Muslims deported for 'performing prayers'

IMMIGRATION officials at Keetmanshoop arrested and deported nine South Africans on Tuesday.

//Karas police regional commander Johannes Tsuseb yesterday confirmed the deportation of the nine, all Muslims, to Cape Town. Sheikh Abubakr Desmond Dawid Tjipanga of the Namibia Islamic Judicial Council (NIJC) told The Namibian that the group was visiting the country to strengthen the brotherhood with fellow Muslims. He charged that the group was put under surveillance by immigration officials when they entered Namibia through the southern border post of Ariamsvlei. According to Tjipanga, Keetmanshoop immigration officials arrested the group three hours later after they had been questioned and released by the police. He said the apparent involvement of the group in “religious activities” while on holiday resulted in them being deported. “They demanded work permits from the group for them to undertake religious activities in the country. The group could not provide them with what they demanded, and subsequently they were deported,” Tjipanga said. He said the nine were deported for performing their daily prayers at the mosque in line with their religion. “Does this mean any foreigner irrespective of their religion would be prohibited to perform prayers while on holiday in our country?” Tjipanga angrily asked. Tjipanga also lashed out at the Namibian government for not recognising Muslim marriages. “This is clear discrimination against the Muslim community in the country,” he remarked. Tjipanga claimed that police first questioned the group and made copies of their passports at around 10h00 on Tuesday, a claim Tsuseb denied. Tsuseb insisted police only escorted the group up to the South African border at Nakop as requested by the immigration officials. He could not, however, give the reasons why the nine were being monitored and then arrested and deported. //Karas immigration directorate head Patrick Ntupi confirmed the deportation, but declined to comment, saying he is not at liberty to speak to the media. He referred The Namibian to the home affairs and immigration ministry's public relations officer Salome Kambala. When contacted, Kambala said she was not aware of the deportation, and promised to come back to The Namibian. However, by the time of going to press, Kambala had not responded.