Why South Africans Are Celebrating the Rejection of the Islamic State of Africa Party

 Faith vs. Freedom: What the Rejection of the ISA Party Says About South Africa’s Constitutional Values

controversial Durban figure Farhad Hoomer, sought to introduce Sharia-based governance in South Africa

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa recently rejected the application of the Islamic State of Africa (ISA) to register as a political party a decision that has sparked widespread public support and celebration across the country.

The ISA, led by controversial Durban figure Farhad Hoomer, sought to introduce Sharia-based governance in South Africa. However, its bid was denied due to both procedural failings and deep concerns over its ideological platform, which many viewed as incompatible with South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

BREAKING NEWS: IEC has rejected the Islamic State of Africa party that aimed to introduce Sharia Law in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/xyM1T0f7fs

— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) July 13, 2025

Here’s why so many South Africans are applauding the IEC’s move:

1. Defending the Secular Constitution

At the heart of the national response is South Africa’s constitutional commitment to secularism and equal rights. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, gender equality, and protection of minority rights principles that many saw as fundamentally threatened by ISA’s proposed implementation of Sharia Law.

Critics argued that Sharia, particularly in its more conservative forms, could:

• Undermine women’s rights in marriage, divorce, and inheritance

• Limit freedom of expression and religious practice

• Contradict constitutional protections for LGBTQ+ individuals

By rejecting the party, the IEC was seen as standing firm in defense of a non-sectarian democratic order.

2. Rejecting Extremism and Radicalization

ISA founder Farhad Hoomer has been associated with alleged extremist activities, including a 2018 mosque bombing and an alleged terror cell though the charges were later withdrawn. Hoomer is currently under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department for alleged links to terrorism.

For many South Africans, the idea of a sanctioned individual leading a religiously driven political movement was deeply unsettling. The rejection was thus welcomed as a preventative step against religious extremism taking root in the political mainstream.

3. Protecting Human Rights and Women’s Freedoms

The prospect of a party promoting Sharia law sparked particular concern among women’s rights groups and civil society organizations. Fears ranged from the erosion of women’s legal status to potential restrictions on dress, education, and employment.

The ISA’s platform was seen as in conflict with hard-won advances in gender equality, and its rejection represented, to many, a moral victory for inclusive and progressive values.

4. Preventing Division in a Diverse Nation

South Africa is a country with rich religious and cultural diversity Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, traditional African faiths, and secular citizens all coexist under a constitutional framework. A party advocating governance rooted in one religion was viewed as a threat to this pluralism and social cohesion.

By rejecting ISA, the IEC upheld the notion that no single religious ideology should dominate national governance, helping to preserve South Africa’s hard-earned unity in diversity.

5. Upholding Democratic Process and Legal Standards

Aside from ideological concerns, the ISA was also rejected on procedural grounds:

• It failed to provide the required 300 supporting signatures from registered voters

• Its public notice appeared only in a low-circulation newspaper, violating requirements for public transparency

• The IEC’s enforcement of these rules was praised as evidence that no party controversial or not is above the law.

A Broader Message

Ultimately, the rejection of the Islamic State of Africa party is being celebrated not just as an administrative decision, but as a statement of principle. It affirms that:

• Religious extremism has no place in South Africa’s democracy

• Human rights and secular governance remain non-negotiable

Democratic procedures must be respected by all

As the ISA vows to appeal the IEC's decision, it remains to be seen whether it will meet the legal threshold required for registration. But for now, many South Africans are united in a rare moment of political consensus:

•  South Africa’s democracy is worth protecting vigorously and without compromise.