Teacher's Day

A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Author Unknown

Opening remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at a press conference during her mission to Sri Lanka - Colombo, 31 August 2013

Navanethem Pillay

Good morning, and thank you for coming.

As is customary at the end of official missions such as this, I would like to make some 

observations concerning the human rights situation in the country.

During my seven-day visit, I have held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and 

senior members of the Government. These included the Ministers of External Affairs, Justice, 

Economic Development, National Languages and Social Integration, Youth Affairs and the 

Minister of Plantations Industries who is also Special Envoy to the President on Human 

Rights, as well as the Secretary of Defence. I also met the Chief Justice, Attorney-General, 

Leader of the House of Parliament and the Permanent Secretary to the President, who is 

head of the taskforce appointed to monitor the implementation of the report of the Lessons 

Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Politicians should stop representing religions - Bakeer Markar

Former minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar requests to stop representing religion from politicians 

Imtiaz Bakeer Markar

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\

Thanks - stepforwardpak.com

Love

Nelson Mandela

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite" 

By: Nelson Mandela

Making Things Happen

Too many people go through life waiting for things to happen instead of making them happen!

Clever Ever