WATCH: ‘Cocky’ sheikh vra maaf
Moulana Dawood Sampson to issue a public apology after he posted the video on social media using degrading language towards women.
A popular Cape Flats moulana has been forced to say sorry following a backlash from the public and the Muslim Judicial Council over a video in which he refers to himself and Muslim men as “cocks” who must “get those hens”.
The MJC instructed Moulana Dawood Sampson to issue a public apology after he posted the clip using degrading language towards women on social media on Friday.
In the viral video, Sampson announces his upcoming marriage to his second wife and says: “My dear friends in Islam, as I told the men, if there is men that still got it, go and propose and get yourself a lovebird. Like a cock has two or three hens, come on men, we are cocks my broers, and get those hens inshallah. (sic)”
He adds: “And I’m telling you, the first wife, that’s your life, you must just have the beat, like Imam has the beat, and she’ll still say meow.”
Sampson is the leading Imam at Masjidus-Sabr in Parkwood, and also hosts marriage classes and regularly gives talks on local Muslim radio station, Voice of the Cape.
The cleric is well-known for his plain speaking and humorous lecturing style.
But his latest attempt at humour rubbed both Muslim men and women up the wrong way.
Some took to his Facebook page where they called him a “sick dog” and “disgusting” for comparing women to hens.
A petition was also started, calling on the MJC to address issues of toxic masculinity in the Muslim community.
In another video, in which Sampson promotes an upcoming marriage class, he quips that “a wife is cute when she is mute and a husband is honey when he gives money”.
He then proceeds to sing “money money money, must be funny, in a rich man’s world” from the ABBA hit.
Posted by Ml Dawood Sampson on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
The MJC on Saturday issued a statement saying they had engaged with Sampson.
The council said the issue was not Sampson’s second marriage, which is permitted in Islam, but the wording in his video.
“The references made to women during the recording even though unintended are unfortunate,” they said.
“We reaffirm the sacred trust in which women are held within Islam and consequently the duty of protection and dignity of women must be upheld at all times.
“The duty to uphold this is even more significant as we as a nation celebrate Women’s Month and the recognition of the selfless and invaluable contributions made by women to South Africa.
“Even though the statement (video) may not have been intended to harm or denigrate women, the consequences have affected many in our community.
“We have therefore requested of Moulana Sampson to issue an immediate withdrawal and apology of the statements in his post, to which he has agreed.”
On Saturday night, Sampson posted a new video on Facebook, saying: “It was never my intention to offend. It was regrettably misconstrued to undermine and be disrespectful to our women. “Sometimes it is not good to say things in jest. Please accept my heartfelt and humble apology.”
Sampson could not be reached for comment on Sunday.