16 July 2021
Broadcast Announcement
Issued by the SACC for the Religious Forum Against COVID-19
As South Africa is emerging from one of the most challenging weeks in its post-apartheid history, it heads towards the annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day. The National appetite for peace is at an all-time high, with several calls for a national day of prayer in the aftermath of the riots and destruction of property in parts of KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng. Various religious groupings have called for a National Day of prayer on Sunday 18 July 2021, and the religious Forum Against COVID-19 has elected to observe the day in both a nationally broadcast prayer service as well as observing 67 minutes of prayer that evening.
The service is an interfaith service, which will observe the religious traditions of the various religious groups that comprise the Religious Forum Against COVIOD-19. “Our objective in the broadcast of the 18 July prayer service is to offer prayers against the negative impact of COVID-19 as we have seen it ravage South Africas; we are praying for the success of the vaccine roll-out, and we are covering the members of our community and the nation at large in the Spirit of God,” said Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, which is a member of the Religious Forum Against COVID-19.
The will be officiated by religious leaders from the Christian Community, the Muslim Council of Theologians, The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa(TEASA), the All Africa Bishop’s Council, the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, the Union of Orthodox Synagogues & Office of the Chief Rabbi, the Council of African Independent Churches(CAIC), and the Shembe Group.
The service will be broadcast on SABC 2, at 11:00 am. In seeking to include all South Africans in this day, the Religious Forum Against COVID-19 acknowledges that not everyone would be able to participate in the morning service. “It is for this reason that, once we have completed pour various Sunday traditions and activities, we would like to invite all South Africans- as individuals and as institutions, businesses, organs of the stage and private organisations-to publicly commit to observing 67 minutes of prayer from 6:00 pm t 7:00 pm,” Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana said. This observation will allow South Africa to unite as a nation and make an offering of prayer forpeace, stability, restoration, and reconciliation.
At any time during the 67 minutes, South Africans can participate in the form of prayer, lighting of candles, ringing of church bells, mediation, hooting, observing a moment of silence or any other expression one might choseb to observe in the moment. ” We call on everyone, everywhere-to unite in prayer”.
“There is incredible power in prayer, and if we all, as one voice, unite at this moment in our history according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, there is no limit to what can be achieved in our spiritual solidarity, “said Bishop Malusi.
-Ends-
Editor’s Notes:
Interfaith Leaders represented include:
• The Muslim Judicial Council
• The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS)
• Union of Orthodox Synagogues
• The Council of Muslim Theologians (Jimiatul Ulama South African)
• Council of Muslim Theologians (Jamiatul Ulama)
• The South African Council of Church (SACC)
• The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA)
• Believers in Christ
• Council of African Independent Churches (CAIC)
• International Federation of Christian Churches
• Nazareth Baptist Church (Shembe, Thembezinhle)
Media enquiries:
Khuthalani Khumalo
SACC Communications Consultant
South African Council of Churches
Tel: 084 074 1285 | Email: khuthalani@khuthalani.net