Twenty one leading Muslim organizations have released a joint statement calling all Muslims to hoist the national flag to mark the 73rd Independence Day celebrations on February 4, 2021.
The statement has been signed by the following organizations: All Ceylon Jamaiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), Supreme Council of Sufi Thareeqas, Sri Lanka Jamaathe Islami (SLJI), Colombo District Masjids Federation (CDMF), All Ceylon YMMA Conference, National Shoora Council (NSC), Memon Association of Sri Lanka (MASL), Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM), Sri Lanka Kathtb & Muazzin Welfare Organization (SLKMWO), Anjuman E Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust, Dawoodi Borhas, Muslim Ladies’ Study Circle (MLSC), Association of Muslim Youth of Sailan (AMYS), Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF), Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society (SLMCS), Markez Islamic Center (MIC), All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts (ACUMLF), Sri Lanka Muslim Women’s Conference (SLMWC), Sam Sam Foundation (ZZF), All University Muslim Student Association (AUMSA) and Regain Peace Sri Lanka (RPSL).
The full statement is given below:
‘Our nation will be celebrating its 73rd year of independence from British colonial rule on the 4th of February, 2021. This is a historic and joyous occasion for all of us as citizens of this country. Our Motherland consists of Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Christian, Burgher and other communities. The Day of Independence has to be seen in the spirit of its achievement at the time of its occurrence and that was on 4th February 1948. We were a dependent colony of the British Empire lacking the power of full self-government and sovereignty of our own. Today we have the power to rule ourselves and to enjoy our own sovereignty as an independent nation.
‘With independence comes a huge responsibility. As a nation, we should never demean our independence or take it for granted. We must all strive to conscientiously protect and safeguard the spirit of independence. The spirit of independence is protected by ensuring that the democratic rights of all the citizens are fully respected in matters of culture, religion, ethnic diversity etc., as enshrined in the Fundamental Rights Chapter of our Constitution. Also, ensuring economic equity and social justice for all the citizens whose nationhood lies in the soil of this country, Sri Lanka.
‘We all upon all Muslims of Sri Lanka to hoist the national flag on this occasion of the Day of Independence. Let us join with the brethren of all other communities in expressing our solidarity, unity and unwavering loyalty to our country.’