The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has called on Muslims to stay away from any water provided by South African Breweries should Day Zero arrive.
SAB has offered to supply 12 million bottles of water, taken from the Newlands spring, to be distributed among Capetonians should the taps run dry on 12 April.
This water will be bottled in unlabelled recycled quarts (750ml bottles) at SAB, and this has caused concern for Muslims.
“How will we know if the water comes from SAB, will they put their name on it? We can’t go near wine, so I would appreciate it if they can make this clear,” one Muslim woman asked.
Islam forbids its followers from drinking - even an empty wine bottle that has been rinsed would still be regarded as contaminated.
Sheikh Riad Fataar, the second deputy president of the MJC, has urged the Muslim community to remain calm and avoid anything alcohol-related.
PROVIDING: SAB to recycle quarts
“Premier Helen Zille assured the MJC executive members that other bottling companies will also be asked to assist with the bottling of water and not only SAB.
“Therefore, we encourage the Muslim community to stay away from anything associated with alcohol as far as possible,” Sheikh Fataar said.
He says Zille has assured the MJC that the 750ml SAB bottles will not be handed out to Muslims.
But Moulana Mogammet Fazloodien from Tafelsig asked how this would be monitored, and slammed Zille for “disrespecting” practising Muslims.
He says the SAB bottles might give some Muslims the notion that it was OK to consume alcohol.
FILL: SAB plans to give 12 million bottles of spring water
“This is exactly like getting Muslims to drink alcohol. According to our teachings, we may not even be near the pallets or the crates containing alcohol. It is wrong and I personally condemn this. It is an insult to me and my faith,” Moulana Fazloodien said.
According to Islamic teachings, Muslims may consume food normally regarded as haraam, such as pork and alcohol, in times of dire need and if nothing else is available to them.