Sri Lankan Majlis Qatar (SLMQ) hosted its 13th annual symposium at the College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNAQ) auditorium. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka Jayantha Palipane was the chief guest.
The theme of the symposium was ‘Co-existence among communities’ and Dr Jehan Perera (pictured), Executive Director at National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, delivered the keynote speech. Dr Perera mentioned that Sri Lankan Muslims, the second largest minority community in Sri Lanka that has stood steadfastly for a united and undivided Sri Lanka has been a major source of strength to successive Sri Lankan governments during the recently concluded 30 year war.
The president of SLMQ, Ameerudeen Moulana, welcomed the gathering and spoke about the history of Sri Lankan Muslims. Moulana mentioned that Sri Lankan Muslims have been living in Sri Lanka for several centuries as an example of coexistence in a plural society and many inscriptions discovered in Sri Lanka show that there were Arab settlements in Sri Lanka in pre-Islamic times. He urged that any reference to Sri Lankan Muslims as new comers or foreigners should be properly answered by all peace loving Sri Lankans and such references should be banned by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Fatima Sultan AI Kuwari, Director Community & PR, Ooredoo, released the souvenir and distributed mementos to the community members for their outstanding services to the community and their achievements. Past President Hazim Hazma delivered vote of thanks. The Peninsula
