Video of Confrontation in Pretoria Sparks Outrage
Monishka Govender|Updated
A video filmed at a restaurant in Pretoria shows a white woman confronting a Muslim woman wearing a niqab. The video, created by content creator @Kissmyabby, captures the unprovoked encounter where the woman questioned the Muslim woman’s attire, stating it was disrespectful to South African customs.
The viral clip has elicited significant backlash from various human rights activists, religious leaders, and civil society groups. Notable figures, such as interfaith activist Saydoon Nisa Sayed, condemned the incident as an affront to dignity and religious freedom, asserting that Muslim women wear the niqab by choice and not under coercion.
According to Dr. Faisal Suliman, chairperson of the South African Muslim Network (Samnet), harassment faced by niqab-wearing women is commonplace. He remarked on the colonial undertones of the attacker’s remarks, which echo historic prejudices.
Activist Shabnam Palesa Mohamed called for stronger policies to protect religious expression and emphasized the need for broader public awareness to combat discrimination. She noted that such confrontations reflect systemic issues surrounding racism and Islamophobia.
- Why it matters: This incident highlights ongoing issues of religious intolerance and the challenges faced by Muslim women regarding their right to express their beliefs openly.
- Such incidents may prompt discussions about the need for enhanced protections against discrimination and hate crimes within South Africa.
- The latest: There are calls for the Human Rights Commission to address similar incidents more actively and to raise awareness regarding discrimination based on religious attire.
Source: https://iol.co.za/thepost/2025-12-03-viral-video-shows-muslim-woman-verbally-attacked-in-pretoria/
Source: https://iol.co.za/thepost/2025-12-03-viral-video-shows-muslim-woman-verbally-attacked-in-pretoria/