SPEECH DELIVERED BY ASH-SHAIKH H. ABDUL NAZAR
GENERAL SECRETARY OF ALL CEYLON JAMIYYATHUL ULAMA
ON THE OCCASION OF FIFTH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
ORGANIZED BY ANTI-WAR FRONT MOVEMENT
ON 21.09.2006

Presiding Officer, the Clergy, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very much honoured by the kind invitation extended to me by Anti-War Front Movement to be with you on this significant occasion on the International Day of Peace to share with you my views on the peace process.

We have assembled here to discuss about the viable future peace process, long before the tears of thousands of our fellow country men and women have not dried out. We are here to discuss about the future peace process while thousands of men, women and children are suffering in the refugee camps and other form of temporary shelters, maintaining stoic silence, with a big question about their future.

Now the reality is that every community of this country is at each other’s throats. The Tamil Community is blaming the Sinhala Community for undermining their rights and the Muslim Community is blaming the Tamil Community for uprooting them from their own soil. More and more misunderstandings and more and more disputes cross our path pushing back the progress of the widely expected peace.

The profound question before us now is whether all the parties concerned genuinely long to sit and talk without any pre-conditions and all the parties concerned are ready to sit and talk with give and take approach. These are the questions that could determine the fate of the viable future peace process. When I mention about the give and take approach, my mind recalls the pact that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) entered into with his rivals.

Let me speak a few words about the Pact of Hudaibia, one of the world famous pacts in the world’s history. For the first time after his expulsion from his own soil, Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) proceeded to Makkah with his followers to perform Umrah, one of the significant obligations in Islam. His forward movement was blocked by his enemies at a place called “Hudaibia”. Both parties agreed to a truce. Most of the articles of the treaty entered into were obviously against Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

According to one article, Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had to go back to Madeenah without performing Umra rituals. Another depicted that in case one from rivals’ side happens to go to Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), he must return him to his rivals, and if anyone from Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s side happens to go to his rivals, he would not be sent back to Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). The most disadvantageous situation was that Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was not allowed to inscribe his title in the accord as Apostle of Allah. However, how humiliating it was, Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), with his own hand, erased the title, as a gesture of goodwill. Despite his loyal comrades’ strong protest, he returned to Makkah without performing Umra. Finally, he saw the treaty he entered into with his rivals, worked well for him.

Now let us consider the peace move that every son and daughter of this country long to see? For me, peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka is only a lip-service. No one seems to reach a workable settlement with heart and mind with dedication and commitment. We cannot bring down peace from heaven. It has to come out from the bottom of the heart of each and every citizen of this country. It is not a black hole, too, if all the warring parties listen to each other and speak with open-mindedness. All the prevalent misunderstandings and disputes are preventable if we steadfastly dedicate ourselves to peace. Everybody has to bear in mind that unless all the communities respect each other in all aspects, understand the feelings of each other, preserve the rights of one another, have regard for the theories of equality of human beings, brotherhood of human beings and freedom of faith and adopt the give and take approach, achieving of lasting peace is totally impossible, peace cannot materialize, and Herculean efforts of the religious leaders, politicians and others to establish peace will, undoubtedly, end in vain.

From where to resume the peace talk is the pertinent question now and has become the focal point. On this important occasion, let me suggest a peace and reconciliation committee comprising representatives of all the parties and communities. So that, changing of the governments will not sidetrack the peace move. We have a good lesson in the recent history of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela era. He appointed a peace and reconciliation commission under the chairmanship of Archbishop Desmond too too. Representatives from all communities were absorbed into the Too Too Commission. As a result, people enjoy peace there. That country has 11 languages. All the 11 languages have official status. We have only three. Official status for all three languages, too, is a lip-service. As long as these shortcomings linger, this poor nation will not reach its destination.

I am afraid the time will not permit me to deliver a long talk. Before I return to my seat, I would like to make a humble appeal to all the parties concerned to be transparent, honest and tolerant while they are talking and all the parties that constitute the present Government to speak with one voice rather than revealing their own feelings and views about the peace talk until a final settlement is reached.

On this fifth International Day of Peace, I cross my fingers that the peace talk will resume very soon and our blessed motherland will enjoy durable peace.

May Allah, Almighty bless this pint-sized gorgeous Island with eternal peace, happiness and prosperity!

Thank you.

 

*   Islamic economics
*   Peace move
*   Peace process
*   Peace talk after tsunami
*   PLC
*   Purpose of knowledge
*   Social harmony
*   Vocational training centre
*   Vote of thanks
*   Welcome speech