Dear Editor,
I was dismayed at the content of your last week’s leading story. I wish to clarify that my paper on racist tendencies of Muslims of Indian origin towards indigenous Batswana Muslims was intended for internal perusal, hence its presentation at the Dawah consultative meeting. It was to spark off debate on these allegations and hopefully an investigation by the BMA and subsequently a resolution on a reformation programme. It is most regrettable that the document found its way to your newspaper and you published it after interviewing only one person resulting in unfounded allegations.
One of these allegations is that I was “backed by a group of indigenous Batswana Muslims who want to topple Indian Muslims from the leadership of the country’s Muslim community”. Upon further enquiry, I discovered that these words were said by the Chairman of the Botswana Muslim Association (BMA), Mr Abdul Satar Dada. Perhaps I should have been contacted before publication as I am not aware of any group that seeks to topple the Indians nor have I indicated such aspiration in my paper. It did not come as a surprise that Mr Dada had said this as he had related to me the same prior to the annual general meeting saying his informants reported to him that I, together with some imaginary group, are planning to stop or postpone the BMA elections. This is absurd! It would make sense if I desired any position in the BMA. That I declined a nomination for my previously held position of Trustee at the same meeting should be clear indication of me not seeking power or riches but the truth. I was very disappointed that the BMA Chairman and The Sunday Standard published things based on hearsay without affording me a say.
Mr Dada could not have been more wrong in saying that “it is unfortunate that some people joined Islam with the hope of becoming rich and become disgruntled when things do not turn out as they had hoped.” I am not clear on who he was referring to here, but in light of his opening remarks on this issue at the AGM, I assume he was referring to me.
Firstly, I became a Muslim in 1979 while at primary school (Standard 6) after having quit the Roman Catholic Church of which I was a staunch member. I could not have had any aspiration for wealth, maybe just aspirations and dreams about adult life. Secondly, a glance at the minutes of previous meetings will reveal that I have consistently brought to light issues that most would shy away from. Thus, it does not make sense for one to claim that in asking the Association to address an observable fact it is proof that one is after riches! Does this hold for all Batswana who complain about segregation? Why the fixation with money anyway? Had money been the focus, I would not have contended on any issues raised in past meetings, but rather, I would have been a bootlicker, which I am certainly not!
However, it is regrettable that what was meant to be an internal matter has now become a public affair. While it is probable that there may be some Indian Muslims who are not racist, it is generally perceived that they do not afford their Batswana brothers equal opportunity and involvement. Those who claim that they are not racist have done very little to educate their brothers on the ills of racism. So, instead of going on an uproar about what I wrote and its generalizations, they need to reflect on how they continue to benefit from the unfair advantage.
Once more, I express my disappointment at the lack of professionalism in the investigation (if any) of the story. The story was too sensational with very little regard for clear and verifiable facts. I turned down The Sunday Standard’s invitation for an interview on Thursday on the basis that the offer came after the damage had been done.
They should have interviewed me prior to publication.
I wish that the BMA would be proactive in dealing with issues than let them deteriorate and then embark on a character assassination campaign.
Al-Hasan Lentswe
Gaborone
