COLOMBO, 8 July 2006 — Islam has taught peace, justice and peaceful coexistence with members of the other faiths, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse told local and foreign delegates while inaugurating the international symposium on “Justice, World Peace and Peaceful Coexistence in a Pluralistic Society “ yesterday at the Colombo Hilton Hotel here.
Due to security concerns, the president was addressing a fully packed audience of local and international delegates through a satellite screen.
The three-day meeting is sponsored by Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) in cooperation with the Islamic Center here. The Leader of the House and Minister of Health Care, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development Nimal Siripala De Silva, was the chief guest, while several present and former ministers and religious dignitaries were present at the inauguration. Clergymen from Buddhist, Hindu and Christian communities were also present at the meeting.
“Islam is a religion that taught human values to the people,” President Rajapakse said, adding that Muslims had come to Sri Lanka as traders and not invaders during the early centuries.
“Muslims in the island form a compromising community which likes a peaceful lifestyle respecting their religion as well as the others. History had shown that Muslim leaders have contributed a great deal to the nation’s development in several important areas such as the island’s economy, education, development of infrastructure and trade.”
“Saudi Arabia is concerned about the unity of the world Muslim community and its peaceful coexistence with other world communities,” MWL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki said.
“This symposium will also highlight the problems of Muslims in non-Muslim countries and it will discuss peaceful solutions,” he added. Turki said Islam is a beautiful religion and a panacea for all human ills.
He pointed out that the Kingdom, under the able leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will endeavor to help world Muslim community when its services are needed.
Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed, president of the Islamic Center and former speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament who was chairing the inaugural session, said: “The seminar is being held at a time when everything Islamic is viewed with suspicion. It is important to remind the world of the true nature of Islam which is meant for peace, justice and peaceful coexistence.”
He stressed that there is a strong need for these universal values to be highlighted in the current context. “In Sri Lanka, we have lost the character of coexistence. This has resulted in mistrust and misunderstanding which have led to a breakdown of justice and peace. Even the peace process has come to a standstill due to this lapse,” he added.
In his speech, Siripala De Silva described Muslims as members of a tolerant society. Speaking about peace in Sri Lanka, he said it is an expensive commodity which cannot be achieved easily in the island.
He commended the MWL for the initiative which propagates peace not only in Sri Lanka but in all the countries that are represented at the conference.
De Silva, who leads the peace talks with the Tamil rebels, pointed out that the Sri Lankan Muslim community should be an integral part of the peace talks.
“Muslim have always got their rightful place because they are a peace-loving community in the island,” he said.
While congratulating Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to promote peace throughout the world, the minister pledged his government’s support in its efforts.
