{"id":87275,"date":"2013-05-17T18:56:28","date_gmt":"2013-05-17T13:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=87275"},"modified":"2013-05-23T11:44:46","modified_gmt":"2013-05-23T06:14:46","slug":"pictures-of-the-kuragala-islam-holy-site-demolition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/pictures-of-the-kuragala-islam-holy-site-demolition\/","title":{"rendered":"Pictures Of The Kuragala Islam Holy Site Demolition"},"content":{"rendered":"

“It has also been bought to our notice that a stone inscription dating back to Hijra 300 (over 1200 years old) been Destroyed. Also the Bodu Bala Sena has threatened to bring a statue on the 18\u00a0th<\/span>\u00a0of this month from Colombo in a vehicle parade and place it there. \u00a0I would be much thankful to you, if you would give priority to this matter in your busy schedule and intervene to stop causing any further damage to this Holy place of worship.”\u00a0Azath Salley, the\u00a0General Secretary of the\u00a0<\/span>National Unity Alliance wrote to\u00a0President.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Azath Salley<\/a><\/span> also wrote to\u00a0diplomats\u00a0today. He wrote; \u201cI would be much thankful to you, if you would kindly use your good office with the President of Sri Lanka and bring this matter to his notice on an urgent basis, and help the Muslims of this country to safeguard their historical religious site.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Azath Salley also wrote to\u00a0diplomats\u00a0today. He wrote; “I would be much thankful to you, if you would kindly use your good office with the President of Sri Lanka and bring this matter to his notice on an urgent basis, and help the Muslims of this country to safeguard their historical religious site.”<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u00a0publish\u00a0below the letters in full;<\/p>\n

His. Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse<\/strong><\/p>\n

President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n

Presidential Secretariat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colombo.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a016th<\/sup> May 2013<\/p>\n

Your Excellency,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Herewith I am enclosing a copy of my previous letter dated 26th<\/sup>,April 2013 and a copy of the statement issued by Ms.Roshan Aboosally \u2013 Trustee of the Dafthar Jailani Mohiyadeen Masjid-Kuragala, Thanjatenne, Balangoda, and some photographs which are self explanatory.<\/p>\n

As you are well aware that the Dafthar Jailani Mohiyadeen Masjid-Kuragala is one of the oldest places of worship for the Muslims of Sri Lanka. This place is facing a severe threat from some hard line Buddhists Who want to destroy the heritage site. On my previous letter I brought this matter to your notice, but since there is no action from Your Excellencies government. Now the Holy place has been demolished under the guise of archeological excavation. According to the statement issued by the trustee this has been done despite the assurance given to Muslim worshippers by the Secretary of Defense.<\/p>\n

Sometimes back I brought to your notice that some hard line elements are trying to attack the Dambulla mosque and create chaos among the communities, even before that incident took place, but regretfully that time also no action was taken by the government. This time too \u00a0have brought this matter to your notice almost one month before, but again no action is taken.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt, that continuing these type of activities only proves that there is no\u00a0 respect to the sentiments and feelings of the Muslim community which will badly damage the reconciliation efforts by your government to create a peaceful environment.<\/p>\n

It has also been bought to our notice that a stone inscription dating back to Hijra 300 (over 1200 years old) been Destroyed. Also the Bodu Bala Sena has threatened to bring a statue on the 18th<\/sup> of this month from Colombo in a vehicle parade and place it there. \u00a0I would be much thankful to you, if you would give priority to this matter in your busy schedule and intervene to stop causing any further damage to this Holy place of worship.<\/p>\n

Thanking you<\/p>\n

Yours faithfully<\/p>\n

M.Azath S. Salley <\/strong><\/p>\n

General Secretary<\/p>\n

National Unity Alliance<\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17th<\/sup>, May 2013<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your Excellency<\/p>\n

This is to draw your kind attention towards the tragedy that is unfolding in Kuragala Dafther Jailani Mohiyaddeen Masjid which is situated in Balangoda which comes under Ratnapura District. This mosque is one of the oldest places of worship and a heritage site for Muslims in Sri Lanka. According to trustees of the above mosque, religious ceremonies are conducted here for more than 124 years. Now this mosque is facing threats of destroying by some hard line Buddhist elements, unfortunately which are believed to be functioning with the full support of the Government of Sri Lanka. Already some structures of the existing buildings of these premises are demolished under the guise of archeological excavations. This action is very much similar to the one carried out by the Zionists in the Holy land of Palestine.<\/p>\n

I would like to remind Your Excellency that very recently you had a meeting with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka. It was in news that President Mahinda Rajapakse gave an assurance during this meeting that he will not allow anyone to do any harm to the Muslims of Sri Lanka and their religious and cultural rights and heritages and it will be safe guarded. I can remember it was in the same news that the President requested the Muslim diplomatic community in Sri Lanka, if anything happened to the Muslim Community to inform him on time to take severe action against those involved.<\/p>\n

But now things are happening totally against to the assurance given by the President to the Muslim Countries representatives.<\/p>\n

Herewith I am enclosing copies of letters written<\/a><\/span> to the President by me and Hon. S. Alavi Moulana the governor of the Western Province and a statement issued by the trustee of the above mosque on this subject and some photographs to prove the present situation of this Holy site.<\/p>\n

I would be much thankful to you, if you would kindly use your good office with the President of Sri Lanka and bring this matter to his notice on an urgent basis, and help the Muslims of this country to safeguard their historical religious site.<\/p>\n

Thanking You<\/p>\n

Yours faithfully<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

M. Azath Salley<\/strong><\/p>\n

General Secretary<\/p>\n

National Unity Alliance.<\/p>\n

Related posts;<\/p>\n

\u2018Governor Mowlana Lies And Promotes Hate\u2019, \u2018We Had No Plans To Destroy Kuragala\u2019 \u2013 BBS<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On BBS Claim: Get Ready To Celebrate Vesak At Kuragala<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rajapaksa Power-Plays: Cheating Tamils And Demonising Muslims<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Midweek Politics: The Battle For Sacred Ground<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BBS To Destroy Kuragala Islam Religious Site \u2013 Alavi Mowlana Asked MR To Intervene<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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