In a show of unity, nearly 30 religious organisations issued a joint statement of solidarity with the Pretoria Hindu Seva Samaj (PHSS) after Islamic slogans were sprayed on the external walls and glass doors of the organisation’s temple and community hall over the weekend.”We, the undersigned representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and broader community organisations of Tshwane (the new name for the capital city of Pretoria), strongly condemn the recent act of vandalism at the Shree Pretoria Hindu Seva Samaj in Laudium,” the statement read.”This incident is not only an attack on one community, but an attack on the shared values of dignity, respect, and peaceful coexistence that define our society. Places of worship are sacred spaces – sanctuaries of prayer, reflection, and community – and any violation of these spaces diminishes us all,” the statement added.The meeting was coordinated by Ward Councillor Naeem Patel in the suburb of Laudium, where South African Indians were forcibly resettled from all over the city in the apartheid era under the draconian Group Areas Act, which enforced racial separation in every aspect of life.The PHSS complex is one of the many religious structures that Hindu, Muslim and Christian residents built through their own funding to promote religion and culture.Over decades, it has been the primary venue for addresses by anti-apartheid activists and performances by thousands of local and international artists from India.”For generations, the people of Laudium and surrounding areas have lived side-by-side in unity, sharing traditions, celebrations and spaces of gathering. This act does not reflect who we are,” said Sanjay Govind, chairperson of the PHSS.”The meeting, attended by Muslim, Hindu and Christian leaders, powerfully demonstrated the strength of interfaith relations within our ward. Leaders engaged openly and respectfully, reaffirming their collective commitment to preserving the spirit of togetherness that has always been the foundation of our community,” Patel said.Patel added that various letters of support for the PHSS were also received from organisations across the country, further reflecting the widespread solidarity and support for unity, religious tolerance, and social cohesion.The joint statement issued after the meeting made a strong plea for calm amid rising tensions in the community about the incident.”We carry this pain together, as one community. We call for calm, for unity, and for justice. Importantly, we must also use this moment as a collective learning opportunity. Respect for diversity, faith, and shared humanity must be actively nurtured-in our homes, in our schools and educational institutions, and within all places of worship. It is through these everyday teachings that we build a society resilient against intolerance,” the statement said.Govind strongly supported this call.”Law enforcement is investigating this matter thoroughly and will ensure accountability. At the same time, we urge all residents to reject division and stand together as one community,” Govind said.