President’s condolence message:

Niyaz Moulavi worked to build a better nation - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a condolence message said that he was deeply grieved by the sudden demise of Presidential Advisor on Muslim Affairs, Cleric Mohamed Niyaz Moulavi.

The President said that his heartfelt gratitude goes to Niyaz Moulavi not only because he was a Presidential Advisor but because he was a close friend as well.

The full text of the President’s condolence message is as follows:

“I was deeply grieved by the sudden death of Cleric Niyaz Moulavi. My heartfelt gratitude goes to him for services rendered not only as a Presidential Advisor but as he was a very close friend as well. I remember with gratitude the services he rendered to the Islamic Children of this country during his long tenure as the Principal of the Irsania Arabic School.

He always directed his wide knowledge on his own religion, other parallel religions and his abilities in aesthetic studies to build a better nation. His efforts to create harmony among different communities and religions by spreading the concepts in ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ among them would be eternally remembered.”

Cleric Niyaz Moulavi not only had extensive knowledge on the Holy Prophet’s teachings in the holy Quran but he also possessed a very good knowledge about other religions as well. As a result he was a religious dignitary who had a character possessed with humanity sans borders such as ethnic, caste or religions. Because of this trait he was revered by all religions alike.

His proud message was that this country was one nation in which all should live together without differences.

”Thus I consider the demise of Cleric Niyas Moulavi as the farewell of a virtuous and a dear friend whom I valued very much. Also it is the farewell of a religious leader who always acted with great commitment to build mutual understanding among communities, religions etc. and one who always strive to relay that all should live in one Sri Lanka sans differences. Thus here with I convey my deepest condolences.”