News

OIC slams targeting of Muslims in Sri Lanka

07 May, 2020

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed its deep concern over reports on escalating hate speech and hostility towards Muslims in Sri Lanka, the promotion of biased and rejected allegations holding members of the Muslim community responsible for the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in the country as well as reports that authorities cremated bodies of the Muslim victims of the pandemic and arrested community members who rejected these practices.

In this regard, the OIC reaffirmed its firm position rejecting all policies and practices targeting the rights of Muslims anywhere.

Furthermore, it called on the authorities in Sri Lanka to ensure the safety, security and rights of the Muslim community, as well as commitment to respect their religious practices and rituals, safeguard their dignity and to stand firmly against all parties behind the promotion of hatred, Islamophobia, and anti- Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka.

The OIC also stressed that the current global juncture requires the involvement of all actors in strengthening the bonds of cooperation and the values ??of solidarity among states and consolidating cohesion and synergy among constituents of each state to collectively and effectively respond to COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on all societies. (Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

Feature Image

Four arrested in terror probe after arriving in UK from Sri Lanka

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of belonging to a banned extremist organisation after arriving in the UK from Sri Lanka, police have said, according to SKY News. They touched down at Luton Airport on Wednesday night and were later taken into custody, with detectives continuing to question them at a police station in Bedfordshire. Scotland Yard said the suspects, all Sri Lankan nationals, had been detained under the terrorism act. “Police at the airport were made aware of the men the

13 Apr, 2019

Feature Image

Government Printer brought under Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms

The Government Printer has been brought under the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms. An Extraordinary Gazette notification was issued today by President Maithripala Sirisena transferring the Government Printer from the Ministry of Defence and Law and Order to the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms.

12 Apr, 2019

Feature Image

Urgent action sought to stop execution of 13 in Sri Lanka

Urgent action has been sought to stop the execution of 13 convicts in Sri Lanka. Amnesty International made an urgent appeal today to request President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider his decision to hang 13 prisoners, and commute their sentences. “Please retain Sri Lanka?s positive death penalty record and establish a moratorium on all executions with a view to abolish the death penalty entirely,” the appeal said. After 43 years without using the death penalty, President Maithripala Siris

11 Apr, 2019