Muslim community is being harassed after terror attack

• “We even did not accept their bodies for burial in our grave yard”

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

While vehemently condemning the Easter terror attack, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) yesterday said that it is unfortunate that the Muslim community is being harassed and targeted because of the action of a few individuals.  

Speaking at a media briefing ACJU President Mufti M.I.M Rizwe said that this is a shameful and heinous act which no human being can tolerate for any reason. Though the attacks were carried out on a day holy to a particular religious community, it is a very sad day for all Sri Lankans.”   

On behalf of all Sri Lankan Muslims, we the ACJU, extend our arms of solidarity, love and affection towards our Christian brothers and sisters at this moment of grief.   

“We Muslims, as responsible citizens extended our full support to the security forces to identify the culprits who were involved in this attack. We have claimed previously that those who were engaged in terror attack on innocent civilians in the name of Islam do not belong to us and we consider them to be people who have committed a crime against humanity.  We even did not accept their bodies for burial in our grave yard,” Moulavi Rizwe said.   

“We take this opportunity to thank the Muslim community for conducting themselves as responsible citizens by supporting the security measures of the defence mechanism,” he said   
We appeal to all religious and civil leaders to join hands in rightly guiding the people of their respective areas to prevent communal conflicts, and also to the public to refrain from spreading rumours through different forms of media, he said   

“At this moment of great tragedy, let us all join together in solidarity and face the challenges with mutual love and respect to move forward as Sri Lankans. We pray to Almighty Allah that He eases the pain of all who were affected and grant His mercy to them,” he said.   

Let us all be together in this, and help and support each other in this time of grief and pray that we overcome this tragedy as Sri Lankans, ”it added.   

Pic by Kushan Pathiraja