President meets All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

• Requests not to use present situation of country to achieve petty political agendas or ethnic objectives

President Maithripala Sirisena says certain statements made by a few persons to achieve petty political gain have become a hindrance to the process of building national reconciliation while freeing the country from the challenge of terrorism.

The President made these remarks during a meeting held with the representatives of the Muslim civil organisations, including the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.

During this meeting, President Sirisena said that the responsibility of all citizens who love the country should be to fulfil their respective responsibilities towards creating a peaceful environment where all citizens of the country could live freely, while understanding the actual situation and the issues, but not to raise their voices in order to get narrow political gains.

The President further said that even though criticisms are necessary, those criticisms should be fair and unprejudiced. President Sirisena pointed out that as a multi-religious country, we should not cause inconvenience to any follower of a particular religion.

The President requested that everybody who raises their voices regarding the prevailing situation of the country in the Parliament or in the society, must do so intelligently as well as with understanding regarding the situation.

The representatives of the Muslim civil organisations stated that they would not consider the brutal terrorists who were involved in killing innocent people as Muslims, and that they condemn extremism and terrorism. They further added that they would give the maximum possible support to the forces to eliminate terrorism.

They requested not to look at each and every Muslim as terrorists. They told the President that the introduction of some brutal terror groups as Muslim terrorists has left them humiliated, and also about the uncomfortable situation they are in, due to the statements made by certain people without proper knowledge about Islam and Muslim culture.

They also requested maximum punishments for all the terrorists who have destroyed lives. They told the President that they, as the Muslim community, have been saddened by the confiscation of some Islamic books, which have no connection to terrorism.

They further discussed on generalising the knowledge of the Quran and other Islamic doctrines to society, while drawing an attention to clarify that the Islamic Educational Institutions are conducted to fulfil recommendations, and build the mind-sets of children to condemn extremism.

These representatives further demonstrated that certain groups of interested parties humiliate communities through “racial remarks” spread through social media. They further urged the President to take measures against people who are trying to accomplish narrow political goals in this moment.

The efficient program launched under the supervision of President Maithripala Sirisena to tackle terrorism was also appreciated by the Muslim delegation.

Western Province Governor Azath Salley, Member of Parliament Faiszer Mustapha, Secretary to the President Udaya. R. Seneviratne, and Acting IGP C.D. Wickramarathne, along with representatives from over 40 Muslim organisations, were among the participants.