News / National
Members of Islamic society in Zim court
13 Sep 2013 at 07:41hrs | Views
SEVEN members of the Mutare Islamic Society were on Monday convicted of criminal nuisance.
The seven, Binali Yard, Julius Sabiti, Percy Mahate, Elijah Chitsike, Abraham Bonyogwe and Alhaji Arubi were convicted by Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi for contravening Section 46 of the Criminal Law Codification Act (Criminal Nuisance).
They were ordered to pay $100 fine each or spend three months in jail.
Charges against the seven arose from violence that rocked the Mutare Islamic Society's Annual General Meeting on June 7, resulting in them trying to influence other Muslims to breakaway from the registered Mutare Islamic Society by holding separate prayer sessions at their Mutare mosque.
The AGM was supposed to usher in a new leadership.
Binali Yard and Juma Mukwamba were nominated as candidates for the chairmanship. Yard initially accepted the nomination, but later chickened out, resulting in the chaos that rocked the church.
In an earlier interview, Sheik Phiri, said: "It should be known that it is not all the muslims who are against the status quo, but about 12 people representing their own interests who are causing mayhem in the church.
"They want to control the affairs of the Mutare Islamic Society without the mandate of all the people.
"These people want to destabilise the pillars of our Islamic society. They write a lot of things at the notice board attacking people's personalities, which is against our beliefs as Muslims."
In a statement this week, the Mutare Islamic Society, said the seven's behaviour was unacceptable at the Mosque.
"The society will not tolerate such deplorable criminal behaviour. We thank the Almighty for seeing justice prevailing, thereby fostering peace and harmony at the mosque.
"As Mutare Islamic Society, we do not hold any grudges against anyone. It is unfortunate that we had to take legal action against these individuals. We hope peace will now prevail in the society.
"We also hope this will serve as a lesson to anyone trying to achieve their objectives through intimidation and violence," said the society.
The seven, Binali Yard, Julius Sabiti, Percy Mahate, Elijah Chitsike, Abraham Bonyogwe and Alhaji Arubi were convicted by Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi for contravening Section 46 of the Criminal Law Codification Act (Criminal Nuisance).
They were ordered to pay $100 fine each or spend three months in jail.
Charges against the seven arose from violence that rocked the Mutare Islamic Society's Annual General Meeting on June 7, resulting in them trying to influence other Muslims to breakaway from the registered Mutare Islamic Society by holding separate prayer sessions at their Mutare mosque.
The AGM was supposed to usher in a new leadership.
Binali Yard and Juma Mukwamba were nominated as candidates for the chairmanship. Yard initially accepted the nomination, but later chickened out, resulting in the chaos that rocked the church.
"They want to control the affairs of the Mutare Islamic Society without the mandate of all the people.
"These people want to destabilise the pillars of our Islamic society. They write a lot of things at the notice board attacking people's personalities, which is against our beliefs as Muslims."
In a statement this week, the Mutare Islamic Society, said the seven's behaviour was unacceptable at the Mosque.
"The society will not tolerate such deplorable criminal behaviour. We thank the Almighty for seeing justice prevailing, thereby fostering peace and harmony at the mosque.
"As Mutare Islamic Society, we do not hold any grudges against anyone. It is unfortunate that we had to take legal action against these individuals. We hope peace will now prevail in the society.
"We also hope this will serve as a lesson to anyone trying to achieve their objectives through intimidation and violence," said the society.
Source - Zimpapers
