Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai hosts an Iftar programme in association with Sri Lankan Muslim Community in Dubai

Signifying the importance of keeping the harmony and goodwill among different religious groups, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka hosted an Iftar function in Association with the Sri Lankan Muslim Community in Dubai on Thursday 16^th May 2019. Over 200 Sri Lankans representing all faiths participated in the above programme. This is the third 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 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 organizing this event and for their unstinted support over the years to all endeavours of the Consulate General.

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 such as Jihad, Wahabism, the formation of extremist groups of controversy and the ways to eliminate them and etc.

At the end of the discussion a sumptuous vegetarian dinner containing fried rice and Kottu, as a respect to the religions which follow vegetarian principles, was served to the gathering by the Sri Lankan Muslim Community.