Radicalisation of moderate Muslims should be avoided

• Places of worship should not be used to keep weapons

By Yohan Perera   

The operations carried out by the security forces after the Easter Sunday attacks is commendable but radicalisation of moderate Muslims should be avoided, Minister of City Planning, Water Management and Higher Education Rauff Hakeem said yesterday.  

 Minister Hakeem told a media briefing that Muslims welcome and support the security forces and police to carry out search operations. However, he said there have been few incidents of concern during these operations. He said these incidents should be avoided as these could lead to radicalisation of moderate Muslims in the country.   

“Some people have suffered social stigma as a result of some minor happenings during operations been sensationalised. One must not get carried away if Islamic literature written in Arabic or in Tamil is found in a house. It may not be terrorist literature. There may be anti-Bin Laden or anti- extremist literature with some people, Security Forces could get help from the Department of Muslim Affairs to interpret such literature,” the Minister said.   

We as Muslims have warned the authorities of certain activities such as speeches made by certain people promoting extremism

Asked about the weapons found in some mosques, the Minister said places of worship should not be used to keep weapons. Also he said terrorist activities and ordinary crimes should not be mixed up.   

Responding to questions on the face cover worn by Muslim women and on the unregistered mosques he said relevant government institutions will take necessary measures on these matters soon.   

The Minister also highlighted that the attacks on Easter Sunday has been carried out by a cult living among the Muslims.   

“We as Muslims have warned the authorities of certain activities such as speeches made by certain people promoting extremism which is against Islam by certain groups from time to time,” he also said.   

“The cults such as the one who attacked on Easter Sunday originally were attached to mosques in some Middle Eastern countries,” he added.   

One must not get carried away if Islamic literature written in Arabic or in Tamil is found in a house. It may not be terrorist literature