All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama conveys its sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan Muslim community for abiding by the guidance provided by our organizing in the past period when various adversities were lobbed at them. We also congratulate the Lankan Muslims for acting in the most pleasant and judicious manner with forbearance thus contributing to preserve peace and harmony in our Motherland.
ACJU once again reminds our people that we should always turn towards the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and exemplary ways of our beloved Prophet (Sal) and his Companions for solutions for any and every crisis that come our way.
Sri Lanka Muslims have a historic reputation as an uncomplicated ethnic group that exists congenially with all the communities that live in this country and as an affable religious minority that always gives prominence for national welfare, unity and harmony. ACJU asserts the importance of steadfastly maintaining that good repute, especially in these turbulence times when we have become a chosen target for provocation.
Muslims are pointedly proscribed from insulting other faiths and the Holy Qur’an enjoins as follows in this regard:
‘And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge’
-Sura Al An Aam 108
However, Muslims have become more hurt by the latest stunt of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, in which it has started to make horrendous remarks against the Holy Qur’an by misinterpreting its commands and spitefully commenting on its verses out of context.
Along with other false allegations that could be disproved in no time, the BBS propagates that there is a concept in Islam called ‘Thaqiya’ as facilitated by the Holy Qur’an which allows Muslims to defraud people of other faiths and that makes lawful for Muslims to acquire properties and wealth of non Muslims by cheating them. This incredulous allegation have deeply disturbed the local Muslims and it might agitate global Muslims as well which is not going to profit our country in anyway. Especially in these times when the entire world is scrutinizing us.
We are hoping to soon secure an audience with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as one with Ven. Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter to make an appeal in this regard with the ultimate hope that necessary steps would be taken to put an end to these atrocities that clearly have surpassed all the limits.
In the meantime, we call our community to continue to be patient and prudent in these chaotic times as certain evil elements eagerly watch for a single slip from our side to ignite nationwide mayhem. We also request Muslims to make additional supplication to Almighty Allah, soon after the forthcoming Jumu’a Prayer to bring about lasting peace and unity to our country.
Ash Sheikh M. M. A. Mubarak
General Secretary, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
http://www.acju.lk/press-release/co-existence/
Naturally, fresh and optimistic expectations started to sprout in the minds of every peace-loving Sri Lankan after the end of the long war that lasted over three decades. Every one of us firmly believed and hoped that we would be able to eliminate mutual mistrust, hatred and other downbeat feelings that have rooted in our hearts for so long and that we would be able to heal deep wounds that maimed our hearts. We also hoped that we would be able, as a nation, to join hands to create a social setting that would never let such unpleasant things to happen again.
Unfortunately, what we witness here today is a totally contrast and volatile social atmosphere in which several extremists flaming religious movements lob insults and spiteful statements at each other.
We, at ACJU felt that it is our paramount responsibility as the apex religious organization of the Lankan Muslims to provide guidance on how to act in this turbulent situation.
On careful observation, ACJU identified several reasons that have helped ignite the present flame. The first one of them is forcing a faith to others. Islam rejects this notion altogether. The Holy Qur’an says as following;
‘There is no compulsion in the religion’
(2:256)
Accordingly, Islam totally shuns insulting or criticizing other faiths or religious personalities of other faiths. If any one acts in this deplorable way, he defies teachings of Islam and acts on his own audacious volition. Thus the ACJU strongly condemns such actions.
We also beseech the respected religious leaders of Lankan Buddhists, Hindus and Christians not to assume these imprudent acts of a handful as attested by Islam or approved by the Muslim masses of this country. While expressing our deepest regrets for such actions, we urge the relevant authorities to take necessary actions against those impulsive offenders who defy the command of Allah:
‘Insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah’
6:108
The other matter that seriously affects conciliation as we believe is the incapacity to tolerate other religions and cultures. This narrow mentality entices one to reject the globally accepted reality of multi ethnicity. Islam totally rejects this phobia and concedes the universal reality of multi ethnicity and accepts the fact that various religious would continue to exist in this world. This is asserted by several verses in the Holy Qur’an such as the two given below:
‘The truth is from your Lord. Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve’
(18:29)
‘O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another’
(49:13)
We would like to urge Muslims of this country to abide by the guidance provided by our organization and treat all the fellow Lankan’s with brotherhood and warmth regardless of their religious orientations or ethnic identities and contribute to recreate conciliation and harmony in our beloved Motherland. Also we once again request the masses of other faiths and ethnicities not to look upon the imprudent actions of few misguided Muslims as the approved ideal of the entire Muslim community living in this country. Finally, we request those astride responsible seats to see that the law of this country is fairly implemented to every one regardless of their religious or ethnic distinctiveness.
Let us unite and contribute to create a social environment where we can live with peace and happiness through a just and impartial way while discarding hatred and mistrust. Let us join hands as the children of Mother Lanka and resolve to unravel any and every dispute come our way via dialog and discussion. Let us contribute to create a prosperous Sri Lanka and save her for she is the only Motherland we Lankan’s have gotten.
Ash Sheikh Fazil Farook
Media Secretary
ACJU
http://www.acju.lk/press-release/special-media-statement/