MUSLIM ATTITUDES
UNDERMINING RELIGIOUS PLURALISM AND
NATIONAL UNITY IN
SRI LANKA
Dr. Daya
Hewapathirane
All ethnic and cultural groups within society are not
equal and therefore need not be treated in the same way. All people do not hold
the same values. The foundation of our nation, its societal norms and values
originates from the Sinhala Buddhist heritage. Whether we choose to live as
Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay or Burger, or as Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims,
Christians or atheists, our right to do so is derived from this heritage and
associated way of life where religious pluralism has been an essential element.
In spite of attempts by European colonial powers for over four hundred years,
to undermine the nation’s indigenous culture, and other challenges faced during
the decades of Tamil terrorism in the country, the fundamental elements of our
national culture prevailed. That gave our nation its distinct identity and
character. In recent years, it is clearly noticeable from their attitude and
actions, that the Muslim community in our country has posed a threat to our
national culture and way of life.
Fundamentals of Islam
There is clear evidence of disregard and disrespect on
the part of most Muslims, for the Buddhist cultural heritage of our country.
There is evidence of destruction of archeological and historic cultural monuments
and remains, especially in areas inhabited by Muslims. The fundamentals of ‘Islam’
that are being widely propagated by the Muslims have serious negative
implications as far as the national culture is concerned. The younger
generation of Muslims are being brainwashed with these Islamic fundaments in
the so called ‘Madrasas or exclusively Muslim schools that have sprung up in the
country. Their attire has changed and reflects their inclination to be
exclusive and separate from the nation’s mainstream. This separation of the
Islamic community is self-imposed and is not because they feel marginalized but
because Islam’s teachings say that non-Muslims are inferior to Muslims. To
closely associate non-Muslims is forbidden or ‘haram’ according to the Koran.
Islam has dualistic ethics with one rule for Muslims and one rule for
non-believers who form the majority of Sri Lankans. There is no exception to
this rule. It is ironical that although Muslims do not donate blood as,
according to them, it is forbidden in Islam, they freely use the blood of
non-Muslims when in need for medical purposes. The rules of Islam govern
politics, marriage and the day-to-day lives of its followers.
In fact, Islam is a political ideology where the
church and state are not separate. Under the circumstances, one cannot expect
Muslims to develop a sense of patriotism and national pride in a predominantly
non-Muslim country such as ours. This may be cited as an explanation for
Muslims of Sri Lanka cheering Pakistani at the cricket match held some time ago
between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Islamic community in Sri Lanka is a small non-indigenous
minority amounting to about 8% of the total population. Despite their small
numbers they enjoy many special privileges. They are represented as a part of
the nation by means of the green stripe in
the National Flag of the country. All important Muslim religious days have been
declared as National holidays. There are National Schools assigned to Muslims.
Muslims are permitted to have schools exclusively for Muslim children in
several towns across the country. In recent years, Muslims have established
exclusive schools popularly known as Madrasas where the teaching of the Koran
and related subjects such as Muslim Shariah law are the focuses. They have also
established International Schools in several towns, where the student
population is almost exclusively Muslim.
Most Muslims do not appear to be interested in
integrating with other communities, perhaps because assimilation is not
permitted under Islamic Shariah law. They rarely if at all participate in
national events. They do not participate in the singing of the National Anthem
in public events. They do not observe the traditional national way of greeting
by placing both hands together in the form of worship. Muslim children are
taught not to worship their teachers in schools like other non Muslim children
who form the majority. In recent years Muslims have imported the black outfit
for Muslim women and the white cloak-like outfit for men. This makes them look
totally different to others in the country. Why they want to look different is
a big question, but this type of actions has a divisive effect on society and undermines
national unity, harmony and assimilation.
It is a well evident fact that Muslim leaders and most
Muslim professionals are focused on furthering the interests of their Muslim
community rather than society as a whole. It is time that Muslims invested more
on hospitals, schools and other national social welfare activities and
contributed tangibly for infrastructure development activities that benefit
everyone and not necessarily the Muslim community.
It is time that Muslim establishments refrain from
exclusively hiring Muslims, especially for responsible positions in their establishments.
There have been many instances of Muslim
encroachment of places that are of Buddhist historic value, and the destruction
of Buddhist monuments and items of archeological value in the Eastern Province
in particular. This definitely has to stop.
If Muslims are involved in the illicit drug trade as often reported in the
media, this is national crime and has to stop.
Being an Active Part of the Nation
Muslims should consider it their duty to participate
more actively in national events such as the National day festivities and other
important national events and international events as Sri Lankans and cheer Sri
Lanka and rejoice in their international attainments in all fields including
cricket and sports in general. The indigenous cultural norms and values upon
which this nation is founded should be well understood and respected by all
citizens of this country, irrespective of their religious or other
affiliations.
Although forming a mere 8% of the total population of
the country, Muslims are accorded religious holidays as public holidays in our
country. They are represented in the
national flag of Sri Lanka with a green belt. Most importantly, there are no
restrictions in Sri Lanka for the construction of mosques in predominantly Sinhala
areas. It is a well known fact that Muslim
countries do not permit even the display of a Buddha image, let along building
Vihares. In activities connected with
Muslim mosques, especially in early morning prayers using load speakers, the
Muslims should pay more attention to the comforts and conveniences of the
non-Muslim neighbors.
Gratitude for the Opportunities Afforded
A good part of buildings and land in most urban areas
in the country, especially in predominantly Sinhala areas are owned today by
Muslims. No comparable minority in any
major country in the world have been given such preposterous benefits, which
are not rights but ridiculously high privileges enjoyed by the Muslims and
Tamil settler minorities in our motherland. Since the privileges of one person
can only be had at the expense of the rights of another, this shows that, in
fact, it is the indigenous Sinhalas, who
account for more than 70% of the population, who are discriminated against in
Sri Lanka.
After securing
so much from the country, and from the majority Sinhala community who had all
along provided them with hospitality and generosity, it is disappointing to see
many Muslim leaders and Muslim people of today, especially those living in the
Eastern province having the audacity and ingratitude to claim autonomy for the
lands that they are occupying in predominantly Muslim areas. Do they realize
that some of these lands were given to them by Sinhala kings and governments
led by Sinhala leaders.
Inciting Violence
Against Buddhists
It was not long ago
that Islamic fundamentalists and armed Muslim extremists were inciting violence
against legitimate Buddhist activities in the East - Pottuvil region. Muslims were forcibly encroaching upon land
that rightfully belongs to Buddhist temples on the southeast coast. They were
demolishing some archeological sites of Buddhist significance in the East. Also, the Sri Lanka Muslims Congress and several
Islamic groups of our country had the audacity to oppose the construction of
Buddha’s statues on the island’s southeast coast.
In recent years
there have been many incidents that involved disagreements between the Muslim
community members and the Sinhala people. There had been protests by Sinhala
Buddhist nationalists urging the Government to crack down on Islamic groups
that are opposing the construction of Buddha’s statues in some towns and
villages on the island’s southeast coast. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and their
lay supporters demonstrated against “anti Buddhist activities of Muslim
extremists”.
The Sri Lanka Muslim
Congress and several civil society groups have opposed the construction of
Buddha’s statues on the southeast coastal areas which were predominantly
Buddhist areas in the recent past and which have Buddhist historic monuments
and important archeological remains which are part of the cultural wealth of
the nation. The protestors claimed in a memorandum submitted to the Buddha Sasana
Ministry that Islamic fundamentalists and armed Muslim extremists were inciting
violence against legitimate Buddhist activities in the Pottuvil region. According to the Memorandum, the Muslims are forcibly taking land that rightfully belongs to Buddhist
temples on the southeast coast.
Need to Protect Cultural Traditions of the Nation
As a nation with a historic cultural tradition that
extends to over 2200 years, where freedom, compassion, tolerance and
accommodation of people of all faiths and ethnicities have been the founding
principles, it is necessary that we as a nation take necessary steps to protect
and preserve these noble and wholesome cultural traditions. We cannot allow
them to be undermined under any circumstances.
There has to be an
open dialogue with leaders of the Muslim community on the need for all
communities to develop respect towards the social values and norms of other
communities inhabiting this land and to join the mainstream of the nation and
not pursue policies and activities that would jeopardize the quality of life
and stability of our nation.
Today there is increased interest in general,
in the country, for the consolidation of national unity. Under the
circumstances, divisive tendencies of any nature should not be encouraged or
tolerated for that matter. With our massive success in containing Tamil
terrorism and our determined efforts to bring the various communities together
as One Nation, it is important that divisive tendencies in our society be
eliminated. This is especially necessary in the light of a national resurgence
that is clearly noticeable in the country at the present time and increased
interest in fully restoring democratic principles of social organization. It is
important that we try to prevent polarization tendencies in communities living
in Sri Lanka. This has to be done by all means available and all communities
are duty bound to see that this happens for the benefit of everyone that calls Sri
Lanka their motherland.
ඉස්ලාමයට ඔබේ විරෝධය පල කරන්න
අපිට හලාල් මැලිබන් එපා!
හම්බයෝ,
ද්රෝහියො පන්නන පෙත්සම
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