Severe Threat To Masjidul Taqwa, Issadeen Town, Matara By Buddhist Extremists By letter dated 30, Nov 2013 the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs attempted to cancel the registration of the Masjid Al-Taqwa, Issadeen Town, Matara. The Secretary of the Ministry informed the Wakf Board about the cancellation of the registration. In his letter he stated that the chief monk of the Issadeen Town Ashokarama Temple Rev. Dr Kanathakoda Satharaja, registrar of the Matara Sasana, and the chief inspector of Matara claim that the mosque is a threat to local peace. Since the Registration of Mosques lies with the Wakf Board, the Buddsasana Ministry has no authority to make such an order and its action is Ultra Vires. The case was forwarded to the Wakfs Tribunal for a decision. The Wakfs Tribunal is established by parliament by virtue of act no 51 of 1956 and members of Wakfs Tribunal are appointed by the Judicial Services Commission. The Wakfs Tribunal has equal powers of District Court and it adopts the provisions of civil procedure code as per the section 9G of said Muslim Charitable and Trust Act no 51 0f 1956. The Tribunal gave the order on 25.01.2014 stating inter alia that ; “ ….this Mosque is functioning from about 2008 and then registered in July 2012 and the Wakfs Board has granted the registration and there is no provision to cancel such registration. Therefore it is our view that in terms of the provisions of the Wakfs Act, the Secretary, Ministry Buddasasana and Religious Affairs has no right or power to request the cancellation of the registration of a mosque, after its due registration.” A copy of this order was conveyed to Buddasasana Ministry. Despite the fact mentioned above, on Wednesday 3rd September,2014, a meeting had been held with the Secretary, Ministry of Buddasasana, about 20 Respected Buddhist Priests, a representative of the Police Matara and a representative from the Divisional Secretariat, Matara at the Ministry Auditorium without any notice whatsoever to any member of the Trustee Board of Masjidul Thaqwa Mosque Issadeen Town, Matara. The topic of this meeting had been ‘Closure of Masjid Thaqwa Mosque, Issadeen Town, Matara.’ Further it had been concluded with a threat from the Respected Buddhist Priests if the mosque was not closed within 14 days they would hold a protest rally (Udgoshanaya) on 17th September, 2014. There was no official information or notification to any member of the Trustee Board regarding this meeting although it is claimed that the trustees were informed. Further, Secretary of Buddasasana has no jurisdiction to call a meeting on the said issue since the Wakfs Tribunal has already given an order on this issue. Now, this matter can be reviewed only by the Court of Appeal. Further this property belongs to the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. A few days back the matter was once again taken up by the Buddha Sasana Ministry and called for a meeting between the two parties. Accordingly a meeting was held yesterday at Matara District Secratariat office – Matara. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Buddha Sasasa Mr. M.K.B. Dissanayake and the Director Wakf Board, Mr Zameel and attended by the Mosque Trustees, Lawyers, Muslim Social workers and around 60 members of the Buddhist Clergy. The large no of members of the Buddhist Clergy were present and vehemently demanded the Masjid to be closed. During the meeting certain members of the Sangha became abusive and called the other party as ‘Thambiyas’ and threatened to apply the ‘law of the jungle’and mobilise youth groups to shut down the Masjid. One member of the Buddhist Clergy became extremely abusive and as a result the meeting had to be adjourned without coming to a solution. It was decided that the case should be taken up before an appropriate Judicial Tribunal. Further the Mosque Trustees have written to the IGP regarding the threats made and requesting him to provide adequate security to maintain the peace in the area. See letter below
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:49:13 +0000
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