiments by some unknown elements at the Gaborone Main Mosque.
The act is itself criminal and it is our fervent hope that the police will nab the perpetrators and bring them to book.
While Botswana is generally regarded as a Christian country, we do not condone any acts that violate other religious beliefs. Such unwarranted behaviour has the potential to upset our national peace, security and tranquility. It is very important that as country we continue to respect and protect the sensibilities of minorities in our midst ÔÇô be they religious, tribal or ethnic.
Our constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, unequivocally guarantees religious freedom. It therefore follows that any act that is tantamount to religious discrimination is criminal.
We should all as law abiding and responsible citizens be concerned with unprovoked attacks on other religions. Such acts must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. They are abhorable and should not be allowed to have a place in our country. Batswana are a peace loving people. Any elements within our society that are hell bent on disturbing our national peace and security must be urgently sniffed out. This is why we call on the law enforcement agencies to look out for these perpetrators and bring them to book.
Muslims are part of our community and they must be allowed to practice their religion without fear of any recriminations whatsoever. This extends to people of other religious beliefs. As much as we acknowledge that the majority of our people are Christians, there is no justification to provoke Muslims and people of other religions. We will equally condemn such acts if they are committed against Christians. Our position extends to the defence of any religion.
Belonging to different religions does not give anybody the license to assault other religions. This is exactly why our constitution guarantees freedom of religion and in the same vein shuns any discrimination based on religion.
Religious intolerance is wrecking havoc in some parts of the world and we do not want the same to happen in our otherwise peaceful country. Cases of religious upheavals are a security threat in some African countries as is the case in Nigeria where Boko Haram, a sub-cultural organization with close ties to al-Qaida is wrecking havoc on Christians. The same applies in Egypt and many other African countries.
We do not want Botswana to follow in the footsteps of these countries hence our call on the law enforcement agencies to hunt down the attackers of the Gaborone Main Mosque and bring them to book so that justice takes its course.
Christians of this country must be warned against committing any acts of violence against other religions.
We are all God’s people and we must respect each other’s religious beliefs.
It is very disheartening that some elements want to sow seeds of discord among our peace loving people.
Our forefathers worked hard in ensuring that we lived as one people in our diverse cultures and religions.
We must count ourselves among the lucky people of this world and we should thus jealously guard against any acts that have the potential to divide us.
It is in this vein that we call on our political leadership especially the executive to condemn these acts as they have the potential to upset our national security.
We implore the Office of the President through His Excellency President Ian Khama to unequivocally condemn this particular abominable act.
