GENEVA : “ The biggest challenge for every patriot, today, is making effort in building good relationships among the communities, for the success and prosperity of the country,” Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe – President of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama at the UN –Conference recently.
The Mufthi was addressing on the Importance of honoring humanity, establishing peaceful coexistence and the significance of the Madeena Charter at the HRC/Forum on Minority 16th UN Minority Forum.
His full speech appended for perusal.
“In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent – All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and the [praiseworthy] end is for those who fear Him; and may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad, seal of the Prophets, and upon all the Prophets and Messengers”
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmathullahi Wa Barakathuhu!
May the Peace and Blessings of the Almighty Allah be upon all of you!
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Honorable Secretary General, and distinguished Members of the House for granting me this valuable opportunity to address this prestigious gathering today.
Dignity of Mankind
Let me recite a verse of the Holy Quran which emphasizes on dignity of mankind.
“And We bestowed dignity on the children of ’Ādam and provided them with rides on the land and in the sea, and provided them with a variety of good things and made them much superior to many of those whom We have created.” (Surah 17 Verse 70)
The term “children of Adam” completely excludes all forms of discrimination based on race, colour, or gender etc. Human dignity is the basis for human equality.
The Holy Quran teaches that the only real criterion by which people surpass each other is that of piety– and the performance of righteous deeds that result from it
“O Mankind, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into races and tribes, so that you may identify one another. Surely the noblest of you, in Allah’s sight, is the one who is most pious of you… ” (Surah 49 Verse 13)
The whole human race is but one family. Division into tribes, nations and races is meant to give human beings better knowledge of one another’s unique characteristics, in terms of language, culture, national resources and other peculiar good qualities and through which, benefit from one another.
Coexistence
“Do not revile those whom they invoke other than Allah” (6:108)
The success and the prosperity of mankind depends heavily on the strengthening of good qualities, and the upholding of humanity and brotherhood.
The biggest challenge for every patriot, today, is making effort in building good relationships among the communities, for the success and prosperity of the country. Particularly, every individual should make an effort in strengthening the existing relationships with the people of other communities.
We, the Muslims of Sri Lanka have continuously engaged in sincere efforts to build harmony within all ethnic groups over the past decades.
It is important to promote social unity and peaceful coexistence with other communities, learning and practicing Unity in Diversity and to strengthen ethnic harmony, especially under the contemporary challenges within different faiths.
We recognized the paramount importance of working with the social leaders, government and other faith leaders to regulate the religious space and build moderation, tolerance and coexistence.
With contemporary challenges in the world around us, the need for initiatives which build bridges among communities have increased in the recent times. Accordingly, working hand-in-hand with our dedicated leaders in the country remains a foremost priority.
The success and the prosperity of mankind depends heavily on the strengthening of good qualities, and the upholding of humanity and brotherhood.
Based on the Qur’an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) there are four stages to maintain coexistence within communities.
- Introducing ourselves to one another;
- Building better understanding between each other;
- Creating a state of tolerance between each other;
- Extending support in the state of cooperation in the agreeable subjects.
In order to restore understanding between the communities, the ACJU, the Council of Islamic Religious Scholars of Sri Lanka, pledged to build Harmony centers, libraries in mosques, schools and associations, similar to the practice in Singapore.
It is noteworthy, that the publication of Samaaja Sanwaada, the Social Dialogue Book Series, further created good understanding among communities and the significant educational tour under the theme ‘Let us protect our National Heritage’ strengthened a strong bond within the communities.
Constitution of Madinah
The teachings of Islam were revealed to promote peace, love and coexistence among humanity. The constitution of Madinah that attests to the religion’s essence of tolerance, diversity and coexistence among Nations.
It is significant to note that one of the first Constitutions in the History with regard to Religious Rites was introduced by Our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, in the Holy City of Madinah, known as the Charter of Madinah.
The treaty of Madinah drafted by the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) following his migration is historically considered one of the most important constitutional documents in the world.
The constitution established the principle of respecting ‘diversity’ and renouncing ‘disagreements’ and further-on the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) acknowledged the freedom of faith and inter-religious relationships.
Through respecting and understanding diversity and allowing each other to live and love one another’s culture while maintaining their identity can lead to peaceful coexistence and shall contribute towards the development of our country.
Establishment of Peace, Harmony & Coexistence has to be the main aspiration and effort of all patriots of this country for the aggregated progress of our country.
