Signifying the importance of keeping the harmony and goodwill among different religious groups, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates hosted an Iftar function in Association with the Sri Lankan Muslim Community in Dubai on Thursday 16th May 2019 at the premises of the Consulate General. Religious leaders from four main religious faiths participated at the evet together with over 250 Sri Lankans representing all four main religious faiths and ethnic communities of the motherland in the programme. This is the Fourth consecutive time that an event of such nature has been organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Prior to ending of the fast by the Muslim Community, a short multi-religious function was held with the participation of religious leaders representing four major religions of Sri Lanka namely Buddhism , Hinduism, Islam and Christianity to invoke blessings on peace and prosperity of the motherland, especially in the context of recent racial tensions erupted subsequent to Easter Sunday attacks. Highlighting the similarities among the all religions, the religious leaders emphasized the current need of the society to abide by or follow the principles of their own religions and maintaining the “unity in diversity”, which would indeed be a catalyst in the context of inclusive development of the nation.
Delivering the welcome speech at the event, the Consul General Charitha Yattogoda highlighted the importance of being unified as a nation at this decisive moment of the country. The Consul General also thanked the Muslim community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates for joining hands with the Consulate General in organizing this event and for their unstinted support over the years to all endeavours of the Consulate General in promoting Sri Lankan identity in the host country.
Mr. A.S. Khan, the Charge d’ Affaires of Sri Lanka Embassy in UAE, also spoke on significance of the Holy month of Ramadan in the sphere of enriching harmony and peace among all. He also highlighted that the religious events of this nature could enhance the harmony and goodwill among all communities which would be a key drive behind the sustainable development of the country.
After breaking the fast, a speech followed by a Q & A session conducted by Moulavi Sheikh Amher Hakamudeen was held at the venue. This forum was open to any kind of question on Islam by the participants representing any faith. In this interesting session, Moulavi Sheikh Amher Hakamudeen clarified the Islamic interpretations and the positions of Sri Lankan Muslims on a plethora of subjects which were of recent controversy including the formation of extremist groups and the ways to eliminate them and etc.
At the end of the discussion a sumptuous Sri Lankan vegetarian dinner was served to mark the respect towards the religions which follow vegetarian principles by the Sri Lankan Muslim Community.
