Role of Muslims in Nurturing National Unity

N.M. Ameen

An important part of the Medina society were recognized as a distinct, autonomous Respected religious leaders, distinguished guests and everyone present for this National Conference today, first let me greet you all by saying Assalamu Alaikum, Ayubowan, Wannakam and Good Evening. It is indeed my pleasure to be at this august assembly and share some thoughts with you on the role of Religion in reconciliation from a Muslim perspective.

Distinguished Guests, I think we can all agree that the most important task today for us in Sri Lanka is to work on reconciliation – create an atmosphere for peaceful living among all communities, and create mutual trust through the establishment of social justice. Truthfully speaking, communal disharmony by any means in society is an awful social disease, religion can play a vital role in combating this disease.

Majority of people in Sri Lanka who belong to the four major religions followed in our motherland do fortunately, adhere to the noble teachings of their respective religions. This is a positive sign for us. As the speaker representing the religion of Islam, I would like to present the Islamic viewpoint with regard to creating an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence through reconciliation.

Ramadan

Welcome to Ramadan, the month of mercy.
Sit yourself calm and witness the beauty.

Feel the pure breeze under the shade of palm trees,

Forgiveness – even if sins stretch seven seas.
The month of reflecting on the life we’ve spent

And how it healed after every dent.
The time to realize your true objective

And to live Islam fully and not selective.
The time to appreciate the food and drink.

To unite rich and poor and provide the link.
The month of the struggle to grasp your soul,

For the next eleven months, in full control.
This is the time when the gates of hell are shut.

The devil is locked up and his work is cut.
The doors of mercy are opened up wide

And Allah’s blessings are always on your side
This is the month when the Qur’an was revealed,

The last revelation – the door had been sealed.
A true guidance for the whole of mankind,

No better words elsewhere will we ever find.
This is the month in which falls the Night of Power,

‘Better than a thousand months’, the blessings shower.
The angels descend on us so that they may see

The faces of believers in tranquility.
Don’t ignore this Ramadan; it could be your last.

Strive to obtain Allah’s pleasure and hold your fast.

Tomorrow could be your final day, be prepared.
Seize today by the neck and have no chance spared\

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