DUBAI, May 2019: Signifying the importance of enhancing harmony and goodwill among different religious groups, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates hosted an Iftar in association with the Sri Lankan muslim community in Dubai at the premises of the Consulate General.
Religious leaders from four main religious faiths participated at the event together with over 250 SriLankans representing all four main religious faiths and ethnic communities in the island nation. This is the fourth consecutive time that an event of such nature has been organised by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Prior to the ending of the fast by Muslim guests, a multi-religious function was held with the participation of religious leaders representing the four major religions of Sri Lanka, namely Buddhism , Hinduism, Islam and Christianity to invoke blessings for peace and prosperity of the motherland, especially in the wake of the recent communal tensions following the Easter Sunday attacks. Highlighting the similarities among all religions, the religious leaders emphasised that the need of the hour was to abide by or follow the principles of their own religions and maintain “unity in diversity” for the country’s development and prosperity.
In his welcome speech at the event, the Consul General, Charitha Yattogoda emphasised the importance of being united as a nation at this decisive moment for 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 the Sri Lankan identity in the host country.
Mr. A.S. Khan, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Sri Lanka Embassy in UAE, also spoke on the significance of the Holy month of Ramadan in the context of enriching harmony and peace among all, and that such religious events could further enhance the goodwill among all communities in Sri Lanka.
After breaking the fast, Islamic preacher Sheikh Amher Hakamudeen, who flew from Sri Lanka to attend the Iftar, delivered a lecture that touched on the month of Ramadan, inter-faith interaction, Islamic extremism and the current situation in Sri Lanka. A Question-and-Answer session that followed saw Sheikh Hakamudeen clarifying the different Islamic interpretations and the positions adopted by Sri Lankan Muslims on a plethora of topics, and also dispelled various misconceptions about the religion.
