A senior Buddhist monk in campaigning to be reelected to parliament has threatened to launch a “massive boycott” of Muslim businesses if the government fails to traditional Islamic education institutes and the Burqua.
Speaking to journalists on 6 June in Rajagiriya, former parliamentarian Athuraliye Ratana Thero denigrated Madrasas as “factories that produce bomb makers and brainwash people”.
He challenged government to “stop him if they can” from carrying out his threat.
“We tell the Buddhists, Christians, Tamils and Hindus that we should stop visiting Muslim shops until they ban the burqa and shut down the Madrasas. We give a week’s notice to the Jamiyyathul Ulama.”
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) is the top religious body of Islamic theologians that provides religious and community guidance to Sri Lankan Muslims.
Recently, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who requested authorities to investigate teachings in Madrasa schools was informed that registered institutions follow a curriculum approved by the education ministry.
“This matter was discussed in the security council as well,” said PM Rajapaksa
The PM later instructed officials to register any unregulated Madrasas.
The first ever Sri Lankan Madrasa was established in Galle in 1870, according to the Department of Muslim Affairs. Reports say there are 1669 madrasas and 317 Arabic colleges today.
