14 October, 2024

Blog

Gota & Muslim Predicament

By Ameer Ali

Dr. Ameer Ali

Over the past few years, I have contributed several pieces to this and other journals on a number of issues regarding Sri Lankan Muslims, such as MMDA, burqa, niqab and abaya, ifthar dinner parties, madrasas, mosques, sharia, Muslim leadership, and so on. Those pieces, as expected, attracted measured appreciation as well as outright condemnation, both by Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In all those contributions, my views were governed by lessons I learnt from social science disciplines such as history, politics, economics and sociology. Even my views on Islam were and are shaped by those disciplines. If one could go through all what I had published, one would not fail to delineate the single most pertinent theme that I was trying to discuss, i.e., challenges facing Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim societies and polities. I want to go back to this theme once more, because some of those issues I discussed earlier are now re-emerging with disturbing sentiments, as preparations are afoot for another General Election. Those who read my earlier pieces may accuse me of repeating the same arguments, but I want to summarise them to contextualise Muslim predicament under Goth’s presidency.      

An international canvas

Wherever Muslims live as minorities, they, their religion, culture and economy have come under attack, especially after the year 2000. Whether in a predominantly Christian environment, as in Europe and America, or, Hindu environment, as in India, or, Buddhist environment, as in China, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, Muslim minorities are facing enormous challenges. That there are specific factors at play in each case is not denied. Taken together however, there is one common issue that bedevils Muslim relations with majority, and that issue emanates from a confusion between believing and belonging. How to live as a believer in Islam while belonging to a non-Muslim polity or country is a problem that arose recently in Muslim history. Broadly speaking, the genesis of this issue could be sought in the post-World War II unequal economic development between the First and Third Worlds on the one hand, and post-Khomeini Islamism on the other. 

There were two stages in the growth of this problem. Its first stage goes back to the immediate post-War decades, when Muslims in their thousands from former colonies, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Algeria, flocked to First World countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Scandinavia and North America, and filled First World farms and factories with cheap labour. Rapid economic growth and prosperity in the First and economic slowdown or stagnation in the Third was the underlying reason for this migration.  However, while the receiving countries were happy to accommodate these immigrants and profit from their labour, without too many restrictions, they failed at the same time to take any measures to naturalise these communities, because these migrants were expected to be repatriated once their contracts were over. That did not happen. As the migrants stayed long and were even permitted to bring in their immediate family to join them, there began a gradual ghettoization of Muslims in several cities of Europe, Britain and North America. Not only these ghettos exhibited their religious and cultural identity by way of azhan (call for prayer), open air congregational prayers, halal food, cultural dress and native language, but also reluctance to integrate with the society that accommodated them. Thus, in the first stage, both sides, the hosts and the guests adopted a policy of live and let live.     

Into this environment entered the second stage, which was marked more by the migration of Islamic ideologies than Muslim people. This stage may be reckoned to have started after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The success of this revolution followed by the collapse of socialist economic experiments, and both occurring in an environment of petroleum-propelled prosperity in Muslim Middle East and North Africa gave birth to a new wave of Islamic awakening throughout the Muslim world. One outcome of this awakening was the re-emergence of the pre-nineteenth century de-territorialized notion of ummah as a determining identifier of Muslim belonging*. 

Originally, it was the Prophet of Islam who introduced the concept of ummah to include all believing men and women. It should be noted however, that in Prophet’s Medina, those believers included not only Muslims, but also ahl al-kitab or people of the Book, namely, Christians and Jews. After his death, the concept of ummah was defined narrowly by Muslim theologians to include Muslims only. Thus, all Muslims, wherever they live, belong to one ummah. 

As long as Islam and the Muslim Caliphate remained the dominant imperial power there was no clash between believing and belonging. The situation changed with the rise of nationalism and formation of independent nation states. Today, the Organization of Islamic Countries has a total membership of fifty-seven or fifty eight depending on whether one includes or excludes the Palestinian Territory.  Among this family of nations the primary allegiance of a citizen is to his/her country (watan) and not to the universal ummah.  Demand for territorialized patriotism overwhelms the demand for de-territorialized ummatism.  

However, to Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim countries, the idea that they belong to the Prophet’s universal community created a dilemma at times. For example, in times of wars between India and Pakistan and during Hindu-Muslim riots in India, Muslims of both countries face excruciating pains of mental agony. In the first case, local Muslim neutrality was often portrayed as unpatriotic by Hindus, while in the second as un-ummatic by Muslims. Yet, until the birth of militant Islamism following the awakening after the 1970s, Muslim minorities remained unconcerned about their divided allegiance between watan and umma.  With the ascendancy of Militant Islamism however, one could witness the reassertion of ummatic feeling, and with the declaration of a caliphate by ISIS in 2013, the allegiance to ummah took precedence over allegiance to watan at least in the minds of some young Muslims. The migration of hundreds of such men and women from minority zones to fight for ISIS caliphate was the product of this ummatic reinvigoration.      

Sri Lankan scene

Muslim minority in Sri Lanka has a unique history. From the time of its first appearance in the 8th century right down to the last decades of 20th century the history and growth of this minority was a story of exceptional integration and peaceful coexistence with majority Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Hindu Tamils.  Nowhere in the world one could find another example of a Muslim minority that became so thoroughly indigenised and integrated with the rest of the plural society while protecting its religious identity, as in Sri Lanka. In short, until the rise of Islamism internationally, there was no conflict between believing and belonging for Muslims in this country.

Between the theological binary dharul Islam (abode of peace) and dharul harb (abode of war), Sri Lanka fell into a third category introduced later and called by various names like dharul sulh (abode of truce), dharul hudna (abode of calm) and dharul aman (abode of safety). As a member of the third category, Sri Lanka’s treatment of Muslims and respect shown to them by Buddhist monarchs was so magnanimous, that at it is difficult to find a similar example anywhere in Asian history. This explains why that community became so quickly indigenised, ubiquitously settled, and became an inseparable part of Sri Lankan economy, in spite of attacks by Sinhalese nationalists in the 19th century. For instance, when riots broke out in 1915 between Sinhalese and Muslims for the first time, and in spite of material losses incurred by indigenous Muslims at the hands of rampaging Sinhalese thugs, none of the victims chose to run away from the country, but remained even more solidly rooted to native soil and decided to become even more integrated. The fact that the flow of Islamic teachings and practices switched direction after 16th century, from Islamic Middle East to Hindu India, and particularly to its southern quarter, was largely responsible for Islam’s peaceful penetration into and coexistence with Buddhism in Sri Lanka. After all, Islam is not a monolithic entity. It is ethnically, regionally, culturally and philosophically a differentiated product.        

This situation began to change however, from late nineteen fifties, when Indian born Tabligh Jamaat (TJ), began its activities in this country. TJ’s mission was and is to make Muslims more committed to Islam by conscientiously following the religious obligations. Because of its activities, mosque attendance over the decades increased by manifold demanding roomier mosques to accommodate crowding worshippers. Likewise, the number of pilgrims to Mecca, not only for the annual hajj but also for umra in between, multiplied by several fold, so much so pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, has grown into big business today. With a strong commitment to ibadat (religious duties), Muslim attachment to the de-territorialized ummah also grew stronger at the expense of watan.  While transforming into a more devotional community however, the millennium old attachment shown by previous generations of Muslims to the traditions, culture and ethos of this country began to show signs of ebbing under TJ influence. By becoming too otherworldly in outlook and too detached from worldly affairs, they, quite innocently, neglected the demands of the nation. Once attachment to life in this world itself devalued, why should a believer bother about the nation? This is the unfortunate outcome of TJ’s approach to Islamic preaching.

It was into this TJ-moulded otherworldly religious community that Islamism with its calamitous theocratic ideology began exerting influence after the 1970s. The essence of Islamism is its assertion that Islam is the answer to all problems of the world, and that it is the duty of the ummah to unite under the banner of Islam to create an alternative World Order. Fundamentally therefore, Islamism is a political project, and in its militant form has no tolerance for other religious or secular philosophies. The failed ISIS caliphate represented the crudest of its models. Tragically, JR’s Dharmishta Samaajaya and open economy became an accidental conduit to the influx of Islamist ideas through multiple channels. Wahhabi puritanic teachings and practices, Muslim identity through personal accoutrements, Muslim identity politics, resistance to gender equality, domineering role of ultra-conservative bodies like ACJU and so on, reflected the different symptoms of Islamism. Together, they accentuated the ebbing detachment noted earlier and set a trend towards Muslim self-alienation. It was a tragedy of monumental proportion that Muslim political leadership from 1990s took no notice of this disturbing trend, but started making political capital out of it. 

It was this gross neglect that led to radical and violent reaction towards Muslims by Buddhist supremacists after 2009. The cycle of anti-Muslim riots that began in Alutgama in 2014 and ending in 2019 with the macabre act of Easter Sunday massacre by Zahran and his murderous mob, as retaliation to supremacist violence, should all be contextualised within the historical developments summarised so far. There were of course, desperate calls from Muslim intelligentsia and Muslim civic societies, including Muslim women groups for serious reforms in Muslim affairs. But once the supremacists, supported by radicalised monks, posed an existential threat to the community, reformists had no option but to take a back seat. External threat jeopardised internal reforms. Thus, when Gotha entered the presidential race the millennium old community faced a cruel choice between him and his opponent. Muslims were in a terrible predicament.       

Muslims and Gota     

It is true that majority of Muslims, did not vote for Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election, even though they suffered more under silly Sirisena’s Yahapalana regime than under Rajapakse’s. However, when Gota publicly admitted this fact, and promised to be a president for all Sri Lankans, Muslims in particular had a sigh of relief and hoped that the new president would protect their interests and mete out justice should injustice be committed against them. Even their anger against Gota for his inaction to stop that hate spreader and rabble rouser Buddhist monk Gnanasara, before he sparked the Alutgama riots (one of the main reasons why Muslims did not vote Gota for presidency), was slowly slipping away from memory. GR’s argument that had he interfered it would have escalated into an island wide riot was entirely hypothetical and did not convince any Muslim, let alone others.

However, since GR was elected to office, there had been three incidents, all involving Muslim places of worship, which called for decisive action by the President to honour his pledge to be president for all Sri Lankans. Disappointingly, he has shown the same attitude of non-interference as he demonstrated in Alutgama. The first was the one in Nelundeniya in the Kegalle District where some unknown miscreants erected a statue of the Buddha at dead of night right below the premises of a 125 year old mosque. The fact that it was done stealthily showed the illegality of the act. It was done deliberately to provoke Muslims. The community was obviously disturbed and reported the matter to police, who advised them to go to the court. When a group of Muslims went and complained to the viharadhipathy, the prelate had told them that it was Buddhist tradition to place Buddha statues at every street corner, and that the said statue should therefore be left where it was and unmolested, while Muslims should carry on worshipping in the mosque. The affected party realising that further protest might bring more troubles took the matter to the court. The magistrate’s verdict was mischievous to say the least. He ruled that a wall separating the mosque premises from the statue should be built and Buddhists and Muslims should worshipping peacefully. This solution, accepted by Muslims, obviously out of fear, not only had set a precedent but also sown the seeds for more troubles in future.              

Firstly, what is there to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in front of mosques elsewhere? Will there be more dividing walls and fences? Secondly, if a temple is built around the statue sometime in the future, the rituals and ceremonies in that temple may create problems between the two communities. There will be complaints and counter complaints, and there is no guarantee that violence will not break out. Finally, in the case of that mosque, it is situated on a higher elevation than the statue. Will Buddha accept sitting below Allah? One should not forget in this context, protest by monks in the past over a plan to build minarets to a mosque in Kandy, which according to the protestors threatened to tower above the Maligawa.   

The second incident was in Chilaw. A commemorative annual feast at the site of a Muslim shrine in which even Christians used to participate was ordered by the court to be stopped because of security reasons. Muslims accepted the order and stopped their ceremony. Ironically, a court order was issued during Sirisena Presidency to stop Gnanasara and his crowd from cremating a monk’s dead body in the premises of a Hindu temple in Mullaitivu. Gnansara quite brazenly ignored the order and went ahead with the cremation. Of course GR was not involved in it. Yet, he came to power on the promise of providing security for all, and dispatched soldiers to all parts of the island to take care of security. Couldn’t they provide protection for an annual feast at the Muslim shrine? 

The third incident was in Mahara, where the prison police has taken over a one hundred year old mosque, converted it into a rest room and placed a Buddha statue for worshipping. In other words, a mosque has become a Buddhist temple. There is now talk of an amicable settlement. In all probability, and following the precedent set in Nelundeniya, Muslims will lose at least part of their mosque.

These three incidents in which Muslims are the losers should be evaluated and interpreted in the light of Muslim community’s elaborate participation in this year’s Independence Day celebrations.  Even in the most conservative Muslim town, Kattankudy, which produced Zahran and his Islamist mob, a special stage was erected, national flags were hoisted, national anthem was sung and public speakers were invited, including a Buddhist monk, to talk on the significance of the day. Similar celebrations were also held in other Muslim towns and mosques. It appears that Muslim leaders are now coming to realise that patriotism is part of the Islamic faith (hubbul watan minal iman), as the Prophet is supposed to have said. 

While Muslims are turning direction, trying to rectify their past neglect to be a community of and not in Sri Lanka, and remove the contradiction between believing and belonging, Buddhist supremacists are trying to choose India’s Hindutva path of Muslim oppression if not cleansing. This was the underlying fact behind the three incidents cited above. President GR, caught in the grip of the supremacists, is not in a position to deliver justice to Muslims, just as he is not willing to solve the problem with Tamils. In the meantime, native informers from the Muslim community, more for their personal gain than anything else, are singing praise of GR and trying to sway the community to vote for MR headed SLNPP at the forthcoming General Election. Will they? Predicament continues.

*For an interesting historical analysis of this phenomenon see, Cemil Aydin, The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History, Harvard University Press, 2017.   

Latest comments

  • 15
    10

    Kuragala, Devanagala, Muhudu maha vihara, mushrooming mosques in Dehiwala mount lavinia in every street corner………..surely there is a way people react!
    I hate bullying anyone for any reason. Even if a Buddhist does it or some one else does it, it should be condemned. However encroaching others places of worship is not a new thing but Muslims are famous for that! Lets denounce both

    • 3
      1

      Dr. Ameer Ali,

      “The magistrate’s verdict was mischievous to say the least. He ruled that a wall separating the mosque premises from the statue should be built and Buddhists and Muslims should worshipping peacefully. This solution, accepted by Muslims, obviously out of fear, not only had set a precedent but also sown the seeds for more troubles in future.

      Thanks for your well-researched article.

      You have identified the basic conflict, the roots go back to the interpretations by the theologians and the Ulama. This, is similar to the conflict with the Philosophers where the Ulama prevailed, as they controlled the rulers.

      With Gotabaya, the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist” supremists, who prostrate to the monks, are controlling Gotabaya, and he does not want to rock the boat, just like Sirisena. Mahinda Rajapaksa says they will obey the wishes of the Sangha, who hijacked Buddhism, and installed themselves as the 3rd Gem of the Triple Gem.

      Is there any conclusive evidence for any Muslim , or Buddhist, despite all these years, that they have got to or achieved Heaven or Nibbana or Nirvana? So far, no, Just waiting, generation after generation, despite all the prostrations the monks and statues. The magistrate should have asked for evidence.

      • 10
        1

        Dr. Amber Ali,
        You say “Nowhere in the world one could find another example of a Muslim minority that became so thoroughly indigenised and integrated with the rest of the plural society while protecting its religious identity,”
        Perhaps you have not heard of Kerala, where Muslims are even more integrated than here, and identify as Malayalis first. Very few of these Southerners felt any need to move to Pakistan at Partition, nor were they harassed. Same holds for Tamil Nadu.
        Local Muslims started digging their own grave when they asserted a different identity from other Tamil speaking people.
        You have also fallen victim to the Sri Lankan disease, which drives them to believe that everything here is unique or the best in the world. On the bright side, it does identify you as a true Sri Lankan!

        • 2
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          Old codger

          “On the bright side, it does identify you as a true Sri Lankan!”

          Sorry, who is a Sri Lankan and what makes person Sri Lankan?
          What are the rights and benefits bestowed on being Sri Lankan?

    • 1
      1

      Hi – have you studied in a serious and objective way, relying on multiple sources, the histories of Kuragala, Devanagala, Muhudumaha Vihara? On Devanagala, see an excellent study by Peradeniya Professor Tudor Silva and two younger scholars, entitled “Religious Interface and Contestations between Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka: A Study of Recent Developments in Selected Multi-Religious and Cross-Cultural Sites”, published in 2016 by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies 2016. For deep analysis of tensions over contested religious sites in Deegavapi, Dambulla, Kuragala/Jailani and Devanagala, there are two excellent studies published by the the Secretariat for Muslims in October 2015. They were once available online but no longer are – but should be available at various of Colombo’s research libraries. They give a fair presentation of the perspectives on these four conflict sites and teach us all some extremely valuable lessons about how history is used and abused for political ends. I highly recommend them.

  • 7
    9

    this kallathoni prior to 21st April 2019 was subjecting the Muslim community in many parts of the divided nation into a many an act of mayhem and violence.?
    they were subjugated to arson, looting rape, sodomy even their animals and livestock were murdered by these so-called disciples of the good Lord Buddha.
    =
    at the presidential poll hustlings, he attempted to woo the minorities but they were bold and clever enough not to fall prey to his insincere plea?
    =
    he and all those ever since 1956 are rulers of a bankrupt divided nation and only the resurrection of Velupillai Prabhakaran will automatically in haste bring this once the granary of the it’s independence glory.
    =
    till then it will be a hujah of a wet dream to all the concerned racists.?
    =
    cheers, R. J.

  • 6
    13

    Islam is not a religion like that of all other religions. It is a complete way of life. It is a social contract between Muslim community, It is a complete code of conduct for all who believe in it. It is a law , it is ethics, it is a contract, It is a guidance for entire humanity . it connect man with God, universe and with people . So, Islam is a complete divine guidance. It is revealed in its final stage of divine guidance from Adam to last prophet. So Muslim ought be in all prophet. Judo-Christian traditions are nothing but from God who revealed the Qura’n. So, there is an inherent connection between Islam, Christianity and Jews : yet, other religions do not have divine texts as Jews, Christians and Muslims have.. Now, other religions like that of Hindu or Buddhists feel inferior with image of religious activism between Muslims Why/ Because Islam is not a dead religion like other religion Islam is a living religion. Muslims live by Islam each minutes of life. Do you see any Buddhist or Hindu goes to temple each day five times… Most of them go once a year or sometimes never go. Now. some Buddhist temple has no monk, Monk population is going down. Islam is a way of life. It interconnect community so closely through Islamic rituals and obligations. Consider,,, sense of Islamic brotherhood. a portion of wealth must be shared by Muslims and others in Islamic law. Muslim must feed poor by law, Muslims must share their wealth with others. likewise see fasting that to feel suffering of poor. So, Islam is not a dead religion like other religions. so, when their do not have active system to connect people. these people feel jealousy of Islam and Muslims; these people feel that their religion is declining day by day.. so they can not see thriving Islamic traditions and rituals.

    • 12
      4

      What a load of crap!

    • 11
      5

      Lankan
      As a follower of the Islamic religion , it is your prerogative to think that your brethren are more pious than other Sri Lankans.
      However , it is well know that the local drug mafia is mainly Muslim, as is a major part of the underworld. It is also a fact that Muslim politicians have scant regard for the environment.
      In other words , you should think long and hard before denigrating people of other faiths .

      • 2
        6

        “the local drug mafia is mainly Muslim”

        Islam prohibits drugs (using/selling), killing, rape, prostitution, alcohol are a few among many other things. And mostly Muslims stick to what Quran says. Not sure if there is a hidden note somewhere that says, “everything is allowed, if you’re doing it to make money”.

    • 3
      4

      Islam is a political ideology like Communism which demands everybody’s submission , no criticism , no freedom to leave the cult, controling and totalitarian ………..it is not a complete way of life

    • 4
      0

      Oh dear Lankan!
      Not lying is the first sign of a goof Muslim , I suppose. However, not only you ‘re lying too much ,also unnecessarily bringing our religion into the argument. First read properly what Dr.AA says, then put your cross argument, if you have one.

  • 14
    10

    Muslims facing challenges?
    Actually what i see is muslim populations growing at an alarming rate inside many ‘infidel nations’
    China and India have realised this danger and are now taking forceful steps to control their muslim populations.
    Sri Lanka is in a greater predicament than even India! As arabs and lankan muslims have a stranglehold on the islands economy. Not to mention growing at a much faster rate than everyone else on the island also. If left unchecked, sri lanka will become an islamic nation like malaysia and indonesia in the near future. Which will be ironic because of all the energy the sinhala racists put on trying to eradicate tamils.

  • 2
    0

    The latest controversy is about the ACJU Chief alleged to have delivered a politicized pro-Prez Gota Jumma Sermon recently at Colpetty Mosque, for this, the Moulavi in question has been reprimanded by the members of Muslim Civil Society. However, Moulavi Rizvi has defended himself by saying that he consulted his co-Moulavis in advance about the content of his upcoming sermon and all his colleagues have consented. However, when a certain journalist wanted clarification on the issue tried to reach Moulavi Rizvi but was not successful, anyhow the Jerno was able to speak to the co-Mousavis about the matter and was surprised to know there was no such consultation done by Moulavi Rizvi and it appears to have been done at Moulavi Rizvi’s own accord. Even SLMC Chief Rauf Hakeem’s “flower has also jumped out” (mala penala or Rauf’s ring on the sling) about this unexpected cut-throatism. According to MP Wijedasa Rajapakse, it was both Rauf & Rishard who gave ACJU the horns then. Can someone throw more light into this.

    • 4
      0

      M. Jabir, the matter is not worth a deep discussion. Moulavi Rizvi is trying his best to climb on the bus, while Rauf & Rishard are worried about having missed the bus.

      • 4
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        Mohd.
        Moulavi Rizvi can climb any bus no problem, but the Mosques Pulpits (Mimbars) are not the bus stations to embark on his joyride. Will the Island’s Muslims be smart enough to tell him you can’t “take us for a ride anymore.”?

        • 3
          0

          M. Jabir, if island’s Muslims are smart enough, they should have said, “go to hell” to Rizvi Mufthi when he was playing with MMDA reforms.

          • 0
            0

            Mohd.
            Yeap!

  • 0
    6

    sir, i think it is a brilliant summary of your previous thoughts on the issue, not coming from your imagination but from your life long research. you are saving other peoples’ time and energy thro’ your own study and research, but ‘others’ cannot do this research without your training and passion for study.
    -Dayal

  • 10
    0

    The Muslims created their own predicament by trusting the likes of Bathurdeen, Hisbulla………Sadi Arabia ……. Wahabi nutcases………..

    • 7
      0

      Wimnpy kid

      You are dead right. Instead of circumcision Hiasbullah, Bathurdeen and other wahabi nutcases must be castrated.

  • 7
    1

    Mr Ameer,
    /
    you say “Wherever Muslims live as minorities, they, their religion, culture and economy have come under attack, especially after the year 2000. Whether in a predominantly Christian environment, as in Europe and America, or, Hindu environment, as in India, or, Buddhist environment, as in China.” This is a despcably one-eyed presentation of facts, isn’t it?
    /
    Now open the other eye and tell us the possible reason for your grievance. As a historian, can you write a bit about how your “esteemed” religion expanded into the Caucasus through invasion of Persia in the 7th century. The expansion of the vandals of the Ottoman Empire into southeastern Europe, invading the Serbian, Bulgarian Empires, and all the remaining Byzantine Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries. How does the unspeakable destruction, robbery and vandalism of the most glorious Indian State (beginning in the 10th century until it was handed over to the British Jews in the 18th century) and the despicable duplicity of Muslims in Sri Lanka in deceiving the Kandy kings after gaining all from the same kings escape your reading of history. Can’t you see how the n China, Uyghur Muslims pose the biggest threat to internal stability of China?
    /
    How on earth can you be so selfish to hide these realities on your ongoing grievance of Muslims everywhere?
    /
    You need to learn a bit of physics that teaches, ‘Every action has a reaction’, may be delayed in some cases. If you learn this basic law, you can’t complain, can you?

  • 1
    1

    contd/……
    We Muslims know that leader to any Nation or an important Organization is decreed by the will of Allah (SWT), but Moulavi Rizvi says that Muslims’ supplication has been answered in the form of Prez. Gota becoming the President. But Prez. Gota and the majority are saying his victory was without the minority votes . All we know is that most Muslims prayed for Sajith to be the winner (if ever they prayed, to begin with) and that they voted for him. Rizvi or any other Moulavi should do what they’re supposed to do, he should be told to behave. Mosques, (mimbar or Pulpits) are not meant to be desecrated by Moulavis with political speeches. The Board of Trustees of every Mosque in the Island should do their duties responsibly, they have the right to question the Imam and scrutinize the content in advance of what is going to be delivered to the congregation like they do in Saudi. Muslim Civil Society should wake up and take control of our affairs, otherwise, DEOBANDIS, BARELWIS & THABLEGHI will ruin us. Thanks to MP Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse for bringing some nefarious activities of ACJU to light.

  • 5
    0

    If one asks fir example any one in UK ,other than a Muslim “who are you ‘ the answer is “I am English .Welsh,Irish or a Scott.No one would say I am an EnglishChritian,Welsh Christian ,Irish Christian or a Christian Scot.Same in Sri Lanka ,despite repeated pogroms directed against the Tamils and a mass murder in 2006 ,when asked from a Tamil the answer is “I am a Sri Lankan Tamil not a Sri Lankan Hindu Or a Tamil Christian
    The only group that says without any reservation “I am a Muslim SriLankan or even I am a Muslim first and then a Sri Lanka In fact some one who won an award recently and became popular amongst the general public in UK said when asked ‘I am a Muslim first ,then a Bangladeshi and then British .This is despite holding a British nationality. .There in lies the problem.
    This is the underlying problem. Be true to the country that provides you tge shelter.Relegion has to be personal, not to be publicised or thrust upon others .

  • 3
    2

    Theortically speaking Muslims cannot have a problem from others. If at all they do it could be attributed to their not seeking assistace from appropriate sources.

    Soma

  • 5
    2

    1. Muslims dont mind under invoicing or giving bribes at customs and clearing goods if they go to mosque 5 times a day..
    2. Mulims dont mind selling drugs /ganja as its part of trade.
    3. Muslims dont mind patronizing their own shops /restaurants as its also like giving 10% of the salary to the mosque.
    4. Muslims dont mind having 3rd and 4th child as its said in Quaran not to use contraceptives.
    5. Muslims dont mind discriminating their own women – wont allow to the same mosque, cant eat at same wedding table, don”t educate the female children.
    6. Muslims dont want to mix with others races – they want their own muslim international schools(See Dehiwela area now).
    7. Muslims women itself are discriminated by Wakuf , marrying under-age and draconian laws.
    8. Majority muslim houses dont have a garden and no trees are planted.. have no sense of environment or greener … see how they build houses in 6 perch land and then park cars always on the road? No sense of whats it like to like communally with other races..
    9. Muslim schools dont have music or drama, or girls schools dont have sports for girls.
    10. Muslims hardly speak up/criticize against their own religion or their own politicians as they are castrated by their own community.
    SL Muslims embraced the preachers from saudi and qatar and took their money to build a muslim nation and spread islam in SL. All muslims living in Galle, Aluthgama Beruwela were sidelined and hardcore muslims of east took control of ACJU. slowly the dress changed and women were made to wear black burqa and men started to drop sarongs / pants and wear thawb. Muslim in SL allowed all these to build up waited. they did not nip extremism at the bud. When 21/4 happened majoirty other races waited to see the SL muslim response.

  • 4
    0

    Ameer

    It looks lkike you are going through a menopause again. There is no muslim pedicament except a Sri Lankan predicament. I read an article yesterday that the Majority Buddhists are embolden by the stand taken by GOSL at the UN and SLPP will sweep the board at the next election. That was never in doubt. Sri Lnka has dug her own grave both at home and abroad. Let us see what happens when the UN sessission closes and we will know whether iUN is a man or a mouse.
    Gothas Presidency is in tatters after the Californinan Court decision. Gotha is on DEATH ROW. He is still an American Citizen and the World espcially America is watching nd no doubt compiling report as to what he does for the next 4 years and 9 months. Justice will be meted out when Gotha is tried in an American Court when his Presidency runs out for mass murder.

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