End of Civil War – 2009

All Peace-loving People Rejoice

Ash-Shaikh H. Abdul Nazar,
General Secretary of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

The formal announcement to the nation and the world by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 19.05.2009 from the Parliament, of the conclusion of a 26 year old war, would have definitely caused great elation in the hearts of all peace-loving people in every nook and cranny of the globe. Says Ash-Shaikh H. Abdul Nazar, General Secretary of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama.

A battle that lasted for nearly three decades, claiming the lives of thousands of people, maiming thousands, ruining properties worth thousands of millions, traumatizing hundreds, displacing thousands, widowing a number of women, orphaning a great deal of children, taking the lives of many an outstanding intellectual and versatile expert, devastating numerous resources, plunging the economy into a bottomless pit, obliterating this gorgeous and fascinating island and pushing back the country’s progress for many years, has now come to an end.

On behalf of the Muslim Community, I, with a sense of profound gratitude, warmly and sincerely congratulate His Excellency the President who accelerated the combat with courage and determination despite the heavy pressure of the international community, the Defense Secretary who acted prudently and responsibly, the chiefs of three services and armed forces who fought pawning their lives with audacity and a sense of patriotism and the Inspector General of Police and police who stood by throughout, putting the country before self. I also remember with a heavy heart and tearing eyes those forces who laid down their lives for the cause of wiping out the terror campaign and their kith and kin.

The gallant act which has defeated the ruthless terrorism has created another chapter in the history. This new chapter needs to be inserted in the subject of History in future. The able leadership of His Excellency the President, brilliant guidance of the chiefs of the three armed forces and stout performance of the troops should be commended by all and sundry.

The remark made by His Excellency the President that this victory must not be construed as a triumph of one community over the other or loss of one community to the other, is applaudable and noteworthy. The reality is that peace has won and the terrorism has been overcome.

At a time when the nation is relieved of atrocities of long-standing terror and liberated from the clutches of terrorists, all citizens long for a new tomorrow with much anticipation. Yes. That future ought to be planned well and built. The breeze of freedom must embrace us in a way everyone enjoys his due rights without let or hindrance and one community looks at the other with mutual understanding. It heartens us that the address delivered by His Excellency the President ensured all this explicitly. This is a long journey and each and every citizen is a passenger. It is not an individual responsibility of the head of state; instead a collective responsibility of all.

May Almighty Allah bless our beloved motherland with a bright, prosperous, tranquil and healthy future!

19.05.2009