The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) in Sri Lanka is the apex body of Islamic theologians that provides religious and community leadership to the country’s Muslim community. Its activities included issuing Halal certificates for consumer goods marketed locally and for exports to Muslim countries. The Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS), which means ‘Buddhist Power Force,’ has been recently in news conducting a widespread anti-Muslim campaign based on this Halal issue.
Sri Lankan expatriates in the Gulf have been passing through anxious moments until the recent announcement by the ACJU in which it said that it would not issue any more Halal certificates to any producer. The BBS could be easily compared with the Indian extremist organization, RSS. However, we are not only grateful for ACJU for its compromise but for the patience showed by the Muslim minority community in the island nation by not being provoked. Hats off to the friendly Sinhala majority community and those respected prelates, who are blessed with high leadership quality. I would like to quote here the views expressed by a priest, Anunayake Bellanwila Wimalaratna Thero, who said: “The sentiments expressed by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) monks do not represent the views of entire Sangha community. In any community there are those who hold extremist views. But a majority of Sinhala Buddhists looks at this issue in a far more balanced way. One of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism was religious tolerance. We don’t use our fists to solve problems, we use our brains.” Similar views have been expressed by even by the high priest of Malwatta, from the hill capital, Kandy.
Let us recall few of late Martin Luther King’s golden quotes here: “I have decided to stick to love….. Hate is too great a burden,” and “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” These quotes are repeatedly used by reputed international speakers in their speeches everywhere. Then why don’t we practice what is being preached? May peace and harmony prevail everywhere! — S.H. Moulana, Riyadh
‘We use brain, not fist’
