MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO- Elaborate arrangements have been made to hold the centenary celebrations of the All-Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama,ACJU, under the patronage of Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe at the BMICH on Thursday, Jan19.
The day’s events would include speeches by President Wickremesnghe, ACJU President As-Sheikh Rezwie Mufthi, ACJU Secretary General As-Sheikh Arkam Noorahmith, Moulana Ebrahim Ismail Bham from South Africa, Director of the Jamiah Naleemiah Sheikh Agar Mohammed and several others.
President Wickremesinghe will also also release a stamp at the event to mark the occasion, while Sheik Agar Mohammed will release the ACJU magazine.
The day’s programme will be spiced up with cultural programs to depict the Islamic culture and its values.
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has been in existence since 1924 and was incorporated by Parliament Act No. 51 of 2000 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The objectives of the ACJU are farsighted, long-run, and designed to serve the Muslim Community and the nation. At present ACJU has 163 Branches in 24 districts and over 8000 Scholars as subscribed Members.
Speaking to Colombo Times, As-Sheikh Rizwie Mutfthi said: “ We are excited about the programme since we are celebrating 100 years of service to the nation while peacefully existing with other communities in the island.” Ours is a non-political organization which is solely bent on serving humanity in general,” he added.
ACJU Secretary As-Sheik Arkam Noor Ahmith said the ACJU is adapting itself to the technological, scientific, and cultural developments for peaceful coexistence with all communities in the country.”As we complete 100 years, we will open a new chapter full of enhanced activities to benefit the people and to enable them to live peacefully with other nations in the globe,” As-Sheikh Noor Ahmith added.
He also said the aim of the ACJU is to build an exemplary and complying Muslim community enriched with the Islamic values and teachings and contributing towards the uplift of Islam and the betterment of the community and the nation.
There will be a focus on coexistence, education and youth in the centenary celebrations.
As Sheikh Noorahmith said education, is one of the greatest treasures that should be acquired by every human being in this world. Islam has made it compulsory upon every male and female to seek knowledge. Literacy plays a major role in acquiring education.
“It is through writing we read. Reading and writing are significant gateways to acquire knowledge. In fact, writing is an ‘Amaanath’ and being a writer is a responsibility. Writers perform a significant duty of developing the society through his thoughts, creativity and activities. Accordingly, a literate society stands ahead in the improvement of all aspects of humanity.”
He said that an educated community dispels the darkness of society and illuminates it. The pre-Islamic Arabian social environment was known as ‘Ayyamul Jaahiliyyah’ which is interpreted as the dark period of ignorance. They were at the height of ignorance and were engaged in sins such as murder, robbery, adultery, gambling and vain disputes. Almighty Allah guided this society to the righteous path with the light of revelation.
He also said that co-existence involves more than just tolerance, for tolerance does not ensure harmony. It requires the willingness to understand diversity, the need for understanding and open discussions as well as being able to hold our religious differences not in isolation but in relation to one another, which is an important aspect for coexistence to be implemented in Sri Lanka.
Understanding the importance of establishing racial and religious harmony in Sri Lanka ACJU instituted a dedicated division under the name of CCC – Council for Cooperation and Coordination, to focus this matter.
