‘Anti-govt elements disrupt meeting’

Attempts were made by certain anti-government and anti-social elements to gain political advantage over the Dambulla mosque issue. It was evident when the highest theological body, the All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulema convened a conference to represent matters to the government on April 21 at their headquarters at Orabi Pasha Mawatha, Maradana, A H M Azwer MP said in a press release.

“Certain hooligans forced their way into the building and started hurling insults on all Muslim ministers and MPs, shouting anti-government slogans and blaming the Jammiyathul Ulema Leader, Moulavi Rizvi Mufthi for proceeding to Geneva to help the Sri Lankan cause – which he successfully did for the good of the motherland”, Azwer said.

He further said, “it was evident a UNP member of the Western Provincial Council orchestrated the anti-government drama. No appeals made by the learned Ulemas prevented the unruly elements from abusing even former Minister A R Munsoor and Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen and all government members. Is this the way the bankrupt UNP tries to woo Muslim support, which has been totally eroded countrywide? When we descended the stairs, the disruptors almost manhandled us.

“Amidst all this rumpus M Faisz Mustapha PC, was able to help the Ulemas and Muslim politicians to draft a memorandum to be presented to the government”.

Ministers A H M Fowzie, Rauff Hakeem, Rishath Bathiutheen, Deputy Minister Basheer Dawood, Parliamentarians Unais Farook, M S M Thowfeek, Faizer Cassim, A H M Azwer, ex-MP Najeeb Majeed, N M Ameen, President of the Muslim Media Forum and a large number of learned Ulemas attended the meeting to seek a solution to the problem.