Angola's government on Tuesday denied it had banned Islam and closed mosques in the country, after speculation that sparked outrage among Muslims worldwide.


"There is no war in Angola against Islam or any other religion," said Manuel Fernando, director of the National Institute for Religious Affairs, part of the ministry of culture.

"There is no official position that targets the destruction or closure of places of worship, whichever they are," Fernando told AFP.

Reports that Angola, a traditionally devout Catholic nation, would crack down on Muslims had drawn condemnation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and others.

In Egypt, mufti Shawqi Allam said such a move would be "a provocation not only to Angolan Muslims but to more than 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world".

The oil-rich southern African nation has a population of about 18 million people, several hundred thousand of whom are Muslim.

Religious organisations are required to apply for accreditation in Angola, which currently recognises 83, all of them Christian.

In October the justice ministry rejected the applications of 194 organisations, including one from an umbrella Islamic community group.

David Ja, a spokesperson for local Muslims, challenged the government's account and said that a number of mosques had already been closed.

Ja condemned what he described as "political persecution" and "religious intolerance".

"A mosque was closed last week in Huambo (in the south) and we have been subjected to pressure this week regarding a mosque in Luanda," he said.

According to the ministry of culture, these closures were related to a lack of necessary land titles, building licenses or other official documents.

Analyst Alex Vines said the rumours followed Culture Minister Rosa Cruz e Silva's announcement last week that the government would crack down on "sects".

The measure "was targeting mostly Brazil-style evangelical groups that have mushroomed across Angola", according to Vines, Africa programme head at UK-based think-tank Chatham House.

Brazilian religious groups "have particularly worried establishment churches that have seen their congregations dwindle", he wrote on Chatham's website.

The headlines were the result of the government's "clumsy policy" and "poor communication", he said, warning they "might not only radicalise Muslim communities in Angola but could make Angola a legitimate target for jihadists".

Source: http://news.ng.msn.com/africa-news/angola-denies-banning-islam-after-outcry-1

All na propagandists handwork na... Islam is a worldwide thing.... The world can't do without it! I'm proud to be one.

Alhamdulilah.

Good for them. It is an unecessary distraction by whoever started the rumor.

AbuHanifa: A

Religious organisations are required to apply for accreditation in Angola, which currently recognises 83, all of them Christian.

In October the justice ministry rejected the applications of 194 organisations, including one from an umbrella Islamic community group.

David Ja, a spokesperson for local Muslims, challenged the government's account and said that a number of mosques had already been closed.

Ja condemned what he described as "political persecution" and "religious intolerance".

"A mosque was closed last week in Huambo (in the south) and we have been subjected to pressure this week regarding a mosque in Luanda," he said.

According to the ministry of culture, these closures were related to a lack of necessary land titles, building licenses or other official documents.

Now they would simply use subterrarian moves in achieving their aims!

MOD. Please send this to the front page. The first information found its way to the front page. Why not this? Thanks.

From the news, I believe they have not banned Islam officially but they are definitely frustrating Muslims. Muslims should not perspire for....
"Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths: But Allah will complete His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). *Qur 61:8*

Islam is set on it's course and nothing will stop it.

ban d tin jo!

I will comment tomorrow. Got to sleep now.

This is what I said on another thread just some few days ago

Religion / Re: Angola Becomes The First Country In The World To Ban Islam & Muslims by Smoothcriminal: 1:04am On Nov 26
I bet the Angolan government will come out and say any of these before the week runs out:

Oh the policy will not yet be implemented
The policy was misunderstood by the public
The policy has been suspended
(Modify) (Quote) (Report)

Yup... they've denied it but still have it in mind... it doesnt make sense does it?

www.xtremegists.com/angola-denies-banning-islam-or-destroying-mosques-says-it-aint-true/

Christianity is banned in Saudi Arabia.

.......okada let's go.

ban islam if you can, but i assure you that would be mission freaking Insanity 1 and mission impossible 3. Salam.

Yaba_Leftist: Christianity is banned in Saudi Arabia.

Iran and many other muslim countries. It only becomes a crime when islam is at the receiving end.

I'm just tired of all dis backyard news. They will confirm dis was d news only for 2morrow u read another news countering d same news and denying making such comments by d same person

@Mufti Ismail Menk - ANGOLA STORY UNTRUE.

Upon verification from Angloan scholars it was found that the story of Islam being banned in Angola is completely fabricated.

Sadly, the demolition of all structures that were built without proper documentation, planning, procedure etc was carried out. This happened to include some religious structures too, amongst them a Masjid.

Interestingly the picture doing its rounds is not even from Angola but the Middle East. This happened quite some time back but is being carried mischievously by some media houses. It is important that Muslims only build Masaajid after proper approvals etc to avoid this.

It has happened in other countries before. Please clarify the truth with those who have become emotional about the so called banning of Islam in Angola. May Allah Almighty grant us a lesson and safeguard the Deen. Aameen

https://www.facebook.com/MakkahSaudiArabiabyEemaanKhan/posts/10151892002172795

the would have been less blood shed in the world without the so called "extremist Muslims ".
if banning Islam as a religion will wipe away those "extremists" pls do.

AbdH: From the news, I believe they have not banned Islam officially but they are definitely frustrating Muslims. Muslims should not perspire for....
"Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths: But Allah will complete His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). (Qur 61:.

Islam is set on it's course and nothing will stop it.

just the way muslims in the north frustrate non muslim?....what is good for the goose is good for the gander if you ask me...

Anyways, two wrong dont make no right...

In other news Sharia enforcers in Kano, smash bottle of beer cos it is haram...Tolerance is a two way street abu

Angola denies it has banned Islam
Aljazeera.com - 7 hours ago
Angola denies banning Islam after outcryPublish Date: Nov 27,
2013
New Vision - 12 hours ago
More news »
Angolan Official Denies Islam Ban, But Muslims Say Mosque ...
19 hours ago ... The controversy over reports that the southwest
African nation of Angola had banned Islam and begun ...
www.ibtimes.com/angolan-official-de...
Z4rm google

I think Angolans are simply looking ahead. They have looked around the world and don't want to make the mistake of others.

Good
Allahu Akbar

Yaba_Leftist: Christianity is banned in Saudi Arabia.

der r christians in mecca infact but dey are minute same as dey are minute in jerusalem but wat boters me is dat all dis haram tin dont happen in saudi arabia wer it originated 4rm it z just provocatng

Many broken hearts, i see