Let's overcome racism

by Latheef Farook

Are the racist elements trying to provoke a July '83 type pogrom against the island's Muslims as part of their strategy to create chaos and destabilize the government to prevent the much expected arrest of those who committed crimes, corruption and plundered the nation?

It appears these racists, perhaps encouraged by the government's slow pace to deal with lawless elements have begunto implement their local and suspected foreign masters' agendas.

They enjoyed a free hand under the defeated Rajapaksa Government, tore apart communities and caused havoc. However, they were rejected by the people in the past two elections and remained subdued since President Maithripala Sirisena's election on January 8, 2015.

Conspiracy

However, during the past few months they began raising their heads. The "Sinha Le", (Sinhala Blood), sticker campaign appears to be part of this resurgence.

It is significant that the large majority of Sinhalese have distanced themselves from this madness. So much so, according to print and electronic media, some have even gone to the extent of buying paints to erase the slogans from the gates and walls of Muslim owned houses in the Colombo suburbs.

This is a very good omen for the country battered by racist wars.

Under the circumstance, the question is isn't it time the government wake up and dealt firmly with these groups to avert any potential disaster.

Extremist

Addressing the special session of Parliament last week, President Maithripala Sirisena, warned that extremist groups are attempting to destabilise the country. He said there is no room for extremism be it in the North or the South. First these racists blindly criticised all government initiatives. Then they criticised President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, while turning their attention on Muslims.

Innocent Muslims coming out of the mosque after prayers were attacked in Polwatta. Green coloured Prophet Muhammad birth anniversary flags were removed and burnt near the Puran Appu statue in Matale.

Attempts were made to damage the Tamil daily, Navamani, office in Colombo, and the list continues.

Demonstrate

Displaying their ignorance, they even called for the banning of the Holy Quran.

Perhaps they do not understand the seriousness of such calls. Their words and deeds demonstrate that they have nothing to do with Buddhism or the Sinhalese community. Instead as once pointed out by Ven Dambara Amila Thera, "These racists think that the world is inside Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka is not part of the world!"

Their irresponsible and lawlessness could trigger both local and international response, which a small country like Sri Lanka, friendly to all Muslim countries, could ill afford.

There were speculation during the Rajapaksa regime that these forces were funded by Israel through Norway and a German Jew even donated a building in Galle to Bodu Bala Sena at a function attended by former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Israelis, kicked out time and again during the past six decades from Sri Lanka only to re enter, are here now. Though invisible, they are an influential lot today unlike in the past.

Their main agenda wherever they go is to carefully pick up racist groups to pit them against Muslims. The anti-Muslim campaign in the island fits in to their global agenda.

Mainstream

These groups have also been backed by certain section of the island's mainstream media, which give publicity to their activities and contribute to the growing rift between communities.

Some local columnists go all out to associate the island's Muslims and Islam with extremism, though Muslims were the most peaceful of the three communities as once pointed out by former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva. Muslims were the only community, that did not take to violence despite systematic discrimination ever since independence.

Crimes

In the international scene Muslim countries were invaded by European, Russian and Israeli war mongers, destroying almost developed infrastructures, massacring millions of Muslims besides throwing millions and millions into refugee camps to suffer in extreme conditions.

Some so called columnists never highlight these crimes but instead, parrot the western media, which are mainly owned by western weapons industries and remains an integral part of the western war machine.

Thus the racist groups enjoy considerable support in the local media. This paradise island has suffered enough due to racism. The need of the hour is for all to seek means to achieve communal harmony and move ahead for the common benefit of all.

This is the reason why the government needs to be protected despite shortcomings.

However, under the circumstance, unless the government is firm in dealing with racist groups once again, they could turn the country into a killing field. In fact, Muslims en masse voted for the government to end racist attacks and ensure peace and harmony.