Solutions for problems in Islamic scripture – GL

External Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris said yesterday there were solutions for all the problems facing the contemporary world, and Islamic scriptures were a wealth of knowledge which has singularly contributed practical solutions to all these problems.

Prof. Peiris, who was the guest of honour at the inauguration of the third World Muslim Congress held on Sunday (13) at Ramada Hotel in Colombo, said hadiths in Islam clearly indicated the moral duties of an employer to the employee, and citing a hadith, he said a worker should be paid before the sweat in his skin dries out.

If such wisdom was applied practically there was no need to get involved in litigation like, Labour Tribunal etc., he said.

He also said that as a non Muslim, he was eager to learn the hadith on the responsibilities to the neighbour. Citing examples, he said if one prepared a delicacy and not in a position to share it with the neighbour, then one should make sure that the aroma is not scented by the neighbour. Such hadiths taught people how to live happy averting problems without leaving room for enmity and jealousy.

Chief Guest Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne said that he was pleased to be present at an important gathering after the country had won a 30-year war.

He said that Muslims in Sri Lanka had contributed immensely to the development and they also lived in peace and harmony with Buddhists and Hindus.

The inter conference was organised by the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre-(Maligawatta) under the chairmanship and in association with Motamor Al-Alam-Al Islami (World Muslim Congress) in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The theme of the conference is "Problems faced by the world Muslim community and solution". (IN)