Questions to Minister Hakeem

Saturday, 7 June 2014 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

I wish to refer to the news item titled “Hakeem takes the battle to Government, Opposition” in The Daily Financial Times, of Thursday 5 June, and make a few observations and also pose a few questions. Mr. Hakeem is worried not about the Dambulla Mosque, but his position as a Party Leader. Over 50% of the members of the Government are those who were elected to Opposition parties and were bought over by the Government with the offer of portfolios and the perks that go with it. I would like answers to a few questions: How do you define a sacred area? Within sacred areas are there not people living there and do they not have toilets? Are there not any activities taking place within sacred areas such as prostitution, gambling and consumption of liquor? Take one such area: Anuradhapura. What about the action of the High Priest of Mihintale? Who picks whom to discuss issues concerning 2 million Muslims? Does the Dambulla Priest have a right to discuss anything about a community, with some unknown organisations brought together by the Government? Let the Muslims of the area decide on appropriate action. Who are those who comprise the Wakf Board, Ulama Organisation and Muslim Youth Organisation? Please publish their names, and their claims to represent Muslims. The Muslim community has to pick their representatives. I challenge Hakeem, Mustapha and their likes to resign their parliamentary seats and re-contest to justify their right to discuss issues concerning the Muslim community. To say the least, they have no right and should hang their heads in shame, for their actions. Ismaeel Marikar Colombo.

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