Remembering Imam Abdullah Haron on the 50th anniversary of his death

Remembering Imam Abdullah Haron on the 50th anniversary of his death

- Friday, 27 September marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Imam Abdullah Haron

- Haron was an SA Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist

- He died in detention while being extensively tortured

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On Friday, 27 September, Briefly.co.za remembers Imam Abdullah Haron - an SA Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist - on the anniversary of his death.

Haron passed away at the Cape Town Central Police Station, which was known as the Caledon Square Police Station at the time, Wikipedia states.

The anti-apartheid activist was born in Cape Town on 8 February, 1924. He was the youngest of five children and was raised by his father's sister after his mom passed away while he was still a baby.

In 1955, Haron was made the Imam of the Al-Jamia Mosque in Claremont, Cape Town. He went on to establish the Claremont Muslim Youth Association three years later.

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Remembering Imam Abdullah Haron on the 50th anniversary of his death
Photo credit: Radio 786/Facebook.
Source: Facebook

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On 28 May, 1969, at the age of 45, Haron was arrested and never seen again. During his time in prison, Haron was said to have undergone extreme torture - which his family believes to be the cause of his death.

Haron was locked up by police Special Branch member Spyker van Wyk in solitary confinement for 123 days, during which he was physically abused.

The police minister at the time said that reason for Haron's arrest "was not in the public interest".

He died on 27 September, 1969, and officials claimed he fell on a flight of stairs, causing his death. However, his family believes he suffered a heart attack as a result of the extensive torturing.

His funeral was attended by more than 30 000 mourners.

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Source: Briefly News

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