By Ameer Ali –
Dr. Ameer Ali
I wrote this before (Colombo Telegraph, 10 September 2013) and I am writing it again that the Muslim politicians in Sri Lanka, particularly of the SLMC variety are a bane and shame to their community. There is a limit even for an abject slave to bear physical torture and mental humiliation from the master, but this bunch of slaves seems to have limitless power of endurance. Otherwise how does one explain their continued partnership with a government that remains totally immune to all the torture, destruction and humiliation brought upon the Muslim community by a gang of BBS thugs clad in saffron robes? Of what use is the SLMC stalwarts’ muted protest if the President continues to ignore them? It is obvious that in the interest of their own positions, prestige and perks and in order to protect themselves from the wrath of the President and possible prosecution against corruption and illegitimate wealth these guys will continue to hang on until the entire government is thrown out by the people.
Hakeem
Muslims of Sri Lanka have been betrayed by these nincompoops. Because the SLMC claims to represent the Muslim community non-Muslim parliamentarians have conveniently and understandably passed the buck of voicing Muslim concern to the SLMC bunch. A Buddhist Sinhalese or even a Tamil parliamentarian had he or she been elected by Muslim voters would have, in the current circumstances, confronted the government more forcefully and publicly rallied the support of Buddhists and Tamils on behalf of Muslims than what the SLMC gang has done so far. What a tragedy! Muslim voters have been fooled by the SLMC business-politicians. By bringing in ethnicity and religion into Muslim politics and by arrogating to themselves the monopoly of representing the Muslims SLMC has wantonly damaged the community’s historic political image of pragmatism.
It is in the interest of the nation and the Muslim community to dissolve and deregister the SLMC as a political party and for Muslims to look for an alternative path to choose their parliamentary leaders. The country has still not lost all its talented and unbiased politicians who can work for the welfare of their voters and nation at large irrespective of cast, creed or language. At the next possible opportunity of electing their representatives Muslim voters should totally shun SLMC candidates.
*Ameer Ali, Murdoch University, Western Australia
srilal / June 17, 2014
R.Hakeem can’t leave the government as he has so many skeletons in the cupboard ( Kumari file etc).
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Amarasiri / June 17, 2014
Ameer Ali –
Why are you focusing on SLMC, only.
The Core-problem is Monk Mahanama Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinism and racism,
Muslims being in the SLFP or UNP will not represent their interests.
That is why SLMC was formed. You are forgetting history.
LSSP and CP sold out to the Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinists.
You need to tell the truth ot try to educate the Sinhala that what they practice is Not Buddhism.. Quote the Tipitaka.
Them say Sinhala are para, like others from South India, as shown by the DNA in them.
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Lanka Liar / June 18, 2014
This fellow is always out of focus. Pretty doggy chiropractor. Occasional comes int to emphasize his presence. That is all
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Amarasiri / June 17, 2014
Ameer Ali –
Dissolve The Impotent SLMC?
Why was SLMC formed in the First place? Why did LSSP sell out?
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Kevin / June 18, 2014
Amarasiri. Did you not know that the LSSP has been a boot licking hanger on with the murderous regime ever since one so called doctor took over the party with a mentality no better than Dr. Mervyn’s? After all, under him the LSSP voted to do away with the 17th Amendment and the term limits. What more evidence do you need, apart from them sitting in a Cabinet that thinks nothing of shooting and killing protesting fishermen, FTZ workers, and villagers, and now killing Muslims? The LSSP too will have to be hauled up before the ICC.
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Dr. Rumi / June 17, 2014
Ameer, dont play with your tongue, we still remeber the utter rubbish about hijab and all when you gace an interview to a srilanakn newsforum. Now you woke up as a muslimn, you are a stupis and another ganasara,
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Marwan / June 17, 2014
I agree with you. This [Edited out] to those who take anti Islamic stance and now suddenly is a turncoat. I sincerely don’t take his views seriously, and usually will consider it as rubbish.
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SameOldGame / June 20, 2014
We like it or not Dr.Amir Ali is entitled to his views. By calling him names and branding him for making an opinion you run the risk of branding yourselves as wholly unfit to engage in a democratic discourse.
The down voting and up voting we in this forum shows how people are choosing to down vote based on their biases than considering some the rational comments being made on the recent events.
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Ali Baba Sabry / June 17, 2014
“The country has still not lost all its talented and unbiased politicians who can work for the welfare of their voters and nation at large irrespective of cast, creed or language.”
What a load of Bullshit. Bullshit with a capital B; This man may have a doctorate from some University downunder. But this one sentence shows that he is either sleepwalking or under the influence of meth. As far as we know, there are never honest and unbiased politicians and lawyers, especially in Sri Lanka. High time this man stopped talking crap and got down to lecturing to the Aborigines how lucky they are to have unbiased and honest white masters ruling over them.
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Lanka Liar / June 18, 2014
Allah created him so bear with that. He has always been like that. Not everybody has something inside their head.
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jansee / June 17, 2014
Ammer Ali:
I couldn’t have said it better. I also believe if the Muslims had placed their trust in Sampanthan, their voices, too, would have been heard all over the world. Isn’t it a tragedy that Muslim countries, Pakistan included, voted in favour of a repressive Sinhala Buddhist regime at the UNHRC? The Muslims have themselves to blame for this pathetic situation. What you sow, so shall you reap.
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Burning_Issue / June 17, 2014
Jansee,
I for one for a minute do not think that the SLMC is sincere and Hakeem is no exception; however, there is much more is at stake here. Remember JRJ at the height his powers threatened Amirthalingham with riots if TULF were to push for anything more than he had to offer. Similar situation the Muslims are facing now. If SLMC were to leave the government, MR will create a situation where Muslims will be at the mercy of the Sinhala! Unlike the Tamils, the Muslims are scattered all over the island.
The paradox is that, since VP’s blander by expelling the Northern Muslims, the Muslims were increasingly embracing Sinhala as their main language; the recent reckless Buddhist behaviours have put a wedge!
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Peace Lover / June 17, 2014
Very true
will Hakeem ever resign or protest? never he apparently has been a slimy character right from his school days at Royal
How about that donkey Azwer? he is like a dirty coolie who will even sell his mother for money
Fowzie is another tail wagger
Alavi Moulana?
Only Rishard Bathiudeen was showing courage in protesting so far but lets see how much he can do
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ameen / June 17, 2014
Dear Mr Ameer Ali
You have no right to say this. Be cause you never voted for SLMC… & you expect them to come forward & help you in trouble….. Having said that SLMC is not responsible for this unfortunate incidents taking place. We need to find a common ground to prevent these issues taking place in the future…..
You & me can easily pass some comments or write articles but to prevent these issues i say everybody is IMPOTENT. that is the ground reality
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Quddus Mama / June 17, 2014
I agree with AmeerAli.
Rauff Hakeem was the last of the so called leaders to be at Aluthgama,whereas a a muslim party leader he should have been the first to arrive.He not only comes there as a face saving measure but also had the audacity to shed crocodile tears for the the traumatized people.He also did not fail to say that he was thinking of resigning.Even after a month from now he will surely be contemplating resignation.Thats for sure….after all he is nothing but Rauff Hakeem !!
So as he thinks of resigning in the midst of shedding copious tears he will surely enjoy a Carnival Ice Cream,even with the ghost of Kumari Cooray standing outside the Parlour,still seeking love and justice too.
Hey by the way how about naming a particular flavor as ” Kumari’s Special ” ?
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Goraka / June 17, 2014
It is time for ALL MUSLIM POLITICIANS to get out of politics. The system have corrupted them. They don’t represent Muslims.
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Tamodaya / June 17, 2014
What does the Murdoch University, Western Australia think about this writing?
I have sent them a copy. Lets see.
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / June 17, 2014
You hit it on the head, Ameer, when you used the word “pragmatism” to define Muslims and their politics.
It is the absence of a moral base for conduct that has characterized Muslim conduct and politics. As the joke goes, it is a “Waasi Patheta Hoya” policy that you followed unlike the policies of the older Muslims who were committed to definite moral causes. I speak of men like the Zahira College Principal of old, Mr Azeez, a man of great moral rectitude, a brilliant orator and scholar in Tamil. The Muslim politician of the present is a charlatan of the worst order. Why not get Sumanthiran to lead you people. Since he is a lawyer, may be, he could be given a fee. He will do a more honest job than the Hakeems and others you have got now. I must say that you yourself have a past in these columns that you should not pontificate too much now.
The immediate problem is to stop this rot. Since there is obvous complicity of the government and the agencies of the government are not going to help, it is necessary to look for help outside. What are the Islamic governments of the world doing? At least the US and Canada have issued statements. If Modi sends a little gun boat around Beruwela, this madness will stop. He will immediately have all the Indian muslims onside and get rid of the taint of his past. Hope he does it or the Pakistani general, who is not coming for the passing out ceremony, comes instead on a Pakistani gunboat. Only force can ensure that the Buddhists go back to the ahimsa of Buddhism now, for they have for long lived by force.
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commando695 / June 17, 2014
Just to recount Kumar David’s observation on Muslim politicians:
“Muslim politicos, including the SLMC from top to bottom, are obsessed with greed, loot and sinecures. They may be compelled to surrender their privileges and venality – but only after the community gets hit by a freight train.”
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commando695 / June 17, 2014
Just to recount Kumar David’s observation on the muslim politicians:
“Muslim politicos, including the SLMC from top to bottom, are obsessed with greed, loot and sinecures. They may be compelled to surrender their privileges and venality – but only after the community gets hit by a freight train.”
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Upul / June 17, 2014
As one might expect, persons with Muslim sounding names have started to insult each other in this forum about other Muslims. This is not a Muslim phenomenon but rather, a Sri Lankan DNA quirk.
Hakeem, Azwer, Fowzie or Rishard were not elected from Aluthgama or Beruwela. Therefore they have no support or loyalty to the area. They are all compromised individuals and should not be taken at their word. They will sing whatever song that needs to be sung for the moment, to save their butts.
My thinking is that these incidents are orchestrated to create fear in minority communities and to show the world how difficult it is to control extreme elements in the majority community. This has been the Rajapakse mantra to the UN and the Indians all along. We cannot implement 13A; there was nothing wrong done during the Eelam war; because the Sinhalese will not accept it.
And us the dumb Sinhalese have played our roles with Oscar worthy performances by doing nothing!!!
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BBS Rep / June 18, 2014
Ameer Ali
The government of Sri Lanka is still running the North of Sri Lanka using the dreaded army. A great amount of crimes are being committed in those areas by the army. Yet the government of Sri Lanka has in its ranks former LTTE members such as Karuna.
That is the nature of the beast, there will always be traitors.
Anyway Ameer, what do you think will happen if Rauf Hakeem and other Muslim leaders leave the cabinet and the coalition. I assure you that nothing will happen and in the contrary it will be counterproductive. The vacancy will be filled by a Sinhala Buddhist. This is what Gnanasara wanted.
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Senarath / June 18, 2014
First, i want to tell you, i am sinhalese buddhist (not a person who got sinhalese name to insult the sinhalese. I voted only few times. My first vote went to one muslims and two sinhalese. Because, I believe the person not the race or the religion.
In my schooling time, before 1980 (well before Arabic invasion via the house maid job, i didn’t see any difference between my muslims and sinhalese friend. I only see the difference in Names not in the attitude or the friend ship. With Arabic invasion and the mixing race with the politics muslims were separated from the main stream and try to get a superior identity. It disintegrated muslims and other communities.
With the so called Manapa system, it make more sevier. No co-existence. Please note, they were with the alliance not to bring any goods but to get maximum representation via un-divided Manapas.
WHen they are with the government and holding ministerial positions they did not work for the people but for their community. Read the time of SLMC ministerial period in Shipping and Harbour, they fill all those ministries with their communities. As the Minister of Justice, see what he did to Law Collage. there many example around you…
We do not need sinhalese, tamils or muslims politiciens. We need Sri Lankan politicians who can work for the country. Otherwise, we will end up with so called sinhalese, muslims and tamil extremist group.
You should not blame only for the sinhalese but note there are extremist elements in every communities in Sri Lanka.
By attacking only sinhalese extremist you can have a little fun. But remember, you are giving saline to other dangerous extremist elements. Note interpol recently identified Sri Lanka as a resting pints for some extremist. t
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Javi / June 19, 2014
and the fact remains the all powerful chief executive president must be a sihala buddhist.
Do you really deserve to live and guide others in a western style of democracy which itself is different culture winning the cold war via their economy and military exploiting vulnerable nations??
Don’t you think the Bahrain type of democracy where the minority rules is a peaceful and successful one even from a western point of via and the house maids you send there.??? You tried the western model for 66 years and the carnage. so can we defranchise the mahanama sihala buddhist as a starter??
Like in the creation of bangala in 8 days lanka is 3 days for NaMo
Hanuman ki jai
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kali / June 18, 2014
Dr.Ali:
This is democracy at work and if you elect somebody you are stuck with them until you have your chance at the Ballot Box again.
It is simply NEED & GREED for personal benefit and nothing to do with ordinary suffering Muslims.
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Jamshed / June 18, 2014
Dear Dr Ameer Ali, you are talking without understanding the political dynamics in this country at present. As you know govt is pretty strong and opposition seems like they wont come into power for atleast five years.
What i feel is that Hakeem, who thru SLMC represents a larger community of Muslims than Rishad’s ACMC or Athaullah’s National Congress still wants to strike a balance between called an outright ‘Koti’ (that is when he leaves the govt & sides with the TNA at EPC thus earning the ire of Sinhalese where all Muslims will be projected traitors and lose if at all any/all funding that flows from central govt ) and actually try and do whatever possible within the govt and help the displaced/affected Muslims in Aluthgama..It is indeed a crucial period for him since if he leaves govt, surely, the affected will automatically be left in the lurch..See what has happened to Azaath Salley & Mujibur Rahman for instance? Apart from shouting at the top of their voices what are tangible things they’ve done..And taking TNA for an example, although they have a more than 2/3rd in North and even CM in North they are unable/powerless to do any tangible development and still call for international attention to help them get powers devolved. So if RH leaves govt he is going to be included in the ranks of them..But TNA has a push from India & a large Tamil diaspora..but what clout does RH have internationally among the Muslim countries?Even Diplomatic missions in Colombo representing Muslim countries are only willing to give ear to problems than actually solving them by pressurising the govt due to fear of breaking good foreign relations..This is the reality we have to accept.. What we need today is unity among Muslim politicians and for them to able to speak in one voice and gain some bargaining power..This is just my POV
I think what RH is taking a wise approach which at least the educated lot have to understand and encourage him to do. otherwise if muslims with SLMC go all out against govt all muslims will suffer by these BBS thugs. bbs are damn jealous that RH is part of govt. What he should do is stay there and support them selective and at the same time create a new unity front among muslim MPs who are against BBS joining and fight bbs. then MR is pressured to take action
Muslims need to gain bargaining power like what Ashraff had in 1994 era. They need to be united .
To fight BBS issue..without talking of Muslims…all should take all the video evidence of Gnanasara attacking all Sinhala ministers…he called them sakkili ministers in his speech…(he said mahinda moday and eh maha eka)..and create a situation where there will be a conflict of ideologies between BBS and ministers
Muslims must demand that all muslim MPs who if they are true muslims and oppose BBS should form a common front ..then we can expose likes of Azwer
On your subject of pulling out govt support by SLMC see wigneswaran..he says he has no powers but governor is the one making the shots..and that guy is a military..MR hates the TNA bcoz they always run to international community so they are not giving him funds for development. so he cant fulfill any promises…13A is bull they are not implementing it . simiarly EPC has also a military sinhalese governor who is following orders from the top so if they leave govt the same will happen to SLMC in EPC which has happened to TNA in North. these tamils are laughing at SLMC so that we will fall prey to them and stenghthening their hands
even if SLMC and TNA come together…Muslims will all be labeled kotiya and that might lead to more attacks on Muslims. we have to understand Sinhalese population is 75% and Muslims and Tamils are only 20%.
But u know likes of Champika and Wimal will very soon take advantage of Hakeem’s situation and call him a traitor for his community. even most sinhalese buddhists dont like him in the govt…they want him to leave so that we wont get anything
I also feel the tamil media along with its politicians are trying to pull hakeem outside of the govt..they are taking advantage of this situation! their purpose is not about offering relief to muslims but to exploit for their own cause.
yesterday i think one newspaper had put VEKKAM’ in red for him and today there is a cartoon i will share
very narrow minded mentality by these pppl. not for anything else so that they wouldnt have to pay compensation and easily wash their hands off. Re Aluthgama he should stay in the govt and hope he tries to get some compensation or leave..thats my wish
Each time ranga comes on minnal..what does he pull up? he blames SLMC for not leaving govt. but azath salley uneducated bugger doesnt think intelligently but tries to create some cheap publicity shouts
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Javi / June 18, 2014
Nothing new from thoppi pertu politics of the block vote isnt it from you regarding a personal agenda of glory and money.
If the block vote muslims dont join the other minorities they are vulnerable to destruction by the jewish/islamic axis of evil headed by `Gooo`ta the american gigolo and no part of the world leave alone SL or India the 2nd largest of muslims is going to care.
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