Muslims have never asked for a separate area: Faiszer Musthapha

Although extremist groups are spreading hatred among Muslims in various countries in the world, they will not be permitted to do so in this country, said Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha. 

The Minister stated this when he met the Most Reverend Thibbatuvawe Shri Sumangala, the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, at the Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy. 

“Sinhalese and Muslims lived harmoniously from the times of the Sinhalese Kings. They had no quarrel among themselves. Even the Meerakam Mosque in Kandy has been built on a land that is sacred to the Sinhalese. The Muslims have never asked for a separate area of land for themselves. However, racist elements are spreading racism and hatred,” he said. 

“There are racist elements not only among the Muslims but in the Sinhala and Tamil communities. There was a handful of persons who were instrumental in creating conflict among the Muslims and Sinhalese. However, a broad dialogue has to be initiated among all the different communities to defeat these negative viewpoints.”