The Islamic State party of South Africa: What you need to know
The Islamic State of Africa (ISA) is a political party that was proposed in South Africa in 2025. The party was founded by Farhad Hoomer, a businessman based in Durban. The party drew national attention due to its name, stated objectives, and the background of its founder.
Farhad Hoomer was previously arrested in 2018 in connection with a bombing and kidnapping at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal. He was later released, and the charges were dropped. In 2022, the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Hoomer, alleging that he led an Islamic State (ISIS)-linked cell in South Africa involved in terrorist financing and extortion. Hoomer has denied the allegations.
According to public statements and documents submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Islamic State of Africa party aims to govern based on Shariah law. The party’s platform includes implementing the death penalty for serious crimes, abolishing interest in the financial system, and providing guaranteed access to free electricity, water, education, healthcare, and housing. The party also seeks to establish an alternative justice system based on Islamic legal principles.
The IEC confirmed that it received an application from the Islamic State of Africa to register as a political party and contest future elections. The application received over 200 formal objections from individuals and organisations. Objections cited various concerns, including constitutional issues, the party’s ideological position, and the founder’s alleged links to terrorism.
After reviewing the application and the objections, the IEC rejected the party’s registration on several grounds. These included failure to meet procedural requirements, such as gathering at least 300 signatures from registered voters and publishing notices in appropriate newspapers. In addition, the IEC reviewed the party’s founding documents and concluded that the proposed constitution conflicted with South Africa’s constitutional values.
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Several civil society and religious organisations responded to the proposed party registration. These included representatives from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities, as well as human rights groups. Many raised concerns over the party’s name, which they said could be confused with or associated with the terrorist organisation known as the Islamic State (ISIS).
The Islamic State of Africa party is not the first political group in South Africa to promote Islamic values. Other parties, such as Al Jama-ah, have participated in elections while operating within the framework of South Africa’s Constitution. However, the ISA’s emphasis on enforcing a religious legal system led to broader scrutiny.
As of July 2025, the Islamic State of Africa is not a registered political party in South Africa. The IEC has confirmed that the party’s application was unsuccessful. The founders may seek to reapply in the future, subject to meeting all legal and procedural requirements.
This case has drawn attention due to the interplay between constitutional law, political participation, religious freedom, and national security concerns. The IEC and other stakeholders continue to monitor developments related to party registration and compliance with electoral laws.
