LONDON : Lukman Harees’ latest book on ‘ Muslim in the Dock’ was launched on 29th June 2025 at a well-attended event held at Sri Lanka Muslim Cultural Centre (SLMCC) based in Harrow.
The event was organised by COSMOS- umbrella organisation for Sri Lankan Muslim organisations in the UK. Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britian, the premier Muslim umbrella body of the Muslims in the UK, was the Chief Guest. Dr Anas Takriti, the Founder of the Muslim Think Tank, Cordoba Foundation, and Dr Rayes Mustapha, Chair of the Leicester based Markfield Islamic Institute were the Guests of Honour.
The book was reviewed by six eminent intellectuals and leading journalists in the UK and Sri Lanka. Book signing followed after the launch. Alhaj Razeen, Chair SLMCC presided while Mr Shakir Nawaz addressed the gathering on behalf of COSMOS. The cake depicting the replica of the book, made by Rukni Harees was cut by the Chief Guest to mark this event.
As the author says, ‘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 describes 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.
As Ameen Izzadeen, International Editor of the Sunday Times says 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.
The Sri Lankan Launch of ‘Muslim in the Dock’, will be held on Sunday 20th July at 4.30pm at Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute in Colombo. Hon. Hanif Yusuf, Western Province Governor will be the Chief Guest while Justice Dr Saleem Marsoof, former Supreme Court Judge and Mr Ghazali Hussain, a former Commissioner of HRCSL will be Special Guests. Sunday Times International Editor Mr Ameen Izzadeen will review the book.
