President Maithripala Sirisena says certain statements made by a few persons to achieve petty political gain have become a hindrance to the process of building national reconciliation while freeing the country from the challenge of terrorism.
The President made these remarks during a meeting held with the representatives of the Muslim Civil Organizations including the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (08).
During this meeting, President Sirisena said that the duty of all the citizens who love the country should be to fulfill their respective responsibilities towards creating a peaceful environment where all the citizens of the country could live freely, while understanding the actual situation and the issues, but not to raise their voices in order to get narrow political gains.
The President further said that even though criticisms are necessary, those criticisms should be fair and unprejudiced. President Sirisena pointed out that as a multireligious country we should not cause inconvenience to any follower of a particular religion.
The President requests everybody who raises their voices regarding the prevailing situation of the country in the Parliament or in the society, must do so with an understanding as well as intelligently regarding the situation.
The representatives of the civil Muslim organizations stated that they would not consider the brutal terrorists involved in killing innocent people, as Muslims, and that they condemn extremism and terrorism. They further added that they would give the maximum possible support to the forces to eliminate terrorism.
They requested not to look at each and every Muslim as terrorists. They told President that introduction of some brutal terror groups as Muslim terrorist has left them humiliated and also about the uncomfortable situation they are in due to the statements made by certain people without proper knowledge about Islamism and the Muslim culture.
They also requested maximum punishments for all the terrorists who have destroyed lives. They told the President that they, as a Muslim community, have been saddened by the confiscation of some Islamic books which have no connection to terrorism.
They further discussed on generalizing the knowledge of the Quran and other Islamic Doctrines to the society, while drawing attention to clarify that the Islamic Educational Institutions are carried out fulfilling recommendations, and building the mindsets of children to condemn extremism.
These representatives further demonstrated that certain groups of interested parties humiliate communities through the “racial remarks” spread through social media. They further urged the president to take measures against the people who are trying to get accomplished narrow political opinions at this moment.
The efficient program launched under the supervision of President Maithripala Sirisena to tackle terrorism was also appreciated by the Muslim delegation.
Azath Salley the Western Province Governor, Member of Parliament Faizer Mustapha, Secretary to the President Udaya. R. Seneviratne and Acting IGP C. D. Wickramarathne along with representatives from over 40 Muslim organizations were among the participants.
