Harmony Centre at Borella Juma Mosque
To restore harmony between Muslims and non Muslims
![](https://sailanmuslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/borella-open-mosque.webp)
By Latheef Farook
On Tuesday 4 September 2o23 a “ harmony Centre” was opened at the Borella Juma Masjid premises to educate and enlighten non Muslims of Islam and the Muslim community’s overall contributions to the country for more than eleven centuries.
Unlike European colonial powers such as Portuguese,Dutch and British who entered the island to loots it’s wealth, Muslims visited the country as traders, established close relations with kings who made them settle down here and become part and parcel of the country.In the subsequent centuries Muslims fought shoulder to shoulder with Sinhalese Kings against European colonial powers, brought in foreign exchange, served as medical men and in numerous other position and became integral part of the island.
However since the defeat of LTTE in May 2009 this centuries old friendly ties were disrupted due to racist politics. Islam and Muslims were demonized. Muslims were violently attacked,their businesses, industries and even homes were burnt by organized gangs besides killing innocent Muslims.On top of all Sinhalese minds were poisoned against Muslims to the detriment of the country as a whole.
![](https://latheeffarook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Awthard-Reyal.jpg)
![](https://latheeffarook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hassan-Fareed-Moulavi.jpg)
Thus numerous moves were made to clear the misunderstanding and bring the two communities together in the larger interest of the country . The idea of establishing Harmony Centre was first mooted by Hassan Fareed Moulavi,Presidenyt of Rajagiriya based Nida Foundation.
However they wanted a location of easy access and approached the Borella Juma Mosque. Awthard Reyal , the president of Borella Juma Mosque committee, readily accepted the proposal .Since then the two sides -Nida Foundation and the Borella Mosque committee- started working together the details which finally ended up in the setting up of the“ Harmony Centre” which is a permanent feature at the mosque.
Buddhists,Christians and Hindus together with Muslims attended the opening ceremony during which trained staff explained the purpose of the centre which is opened daily from 9 am 5 pm. Especially trained people were employed full time to explain to visitors besides answering all their questions to clarify their doubts.
In fact first such move to reach out to non Muslims was made by Centre for Islamic Studies,CIS, which has taken the message of Islam and Muslims through Mosques all over the Island.Most non Muslims in the island were not aware about Islam and the contribution of Muslim community to the country as Muslims have failed to use local media,especially, Sinhalese media. So far the community doesn’t even have a one hour TV program .
This contributed a great deal to the misunderstanding of Islam and Muslims especially in the wake of powerful media campaign demonizing Islam and Muslims.Under such circumstance Harmony Centre is the need of the hour and many who attended the inaugural function urged the need to take this message to mosques all over the island to reach out larger section of non Muslims.
Mosque officials explaining Islam and Muslim history to guests
A specially trained member of the staff explaining the purpose of the centre to a section of the invitees attended the inaugural ceremony of Harmony Centre .
source : https://latheeffarook.com
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