KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT DEFENCE SEMINAR 2013

Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakse

Secretary

Ministry of Defence and Urban Development

15/5 Baladaksha Mawatha

Colombo 3

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We note with great dismay, media reports of the references to the Muslim Community in Sri Lanka and to Muslims elsewhere made by you in your address at the Defence Seminar held recently.

As you aware, we the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, which is the apex body of Muslim theologians in Sri Lanka, have made representations to you and to those placed at the highest levels in Government in regard to the hate campaign against the Muslim community carried on by certain extremist elements. Being patriotic Sri Lankans, in making such representations, we have acted responsibly and with great restraint, being conscious of the fact that there are forces still operating which are hostile to Sri Lanka and that these misguided actions of a few, could be unfairly utilized, to vilify Sri Lanka by such groups. We are grateful that you and the Government have taken action consequent to such representations. 

However, we apprehend that the references to Muslims made in your address, could be misinterpreted to suggest that Sri Lankan Muslims pose a threat to national security and thereby advance the hate campaign against Muslims.  This apprehension is well founded as those vocal but small group of hard liners have interpreted your references as a vindication of their ongoing anti-Muslim sentiments and actions, as evidenced by their laudatory response. You would no doubt appreciate that this is disruptive of national unity and would tend to further polarize the communities.

We wish to strongly emphasize that the Muslims in Sri Lanka are a peaceful and patriotic community and have lived in amity with the other communities. Hence, whilst sharing the sentiment expressed by you that there should be national integration and pledging our support for fashioning an inclusive Sri Lankan identity, we write to convey our concern the references to Muslims in your address could be utilized by those seeking to marginalize and vilify the Muslim community.

This is no way an endorsement of extremism or of any unlawful activity, both of which we unreservedly condemn.  In this context, we reiterate the position consistently articulated by us that the interests of national security and the restoration of communal amity would best be advanced by the evenhanded condemnation of extremism, whatever may be its source and the uniform application of the law in respect of all offenders irrespective of their race or religion.

Yours Sincerely,

Ash-Shaikh Fazil Farook

Secretary - Media