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Lankan Muslims in the US voice concern
View(s):The Sri Lankan-American Muslim community in the US staged a rally last week to protest the alleged killings and violence against Muslims back home.
Over 400 Sri Lankan Muslims, mostly from Chicago, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia and Connecticut, turned up for the demonstration which took place across from the United Nations in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York.
The demonstrators included several Pakistanis and African Muslims who expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the Sri Lankans.
The anger was directed mostly at Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), described as ä “marauding extremist nationalist Buddhist organisation whose violence was incompatible with the teachings of the Buddha.”
The Association of Sri Lankan Muslims in North America (TASMINA), which organised the rally, said there is deep concern and angst among Muslims both in Sri Lanka and overseas about the rising communalistic anti-Muslim fervour fuelled by a fraction of this extremist wing.
The Association also sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon which said that ‘the Muslims of Sri Lanka like other communities that live in the country, have co-existed in peace and harmony. Following this premeditated and meticulously executed plan of attack, the Muslims have a widespread fear of persecution and insecurity.
Furthermore, the letter pointed out that ‘in a continuing manifestation of impunity, no legal action has been or is being taken against any of the persons responsible for attacks against Muslims or other minorities. Conversely, hatred is being permitted, often including through the state-controlled media, and other organisations.’
The letter exhorted the Secretary-General “‘to intervene with the Sri Lankan Government to prevent hatred and violence against Muslims and other communities in Sri Lanka, and to initiate an early warning mechanism, followed by an accountability process, to identify perpetrators of violence with a view to justice.’