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Book on ‘ Muslims in the dock ‘ authored by Lukman Harees launched in Colombo in the midst of a distinguished gathering

COLOMBO : A book on ‘ Muslims in the dock ‘ authored by Lukman Harees was launched in Colombo on Sunday July 20 at an event presided over by Latheef Farook, Senior Journalist and author.

Hanif Yusoof, Governor, Western Province was the chief guest,while the Special Guests were Dr Saleem Marsoof, Former Justice of Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and
Ghazali Hussain, senior Attorney at law, and Former Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

The book was reviewed by Ameen Izzadeen, International editor, Sunday Times,who analyzed the salient features of the edition.

In his brief speech. Governor Yusoof, describing as a timely and courageous work by Lukman Harees, said this book is more than a personal reflection. It is also, a political act. And – in many ways, a social reckoning for all of us. But, above all, it is also a call to conscience – on how the marginalisation and dehumanisation of one community, is a threat to the safety and liberty of all.
“ Lukman’s work powerfully documents this, where, as Justice Saleem Marsoof puts it, the Muslim identity has been framed as a threat to societal harmony, and used to fuel division for the political and economic gain of a few.”
The author Harees, said the ‘Muslim in the Dock’ reflects a bystander’s perspective on how multi-pronged Islamophobia-related challenges, coupled with a defeatist mentality, are sadly pinning down Post 9/11 Muslims. He appropriately and accurately described Muslims as being “in the dock”, a metaphor for someone finding themselves as a defendant on trial. As he highlights in this important contribution, it has also led to the erasure of rights deemed fundamental to modern liberal democracies. In doing so,’ Muslim in the Dock’ demonstrates that Islamophobia is not simply an issue for Muslims to address but constitutes a serious challenge for all.

Ameen Izzadeen, International Editor of the Sunday Times said in his foreword to the book; ‘The book is an erudite and hard-hitting response to the divisive forces that work against our common humanity, common destiny, and mankind’s unity. At a time when much effort is required to be made to establish equality and fraternity in human society, before another holocaust tarnishes human history, the book is timely and a must-read”.

Lukman is a UK based author and a writer of Sri Lankan heritage. He regularly writes to both local and international journals on Sri Lankan and global politics and human rights. He is a law graduate and obtained his MBA from University of Sri Jayawardenepura. Lukman is currently reading for his doctoral degree on human rights. He was also a Trustee and Director at ACRE (Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality) and as a current director in another UK-based human rights advocacy organisation.
His works include, ‘Mirage of Dignity in the Highways of Human Progress’ (2012)’ an analysis of the yawning gap between the utopian ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ground realities, ‘Clouding the Crescent’ (2015), a cursory look at hate politics in Post- war Sri Lanka, targeting the Muslims and Dying While Muslim’ (2021), the harrowing story of how the racist forced cremation policy adversely impacted the Muslims in Sri Lanka. He also authored ‘In Search of Our Roots’ (2021), aimed at guiding the second-generation British-Sri Lankan Muslims, in their journey to confront the identity crisis in the land of settlement. Besides these books, Lukman also published a wide collection of parables and folklore across different traditions, titled ‘Wisdom at Our Doorstep’ (2019), aimed at children and youth. As a bilingual author and a poet, he also published two poetical expositions – “Thewatha’ and ‘Dhurastha Dhaknaya’, exploring sociological themes and promoting communal amity.

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