On November 28, 2024, Hon. Professor Hiniduma Sunil Senevi MP, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, and Hon. Ash Shaikh Mohammad Muneer Mulaffar MP, Deputy Minister of National Integration, visited the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) Head Office. A cordial meeting was held with the Executive Committee members of the ACJU.
Representing the ACJU, its President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Presidents, Executive Committee members, and members of the Colombo District Branch participated in the meeting.
Ash-Sheikh M. Arkam Nooramith, General Secretary of the ACJU, provided an overview of the ACJU’s role in fostering harmony among Sri Lankan Muslims and its broader contributions to national welfare. He emphasized the organization’s multi-sectoral efforts and its commitment to coexistence and understanding among communities in Sri Lanka.
President of ACJU, Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, reflected on Sri Lanka’s history of religious harmony among Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Islamic communities. He emphasized that mutual respect, compassion, and unity are the foundations of prosperous nations and urged all citizens to transcend ethnic and religious divisions for national development.
Mufti Rizwe highlighted the ACJU’s apolitical stance since its inception in 1924 and its contributions to Sri Lanka’s educational, economic, social, and cultural development. He reiterated that the Muslim community in Sri Lanka has always prioritized coexistence and adhered strictly to national laws.
He also praised the Government’s implementation of the Waqf Act, the Muslim Succession Act, and the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act as examples of harmony and coexistence. Mufti Rizwe appreciated the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs for its effective coordination of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
He acknowledged Government initiatives like the Al-Alim and Dharmacharya examinations and the integration of Islamic studies into the national curriculum, including the establishment of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Civilization at the University of Peradeniya in 1945.
The ACJU President also expressed gratitude and commended the Hon. Minister’s supportive speech following the 2019 Easter attacks, for emphasizing the truth and acknowledging the Muslim community’s innocence during that challenging time.
He further explained that the ACJU has been diligently working to foster national unity and promote mutual understanding among communities in response to the unfortunate incidents. A comprehensive report detailing the ACJU’s efforts in this regard was presented to the Hon. Minister.
The distinguished guests were presented with publications of ACJU, including the Sinhala Exegesis of the Holy Quran, ‘An Open Perspective on Islamophobia’, a series of booklets on Social Dialogue, and the ‘Manhaj’- An exposition by ACJU on matters relating to Islam and guidance for Sri Lankan Muslims.
In his speech, Hon. Minister Professor Hiniduma Sunil Senevi MP emphasized his familiarity with the teachings of Islam and the cultural and ethical values of Sri Lankan Muslims. He expressed optimism about the current environment, highlighting that all communities in the country can now live in harmony.
He assured that efforts would be made to foster unity and harmony across the nation and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the ACJU on initiatives that promote these values. He reaffirmed that all ethnic groups in the country have the right to preserve their religious and cultural identities, and his ministry is committed to strengthening this right.
Hon. Ash Shaikh Mohammad Muneer Mulaffar MP emphasized the critical role of unity and harmony between communities in advancing national progress. He noted that the project ‘Prosperous Country; Beautiful Life’ would be implemented through his Ministry to support this goal.
Finally, the ACJU extended their best wishes for the success of the noble initiatives undertaken by both ministries. It is noteworthy that the President of ACJU expressed his intention to conduct a workshop on the teachings of Islam in order to create better understanding.
– ACJU Media –
