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President at Muslim Ladies College, Colombo :

Unity, a must to protect country’s good image

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said communal harmony and unity are a must for the overall development of the country and moreover protecting the country’s good image. The President said we can stand only if we are united _ divided we fall.

He added that education is the major resource while knowledge is the main weapon. “The future of the country is with the younger generation especially with the students,” he said. The President was addressing a gathering at the Muslim Ladies College, Colombo, yesterday after declaring open the newly constructed four storied school building.

ACJU requests the government to take charge of the Halal certification process

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) today proposed that in the Government should create a mechanism to issue halal certification that is acceptable to all stakeholders.

Addressing a news conference in Colombo, the ACJU said the Government could model the process in line with what was presently being adopted by the Thailand and Singapore Governments.

ACJU reiterated that this move is to build a peaceful coexistence among all Sri Lankans.

Sinhala Muslim amity intact, small group creating tension over Halal: ACJU chief

By Anthony David

As controversy grows over the issue of Halal certification by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), a Cabinet Sub Committee is trying to work out a solution to the crisis. Against this backdrop, the Sunday Times spoke to ACJU President As-Sheikh M.I.M. Rizwe (Mufthi), and Halal expert Tariq Mahmud to get their views on various allegations regarding the Halal issue.

Excerpts from the interview:

What are the goals and the vision of the ACJU? When was it formed?

The ACJU was started in 1924. It is a body set up for Sri Lanka and not based on any foreign model.. Our objective is to promote cultural, social and economic welfare of the Muslims in accordance with Islam.

We provide social service, educational service and give Shariah advice to Muslims when they contact us. For instance, they contact us to know about Islam’s stance on marriage and divorce. The ACJU has a Halal division which is involved in issuing Halal certification.

Halal: Food for thought

By Charundi Panagoda

Halal, a word that has stirred much controversy and tension in the country, is simply Arabic for “permitted,” as opposed to Haram, Arabic for “prohibited.” Under Sharia Islamic law, Halal and Haram designate objects and actions permissible or sinful for Muslims.

More commonly, Halal is a term referred to food items Muslims are allowed to consume under Islamic dietary guidelines. The Quran explicitly forbids Muslims from consuming pork, blood, carrion, alcohol, meat over which God’s name has not been pronounced, animals slaughtered in the name of any other than God and animals that have been strangled or beaten to death, killed by a fall, gored to death or killed by another animal and not finished off by a human.

In order to ensure that food they consume does not contain any Haram products, Muslim communities worldwide rely on the Halal certification, including predominantly non-Muslim countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Thailand.

Peaceful coexistence more important than Halal-ACJU

The All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU) told the media today that peaceful co-existence in the country was more important than the ‘Halal’ certificate, and it would agree to recommendations made by the parliament subcommittee appointed to look into the issue.

“We have taken a stand internally regarding the issue and will cooperate with the parliament sub-committee and the cabinet and work according to their recommendations. Peaceful co-existence is more important that the Halal certification and we will do our utmost to protect it,” Consultant Shaikh Fazil Farook said.