| by Dr Rifai
( March 12, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) After months of heated debates and exchanges of contentious arguments the bafflement in the halal food logo has been solved for good in Srilanka. In deed this a historical day in Srilankan history. Some of high raking Buddhist monks, all Ceylon Islamic theological organization of Ulama and some members of Srilankan chambers of commerce came together and had thorough discussions ob the controversial logo of halal food. It was unanimously agreed that ACJU removes the Halal food logo with immediate effect.
This discussion was made in public in a media release yesterday. This press release was jointly attended by some leading Buddhist monks, Islamic scholars and the chairman of chambers of commerce in Srilanka. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalasara Thera spoke beautifully on this occasion of press release and said that ACJU has been discussing this issue with Buddhist monks for some times and indeed, Muslim scholars of ACJU are close friends of us and we have been holding inter-faith discussions and activities between different religious groups. He also mentioned that it was unanimously decided to withdraw the Halal food logo and this is neither not a win for Buddhist/Singhalese community nor defeat for Muslim community rather this is win –win situation for the country’s harmony and peace. He also thanked the Defence secretary for making arrangement to meet ACJU to discuss this issue.
He further noted that this was not merely Muslim issue or Singhalese issue rather national problems and after 30 years of suffering in fighting we do not want to create any more tension between communities. He further noted that any problem could be solved through discussion and dialogue and not through physical violence. He advised people to use their brain and head to solve problems not physical violence method. it is fact Singhalese are majority people in this country and their culture should be protected and preserved this was rightly noted in this context of this discussion.
It was indeed a historical day in Singhalese- Muslim relationship of this country. Although Muslims scholars have had good relationship with Buddhist monks in this country they rarely have had open discussion in public. In this sense this is a historical day that Muslim and Buddhist religious leadership come together to solve this problem amicably at this crucial times. It is so beautiful that religious leadership of both communities come together and spoke in one voice and this is indeed a historical precedent in our relationship. We no longer can live in water-tight compartments and all communities should come together to contrive a national identity and national unity. This country at this crucial time needs unity, harmony, peace and co-operation not disunity and disintegration. Creating mistrust and communal disharmony is very dangerous for the future development of this nation.
Ven. Bellanwila Wimalasara Thera’s advice and guidance were well taken by all parties. He lucidly explained the reasons in his precise words so that each and very Srilankan could understand the rational behind this move. It was interesting to note that another venerable Brahmanawatte Seewali Thera spoke in Tamil in this press release. It is a historical speech as well. This is fist time in my life I happened to listen to Singhalese Buddhist monk speaks in a fluent Tamil language as if he was native Tamil speaker. His advice was well taken as well. He said that Muslim and Singhalese have been living in peace and harmonies for many centuries like brothers and this country belong to every one and all are Srilankan; recently this Halal food issue has become a small problem for all communities in Srilanka. Whoever wants to have Halal food let them have halal but it is not proper to force any one to have halal food let them have whatever they want. This was his advice and he further noted that this is not a matter for fighting:
Rizvi Mufthi the president of ACJU outlined why halal food logo will be removed: He noted that national unity, peace and brotherhood are more important than this logo in food so that it was decided to remove to maintain national unity and harmony. He further noted that ACJU is ready to provide halal certification for Srilankan companies. But it would be done for free of charge. He mentioned that Srilankan are one family and one nation and all need to work hard for progress and development of this nation.
This is indeed a good move and we hope and pray all community come together as Srilankans and put the country first away from our narrow minded racial or communal or regional thinking. We have all potentialities in Srilanka. It could be come one of the best nation in Asia if we have unity and determination in our hearts and minds: pity differences between us should not divide us; disunity among us will destroy the future prospects of this beautiful nations. It is a fact that Singhalese are majority in this country and others are minorities: like big brothers and small brothers and all should know how to respect and appreciate each others: all are equal in the eyes of God and we should treat all equally so that every one could have peaceful life.
We know well that after 30 years of war, we have tremendous tasks ahead of us: economic growths, development and progress of nation should be our number one priority not this small issues and inter-communal disputes. At the end all these disputes none of us will benefit. Nation building should be our number one priority: each and every Srilankan should think what could I do for my country and how could I help for this nation building process rather than arguing for dogmatic issues that benefit none except breeding hatred among communities.
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