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Tuesday, 12 March 2013 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Dharisha Bastians
In a widely-welcomed move, the inflammable Halal controversy has been resolved through peaceful means through a multi-stakeholder dialogue in good faith, upholding ethnic harmony and sidelining extremism.
The breakthrough was following what was described as “intelligent and pragmatic” discussions between the Maha Sangha, the All Ceylon Jamaiythul Ulama (ACJU) and the private sector represented chambers of commerce and industry and associations.
In a joint press conference yesterday, the ACJU announced that with immediate effect, depicting the Halal logo for certified products locally will not be mandatory but voluntary. Furthermore it will offer certification for local products if requested without charging a fee. Specialised outlets in Sri Lanka catering to foreigners may also sell products carrying the Halal logo at such outlets whilst certified export products must carry Halal logo as it is essential in respective international markets and will be done at the nominal fee.
Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Susantha Ratnayake said the business community hoped that this solution arrived in “utmost good faith” sans any agenda would put an end to what had almost become a national crisis.
“We have urged members of our chambers to ensure that products without the Halal logo reaches the market as soon as possible,” Ratnayake said, adding that the private sector hoped this would be a sensible way forward and effectively addressed the concerns of all communities. “We urge all right thinking Sri Lankans to accept this solution in the national interest,” Ceylon Chamber Chief added.
“We are making a sacrifice because we value the centuries of peace that has existed between our communities,” ACJU President Ash Sheikh Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwe said, adding that he hoped this compromise would see an end to the Halal controversy and result in forgiveness and make it possible for the communities to live together in harmony.
“National unity is key for Sri Lanka to prosper. We are all Sri Lankans as one family and we respect human values,” he added.
The Bodu Bala Sena group that has been leading the anti-Halal campaign has claimed the fee charged by the ACJU to certify products as being Halal was an indirect tax on all other communities in the island.
However Ceylon Chamber Chief Ratnayake dismissed the group’s claim, saying the fee was ‘negligible’ at best, with companies spending much more to obtain ISO and other food safety standard certificates.
Also addressing the briefing, Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratne Thero welcomed the withdrawal of the logo but cautioned that it was neither a victory for the Sinhalese nor a defeat for the Muslims.
“This is effectively a win-win for all communities. The people in the ACJU are our close friends. We thank them for their willingness to reach consensus on this controversial issue. Inter-religious bodies can work together in our country,” the Thero said.
He added that the compromise was proof that every problem could not be solved with fisticuffs. “The Sangha have a responsibility to do more than just talk and hold demonstrations,” Wimalaratana Thero said, taking a swipe at the Bodu Bala Sena monks.
He warned that all Sri Lankans must guard against creating further conflicts between communities.
The Bodu Bala Sena has welcomed the compromise but calls for a total ban on Halal certification in the country.
Rizwi told the Daily FT the decision to withdraw the logo and make it non-compulsory had been a difficult one. He said the ACJU would seek other ways to educate the Muslim people about Halal and non-Halal foods from this point. Asked if he believed the Bodu Bala Sena agitation would continue until Halal certification was stopped altogether, the ACJU President said they were “praying” it would not be so.
