Battle brews over hajj operations in SA

A LEGAL confrontation is brewing between the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) and the Sunni Jamiatul Ulama (SJU), over hajj operations in South Africa.

- TASCHICA PILLAY

The SJU, a founding member of SAHUC and a body of theologians, has claimed that SAHUC wants to monopolise the hajj sector, undermine the rights of pilgrims and violate constitutional and competition law - a claim that SAHUC denies.

The SJU on Friday staged a peaceful protest outside SAHUC offices in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Demonstrators held placards that read, “SAHUC cannot be referee and player’, “Who regulates SAHUC?”, “Stop using hajees money for your agenda” and “Down with the SAHUC Hajj mafia’.

In a memorandum submitted to SAHUC, the SJU opposed proposed constitutional amendments, asserting that SAHUC aimed to become the sole operator of hajj and umrah services in the country.