Call to oppose registration of political party ‘Islamic State of Africa’

Gateway News learned today of a call on South Africa citizens to write to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to oppose the registration of a political party “Islamic State of Africa (ISA)” — a name that closely resembles jihadist groups associated with terror and Christian persecution in the Middle East and Africa.

According to an IEC notice of the application, dated May 5, the public has 14 days from the date of publication of the notice to object to the intended registration by submitting a written notice to the chief electoral officer. Objections can be emailed to info@elections.org.za.

The call to action, together with a model letter of objection for sending to the IEC, is posted on the WhatsApp group of Heal the Nation, a prayer platform, who confirmed with the IEC that they had indeed received an application to register “Islamic State of Africa”. The identity of the applicants is not disclosed in the application. Heal the Nation urges citizens to share the call to action widely.

The model letter reads:
[Your Full Name]
[Your ID Number]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Number]
[Email Address]

Date: [Insert today’s date]

To:
The Chief Electoral Officer
Electoral Commission of South Africa
[Insert correct IEC office address or email if submitting electronically]

Subject: Objection to the Registration of Political Party – Islamic State of Africa (ISA)

Dear Chief Electoral Officer,

I am writing to formally object to the registration of the political party named Islamic State of Africa (ISA) as published in the notice dated 05 May 2025.

Grounds for Objection:

1. Name Association with Extremism: The name “Islamic State of Africa” closely resembles known extremist and terrorist groups such as “Islamic State” (ISIS/ISIL). This similarity is likely to incite fear, confusion, and division among the public and could be perceived as glorifying or legitimizing such groups.
2. Public Safety and National Unity: The name and symbol may pose a threat to national security and social cohesion by invoking ideologies historically associated with violence, oppression, and terrorism. This is inconsistent with the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa.
3. Potential Violation of Section 16 of the Electoral Commission Act: The registration of a party bearing such a name could be seen as promoting or inciting hatred, violence, or intimidation, which violates the principles of the Act.
4. Offensive Symbolism: The party’s symbol and messaging (“Free all of Mankind”) in combination with its name may be interpreted as a radical or militant agenda, raising concerns about its intentions and public perception.

In light of the above, I urge the Commission to reject this application in the interest of public safety, democratic integrity, and social harmony.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

The proposal to register the name “Islamic State” as a SA political party should raise the concern of Christians and anybody who values freedom. The name Islamic State gained prominence in 2014, when a Sunni jihadist group, first known as ISIS or ISIL and later as IS, seized control of large areas of Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate, claiming control of the global Muslim community. The group was notorious for its brutality, including the mass execution of civilians, beheadings, and the enslavement of Yazidi women and children. In 2015 the execution of 20 Egyptian Christians in Libya by a group afilliated with IS shocked the world. While a US-led coalition dismantled the “caliphate” in the Middle East, IS and afilliated terror groups are active in large areas of Africa, including SA’s neighbour, Mozambique.

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