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.
