Hakeem deplores attacks on Muslim community

Heavily-armed Sri Lankan soldiers ride a motorcycle in front of the Jumha Mosque after a mob attack in Minuwangoda on May 14, 2019. - A Sri Lankan province north of the capital was under indefinite curfew on May 24 after the first death in anti-Muslim riots in the wake of the Easter terror attacks, police said - AFP

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC)leader and Minister of City Planning and Water Supply and Higher Education Rauff Hakeem yesterday in a statement strongly condemned mob attacks on innocent members of the Muslim community. 

Following is the full text of Hakeem’s statement. 

“It is dreadful and frightening to witness the unfolding events of innocent men, women and children of the Muslim community are targeted in reprisal for the horrendous and beastly attacks by some extremists on three holy shrines and three hotels on 21April. Those who suffered in that horrible crime were worshippers then attending one of the holiest events in the Christian calendar in houses dedicated to God and harmless human beings seeking simple pleasures of life with their kith and kin in the secure confines of hotels. 

“The State has assured that justice will be meted out to the despicable scoundrels who while claiming to profess Islam committed this indescribable atrocity. Those directly involved   are already killed, yet, the country is in the grip of a terrible panic. 

“Attacks on innocent Muslim communities continue to take place while security forces are striving hard to restore normalcy. Mobs attacked Muslims’ businesses, mosques and homes overnight on 12 and 13May, killing one. A country wide curfew has been enforced. 

“In the absence of the President in the country, we look forward to the Prime Minister and the tri-forces Commanders to take control of the violence and save the Muslims who are suffering for a dastardly crime committed by a few with whom the larger Muslim community has nothing to do whatsoever. 

“With the danger of the terrible experience snowballing in to a more complex conundrum, we urge the Government and the armed forces to curb continued violence against the innocent Muslims in the country.”