The Muslim Peace Forum (MPF) is a non-political organization formed with the express purpose of establishing peace and harmony among the communities of Sri Lanka in general and to achieve the rights and privileges of the Muslims in particular. The MPF had a full day seminar in Colombo on 3^rd February 2001 with a view to intensify the contributions the Muslims could make and educating their obligations in achieving peace in the country. The other most important aim of this seminar was to make an in-depth analysis of the proposals put forward so far by various Muslim organizations and groups and thereby formulate a general consensus acceptable to all sections of the community as it has become the need of the hour.

The objectives of the seminar are as follows:

1. Understanding of the multi-faceted nature of the ethnic question.
2. Identifying the main issues encountered by the Muslims in the national ethnic question.
3. Proposing the constitutional and institutional solutions to the identified issues.
4. Emphasizing the possible ways and means for their implementation.

About 50 persons representing various regions in the length and breadth of the country participated in the seminar. It was conducted in three sessions. In the morning session, 6 representative from different political parties and Muslim organizations spoke. Follow-up broader discussions were held on the views expressed by the speakers during their speeches. In the third sessions the following consensuses were arrived at based on the discussions.

Peace Talks and the Muslims

The MPF is encouraged to know that the local and international peace lovers are taking constructive steps to solve the ethnic crisis in a peaceful way. It is the wish of all concerned that the crisis should be solved on the basis of justice and fair play satisfying the aspirations of all the communities that have been suffering due to the ongoing conflict. It is the primary obligation on the part of the Muslims as dictated by Islam that they must contribute productively in solving the ethnic problem in the country in a just and fair manner. At the same time, the Muslims must have one voice in highlighting the problems faced by the community at the appropriate forums. The Muslims emphasize the fact that the cessation of armed hostilities should be the pre-requisite to pave way for the peace negotiations.

Problems of Tamil and Sinhala People

The Muslims of Sri Lanka are firm in the view that while solving the problems of the Tamils living in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces (NEP), a conducive atmosphere should be created in the peace negotiations for them to live in this country with dignity and decorum through substantial devolution of power.The Muslims further emphasize that since the ethnic inconsistencies have made the innocent Sinhala people suffer very badly, their legitimate rights and welfare should be taken into serious consideration, too.

Ethnic Question and the Muslims of Sri Lanka

There can be no denial that the Muslims living in the NEP have been badly affected due to the war and ethnic conflict. As the Muslims live scattered throughout Sri Lanka as a minority community, their security is at stake during armed encounters and ethnic violence.The proposed region-based devolution of power makes the Muslims a vulnerable minority in all regions. In this context, when the constitutional amendments put forward by the government are revised and analyzed during the peace negotiations, the aspirations of Muslims should be taken into serious consideration.Opportunities must be made available to Muslim representatives to put forward their views.When the constitutional and institutional safeguards are formulated for Muslim minority to provide solid answers to their grievances, the following particular issues faced currently and over the years by the community should be taken into account and remedied and rectified:

• The right of the Muslim Refugees to get back to their original places of dwelling.

• Non-existence of provisions in the constitution for reasonable power sharing for the Muslims living in the NEP

• Non-existence of provisions in the constitutional and institutional documents guaranteeing the rights and privileges of Muslim minority living outside the NEP.

Envisaged Approach

A united effort beyond the party-politics and trivial differences should be made to win the rights of Muslims.The Muslims must peruse the Islamic tenets and edicts applicable for Muslims living in a multi-ethnic country to build a peace bridge that could be crossed back and forth by all communities without an iota of fear or apprehension.

Action to be pursued

The views of the Muslims should be expressed in an effective manner without delay at the appropriate forums.

 

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