Ref: ACJU/MED/2021/002
04th of March 2021
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Muslim community unreservedly support the call of the victims of the Christian community and the other citizens of our Motherland to make accountable the masterminds behind the dastardly attacks which took place on the Easter Sunday of 21st of April 2019 on innocent worshippers and others. We share the grief and anguish of our brothers and sisters of all faiths at the pain and suffering caused by these vile attacks.
The Muslims of Sri Lanka who have lived in peace and harmony with our fellow citizens from all faiths were demonized as a consequence of these attacks. Thus, we felt alienated and in that sense we too were victims. Unfortunately the identities and rights of the Muslim community have been challenged unfairly and Muslims too were subjected to reprisal attacks on their residential, commercial and industrial properties causing many losses.
We deeply regret that the real perpetrators have not been discovered and that the search for justice by the innocent victims has proved elusive. We therefore urge right thinking people of all faiths to wholeheartedly support the call of His Eminence Cardinal Malcom Ranjith and the victims.
We recall the words of His Eminence the Archbishop who in his address on the occasion of the re-consecration of the St. Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya on 21st of July 2019 declared that attacks constituted an international conspiracy for which a group of misguided youth have been manipulated.
We wholeheartedly associate ourselves with these sentiments and urge all Sri Lankans to unite in calling for the disclosure of the perpetrators and bring some measure of comfort to the victims by granting them justice and redress.
Ash-Shaikh M.S.M. Thassim
Acting General Secretary – ACJU