| A Ministry of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs request for letters from the Divisional Secretary of the area, in addition to the recommendation given by the Department of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs (MRCA), to extend/obtain residential visas for Muslim religious dignitaries, has raised concerns among the Muslim community.
On February 14, a request was made to the Director- MRCA to recommend extension of residential visa to Moulana Moulavi Seyyed Mohammed Salihu Babul Huda, an Indian passport holder and the principal and prayer leader of Minhajiyya Arabic College Batupitiya, Hendessa.
The Ministry has requested a letter from the Divisional Secretary, though the Department of Muslim Religious Cultural Affairs has been monitoring and supervising the Islamic organisations, mosques, thakkiyas and Arabic colleges since its inception in 1980. As these mosques and institutions are under the supervision of the MRCA, all government departments have acted on its recommendations.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana had stated that it had been the responsibility of the Director - Department of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs to monitor Islamic institutions and assist them in their dealings with governmental departments and ministries.
“Now I find that ministry officials want endorsements from Gramasevakes and DSs’ recommendation to obtain visa extensions. Most of these offices do not have any information about the mosques and institutions,” he said. |
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