Declaration of the Council of Cooperation and Coordination regarding Coexistence

The Council of Cooperation and Coordination serving under the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, whilst emphasizing upon the points mentioned below, requests the government, high officials, religious leaders, including civil and community leaders, and others, to make sincere effort in continuing and developing the peaceful situation and coexistence in this country. The Council expects, especially the Muslims, to strengthen better ties with the other communities, and to take interest and make effort in following the points mentioned hereunder:

• Participating in the pleasure and sorrow of people from other religions.
• Hosting and entertaining those from other religions to functions, ceremonies and events held by Muslims. 
• Participating in common functions, and wishing and offering gifts when participating in such functions.
• Helping the poor, orphans, widows, handicapped and sick people of other societies.
• Participating in common Shramadana activities, environmental preservation activities and other demonstrations supporting social benefits in common.
• Helping hospitals and public rest houses.
• Making arrangements for people from other religions to visit our Masjids and observe religious activities, if they wish to do so.
• Being mindful of inconvenience to others in the neighborhood,whilst using loud-speakers, etc. in the Masjids and in any religious institutions.
• Adhering to the Islamic rules and regulations in regard to handling of animals and the tools used for slaughter, and showing kindness towards animals, when sacrificing animals for Qurban, etc. The feelings of the people of other religions should not be aroused by neglecting the above mentioned.
• Guiding the younger generations to respect the religious feelings of people of other religions, and to follow the expected discipline in the event of visiting places of importance to other religions.
• Being well disciplined while using public transport without inconveniencing fellow passengers in any way.
• Showing honesty and generosity in business dealings.
• Maintaining simplicity at ceremonies, functions, events, etc. and not being a hindrance to pedestrians thereby.
• Maintaining Islamic ethics when mingling with people of other religions; trying to remove their misunderstandings in regard to Muslims through our behavior, and by sharing the teachings of Islam with them.
• Showing patriotism and the National interest in the country in all situations, whilst preserving our religious beliefs and our cultural dimensions.
• Being very vigilant in following our basic beliefs and safeguarding religious boundaries, whilst mingling with people of other religions for building better relationships, as per the guidance mentioned above.

This Council requests all Sri Lankan Muslims to turn to Allah,increase in good deeds and come out of all bad deeds; and to make excessive Thowba & Isthi'far; and to make Dua.

An excerpt from the “Declaration regarding Coexistence among the Communities of Sri Lanka” by the Council of Cooperation & Coordination of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama. (Please click the below image to view the entire Book)