Birthplace: Newlands-Claremont, Cape Town
Born: 8 February 1924
Died: 27 September 1969
"These laws were a complete negation on the fundamental principles of Islam... (they are) designed to cripple us educationally, politically and economically... We cannot accept (this type of) enslavement.” – Abdullah Haron
Abdullah Haron was raised by his strict aunt who supported him in pursuing his studies after his mum died. Haron was taught Islamic studies in Mecca for two years. Amongst different influences in his life, Haron was influenced by the ideas of liberation movements like the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
Many of Haron’s ideas were implemented in 1955 after he was officially appointed as an Iman in Cape Town. He went on to establish the progressive Claremont Muslim Youth Association in 1958.
Haron was appointed editor of a politically critical monthly newspaper that he established with his associates in 1960 called the Muslim News. The newspaper helped keep Muslims in Cape Town and other parts of South Africa informed about Islamic and political issues. In 1961 Haron circulated an anti-apartheid pamphlet known as “Call of Islam”.
Increasingly, Haron’s criticisms of the apartheid government became stronger and more vocal. He became a member of the PAC. In public lectures he condemned the racist laws like the Group Areas Act as “inhuman, barbaric and un-Islamic”.
In 1968 Haron went to Mecca to review his relationship with the PAC. Before returning to South Africa, he was warned that it was dangerous for him as the Security Branch police were targeting him. On 28 May 1969 Haron was summoned by the Security Branch to Caledon Square where he was detained by one of the security branch’s officers under the Terrorism Act.
Haron was held for more than four months and could not see his wife and children.
The Security Branch tortured and murdered Haron on 27 September 1969. At the time, the cops insisted that the cause of his death was that he had “fallen down the steps”.
