Inaccurate Narratives Will Be Wrongfully Exploited In International Fora

Erroneous narratives such as “Islamic” extremism or “Buddhist” extremism will be wrongfully exploited before international fora for attack by anti-Sri Lankan interest groups

- M.M. Zuhair PC, Latheef Farook, Mass L. Usuf and Mansoor Dahlan

In our country, we have both majoritarian extremism as well as minoritarian extremism, adverted to in the Easter Sunday Commission’s report but incorrectly and inappropriately stereotyped as “Islamic” and “Buddhist” extremism.

The Commission has said (on page 471) that “The Thowheed (Wahhabis) ideology is at the core of the Islamic extremism prevalent in the country. This was further fermented by Buddhist extremism which was not checked at an early stage”.

In our view, these are unacceptable observations because we do not subscribe to the Western Right-Wing extremist propagandist narrative of naming and shaming Islam or Buddhism for the extremist views or conduct of a few amongst their respective followers.

Erroneous narratives such as “Islamic” extremism or “Buddhist” extremism will be wrongfully exploited before international fora for attack by anti-Sri Lankan interest groups.

We also do not accept that ‘Thouheed’ or ‘Thouheed Ideology’ is at the core of extremism prevalent in the country. No doubt there had been differences of opinion within the Muslim community on methodology and ritualistic practices at different times in the country.

There had been similar rifts amongst followers of other religions as well. This is a common phenomenon amongst followers of all religions.