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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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Muslim leadership crisis deepens by P. Krishnaswamy The recently forged alliance between the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and four prominent parliamentarians representing the Muslim predominant Digamadulla district, led by leader of the Ashraff Congress (AC) A. L. M. Athaullah, has blown wide open the long-simmering Muslim leadership crisis of the Eastern Province, political observers point out. This was consequent to the failure of intensive efforts made by Muslim religious dignitaries and the business community at a series of meetings in Colombo last week to mobilise all former Muslim MPs, regardless of party affiliations, to forge a bloc to contest the elections. A. C. A. M. Buhary Moulavi, President of the All Mosques Federation of Ampara District was in the forefront of these efforts. Segu Issadeen, former MP and Secretary General of the Ferial Ashraff led National Unity Alliance (NUA), a constituent of the UPFA told the Sunday Observer that they welcomed anybody willing to accept the policies and programmes of the UPFA. He said: "We hope to establish a government of the people, for the people and by the people. We await more prominent political figures from the opposite sides to crossover. All four MPs elected on the SLMC ticket at the last General Election have now joined us". Meanwhile, AC General Secretary and former MP A. L. M. Hafrat has stated in a news release that former MPs Athaullah and M. B. A. Azeez who joined the UPFA have left the party and the party would not be held responsibile for any of their actions". As UNF constituent, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC),led by Miniter Rauff Hakeem, had 12 MPs elected at the last General Election, including the four who have now joined the UPFA. Left with only half the number, the SLMC is fielding on its party symbol, very influential candidates, including former local leaders of the UNP and PA, in the Eastern Province, triggering a close fight. The main features of an MoU which the SLMC signed with the UNF yesterday on election alliance include the right of the Muslim community for: separate status in the peace process, power-sharing, proportionate land distribution in the North-East and resettlement in the North with payment of full compensation. Amending the Electoral Reform Act to ensure a fair representation of Muslims in Parliament, Provincial Councils and other local government bodies is another aspect of the MoU. |
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