Yousuf Deedat speaks on school visit that has Durban parents worried
Yousuf Deedat, who was part of a group of speakers who gave a talk at a Durban North boys school this week, has denied they were there to spread propaganda or recruit for any extremist organisation.
"In fact, not a single question was asked to us about ISIS and not a single question was asked about terrorism. Had they asked us those questions, we would have clarified that we are against violence and that is the religion of Islam," he said.
Speaking to Newswatch, Deedat confirmed he and two other men from Saudi Arabia spoke to the school's matrics on Wednesday.
He says he gave some of the learners booklets about the Prophet Muhammad, as well as DVDs containing talks by his late father, Ahmed Deedat who was a well-known Muslim missionary and public speaker in Durban and American Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan.
Concern has been raised about the cover of the DVD, which carries quotes by American that are said to be inflammatory.
Also read: Probe at Durban North school after 'extremist' material handed out to pupils
But Deedat does not think there is anything propagandist about the eleven printed quotes on the leaflet, some of which make reference to loss of life, bloodshed and Israel.
Deedat believes Grade 11s and 12s in particular are hungry for knowledge and their minds should be fed, adding they are old enough to make up their own minds.
"They are the youth and this is South Africa. Do you remember [Julius] Malema saying 'I will kill for Zuma'? This is tiny. It's just a DVD. In any event, if the students didn't like it then throw it in the bin. No one is stopping you from seeing it," he said.
Deedat has stressed that he wasn't 'distributing' the material he brought, which was sealed in wrapping paper.
He apparently only gave packs to some inquisitive pupils who had asked the speakers questions.
Below, is an image of the cover of the DVD in the pack, containing the quotes that have many parents concerned.
Deedat, whose organisation is known as Deedat's Home of Dawah, says he's been distributing the DVDs for years and has even placed advertisements in newspapers.
He is aware that the contents of the DVD are viewed as controversial by certain people, but he says they have a right to hold that opinion, as much as he has a right to his.
Asked whether reports of his father having had links to Al-Qaeda and its founder Osama Bin Laden are true, Deedat referred Newswatch to the DVD, only saying that Bin Laden's human rights were violated by the U.S.
Listen to his thoughts about Bin Laden here:
In a statement today, the school's governing body said permission was not given to Deedat and his fellow visitors to hand out the wrapped 'gifts'.
The school says it's investigating the circumstances that led to the material being given to pupils, which it believes is inflammatory and racist propaganda.
It adds that it is committed to freedom of religion and expression and has a number of religious and cultural societies.
Durban North police, who are investigating the matter, have taken statements from several people at the school, and Deedat.
The provincial Department of Education is also looking into the incident.