Organized by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, the President of the ACJU, Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, participated as the chief guest in a one-day workshop for mosque trustees in the Colombo-South region

On December 1, 2024, a one-day workshop for trustees of mosques in the Colombo-South region was organized by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, in coordination with the Dehiwala-Kalubowila Mosque Federation and the management of the Dehiwala Muhideen Jummah Mosque. The event was graced by the President of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, as the special guest, who also delivered a keynote address.

The workshop, presided over by the Honorable Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, Honorable M.S.M. Nawas, was held at the Dehiwala Muhideen Jummah Mosque.

During the session, Hon. Director M.S.M. Nawas and Hon. Assistant Director Ash-Sheikh M.S. Ala Ahmed provided insights into the responsibilities and duties of mosque trustees and how mosques function as community hubs. Additionally, discussions were held on the Sri Lanka Wakf Board, the Wakf Tribunal, and Muslim Religious Trusts.

Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, in his keynote address on the theme “The Roles and Responsibilities of Mosque Trustees,” highlighted several key points:

● Respect for All: Emphasizing the importance of respecting everyone.

● Avoiding Harm: Urging trustees to ensure no harm is caused to anyone in any form.

● Fostering Understanding: Encouraging collaboration and mutual understanding among all parties.

● Unified Efforts: Advocating for trustees to work together, akin to interconnected body parts, to support community initiatives.

● Healthy Dialogue: Stressing the importance of fulfilling responsibilities while maintaining productive and healthy discussions with other stakeholders.

● Honoring Elders: Encouraging respect for elders and experienced individuals in decision-making processes.

● Awareness of Laws: Advising trustees to familiarize themselves with mosque regulations and find practical ways to implement them effectively.

More than 150 trustees from 35 mosques in the Colombo-South region participated and benefited from this workshop, marking it as a significant and impactful event.