Muslim Issues

Having acknowledged that ongoing religious tensions could destabilise the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday announced the setting up of a special law enforcement unit to tackle the situation.   The president was responding to a query at a meeting with editors of national newspapers and representatives of the print and electronic media at Temple Trees yesterday. Turning towards IGP N.K. …

The Arab League on Thursday warned of serious consequences of a controversial Israeli plan, dubbed the Prawer plan, to destroy dozens of unrecognized Bedouin villages in Negev and evacuate tens of thousands of locals. "This plan contradicts substantially with efforts to provide an atmosphere conducive to the success of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks," the pan-Arab body's chief Nabil al-Arabi said in …

Several Muslim Parliamentarians are considering boycotting Parliament sessions if action is not taken to control the “terror” activities of the Bodu Bala Sena. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said that the proposal to boycott Parliament is still being discussed and a final decision has not been reached. The police have already summoned Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary, the Venerable …

Twelve Muslim organizations have jointly appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to reign in the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which was once again trying to revive communal disturbances by making false allegations with regard to the resettlement of Muslims who were driven out of the North by the LTTE in 1990.   The petition signed by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, …

Contrary to certain media reports that the recent meeting prominent Muslim personalities had with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse was a sellout of the community, the truth is otherwise. As a participant I feel I am competent enough to comment on what really took place at the meeting rather than relying on hearsay as some of our media people have done. …

During an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council Saturday both the Russian and U.S. ambassadors to the international organization delivered statements on Russia's decision to send troops into the Crimea region of Ukraine. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin went first, delivering an extended statement defending Russia's actions despite warnings from President Barack Obama to respect Ukraine's …