Speeches
SPEECH PREPARED BY ASH-SHAIKH H. ABDUL NAZAR,
GENERAL SECRETARY OF ALL CEYLON JAMIYYATHUL ULAMA
TO BE DELIVERED
ON THE OCCASION OF FELICITATION ORGANIZED BY
ALL CEYLON JAMIYYATHUL ULAMA
AT TEMPLE TREES ON 07.07.2009
Respected Ulama, Your Excellency the President, Defense
Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Head of Joint Operation Command, Chiefs
of the three armed forces, Inspector General of Police, Director General
of Civil Defense Force, Diplomatic Corps, Media Personnel and Most Valued
and Distinguished Invitees, I greet you with the Islamic salutation ‘Assalaamu
alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh’. May peace and Allah’s blessings be
on you!
In fact I deem it a privilege and honour to welcome you all on this historic
occasion. The recent unprecedented victory over terrorism has brought us
together at Temple Trees to sprinkle sincere verbal tribute on His Excellency
our President, Defense Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Head of Joint
Operation Command, Chiefs of the three armed forces, Inspector General of
Police and Director General of Civil Defense Force.
A day; men and women, youths and the aged and every citizen of this gorgeous
Island longed for, a day of tranquility where they can live peacefully,
embark on their day-to-day activities with no fear and travel the length
and breadth of our country without atrocities of terrorists has dawned with
the grace of the Almighty.
This gigantic achievement of defeating the long-drawn-out terrorism was
destined to be at the hand of His Excellency our President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
This is indeed a mammoth triumph – triumph over terrorist acts, cruelty,
massacre and infringement of rights of the citizens in the name of freedom
fight.
We are all positive that this heroic event will no doubt go down in the
annals of our blessed motherland along with the name of our beloved President
Mahinda Rajapaksa.
A battle that lasted for nearly three decades, claiming the lives of thousands
of people, maiming thousands more, ruining properties worth thousands of
millions, traumatizing hundreds of thousands, displacing an equal number,
widowing a number of women, orphaning a great deal of children, taking the
lives of many outstanding intellectuals and versatile experts, devastating
numerous resources, plunging the economy into a bottomless pit, obliterating
this beautiful and fascinating Island and pushing back the country’s progress
for many years, has now come to a most welcome end.
On behalf of the Muslim Community, we, 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 the forces throughout, putting the country
before self.
We 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 also
the supreme sacrifice of the parents who sent their loving children and
the wives who sent their beloved husbands to the war front in order to save
our motherland. They gave their yesterdays for our tomorrows.
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 our President,
brilliant guidance of the chiefs of the three armed forces and stout performance
of the troops should be commended by every citizen of our country.
At this juncture, our attention is drawn to 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. This observation
is applaudable and noteworthy. The reality is that terrorism has been defeated
for the first time in the world by military might in living memory.
Your Excellency is well aware that Muslims of our country have also contributed
their fair share towards the fight against terrorism. Major Ahmad Naina
Marikkar and Captain Lafir who sacrificed their lives at Omanthai and Mullaittivu
respectively are examples of many others.
The entire world knows the untold sufferings undergone by Muslims of North
and East who were forcibly evicted in October 1990 from their homes by the
LTTE, without giving time to collect their personal belongings. They are
even today suffering in welfare centres and camps in Puttalam and other
districts.
The Muslim Community expresses its deep gratitude to Your Excellency for
making arrangements for these displaced persons to go back to their homes
in North and East.
The Muslim theologians in various parts of our country were instrumental
in welcoming the displaced persons and looking after their needs to the
best of their ability during the displacement. This was done through continuous
sermons during the Friday prayers as directed by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul
Ulama. They also campaigned for peaceful coexistence in every part of our
lovely country, and not to be provoked under any circumstances. This is
evident today. The hospitality of the Muslims was clearly exhibited by the
Muslims of Puttalam and other areas where displaced persons took refuge.
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama which was established in 1924 has been enjoying
the support and co-operation of the successive governments since its inception.
Today this religious institution has gained more recognition and receives
more support and co-operation from the Government under the leadership and
guidance of Your Excellency. For this All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama is ever
grateful. We also solicit the same co-operation and support for its activities
in future as well.
Finally we take this opportunity to thank Your Excellency and everyone
who laboured to make today possible and successful.
May Allah Ta’ala bless our beautiful Island with eternal peace and prosperity!
Thank you.
Jumuah Khutbah
Weekly Fiqh Class for Adults
Special address At prize-giving
