Islam guides humanity on right path
Islam seeks to guide humanity on the right path of brotherhood,
mutual understanding, cooperation and tolerance, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said in a message to mark Milad-Un-Nabi, the birthday of
Prophet Mohammed.
The President’s message: “I am pleased to send this message of
greetings to the followers of Islam in Sri Lanka, as they join their
brethren in faith the world over, to celebrate Milad-un Nabi, the birth
of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
This day of significance for the followers of Islam draws attention
to the teachings of the Holy Prophet that lays emphasis on peace and
harmony, which led to the building of important religious and cultural
traditions, and also fostered the study and development of science and
research.
Guided by the teachings of the Holy Prophet, Islam seeks to guide
humanity on the right path of brotherhood, mutual understanding,
cooperation and tolerance. Highlighting non-violence as the better path
to peace, Islam rejects violence and terrorism, which has great
significance in today’s world, where terrorism is a threat to many
societies.
Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated as a national festival in Sri Lanka, and
my Government has made arrangements for this year’s celebrations to be
held in the Matara District, giving due emphasis to the religious and
cultural activities of the Muslims there.
The Muslims of Sri Lanka will have greater joy in these celebrations
this year as they come after the establishment of democracy in the
Eastern Province, and the fast approaching liberation of the North too,
from the clutches of terrorism; which targeted the Muslims in these
provinces in its policy of ethnic cleansing to set up a separate
mono-ethnic state.
It will not be long before the Muslims who were driven away from
Jaffna two decades ago, will be able to return to homes, to resume life
in the peace and harmony that prevailed earlier.
I send my warm greetings to the followers of Islam in Sri Lanka on
this important day; I share in their prayers for the restoration of
peace throughout the island, and the spread and tolerance and
understanding among all our people.” |