By Dr Sulaiman Rifai, Naleemi (London)
20/04/2012 is one of the darkest days in Srilankan Muslim history. Muslims have been living in this country for more than 1000 years peacefully with all communities and indeed, they have contributed immensely for the integrity and sovereignty of this Island since ancient time. Yet, in recent time, some extremist Buddhists with collaboration of some politicians have been trying to destabilise the communal harmony between Muslim community and Singhalese community. Recent attacks on Muslim mosques, increasing racial abuse and discrimination against Muslims people justify such claims. There seems to be some hidden conspiracies to wipe out religious identities of minority communities in Srilanka. Otherwise, how on earth these extremists Buddhists people under the leadership of their chief monk could attack this mosque in a day light while hundreds of army and police officers were looking at them doing nothing to protect this mosque from these mobs. It may be they are under greater political influence and been instructed not to upset the crown for fear of more communal tension. It is pathetic that some extremist elements take laws in their hands as if Srilanka is lawless land.
In an important statement issued to the public by All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulma (ACJU) on the prevailing situation in country after the Dambulla Mosque incident, they appeal to all Muslims of Sri Lanka to maintain peace and calm without disupting law and order by holding improper demonstrations causing inconvenience to public and damaing public property. ACJU reminds Muslims of Sri Lanka that they should not forget the fact that the majority of the Buddhist poepl are peace loving, rational and fair minded; and they do not approve such acts.
ACJU futher reiterates that according to Islam the best weapon for Muslims in such situations is Supplication, thus request Muslims to pray and observe fast and make Dua to seek His assistance.
The official appeal reads as follows:
A request from the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama
Muslims of this country are deeply worried over the recent incident took place in Dambulla in which a gang stormed the Jumma Mosque of Dambulla and damaged the place on 20 April, Friday. Muslims along with peace loving citizens of Sri Lanka are fretful if this incident would negatively impact the reconciliation that has started to sprout among communities since recently.
அஸ்ஸலாமு அலைக்கும் வரஹ்மத்துல்லாஹி
அகில இலங்கை ஜம்இய்யத்துல் உலமா விடுக்கும் முக்கிய வேண்டுகோள்!
கடந்த வாரம் தம்புள்ளையில் நடந்து முடிந்த பள்ளிவாசல் தாக்குதலையடுத்து நாடெங்கிலுமுள்ள முஸ்லிம்கள் மிகுந்த கவலையிலும் இதுவரை காலமாக நிலவி வருகின்ற சமூக ஒற்றுமை சீர்குழைந்து விடுமோ என்ற அச்சத்திலும் இருந்து வருகின்றனர். சிலர் மேற்படி விடயத்தை கண்டிக்கவும் எதிர்ப்பு நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டுமென்று தூண்டிக்கொண்டும் இருக்கின்றனர். இந்நிலையில் இஸ்லாம் காட்டிய வழிமுறையொன்று இருக்கிறது என்பதை அகில இலங்கை ஜம்இய்யத்துல் உலமா நினைவூட்ட விரும்புகிறது.
සමස්ත ලංකා ජමියතුල් උලමා (මුස්ලිම් ආගමික නායකයන්ගේ සංවිධානය)
විසින් නිකුත් කරනු ලබන වැදගත් නිවේදනයයි.
පසුගිය සතියේ දඹුල්ල නගරයේ සිදුවූ , දෙවස්තානයට පහර දීමේ සිද්දියෙන් පසුව ශ්රී ලංකාව පුරා පැතිර ජීවත්වන මුස්ලිම් බැතිමතුන්
A joint press release signed by Ash-Sheikh M.M.A Mubarak, General Secretary, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and N. M. Ameen, President, Muslim Council of Sri Lanka strongly notes their deep concern over the misleading statment made by Deputy Minister Hon. M. L. A. M Hisbullah when he met with Rev. Inamaluwa Thero yesterday, 23rd April 2012.