Muslim world pleased over President’s affinity towards Arab, Muslim cause -WPC Governor

COLOMBO: The entire Muslim world is gratified to note the manner in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa as shown his affinity and fraternity towards the Arab and Muslim cause.

He has championed the cause of Palestinians for the last 30 years and demonstrated his willingness openly in support of their just struggle, said Western Province Governor S. Alavi Mowlana.

Speaking at the Islamic Conference at the BMICH last Sunday on ‘The concept of Islam in the Past and Present Eras’, the Governor made a strong plea to all Muslim countries to defend Masjid Aqsa, the third holy place for the Muslim Ummah against the Israeli attempt to desecrate the holy place under the pretext of carrying an excavation work.

Former Minister and Advisor to the President and Media Ombudsman A. H. M. Azwer said President Rajapaksa even punished his own Cabinet Minister for acting against the ideals the President stood for on International Affairs.

This particular Minister was removed from the Cabinet for acting against the President’s wishes as well as that of the SLFP in requesting the Sri Lankan delegate to walk out of the Chamber when 156 members voted for a UN resolution condemning the atrocities committed by Israel against Palestine,” he said.

“No amount of excuses by this sacked Minister would appease the Muslim Community whose wrath he has earned for a crime committed by him against the suppressed people of Palestine,” Azwer said.

The Zionist conspiracy to cause damage to the Third Holiest Mosque Masjid-Al-Aqsa in the Islamic World should be thwarted with all the strength at the command of the Muslim World.

He also noted that when Al-Aqsa Mosque was burnt in 1966, the entire Muslim community of Sri Lanka protested by holding the biggest rally ever gathered at the Maradana Mosque ground, Colombo.

Abubakar Al Mashoor, President (Leader) of Islamic Studies Eden, Yemen. Omar Hafiz, President (leader) of Dar Al Mustafa HadharaMowth, Mohamed Jamal A-Lail - Leader of Muslim Human Rights Movement, Sana, Yeman, Sheik Abdullah Al Fadaak - Leader of Islamic History Foundation Makkah Al Mukarramah, K. S. A. Sheikh Easa Al Maana Ex-Minister of Muslim Affairs, Dubai - Current President of Imam Malik University Dubai and Al-Haj Omarja, Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia also spoke.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Al Haj M. H. Mohamad also attended the Conference.