Video: Musthapha accuses Hakeem of fomenting religious hatred

9 August 2012 04:46 am - 41 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Deputy Science and Technology Minister Faiszer Musthapha, yesterday, charged that the SLMC was spreading ethno-religious hatred among the communities by making spiteful statements to gain cheap political mileage.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Musthapha said that recent media reports of the SLMC speaking of ‘Saffron robe terrorism’ in the country were clear indication of its intention to foment racial hatred.

“What they are trying to do is create racial hatred. When you say “Saffron Robe terrorism” you are taking on the entire Buddhist clergy of this country -- which is very unfair. Besides, this is an utterly irresponsible statement,” he said.

Musthapha said that the SLMC should stop banking on communal sentiments to win an election because the Muslim community and the country as a whole would have to pay a far higher price.
“At the end of the day you can play communal politics and win an election. But the price you pay is far higher. Are you trying to create racial riots again? I appeal to the SLMC to stop this. The SLMC they say are governed by the Holy Quran, and the prophet was a great propagator of peace and harmony between all communities, so much so that there were instances when he invited people of other faiths to practice their religion in the mosques. We need to be secular if we are going to take this country forward,” he said.

The minister went on to state that the SLMC had deviated from its original political philosophy and was now using cheap political gimmicks to further its agenda.

“When the late Mr. Ashroff was alive the SLMC was a great force. It focused on the well-being of the Muslim community. But, today, it is concerned about how to stay in power; on how to continue in power by indulging in cheap politics. A political party is judged by the direction it gives to its people, and by this measure I believe the SLMC has failed,” he said.(Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 41

Mifly Thursday, 09 August 2012 10:40 AM

Where was Mr Hakeem when Digawapi temple was bulldozed. Wasn't that insulting to the Buddhists?

DireStraits Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:26 AM

Although Faizer is not wrong in his assessment of the SLMC Rauf Hakeem et. al., He has shown no real backbone either in defending Muslims or their rights. Anyone hear a whimper from Faizer during the Dambulla saga? Not me! So, he is no better than Rauf, they are all in it for their own sake.

Mario Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:27 AM

Everything is happening under the blessings of the president, SLMC coming out, yet holding the ministerial post then speaking against the govt and a govt person speaking against SLMC, so that will make people l vote for SLMC, after election join the govt.Its all part of a plan.

Maattrem Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:34 AM

I am from eastern province and I know the type of feeling Muslim brothers have here because of all the incidents happening to Islamic religious places in the country. The people who talk about peace and patience must teach religious tolerance among the those who tried to break mosques or remove them. They went to a mosque in Kurunagala and a monk sat on white clothe covered chair and chanted pirith inside the mosque Just think how much it would have hurt the Muslim sensitivity. Not only Hakeem, this is the way most of the Muslims feel here.

fazl Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:44 AM

Because Hakeem is not contesting under UPFA in Provincial Council Elections. It is usual somebody in the Govt. to give statements against anybody just not in good terms. And after all it is election time and politics ! It is Faizer's turn now.

rifai Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:22 AM

Where were U Mr.Faizer when the Dambulla mosque was under attack?
If u r true muslim u blood should boil.

malkanthi Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:41 AM

Dont worry God does not live inside buildings like men but he is 'Omnipresent' Let him judge them according to His holiness we are mere human beings.

Vicks Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:40 AM

Where were U Mr.Faizer when the Dambulla mosque was under attack? The monk used deregatory terms to refer to Muslims. Shortage of guts???

SudhuPuncha Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:44 AM

we know ure singing for ure supper. Hakeem has called the spade a spade!!!!!!!!!!

Mifly Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:51 AM

Mr hakeem should be ashamed of himself for using the religious card to gain votes.

Izmie.Amanulla Thursday, 09 August 2012 10:09 AM

Of course i am living in this peaceful island where communal parties like SLMC must be banned for the sake of ethnic harmony. Dambulla incident has nothing to do with this,the President solved it immediatly so it ended there,otherwise Hakeem wold have gone to town with it.There are several non communal muslim ministers in this govt who are capable of solving any muslim problems if there is any which for me is not there.

malkanthi Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:13 AM

Positions, privileges, benefits, perks are above the god. This is just a tradition and ritual to show they are holy. god knows the hypocrisy of man and will deal at the right time.

Imran Thursday, 09 August 2012 10:48 AM

Looks like this man Musthappa is stoking the fires with a personal agenda of his own. beware of greeks bearing gifts.

Lankaputhra Thursday, 09 August 2012 11:51 AM

True. Those who use religious sentiments to create disharmony should be banned and punished.

yangko bang Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:02 PM

The message is good but the messengers and his motives are open to suspicion, Linving in a glass house, he cannot afford to throw stones at others. Its election time and jealouisies are natural.

NiffyBoy Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:13 PM

these 2 are trying to cheat the people. specially the muslim crowd. they never speak on behalf of the pepole, but to fill the pockets.

Patrick Friday, 10 August 2012 04:09 AM

Well said Faizer. Give our regards to all at home.

nelum Friday, 10 August 2012 08:59 AM

As a politician, you are well balanced without taking sides

Jehan Mohamed Friday, 10 August 2012 09:06 AM

Mr. Musthapha, it is great pleasure to have such a voice from a Muslim politician. Recently we saw the number of Muslim politicians try to build up their image by causing communal hatred.

Kristina Friday, 10 August 2012 09:16 AM

Honourable Deputy Minister, I am pleased to see that you have taken a stand for what is right and what is in the best interest of our country. You will do wonders in the national reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and I wish you all the best.

l de silva Saturday, 11 August 2012 09:43 AM

Excellent speech Deputy Minister! Encouraging to see a young and upcoming minister speak on such secular terms and in a forward thinking manner. Keep it up Minister. Wish you well!

Taqqiya Thursday, 09 August 2012 06:54 AM

nothing new here.... muslim 'leaders' are fomenting religious hatred in almost every single country/continent in the world. Is it racist for mentioning this?

Izmie.Amanulla Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:25 AM

He has only one way of getting votes , ie. by raising religious hatred among muslims.He did this in the Central province during all past elections. Political parties with a religious background should be banned for the sake of religious harmony in this peaceful island.

dasa1 Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:37 AM

love;u peace of comment if really said from heart !

Al Rasa Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:22 AM

Very correct.

limatc Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:31 AM

yes, faizer is right in all sense , this is what should be given a peace of mind for any person who indulge in this sorts of politics , religion is totally different from politics , nobody should mix religion into politics , as politics are done with diff motive for personal gains

Helaya Thursday, 09 August 2012 06:03 AM

Is this what the SLMC is trying to do Mother Lanka? Do not hide behind the MULTI CULTURAL, MULTI ETHNIC slogan.
This will lead to communal blood shed.
Hakeem has all the right to practice Islam without harming other religious sentiments.

Lal Surain Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:57 AM

I have many muslim friends from every part of the country. All muslim brothers & sisters, parents please think twice when politicians trying to create troubles and destroy peace between different religions. we all have paid a big price when LTTE was terrorizing the country. my humble appeal is do not support such politicians

ananda Thursday, 09 August 2012 06:35 AM

well said deputy minister musthapha.but its unfortunate that
you wont get a cabinet portfolio.by the way your father was appointed as highcommissioner to london during the u n p
regime by the recommondation of slmc.

nadee Thursday, 09 August 2012 06:51 AM

muslims faced many difficulties daily problem they faced @DAMBULLA DEHIWALA RAJAGIRIYA KURUNEGALA ANURADAPURA and many places during ramzan not solved
MR HAKEEM as leader of muslims political party openly explained the problem faced by his community . Without criticizing for their own political end all muslim ministers try to put an end our religious problems

SXHABEEB Thursday, 09 August 2012 06:52 AM

Since the day SLMC was formed, Sri Lankan Muslim cmmunity lost their pride gradually. But people who were elected ON SLMC grew up gradually.... Untill they win the election they will talk every thing. Once they win, they will talk money and bargain for posts.....

Nodrog Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:11 AM

But isn't that what happpened in Dambulla and a few other places? Its ok for the monks to go on a rampage against other religious places but not ok for others to talk about it?

Nadeem Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:05 AM

how much he got for releasing this statement, .... we all know the problems faced by the muslim commiunity

malkanthi Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:06 AM

Yes also minister musthapha cannot reach the grass root level of his community for his uppish and arrogant attitude. Ashroff was all out for muslims remember 'deegawapi' issue.

TRUTH Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:02 AM

You must be living in a different country all these time. Who had been giving a hard time for Muslim and Muslim Worship Places ... Was it Hakeem, or was it government sponsored Parties..

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:25 AM

Ramadan greetings from one "brother" to another.

Basil Illangakook Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:12 AM

All these Muslim politicians are trying to outsmart the other. Musthapha sees an opportunity to destroy Hakeem with the communal label. Mustapha betrayed Thondaman who brought him to politics and his father was and still is a stooge of the SLMC. He was even appointed as the High Commissioner to the UK. Now, the father is with MR to save his son in politics. What a bunch of hypocrites. God Save the Muslims.

mfx Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:36 AM

yes,brother. We do understand SLMC gimmicks, infact I never vote to SLMC or any other religion/etinic based party.

Aney Machang Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:59 AM

Fasting season, hunger harbours hatred in this instance.
This is exactly what should not be practised during this holy month.
The Majority community have lived with the Muslims long enough and they respect and understand the contribution of Muslims. These cheap statements by both Rauff and Faizer should go to the dust bin, if they have really said so....

rehan Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:15 AM

its ALL ABOUT THE money

ALI GETA PERA Thursday, 09 August 2012 08:08 AM

Well said Izmie Amanulla / Lal Surain & Basil Illangakook
All of you are oerfectly correct.
Hakeem is a Cunning Fox like Ranil

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Video: Musthapha accuses Hakeem of fomenting religious hatred

Comments - 41

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