30 December 2020 12:00 am
By Yohan Perera
Easter Sunday attack and the Sinhala Muslim riots of 1915 are not isolated incidents but should be considered within the context of international political situation then and now, an opposition Muslim MP said yesterday.
Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the 2100th year of Masjidul Abrar Mosque in Beruwala, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said riots of 1915 and the Easter Sunday attack are black marks where mutual relationship between Sinhalese and Muslims are concerned.
“This riot was engineered by those who were ruling our country at that time. These administrators divided and ruled other countries which they made their colonies,” Mr. Bakeer Markar said.
“Easter Sunday attacks have to be considered in the same context. I remember what Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said when ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic States visited him just after the Easter Sunday attacks. He said he does not look at the issue from outside but deep into the root. He said a few Muslim youth have been misled by some organisation. He was right. All these incidents have to be considered in the context of the global political situation,” he added.
“Muslims and Sinhalese have enjoyed a sound relationship. Mosques are symbols of peace. Muslims have a relationship with Christians. We honour Jesus. We call him Isa Nabi. We believe that he did not die. God took him to heaven. He will come again before the last day and set up an administration of peace. We also believe and respect Blessed Virgin Mary. Muslims in Sri Lanka had lived peacefully and had never tried to invade Sri Lanka. Our forefathers helped to build up Sri Lanka’s economy. They also supported the independent movement unconditionally. This peaceful coexistence should be continued,” he also said.