Assalamu Alaikum Ya Nesan!

Beruwela was rather unexpected and unwelcome by equal measure, and the mechanics of the event is most concerning. While it is true that the Government did step in, and some compensation was made to the victims, they do little to ease the tension. The culprits that encouraged the situation went unpunished, and the climate that made it possible is still prevalent creating a crippling uncertainty that can affect the progress of the people. While the politically naïve resorted to comforting themselves with hope, that such events are exceptional, and will be dealt with much better now that there is a precedence, Father time had other plans, and Gintota served to remind them that hope is not for cheap people.

Former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, with Former American Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.

“There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones” says the Great Anwar Sadat, and practicing the wisdom in his words is the need of the hour. The response to Gintota by the greater Muslim community is therefore highly praiseworthy. Assistance and compassion made its way swiftly to the affected area and despite the disappointing leadership shown by ruling elements, both Muslim and otherwise, the people of our blessed Serendib followed the world renowned leadership of the Great Sadat. It is this that bought us hope, and nothing else.

Ibn Serendib does not want to imply that our government is bigoted, and credit where it’s due, some compensation to the affected parties were made. However by their nature, governments would rather sweep problems, even big ones under the rug if they can do so, and money is not a valid currency to by peace. The situation clearly demonstrates the capabilities of some elements within the country to carry out coordinated assaults at a moment’s notice, and deal a deadly impact on their victims. And this capability needs to be managed to prevent it being used at inopportune moments. Such assaults need not be violent like Gintota, they can be verbal and political like the unfortunate Wilpattu. The most successful way to do this is following Sadat’s advice, because it has been proven time and time again that if today they came for your brother, tomorrow they will most certainly come for you.

The Muslim community has become a “diaper wearing adolescent” of sorts. It still harks back to the day that they were but a few, comfortable within their Tariq’ah’s or Jammaths or Kachchi’s or whatever other type of fragmented organization they had, dependant on the milk of international charity and the warmth of the bosom of the government. Whether this approach worked for them in the past is questionable, but as the size and complexity of this community has grown, with specialized needs both within the local and international arena, the time has come for this community to act like a big boy. “If we don't grow, we aren't really living”, says Gail Sheehy a renowned American author, and “If we aren’t living there are people waiting to bury us”, adds Ibn Serendib, a not so renowned author, but a well seasoned Muslim.

Therefore remember, whether you are Moor, Malay or belong to some other insignificant group, no one really cares, especially when they have come to rob you. Follow Sadat, to become one family, only then will hope and happiness come and we can become an integral part of this great country.

May Allah give us all hope!