By P.K.Balachandran
Colombo, April 25 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath (SLTJ) has denied any involvement in the multiple suicide bombings in Colombo and two other town in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday February 21. The SLTJ General Secretary M F M Faseeh, has castigated a section of the media which had falsely linked the SLTJ with the blasts.
In an official press release, Faseeh said : “On April 21 Sri Lanka witnessed unprecedented level of terror bombings in churches and hotels that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 innocent lives and more than 500 lives were injured. People of all faiths were affected by these heinous crimes.”
“The evil crimes perpetrated through serial blasts can never be justified by any means, and the resultant catastrophe, mainly the loss of lives and suffering, only brings immense pain and heartache to everyone in Sri Lanka and around the globe.”
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath immediately condemned the reprehensible acts of violence as the profoundly sad news emerged, and it stands firm in its fierce denunciation of the vile acts of terror.”
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath expresses its deepest condolence to all those affected by this incident and sincerely pray that everyone affected by the incident, directly and indirectly, overcome the calamity with strength, courage and firmness.”
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath learns from media outlets that a group functioning under the banner National Tawheed Jamath may have been responsible for the terror bombings. Although the full nature and details of the perpetrators are not entirely known at this stage, it is in agreement with the general view that the criminals of these terror acts must swiftly be brought to justice and that they should be punished with severe punishment.”
No Connection With Bombings
“At this juncture, Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath would like to point out that media outlets (print and social media) acting irresponsibly and erroneously linking Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath to the terror bombings. This is absolutely false. “
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath has no connection whatsoever with the bombings and has no connection with the organization suspected to have involved in the incident. Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath and National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) are diametrically opposite in its ideologies and functioning, whereas Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath is vehemently opposed to terrorist activities among other major issues.”
“ Furthermore, National Thowheed Jamath or its members has never been part of Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath because both organizations are firmly contradictory in its core ideology and functioning.”
“There are many organizations that carry or attach the name Tawheed to its banner, and there a number of organizations across the length and breadth of Sri Lanka working under such banners. Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath is one among them which has the name Tawheed mentioned in it.”
No Violence Preached
“Most of these organizations, to our knowledge, have no connection to violence or terror related activities and Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath is the foremost of such organizations in condemning violence and terrorism.”
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath advocate for peace, engage in meaningful intercommunity dialogue and actively promote humanitarian work across Sri Lanka.”
“Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath is an organization that follows the teachings of Islam, the Quran and Hadith (the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings be Upon Him); however, it is an organization which strictly conforms to the constitution of Sri Lanka and abide by its laws and regulations at all times.”
(The image at the top shows a Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamaat demonstration against the withdrawal of the GSP concessions by the European Union)
