ACJU/NGS/2022/141
28.05.2022
Sri Lankan Muslims historically have always shaped their lives based on the guidance extended to them by Religious Scholars and professionals or experts in a given field. Although Religious Scholars in the past got together and guided the Sri Lankan Muslim community as a collective, they established the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama in 1924, in order to extend the same services for the community in an organized manner.
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama operates as a collective of religious scholars, in order to serve the community and the country overall. It is an organization incorporated through an act of Parliament, and consists of 164 branches spread throughout the 25 administrative districts in the country, and has a membership of 8125 Ulamas. Apart from its foremost focus on working towards the betterment and welfare of Islam and Muslims, ACJU is also keen on the current affairs of the country, its people and the world. Therefore, the importance of the ACJU is felt all over the country and also in the international arena.
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama bases its activities on the guiding provisions in its constitution, and has an office space in order to carry out its affairs. Furthermore, ACJU has incorporated necessary amendments to its constitution time to time, in order to reflect the changes over time and keep itself updated. This process of incorporating amendments to the Constitution of the ACJU usually takes place in the Annual General Meetings with the participation of the district representatives of the ACJU, where the necessary amendments are tabled, discussed and passed by those who are present in such meetings.
The ACJU is committed to provide spiritual guidance for the overall Muslim community based on Islamic fundamentals, to develop the knowledge of religious scholars and Islamic education, to assist educational, social, economic and cultural growth of the citizenry, and to enhance and encourage racial harmony, and has initiated many projects and programs to achieve the same, with the support and advice of the experts in relevant fields.
The ACJU always welcomes constructive criticism, that is brought to their notice through the right channels. However, the ACJU will never give due recognition to or take any notice of misleading or false claims or criticism that are made in order to fulfill evil and ill-willed propaganda.
Differences of opinions have existed throughout the history of mankind. As such, when Imams, religious scholars, experts etc. involve themselves in matters relating to Deen and social affairs, it is common that differences and conflicts of opinions are emerged and discussed. However, our forefathers chose to abide by the Quranic verses mentioned below and sought clarifications from the people who are knowledgeable in their relevant fields.
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ(16:43)
“…So, ask the people of the message if you do not know.” (16:43)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ ۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوْۤا اَنْ تُصِيْبُوْا قَوْمًا ۢ بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوْا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نٰدِمِيْنَ) 49:06(
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. (49:06)
It has come to our attention that certain groups and individuals have been publishing various claims and criticisms on social media about the conduct and activities of the ACJU. It is the responsibility of each and every such individual and group that they get in touch with the ACJU and get due clarifications for their queries.
As such, we kindly inform that those who accuse the ACJU and who are willing to discuss directly with the ACJU and be clarified further on their queries/accusations/claims, may contact us via the hotline or the email mentioned below and reserve an appointment for a meeting, and meet us at the ACJU Headquarters on the date and time allocated for you. We also request you to be present for such meeting with sufficient evidence to support your claims or accusations against the ACJU.
Hotline: 0117-490490 (On weekdays from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm)
E-mail: info@acju.lk
Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith
General Secretary
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
