Sri Lanka: Muslim body applauded killing of Baghdadi

"We, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama welcome the news report on the death of the ruthless terrorist, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in a US military raid in Syria, which was supported by other countries," All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama a premier body on Islamic affairs in Sri Lanka headed by Rizvi Moulavi noted in a press statement.

"ISIS has carried out many atrocities against humanity and we feel that the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ringleader of this terror organization is a big step forward in eliminating ISIS menace completely from this world. We believe that Allah has answered the prayers and the cries of the victims affected by the ISIS terror attacks in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world, and that he will get the deserved punishments in the life here-after," the statement noted.

"As per the Joint Declaration issued by ACJU and Muslim Organizations of Sri Lanka in 23rd July 2015, against ISIS and Extremism, we reiterate that ISIS is a violent terrorist organization which acts against the fundamental teachings of Islam. It is an absolutely deviant organization which operates against all the principles and tenets of Islam. ISIS terrorist organization that kills innocent people under the name of Islam is totally unacceptable. There is no place in Islam for extremism, terrorism, murder, violence against innocent people, which are regarded as grave sins," it further added.

"We once again emphasize to our fellow Sri Lankans that ISIS or any other extremist ideology has nothing to do with Islam. Moving forward, we all should unite and make it our common goal to work tirelessly to eradicate all forms of terrorism, extremism and violence and make efforts to build peace and harmony across the globe."

However, according to the independent analysts, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama accused of being corrupted and secretly instigating extremism in Sri Lanka in the last few decades.

"ACJU is an association of those who have gone through Madrasas. ACJU has no mandate to speak or act on behalf of the Muslim community as it was not given this authority by the community," a well-known analyst Latheef Farook writo recently.

"During mid-1920s simple and respected religious men who guided the community, formed the All Ceylon Jamiathul Ulema. This continued until Rizvi Moulavi became the ACJU president and began to manipulate to assert himself as the religious and political leader of the community, though he is not. Sorry state of affairs is such that he tries to play the role of medieval Pope who exercised political and religious powers. "

"Today the ACJU is an organization of yes men. No one dare question the president who has been known for unnecessary controversies even on issues such as Ramadhan and eid moon sightings. He committed blunder after blunder exploited by Sinhala racists to distort Islam and mislead the Sinhalese masses.

"ACJU has always dabbled on issues without consulting the community and the most serious was that of the halal issue. Muslims had been in this country for centuries and they had no problems in deciphering what is halal and haram for them particularly when it comes to food habits. ACJU made halal issue purely from the commercial angle and that infuriated the other communities," Latheef Farook further noted.