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Muslims want an independent delegation
A large number of Muslims voted for Rajapaksa and support his peace efforts
By A.H.G. Ameen
There is consensus, after a long protracted discussions among those who are interested in continuing with the peace process that an independent Muslim delegation should be allowed to take part at the upcoming Geneva talks. Not only President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other political parties but also foreign peace envoys and UN representatives have spoken on the need for a separate Muslim delegation.

It is reported that eminent lawyer and diplomat Faisz Musthapha will be included in the government delegation for the Geneva talks on Feb. 22 and 23. We admit that Mr. Musthapha is a good choice, whether he accepts the invitation to join the delegation or not. But he will be only a representative and the move is not a good gesture. It falls short of the Muslims' demand that they should constitute an independent delegation - not as a representative in the government delegation. There should be a three-member independent Muslim delegation and certainly Mr. Musthapha can be one.

It is on record that a large number of Muslims of all shades voted for Mr. Rajapaksa at the last presidential election instead of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who flirted with the LTTE at the cost of Muslims and learnt a bitter lesson when the Tigers denied him the victory by calling on the Tamils to boycott the elections.

Some Muslims believe that it was Allah's decree that Mr. Rajapaksa should win. "Man proposes, God disposes". It may be recalled that before the election several horoscope readers and soothsayers predicted the defeat of Mr. Rajapaksa. Muslims do not believe in horoscopes or auspicious times. Anything may be started at any time with prayers. We are delighted to note that Islam has influenced the President. In his maiden address he mentioned that he was only a trustee. This is an Islamic concept of ownership and rulership. In his Independence Day address, he referred to 'brotherhood' in calling upon all sections of the society to rally round him to achieve peace in the country.

Muslims will extend their support to him and have confidence in him that he will do justice. His approach for a violence-free, corrupt-free and fear-free society and justice at any cost is warmly welcomed by the Muslims of this country. We have confidence in him that he will not make Muslims of this country to take up arms to defend themselves from the atrocities of the LTTE.
They want to live in peace with the Sinhalese and the Tamils. History records the "Sinhala Yonaka Ekamut-hukama", the slogan of Sir Razik Fareed, the respected leader of the community. History also records the cordiality and understanding with which the Muslims have lived with the Tamils in North-East. The Tamil-Muslim unity was referred to as "Pittu and Coconut", though in the recent past Muslims of Jaffna were driven away forcibly. The LTTE has since recognized this injustice and tendered an apology.

Let us not forget the innocent Muslims killed even at prayers inside mosques by the LTTE. So all that Muslims ask is a just solution to their problems and these solutions cannot be found without their participation. It cannot be done by biased or partial participation of Muslim representatives in the government, opposition or other groups. It has to be an independent group.

We have wrote to the President on January 12, 2006, extending our support and expressing our desire to take part in the All-Party-Conference. We mentioned in our letter that the only independent Muslim delegation that took part in the All-Party-Conference of President J.R. Jayewardene was our organisation, the Council of Muslims of Sri Lanka which is founded by Sir Razik Fareed, Dr. Badiudin Mahmud, A. Aziz, Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel, Sir A.W.M.Ameer and several other distinguished leaders of the community.

We respectfully call upon the President to allow an independent delegation of Muslims under our organisation to take part in the All-Party-Conference.
We prayerfully wish all success in the efforts to find a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict and call upon each and every citizen of this country to support the cause.

(A statement from the Council of Muslims of Sri Lanka)

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