Sri Lankan Muslim community and internal disputes among Islamic movements:

Muslims in Sri Lanka live as one of minority communities. They constitute nearly 10% of Lankan population. They have been living in this island for many centuries without causing any harm or problem for the other communities. Muslims have great responsibilities to represent the religion of Islam in this Island. It is their behaviours, attitudes and manners that give good name or bad name to this beautiful religion. Islam is being judged in a non-Muslim environment by the actions and behaviours of Muslims. Whatever good or bad Muslim individuals and communities do in this Island has its impact in the wider communities. Hence, we should live up to the ideals and principles of Islam. Otherwise, we would greatly damage the good name of Islam in this Island. Unlike in the past our internal communal disputes and quarrels come into spot light today thorough mass media and information technologies. 

   No doubt Islamic movements have been making great contributions in Sri Lanka. Muslim community should be thankful to all these different Islamic movements that work day and night to ease problems of Muslim community in time of difficulties and hardship. These movements have made vital role in uplifting Muslim community in Sri Lanka in all fields: religious, social and cultural aspects of life.  They have made immense contributions. All these contributions should be acknowledged and recognised by our communities. No one should belittle or devaluate the contribution of these Islamic groups. How many people may have revitalised their faith through the works of Tabligh Jamath works in Sri Lanka? How many people may have come back to the Islamic faith and way of life with the dedicated of TJ works? How many youth would have learned about true nature of Islam through the works of JI and DA group? Why should we belittle the contribution of these different Islamic groups to the wider Muslim Community? Unfortunately, we became judgmental in our attitude to the good works of these groups. We do not have mind sets to appreciate the good works of these groups. 

Of course different ideological groups work in the fields of dawa and social services. I think that without bias and discrimination, the works of all these different groups should be appreciated by the community.  Whether we like or not, today in this modern world we have different ideological Islamic groups. This is one of the realities of Muslim communities all over the world. It would a daunting task to try to make unification among these groups. Of course, it is desirable to see Muslim community under one leadership in Sri Lanka and yet, I do not think that is reasonably possible right now among Muslim community in Sri Lanka. Yet, we should have etiquettes to appreciate disagreements in certain issues. 

          All different groups should have big hearts to appreciate and acknowledge good works of other groups and indeed, all should have mutual collaboration in some good social and communal works. This would send a good message to wider non-Muslim community about the Islamic unity and Islamic brotherhood. Yet, what we see is the opposite to this notion of unity and co-operation.  Our community is divided on the basis of small religious issues. This disunity sends a bad message about this peaceful religion of Islam to the wider non-Muslim community.

            Unfortunately, the meaning of communal unity, Islamic brotherhood, definition of Islamic works, and definition of Islamic doctrines differ somewhat differently according to the different levels of understanding of Islam.  It has been a difficult task to make any sense of unity among these different groups even at the time when Muslim community goes through tough time in Sri Lanka. It is pathetic to see why we cannot make some sort of compromise among these groups. ( to be continued next week.)