Rauff says 'mea culpa'

10 August 2012 05:21 am - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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SLMC leader and Minister of Justice, Rauff Hakeem has tendered an apology to the Sangha and the JHU over the controversial statement he made during his PC election campaign in the East a few days ago.

Full statement.

Statement by Rauff Hakeem, Leader, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress

A statement I made recently in Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai, has created a very grave concern among Buddhists leaders and Buddhist prelates including the Jathika Hela Urumaya.

With no further attempts at procrastination, I wish to tender an unreserved apology to all Buddhists of Sri Lanka. I specifically request the Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka to accept this apology for which I, as the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress take personal responsibility.

My reference to any grievance of the Muslims was entirely confined to a local issue in a very specific locality. Unfortunately, my choice of words, when removed from the specific context, has resulted in creating a perception that it was a derogatory remark on the Sangha who are the guardians of Buddhism, the predominant faith of our people.

As the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, I have always acknowledged that the Muslims are an integral part of the Sri Lankan nation. We have enjoyed the patronage and the benevolence of the Sinhala people from the time of Sinhala Kings. In fact, it was only a few months ago that I addressed the International Liberal Council in Colombo where I publicly acknowledged the pluralism as practiced by Sinhala Buddhists from the Time of King Senarath who gave refuge to the Muslims persecuted by the Portuguese invaders. Any interpretation of my statement as an expression of intolerance of all Buddhist Sangha is both erroneous and even mischievous.

I am deeply conscious of the desire of the Muslims of Sri Lanka to live in absolute harmony with the Buddhists as well as others practicing other faiths. It is the only path towards the full integration of Muslims in to a Sri Lankan nation.

Related link:

Video: Musthapha accuses Hakeem of fomenting religious hatred

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Comments - 37

Jayantha Saturday, 11 August 2012 02:29 AM

We all Sri Lankan must be grateful to Mr.Hakeem for being humble to make an apology. We all must accept it and appreciate such deeds from a politician in these days. I feel Mr.Hakeem is much better than most other Sri Lankan politicians.

vaidy Friday, 10 August 2012 09:23 AM

It is a case of mischievous misreport which political rivalries had used the oppertunity to capitalize for which the Hon Minister had apologized.

Sadarana_Kota Friday, 10 August 2012 09:43 AM

Name one single politician who appologized in Srilanka???????

myfa Friday, 10 August 2012 10:40 AM

Rauf ,who needs your apology????? tender your resignation, get out . set an example for your colleagues.

The God Father Friday, 10 August 2012 10:37 AM

Humans make mistakes, Apology accepted, it is obvious that it was a genuine slip of the tounge, now he has to make sure that only his tounge slips.

Aney Machang Friday, 10 August 2012 11:08 AM

It is a political statement made in a political platform, and JHU and the Sangha which claim to have their own political parties have to take it in the right spirit.

Shaik Ahamath Friday, 10 August 2012 11:22 AM

As a Muslim myself I have appreciated the privileges, generosity, tolerance, benefits, concessions etc. all my life in Sri Lanka. It has not escaped my notice that in predominately Muslim countries many such rights are routinely denied to non-Muslims.

farieze Friday, 10 August 2012 02:40 PM

you are a lawyer-you should not put us on trouble for the sake of winning the election. election come and go but we have to live peacefully with all fellow citizens.

Roger F Friday, 10 August 2012 03:35 PM

Rauff, as a fellow Royalist of your group, I am toally ashamed at your incendiary hateful remarks. You should look at how Sunni and Shia kill each other in droves in Iraq to look at islamic fanaticism first.

nadarajah Saturday, 11 August 2012 01:25 AM

then what about the atttacks on mosques and the people who led the group

Lal Friday, 10 August 2012 09:33 AM

Mr. Rauff, you are only guilty of being in the wrong company.

perumal Saturday, 11 August 2012 03:16 AM

He twists and turns, as usual!

Justin Keppetiyagama Saturday, 11 August 2012 04:32 AM

Is he making this apology on orders as our Police is arresting criminals ?

terror Saturday, 11 August 2012 04:59 AM

For misleading the Muslims in SL and trying to create hatred.

idroos Saturday, 11 August 2012 05:39 AM

MR AHAMMATH U R WRONG CAN U NAME ANY MUSLIM COUNTRY WHERE NON MUSLIMS MINORIITIES ( MEANING THIEIR LOCALS NON MUSLIMS ONLY ) EVER EXIST I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT EXPATS .LAWS DO NOT EQUATE EXPTRIATES WITH MINORITIES .PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPATS AND ANY LOCAL MINORITIES .EX :MEANING WE SRI LANAKAN MUSLIMS R NOT VISITORS OR EXPATRIATES WE ARE LOCAL MINORITIES THOUGH WITH NOT EQUAL RIGHTS BUT MUCH LESS YET UNDENIABLE RIGHTS

ferdhi Saturday, 11 August 2012 05:58 AM

what politics does to a man. You with your un thinking remarks only creates more animosity amongst the people . People like you are very dangerous and should be more aware of the hurtful statements you make just to get a few votes .

solo Saturday, 11 August 2012 11:56 AM

Not suitable to lead a national party should resign

Herby Padmaperuma Saturday, 11 August 2012 07:15 PM

You are being fooled Jayantha, why the the hell should we be "Grateful" to Hakeem, who is not only a talentd poliical sumersaulter, but also an indeceent lier.After obtaining his targetd milage from the Tamil/Muslim Voters, now he shamelessly Apologises.

Naman Saturday, 11 August 2012 07:55 PM

Truth is spoken first followed by untruths in Sri Lanka.
Remember Fonseka about white flag story.

lk Friday, 10 August 2012 06:53 AM

statements are a mere public ad. your real thinking is what lies beneath.

pasha Friday, 10 August 2012 05:23 AM

Rauff followed to tender apologies

Dadoriya Friday, 10 August 2012 05:41 AM

Kick him out of Sri Lanka.

Sadarana_Kota Friday, 10 August 2012 05:52 AM

It could be a slip of tounge...he appologized ..so we have to accept it...human do make mistakes..we are suppose to be Humans.

Al Rasa Friday, 10 August 2012 05:46 AM

Surprisingly UNP this time has not invited him for coalition.

realist Friday, 10 August 2012 06:17 AM

That's a very Buddhist approach you have.

NADARAJAH Friday, 10 August 2012 06:20 AM

HE SHOULD HAVE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE LED BY SOME MONKS WHO ATTACKED MANY MOSQUES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO TASK BY THE PRESIDENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES .NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE ON THE CLOSURE OF MOSQUES AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED EITHER .

kumar Friday, 10 August 2012 06:44 AM

For what?

Nodrog Friday, 10 August 2012 06:48 AM

Convenient excuse used by politicians to escape the responsibilities for what they say and do. Rauf knew exactly what he was saying. He is a coward for not standing up to his beliefs.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 10 August 2012 05:21 AM

Typical attitude of the opportunist.

Pandula Friday, 10 August 2012 07:19 AM

Changing Hat again

Hoodwinked Friday, 10 August 2012 07:43 AM

To err is human to forgive is divine. Whether opportunist or not it is always better to nip it in the bud, something that could grow to cause another holocaust to shatter the new found peace..

usama pasi Friday, 10 August 2012 07:42 AM

mr.minister hakeem, you were not stand on natinal stage at any time. so dnt try make disputes amoung nations. please

Saman Friday, 10 August 2012 08:26 AM

He is better than the ppl who doesn't salute the Country flag of Sri Lanka

Sumanasiri Friday, 10 August 2012 08:36 AM

It is unheard of a Sri Lankan politician to make an apology over anything. Going by comments here many people do not seem to have the grace to accept one either.

me Friday, 10 August 2012 09:06 AM

Mea culpa is a Latin phrase that translates into English as "my mistake" or "my fault"

Podi G G Friday, 10 August 2012 09:00 AM

understandable.

Dola Rosa Friday, 10 August 2012 09:05 AM

"Any interpretation of my statement as an expression of intolerance of all Buddhist Sangha is both erroneous and even mischievous. " THEN WHY THIS APOLOGY.!!!!

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Rauff says 'mea culpa'

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