A special meeting between His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) was held on 10 September 2026 at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting was held with the objective of bringing to the attention of His Excellency the President the key issues and challenges faced by the Muslim community and seeking appropriate solutions to these matters.
During the meeting, the following matters were brought to the attention of His Excellency the President:
1. The challenges and difficulties faced by the Muslim community following the Easter Sunday attacks.
2. The hate speech and targeted rhetoric being propagated against the Muslim community.
3. The release of copies of the Holy Qur’an translations that are currently being detained.
4. The registration of Arabic Colleges and the resumption of the Al-Alim examinations.
5. Appropriate Muslim representation in senior positions within the Government and in independent commissions.
6. The proper and due process of reforming the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.
7. Justice for the Janazahs (deceased bodies) that were subjected to compulsory cremation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the establishment of an appropriate mechanism for accountability in this regard.
8. Eliminating discriminatory practices against Muslim officers serving in the public sector with regard to maintaining their religious and cultural practices.
In addition, a memorandum containing the above matters was formally handed over to His Excellency the President.
During the meeting, His Excellency the President stated that he would give due attention to these matters and assured the delegation that he would take steps to consult the relevant authorities and stakeholders with a view to arriving at favourable solutions at the earliest possible opportunity.
The delegation at the meeting comprised 16 representatives, including Vice President of ACJU, Ash-Shaikh M.J. Abdul Khaliq, who led the delegation, General Secretary Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith, Treasurer Ash-Shaikh M.K. Abdur Rahman, Vice Presidents Ash-Shaikh H. Omardeen and Ash-Shaikh M.H.M. Burhan, Asst. General Secretary Ash-Shaikh M.S.M. Thassim, Asst. Treasurer Ash-Shaikh Dr. A.A. Ahmad Aswar, members of the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of the ACJU.
– ACJU Media –
