Mawbima News

By Muhammed Fazl –

Muhammed Fazl

“Do not try to demolish a false set of beliefs except soon after developing a appropriate set of beliefs [in the populace] – Imam Hassan Al-Banna

Rapid to distance from, does the 4 letters ‘ISIS’ really spell danger for the Muslims or for them to be apologists and be all defensive just at the mere mention of it? Although I am yet to understand the now-fashionable practice of Muslims getting answerable to or compromising their faith and religious practices to suit misguided adherents of distinct faiths, instead of contributing towards an unjust society of immorality and lawlessness, I think it is time the followers of Islam stood their ground and for the rest of the globe to begin understanding that which was revealed over 14 centuries ago.

Unlike most philosophies and rituals-only beliefs in present times, Islam getting a full supply of guidance and teaching a comprehensive set of laws, small wonder that it has turn out to be the quickest increasing and the most well-known religion in the world. A single could mythicize the sheer quantity as a outcome of ‘conversion by the sword’, but would it be remotely feasible for a religion of peace to be spread by the sword?

History has taught us that non-Muslims living below Islamic rule have been constantly treated with respect. When Muslims ruled Spain for over 800 years, the non-Muslims living there flourished. When India was below Muslim rule for about a thousand years, had it been ruled by the sword, there wouldn’t be 85% non-Muslim population nowadays either. No Muslim army has ever invaded Indonesia (exactly where it now has the biggest Muslim population in the globe) or the Muslim majority Malaysia. Likewise, no Muslim army was ever sent to the East Coast of Africa either.

In reality, the religion of peace spread significantly faster for the duration of periods of peace than for the duration of times of wars.  An report which appeared in Reader’s Digest Yearbook of 1986 provides the statistics of the boost of the percentage of the significant religions which indicated the Muslim population escalating by 235% although Christianity improved by 47% throughout a ‘no Islamic conquest’ period between 1934 and 1984. Even although Islam continued to spread when Muslims have been not prevailing economically, socially or politically, it is an irrefutable reality that it was the force of truth, purpose and logic that was accountable for the rise as seen nowadays. Even though there is an indication of particular periods where Muslim rulers have been intolerant of other faiths and its adherents, it was indeed due to a deviation from Islamic principles rather than getting in conformity with the edicts of Holy Quran or the traditions of the Prophet of Islam.

Societal Collapse

Ranked 9th amongst the prime ten countries in the globe for the highest cases of rape, ranked 4th highest for circumstances of suicides, ranked as the 4th largest boozing nation in the globe and the intended casino paradise and that which comes along the side business of prostitution, would this be the trend in retailer for the future generation of this country?

Falsely portrayed as secular to the unsuspecting, successive governments have all played the Sinhala Buddhist card all along to stay in energy, often resulting in devastating consequences specifically for the minorities. Getting learned a tiny late to be secure than sorry, current communal/racist attacks seems to have taught minority communities not to be reliant on the Sinhalese dominated security forces for protection. Deep-rooted racist mentalities of the legislators in the parliament appears to be of no consolation either for the minorities, either due to absence of equal opportunities or due to failures on the component of the state to re-distribute wealth equally.

While the Mahanayakes of the 4 Chapters appears to be dozing off in their luxurious enclaves when the country situation is in tatters, the Catholic high priests seems to be excited only with the arrival of the Pope although paying scant regard to the ploy of President Rajapaksa (MR) who shortened the campaign period of the opposition parties and for employing the Pope’s pay a visit to as an excuse. The ‘pedophiles-shielding’ pseudo men of faith they are, they ought to have postponed the go to being aware of quite effectively the harm that could befall the country if MR is permitted yet another term.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) or the Hindu clergy seems to be carrying out no favors to the nation either with their activities restricted to matters concerning only their community and or the Northern Peninsula. The opportunists they are, leadership of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) and the ‘Muslim’ members of parliament representing the Rajapaksa government are performing no much better either and it seems they are interested only in private monetary gains and plump positions, hence playing in to the hands of MR by dividing the Muslim neighborhood and their voter base.

In a nation exactly where its own adherent spend lip service to its teachings or donate only loose alter to their places of worship for its upkeep, I question the wisdom behind governments providing a ‘foremost’ position to Buddhism. Not too long ago Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa claimed to have donated 30 million of public cash for producing cosmetic adjustments to a temple belonging to a politically allied monk. That is well and fine. But as a Muslim, my point of contention right here is, WHY Should Muslims contribute towards extravagant tamashas associated with a different religion? If sustaining areas of worship is the responsibility of the state, I think funds ought to be allocated proportionately taking in to account the population percentage of all communities. Believing tax collected by the state should be spent accordingly, would it also be wise to spend corporate and individual taxes understanding nicely that it would be utilized to fund a lavish life style of a corrupt couple of? In this situation and with prevalent marginalization of minorities, would the lower-end segment of the minority communities get their fair share of state advantages as nicely?

When politicians are getting traded often among political parties for selfish gains and or with minimum educational qualifications or integrity, would it also be sensible for the self-respecting type or the victimized to seek fairness or justice from the current system when one’s rights are infringed upon? Corrupt to the core, public money being swindled, the judiciary made insignificant and lawlessness reigning, does it not arise the require for the nation to adopt an option supply of governance?

Serendipity In Serendib

Stressing after once again my belief that Democracy in Sri Lanka has been a failure, and where popularity reigns more than competence and exactly where might is correct, it has turn out to be imperative for rules to be changed because ‘demography’ also appears to have changed. Getting been inspired by the wonderful thinker Seyyed Qutb who after mentioned “It is impossible for life to not have an effect on faith, or for faith to have a separate existence away from life”, I think all Muslims (Moor, Malays, Bohras, Memons) living in Sri Lanka should come below one particular Imam (Caliph to be precise) towards fulfilling their purpose of creation and for establishing social justice inside the community if not in the nation.

Likewise, I think the Buddhist, Hindu and the Christian communities too must come beneath one particular priest or leader, guiding their faithful and making a sense of unity at least inside their communities. Ought to there be a conflict among communities of diverse faiths, there need to be an atmosphere where respected and discovered leaders of respective communities coming with each other and resolving matters in a peaceful and an amicable manner. It is said that all religions teaches us very good items in life and the reality that there is constantly a resolution for every man-produced complication. So why not appoint 1 respected spiritual/religious leader to represent each religious neighborhood?

Representing the Islamic faith and neighborhood in Sri Lanka, I think Muslims ought to be taught, guided and ruled by (exactly where it is feasible) Islamic teachings and laws. Whilst there is no need to have for no alarm bells to ring in the minds of the non-Muslim population, the Islamic technique should be aggressively pursued as the ideal alternative in producing a society with excellent moral values, truthful organization practices and an impartial justice program among other folks. To set the ball rolling, I sincerely hope the following will get the attention of religious leaders in the Muslim community,

1. Family disputes, marital discord etc. to be taken to a local Muslim Qazi (judge) and for it to be resolved based on the teachings of Islam, either voluntarily or when reported by a 3^rd party.

two. Vigilante squads to be set up to monitor clothing attire and crackdown on indecent and revealing clothes worn in public by Muslims.

3. If Halal certifications cannot be enforced publicly, all meals merchandise manufactures/importers should give assurances to a Muslim Halal regulatory physique (in private at least) of adhering to Halal requirements and give access to confirm the approach when necessary.

four. Irrespective of what college they attend, private or otherwise, Muslim, Buddhist or Christian, making positive that each and every Muslim girl who attains the age of puberty is permitted to put on clothing in conformance to the teachings of Islam.

5. Monetary disputes to be settled first in the presence of a Muslim Qazi, hence safeguarding the respect of all parties concerned. The present Roman Dutch law method usually takes years for any type of justice to be meted out and it will also be a burden if each and every dispute is to be addressed in the present day over-crowded courts of law.

6. Apart from the regular corporate/personal taxes paid to the government, all Zakath money (obligatory annual charity tax of two.five% of all earnings/assets) to be pooled in to 1 fund and distributed to a list of deserving poor recipients. Even though each and every donor can nominate names of recipients, the Zakath Committee need to have the final say in the redistribution of wealth.

7. Law enforcement units or civil defense forces within the community to be created in every single town in partnership with the state law-enforcement authorities. Even though this might minimize the burden on the country’s Police Department, in the event of clashes, the Muslim neighborhood will be in a much better position to keep peace and since they are typically the ‘lamb to the slaughter’.

8. To establish enforcement teams to assure that each youngster receives education up to a secondary level and that no kid from no neighborhood is employed in any sector if they are below the age of 16.

9. Religious education ought to be made compulsory for all Muslim children, be it at a secular college or afterwards in a seminary/mosque/institute.

10. Establish a monitoring committee to avert fanaticism or violent radicalism taking roots in the minds of the Muslim youths.

Even though the list is also long to be written here, it must be pointed out that terrorists and criminals are developed and by no means born. Although it is no secret that particular violent Sinhalese Buddhist movements like the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) have aligned themselves with the regime of President Rajapaksa and is fuelling an inevitable human disaster, as a counter measure, the rise of a violent Islamic movement and in the lines of the ISIS of Babylonia cannot be discounted in the occasion President Rajapaksa is allowed an additional term. On the other hand, the ‘unknown angels’ they are, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena and Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe seems to have impeccable credentials and honesty in their respective political careers and I think minorities, specially the Muslims and Tamils should reject the ‘known devil (MR) for great.

January 08, 2015, just perhaps the day that determines the nation heralding a prosperous and a just society or the day the nation reverts to an anarchist and a lawless 1. Either case, the get in touch with for the establishment of  a borderless Islamic State for the Muslims seems to be louder than ever now, and believing it would be in the best interests of detractors, specially the pseudo ‘Muslim’ politicians to stay out of the way when establishing divine laws of God, the following verse just happened to cross my thoughts,

“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are becoming fought, simply because they were wronged. And certainly, Allah is competent to give them victory” – 22:39 Al-Quran.

*The writer is an independent social/political activist and can be contacted on [email protected] and through FB (Fazl Muhammed Nizar) 

By P.Bertie Ranaweerage –

Bertie Ranaweerage

I was sacked by the UNP government whose Minister of Education was Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, for providing leadership to  the teacher trainees in Teacher Training colleges in the basic strike in 1980. For over three years I had to undergo a plenty of hardships. Some fifty strikers committed suicide . I have by no means voted for the UNP  and never ever will. But I decided to create about Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the UNP, not to attack him but to appreciate him.

All the good men and women of this nation had been browsing for a very good man or a woman as a widespread candidate to send MR and his cabal residence until Maitri’s wonderful renunciation. I also took element in that noble endeavour by quite a few techniques like writing to Colombo Telegraph from time to time. In truth I attempted to promote the former President CBK as she was for national reconciliation via power sharing. I knew quite properly, as several other individuals, that Ranil would not be in a position to defeat Mahinda as the UNP was thoroughly disorganized, demoralized and split. And it looked like at that time that Ranil was not interested in contesting the Presidential Election.

A lot of thought that Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera would contest the Presidential election against Mahinda as he had started a campaign against the executive presidential technique but numerous doubted his capability to defeat Mahinda. Becoming a Buddhist monk he was unlikely to be voted by non Buddhists  as effectively as the Tamils and the Muslims.

In the meantime our present day hero Ranil said that he would go to America to learn the latest trends in politics. President Mahinda sarcastically said that Ranil could  learn politics at Medamulana (President’s property) as an alternative of going to America to find out politics. In truth he had received an invitation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study on how to formulate a constitution sans an executive presidency whilst conducting lectures for students there on Asian regional troubles. He left for America at the starting of April this year and arrived back right after a period of 1 month. Quickly following his arrival in Sri Lanka he announced that he would contest the Presidential Election dampening all the hopes of those who have been campaigning for a common candidate who could win.

Ranil’s announcement was a fatal blow to the campaign of Sobhitha Thera and to all these who have been fighting for democracy, rule of law and good governance . We had been extremely much disappointed since we knew that Mahinda would win again and stay in energy for numerous years as Ranil was not a challenge to him. But a voice in me stated that it could be a ploy of Ranil to strengthen his celebration and rally his members around him .

Now we know that Ranil had not been critical in contesting the election though he publicly mentioned that he would. It proves beyond any doubt how politically matured he is and was. He knew far better than us that he would not be able to defeat Mahinda. In 2010 also he allowed the Basic to contest as his possibilities have been extremely really slim against Mahinda after the war victory. When we appear back we can see that Ranil was capable to strengthen the UNP to a particular extent following he expressed his intention to contest the Presidential election.

Ranil’s announcement was very good news for Mahinda and his cabal but they nevertheless doubted Ranil’s new stand due to two reasons. On 1 hand Venerable Sobhitha Thera was campaigning difficult to discover a typical candidate and on the other hand the UNP was split mostly into two groups, as  Ranil’s group and Sajith’s group. As the UNP was divided it was attainable, they believed, that Ranil would ultimately not contest. Now it is in the public domain that an agent of Mahinda and Company, Tiran Alles and Tissa Attanayake held secret talks behind Ranil’s back to unite Ranil and Sajith. It was not that they wanted to strengthen the UNP but to make certain Ranil’s candidacy against Mahinda at the future Presidential election. When Mr. Ravi Karunanayake MP, revealed that Tissa was holding secret talks with the government Tissa first denied it but later admitted. The conspiracy succeeded as Sajith was convinced that it would pave the way for Sajith to recognize his dream of becoming the leader of the UNP for Ranil would have to stand down and hand over the leadership to the next man in line after losing to Mahinda. Sajith came back to the celebration and accepted the deputy leadership and said he was  even prepared to sacrifice his life for the victory of Ranil at the Presidential election. Tissa Attanayake said he was so satisfied as he was in a position to unite the celebration through his tough work. ( It is the job of the UNP to launch an investigation instantly to find out  whether Tissa Attanayake had been a secret agent of Mahinda cabal during the last handful of years for, on the nomination day Tissa joined Mahinda providing significantly needed oxygen to Mahinda.)

Now let us turn to Ranil. As he was a shrewd individual he did not fall into the trap set by the conspirators. He knew quite well that he was not well-liked adequate among the voters to defeat Mahinda. By getting secret talks with Chandrika either to field her or another as the typical candidate Ranil has outmaneuvered all the plotters of his celebration and  the government. Ultimately he has not only defeated all the conspiracies to oust him from his leadership by some UNP leaders such as Sajith and Tissa Attanayake but also attempts of Mahinda to stay in power for an additional eight years. Some might say that it is as well early to predict the defeat of Mahinda as billions are spent on Mahinda’s campaign and seek blessings of gods not only of Sri Lanka  but also of India. I talked to numerous in different parts in the country over the telephone during the last two weeks. Almost all the educated men and women stated that a adjust was necessary and they would vote for Maithri.

Now millions of individuals are eagerly waiting for the dawn of new era after January 8 next year. In the occasion Ranil decided to challenge Mahinda as his main opponent at the forthcoming election, there is little doubt that the tiny democracy we still have, would be buried by Mahinda throughout his third term. Even although Ranil’s  uncle, JR Jayewardene&#8216s constitution and rule paved the way for the destruction of the country, Ranil did a great service to the country by his sacrifice and determined assistance to Maithri and agreeing to the road map of the Opposition for a far better tomorrow. Therefore I do not hesitate to name Mr. Ranil Wicremesinghe as the Man of the Year. I think tens of thousands of Sri Lankans would  agree with me.