ACJU calls for masjid-centred relief work

With the Ramadhan season about to begin, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has urged for speedy assistance to help resettle the disaster-affected Muslims by centralising relief.

In a statement, the ACJU conveyed whole-hearted gratitude to all those who have been helping the flood victims.

"Considering the unusual climatic conditions that prevail, the ACJU has requested the government relief operations to link the Masjids to facilitate the communities better.

"The ACJU invited 19 Muslim organizations involved in social services, to help aid reach the affected communities on time. This gathering was held under the leadership of Ash-Sheikh A.C. Agar Mohamed, the Vice President of the ACJU. It was resolved that a Relief Coordinating Center (RCC) to be established to collect the data of affected people, to make efforts to obtain victims' rights from the government, to guide with a calling center to connect the victims with the donors or helpers and to work on these types of relief works.

"It was resolved that the best way of handling such a situation, as the ACJU experienced before, in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and subsequent floods, is to speed up masjid-centred relief work."

The statement added that the CJU has assigned responsibility to Masjid Federations in Colombo, to help coordinate relief, until the affected populations are settled.