Muslim Ministers and MPs meet President

• Muslim legislators urge President to take action to release the innocents apprehended during security inspections

 

On a representation made by Muslim parliamentarians on Saturday, President Maithripala Sirisena agreed to look in to allegations that some of those arrested during the raids include innocent civilians who have no links to extremism or terrorism.

The members of the delegation included Ministers Rauff Hakeem, Rishard Bathiudeen, M.H.A Haleem, State Ministers Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, M.S. Ameer Ali, Deputy Minister Abdullah Mahroof, Parliamentarians A.H.M. Fowzie, M.S. Thowfeek, M.I.M. Mansoor, K. Kader Masthan, Faizer Mustapha and S.M.M. Ismail. 

During the meeting, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem explained the issues on behalf of Muslim ministers and MPs. 

It was explained that some of these innocents were arrested for the possession of copies of the Holy Quran, Arabic literature and Arabic newspapers. It was pointed out that the security officials, lacking sufficient knowledge about the nature of these documents, made the arrests. 

The delegation also pointed out the serious consequences of housing the innocents and the criminals together under one roof.

It was also requested that the Attorney General Department set up a separate unit to deal with cases filed under PTA and Emergency Regulations. It was also requested that Ombudsman Deputy Inspector General of Police W.M.M. Wickremesinghe co-ordinate in this matter.

During the meeting, the President instructed the Minister of Public Administration Ranjith Madduma Bandara and his Ministry Secretary over the phone to send out a circular indicating that Muslim women’s dress could be worn covering their heads or not showing their ears so long as they do not cover their faces. 

The President advised the Minister to follow the Muslim women’s dress code spelt out by the University Grants Commission suggested by Minister Hakeem, who is in charge of Higher Education.

It was pointed out that the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan is very special to Muslims and has just started on Friday. The IGP C.D. Wickremeratne was urged to refrain from inspections during the period, excepting urgent operations, since members of the community will feel they are being harassed during the holiest period of the month.