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| Sunday, 6 January 2002 |
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Mockery of the new moon As unusual the Eid ul-Fitr (Ramazan festival) this time had become a severe joke thus making us a laughing stock in the midst of other communities. Particularly the Muslims in Colombo dividedly had to celebrate on two days i.e., on Sunday the 16th December, 2001 by the majority of the Colombo Muslims and outstations, and on Monday, the 17 December 2001 by the rest. Isn't it a joke? We strongly believe that there is only one God, that Allah, one messenger that is Prophet Muhammad and one Kibla that is Ka-aba, then why two festivals for the same occasion. Isn't it a mockery? This is not a joke and this cannot be allowed to continue in the future. The Board of Trustees of the Colombo Grand Mosque are answerable to Almighty Allah for the greatest blunder they had made by foolishly taking the decision and declaring that it was not a festival day on Sunday the 16th. This hasty decision was taken and the crowd dispersed by closing the office by 8.00 p.m. very much earlier, without waiting for any information from outstations. The Colombo Grand Mosque is the oldest mosque in the island existing for well over one and a half centuries and has been the centre for declaring of the commencement of the fast or festivals or whatever important decision. Then, a few decades ago, there were no problems or confusions and the Muslims of this isle accepted the decisions and abided by it. It reminds me of an old saying, "Too many cooks spoil the broth". Now, there are too many groups who call there as observers too who are silent including several Moulavis and theologians. May I pose the following questions to the members of the Board of Trustees of the Colombo Grand Mosque. (1) Why was the meeting terminated at 8.00 p.m. and a very foolish decision taken to celebrate the festival on Monday the 17th, without waiting for any information from outstations till at least 12 midnight? (2) Why was the office of the Mosque closed without keeping someone to receive any incoming calls? (3) Why were the members in a mighty hurry to go home by 8.00 p.m., was it for a shopping spree? (4) Having heard the news of the sighting of the moon, why were they adamant in not accepting same and declaring Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday, the 16th? This very clearly indicates that the members of the Board of Trustees of the Colombo Grand Mosque are very unwise without farsightedness, lethargic, inefficient, incapable and unfit. Hence, in the interest of the Muslims of Sri Lanka in general, may I suggest the following comments of mine to avoid such occurrences in future once and for all. (a) Elected members to your Board of Trustees, who are highly educated particularly with religious knowledge and who could contribute himself with better and beneficial views. (b) Members who could willingly sacrifice time, energy and wealth. (c) Elect members who could bring constructive criticism. (d) Strictly prohibit the interference of any Muslim politicians (from the government rank or opposition) in taking any decision in this regard. The Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs too has no voice to raise, in this respect. (e) Be the sole authority to take a viable and justifiable decision which should be final and binding. I am quite positive, of my above suggestions and adhered things will go smoothly without any sort of condemnation or insult. I once again strongly urge the Board of Trustees of the Colombo Grand Mosque to wake up from their deep slumber and to straighten up matters, which you had failed in the past due to your maladministration. May Allah bless you all. Hussain Ismail A. Barry Co-ordinating Council of Ahlus Sunnath-Wal-Jamanth of Sri Lanka. |
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