SL Thawheed Jamaath distributes copies of Quran in Sinhala to raise
public awareness of Islamic teaching
January 18, 2016, 7:51 am
Gammanpila appreciates the move
By Jehan Haniff
The Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath (SLTJ) has expressed willingness to provide Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) with copies of the Holy Quran translated into Sinhala.
"We have also written to all non-Muslim Members of Parliament that they could receive a copy of the Holy Quran by contacting us," SLTJ Spokesman , Abdul Razick told The Island yesterday.
Razick said many issues could be sorted out amicably if non-Muslims, too, cared to read the central religious text of Islam and got to know its position on jihad, terrorism, reconciliation.
Several Sinhala Buddhist organisations and some Muslim leaders have look askance at the Thawheed Jamaath’s mission.
Thawheed Jamaath has vehemently denied allegation that it promotes religious extremism; it says it is for a peaceful Sri Lanka where all communities can live in harmony.
Three copies of the Holy Quran translated into Sinhala have been handed over to Minister Rauf Hakeem, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila and Kalutara District UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Thevarapperuma. "We are also waiting for appointments from the President and Prime Minister to hand over copies to them as well," the SLTJ spokesman said.
Udaya Gammanpila, contacted for comment, confirmed that he had received a copy of the Holy Quran.
"I have read the Quran translated into English several times, but not a Sinhala one. The Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath (SLTJ) is a controversial outfit and has been labelled by some sections of the society as extremists. However, I do not want to rush to conclusions," Gammanpila said.
The PHU leader added that he appreciated the initiative taken by the SLTJ in raising public awareness of the core Islamic teachings.