Measures envisaged stemming anti Muslim propaganda

It has been resolved to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to go into ways and means to end smearing campaigns unleashed against the Muslims of Sri Lanka.

A delegation of Muslim Members of Parliament led by Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzy met this morning President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Muslim parliamentarians brought to the notice of the Sri Lankan President, the calculated anti Muslim propaganda campaign let loose in the country.

The delegation pointed out of their fervent and earnest desire for a peaceful coexistence with Sinhala and Tamil ethnic groups and their desire to bring about a peaceful and harmonious environment and reconciliation in the country.

They pinpointed of the continued vicious propaganda campaign orchestrated and destructive measures taken against the Muslims places of worship - mosques and also about the Muslim religious leaders – Moulavis and their organization.

The delegations drew the attention of the President of the recent protest staged against in front of one textile sales outlet owned by a Muslim - ‘No Limit.’

Also they brought to the notice of the president of the calculated campaign against Muslims of Sri Lanka with false allegation of associating them with Taliban and Al Qaeda international terrorist groups.

Muslim MPs pointed out of a few news portals and print organizations which were involved in calculated scurrilous campaign against the peace loving Muslims.

They also complaint of an English language Government controlled daily which since of late publishes anti – Mulsim and anti- minority article promoting racism in the country.

President responded by instructing the Secretary to the Ministry of information and Mass Media to take immediate action against those electronic and print medias, which spew venom against the Muslims.

When it was told of the continuous slanderous and damaging campaign unleashed by Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhism’s militant face in Sri Lanka, President informed that the majority of the Buddhists in the country are not behind this organization, but only a small group of Buddhists bent on driving wedge between the Sinhala Buddhists and other ethnic and religious communities in the country.

President told the Muslim MPs delegation that he will arrange a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into the grievances of the Muslims of this country to bring about a permanent solution in the future to problems presently confronted by them.

The delegation of Muslim Members of Parliament consisted of Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzy, Minister Rishad Bathudeen, Minister Rauff Hakeem, Minister A.L.M. Athaula , Deputy Minister Muhammad Hizbullah, Deputy Minister A.R.M. Abdul Cader and the nominated list MP A.H.M. Azwer .

Sri Lankan President was associated with Minister Nimal Sripala De Silva, Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and President’s Chief of Staff Gamini S. Senarat .

- Asian Tribune -