All Muslim political parties pledge faith in President Rajapaksa - Azwer

COLOMBO: For the first time in history all political parties representing the Muslim community have accepted the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa pledging their support to carry forward 'Mahinda Chintana' and build a United Sri Lanka. This augurs well for the country.

This was stated by A.H.M. Azwer, former Minister and President's Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs and Media Ombudsman speaking at the Religious Ceremony organised by the Department of Muslim Affairs to mark the 59th Anniversary of Independence held at Maradana Grand Mosque, Colombo.

He also said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Vakarai and Sampur regained by the forces was a rare display of courage and leadership.

It was also being noted that these places were re-gained without any human casualties. It was a remarkable and brilliant Military operation, he contended.

Speaking further Azwer said that the Muslim Leaders of this country played an important and significant role in the struggle for freedom, which helped the nation as a whole to gain Independence from the Colonial Masters.

Dr. T.B. Jayah, who was in the vanguard of the freedom movement, spearheaded by D.S. Senanayake, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and others voiced the sentiments of the entire Muslim Community when he made that historic statement in the State Council when the Dominion Bill was debated.

Speaking on the Bill, presented by Bandaranaike, Dr. Jayah on that occasion displayed a very rare statesmanship and declared in very clear and unambiguous terms, that if the struggle is for freedom, then it becomes the bounden duty of the Muslims - in fact they consider it their religious duty - to support the gaining of Independence without laying down any conditions whatsoever.

This statement by Dr. Jayah made it possible for the Soulbury Commission to recommend granting of Freedom to Ceylon when there were misgivings and fears entertained in some other quarters.