Muslims call prayer meeting on Dambulla

BBC: Muslims in Sri Lanka have said that the storming of the Jumma Mosque of Dambulla by a gang may negatively impact the reconciliation process among communities.

Army patrolling Ampara yesterday after Muslims protested and staged a hartal against the removal of mosque in Dambulla

The All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU) an umbrella organisation of Muslims in Sri Lanka said on Wednesday that while justice should be sought by legal means, Muslims should refrain from disrupting law and order by holding improper demonstrations causing inconvenience to the public and damaging public property.

The Jamiyathul Ulama has called upon Muslims to collectively hold a fast on Thursday and on Friday against the incident.

It has appealed to males to gather outside the mosques in their respective areas following Friday prayers and continue with prayers requesting, “Allah to show the straight path to those responsible for the wrongdoings and also protect those who are in just and upright.”

ACJU has said that it does not organise public protests or Harthals as a principle.

The Government Department of Information in a press communiqué said that the President, Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers are concerned of the sensitivities of all communities and it has been decided to complete the Dambulla sacred city development plan without further delay.

The communiqué further mentioned that a wide section of religious leaders, political leaders and security personal have been consulted on the matter and action will be taken without discrimination towards any of the parties involved. Meanwhile a number of civil society activists and intellectuals have condemned the, “violent attack on the mosque in Dambulla.”

The signatories maintain that the mosque has been in existence for over 60 years and appeals to the President, state institutions and officials, and those in the executive to take appropriate action on the incident in Dambulla.