Mosque issue: Hakeem happy after talks with MR

30 April 2012 09:37 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem said yesterday he had discussed the Dambulla Mosque dispute with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that he was confident it would be resolved with justice to all.

“The President assured me he would not let the dispute get out of hand and will resolve the contentious matter without harming the interests of any individual or community,” the minister said

He rejected the claim by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne that Muslim ministers had agreed to relocate the mosque within the Dambulla sacred area and said the government must not let chauvinistic forces and extremists to use these disputes to create political, religious and social unrest in the country.
The minister said not a single Muslim political leader or politician had agreed for the relocation of the mosque as claimed by the premier.

He said the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government was strong because it enjoyed the support of nearly all minority parties.

“Therefore, the government is able to come out unscathed from this sensitive issue and do justice to all concerned. The UPFA government is committed to safeguarding the interests of the minorities and the SLMC believes the government will not deviate from this position,” the minister said and singled out a particular FM channel for spreading false and fabricated propaganda with a chauvinistic flavor that gave vent to the protests by some extremist elements.
“If any one attempts to shift this mosque, which has existed since 1963 to another to another location will be considered as an unjust act, which goes against the sentiments of all Muslims in the country. We will not give into violence, intimidation or thuggery,” the minister said.

He said there was the danger that even the global Muslim community which hither maintained a friendly relationship with Sri Lanka and even opposed the US resolution at the UNHRC sessions in March would look at Sri Lanka differently if something unnecessary or unwarranted happened over the Dambulla mosque.

“The SLMC and all Muslims without hesitation oppose moves to shift the mosque as it will result in dire consequences if anyone attempted to do so. There is no compromise on this matter and there is no need to collect funds or beg for money to relocate the mosque,” the minister said adding that a small section of extremist elements were attempting to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka and the government taking advantage of free speech, free association and the free media. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 37

DireStraits Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:07 AM

Ajantha and ms... I feel sorry for your condition. It's actually called paranoid schizophrenia. Hope you get well soon

my lanka Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:35 AM

great wat to divert the public from price increase. and guess what MR was out of the counrty again.....lol

Nodrog Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:55 AM

Wonder what Rauf's incentive was for him to agree.

N K Ratnam Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:42 AM

The history of Sri Lanka is tainted with blood of innocent people because the majority of peace loving people stayed silent and let the extremist minority hijack the political agenda. The majority need to make it absolutely clear to these bigots that they do not represent true spirit of Buddhism. It is the silence of the majority that created mistrusts between communities. It is this silence that made the Tamil people believe that all the Sinhala Buddhists are enemies of them.

It is of paramount importance for rebuilding the broken trust that the peace loving majority come to the defence of the people who are under attack from the racist minority monks and their minions.

cassim Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:30 AM

jeewa do not try to be too smart! better to read a lot ???

M.I.M.MOHAMED Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:00 AM

QUICK ACTION TO BE TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD THIS MOSQUE.
HONORABLE PRESIDENT AS YOU SAID, ONE COUNTRY,ONE NATION & ONE PEOPLE IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY YOURSELF.

ms Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:48 AM

yes,
muslims are the most peaceful people in the world ha, ha, ha, he, he ,he,.that's why they do wars in the name of the religion,
that's the truth the whole world know

ms Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:24 AM

I agree with @ ajantha,
we have to be careful of muslims

Abdul-Salaam Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:34 AM

I have Question Too Why Muslims Cannot live Peacefully Other Religions
Way They Invade And Destroyed Other Religious Places.
Why Muslims Evan Shia and Sunni Muslims Cannot Live Peacefully

ms Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:37 AM

dear Muslim readers,
I have a question too.
what MORAL RIGHT bulk of the MUSLIM countries in the Middle east have got to question about the FAIR and REASONABLE TREATMENT to MUSLIMS in SRI LANKA , when they don't tolerate other religions in their countries?????.

ajantha Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:46 AM

Sri Lanka our motherland is blessed by Triple Gem and was protected from Muslim aggression where as other Buddhist countries were aggresed and now they are known as Muslim countries- Indonesia,Bangladesh. No freedom for Buddhist there to practice their faith. Now their aggression come in a different form to us, Becareful!

Hassenn Tuesday, 01 May 2012 11:24 AM

Remember one thing we all are Sri Lankan.May be Buddhist,Christian,Muslim or Hindu.We all have equal rights to live in and worship in any place in Sri Lanka

nawshad Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:08 PM

Mr ms gulf countries have a right to ask about srilankan muslims,because they are giving so many aids to srilanka

Abdul-Salaam Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:10 PM

The 1982 Sacred city Plan does not Show any Prayer Room or mosque
This illegal mosque situated in side the Dambulla Sacred Zone
This Issue must resolve in Legally

Fusion Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:17 PM

Unbelievable! You do realize buildings can be refurbished?

Shanika Tuesday, 01 May 2012 05:02 PM

if your are a true practicing believer then you dont need to worry about any other religion. those who create communal problem among us is those who dont practice their religion properly

gamarala Tuesday, 01 May 2012 07:17 PM

which ministry was proposed to you or by you for yourself in the upcoming re-shuffle?

sri lankan Thursday, 03 May 2012 11:22 AM

Shanika you are 100% correct,I hope we all sri lankans should think the way shanika saying...

Rahula Friday, 04 May 2012 01:04 PM

Muslim countries never allow one single buddhist temple. In sri lanka they have built 20,000 mosques.

now they want to destroy everything buddhist

xlntgson Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:14 AM

A statue is not equalent to a mosque, it should be a temple. Muslims have no icons, if at all any, may be some Arabic letters!

Sunil Lanka Monday, 30 April 2012 10:25 PM

We should not allow the whims and fancies of Rev. Inamaluwa and goons to create disharmony in this country which had endless problems of ethinic issues

ampare son Monday, 30 April 2012 11:16 PM

Happy to hear. we want to protect Deegavapi too.

amanda Monday, 30 April 2012 11:31 PM

You are always HAPPY, once you get some mulla.

kay Tuesday, 01 May 2012 12:22 AM

Have to wait and see what happens. So many promises but no action, thats todays Lanka for you

raj Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:14 AM

even justice minister has to seek justice for mosque. If that so, how can Tamils expect justice in Sri Lanka.

Dalu banda Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:16 AM

These troubles are due to wrong decisions of the ancient rulers.

Samuel Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:16 AM

even if built newly, its a place of worship
and hence be respected. What if its built of Amana zSheets ? May be its renevation. Dont add fuel.

Jayasiri Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:21 AM

Why did they call for the removal of Buddhta statue in Trincomalee?

jeewa Monday, 30 April 2012 10:41 PM

First They Says Mosque Is Over 63 Years Old
Now They Said Mosque is existed since 1963 But it bullied In Amano Sheets And It looked like very new Mosque.

Mervyhn Szilvah Tuesday, 01 May 2012 01:28 AM

May be this whole thing was a cover up for the flour+bread price increase.

Mahinda Tuesday, 01 May 2012 05:16 AM

100% correct

Fazleen Tuesday, 01 May 2012 07:21 AM

I have a question! why Bhuddist cannt live peacefully with Tamils,christians and Muslims?

senthil Tuesday, 01 May 2012 07:24 AM

because it was built without approval in a public place

Samuel Tuesday, 01 May 2012 09:38 AM

@ Senthil : So you think the worshipers inside the mosque for the Friday sermon were chased out by the
RDA PEOPLE. Thats rediculous comment. Think before you scribble anything.

saman Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:08 AM

Yeah dear King Akbar should have thought about this that time

Chat Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:21 AM

Tamils got their justice when Sri Lanka Forces wiped out ltte. So Tamils do not have to be terrorists.

Chat Tuesday, 01 May 2012 10:44 AM

Dear Falzleen,
First of all answer ; who did the wrong ??

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Mosque issue: Hakeem happy after talks with MR

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