Muslim civil society organizations urge release of Islamic scholar

Seven premier Muslim civil and religious organizations have jointly petitioned the President and Prime Minister urging the release of 60-year-old Usthaz Rasheed Hajjul, a highly respected civil society leader of the Muslim community and Islamic scholar.

Expressing deep shock and concern, the organizations urged for the release of Mr Akbar without prejudice to the investigations if any, a collective statement said.

Mr Akbar who was arrested on August 25, 2019, by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) has remained under continued detention, the statement said.

The petition, signed by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MUSL), the National Shoora Council (NSC), the All Ceylon YMMA Conference (ACYMMAC), the All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts (ACUMLYF), Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and the Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) said it is not known as to why he was allegedly taken for questioning and why he has not been released so far.

“Usthaz Hajjul Akbar had served for 24 years from 1994 to 2018 as the President of the Sri Lanka Jama’athe Islami established in 1954, presently having 85 branches in the country. Usthaz Hajjul Akbar’s arrest has deeply disturbed the Muslim community as he is a dedicated community leader with an impeccable record of service to the community and the country,” the statement said while noting that they were aware that his brother was arrested following the incidents of some miscreants damaging Buddha statues in Kadugannawa in December 2018.

Long prior to that incident, Usthaz Hajjul Akbar as President of Sri Lanka Jama’athe Islami (SLJI) had expelled his own brother for expressing extremist views. 

“We suspect that he is being questioned based on some false allegations following his brother’s arrest. We find it impossible to believe the allegations if any against a community leader of the integrity of Usthaz Hajjul Akbar and urge that he be released without prejudice to the investigations.We wish to assure his presence to assist the investigators on any date and place as may be required,” the statement said.