Where there should not be an ethnic-based Arabic university in Sri Lanka
Posted on May 2nd, 2019
An article written in July 2013
The Minister of Education announced recently that the Ministry would do away with ethnic-based schools given its own principled” stand we would next like to know how using the same logic of not allowing ethnic” based learning, the education authorities have signed an MOU to establish the Malik Abdulla University College in Kattankudy, in Eastern Province.
When the announcement was given by the Ministry of Education that they would remove ethnic-based” schools the first thoughts of everyone was whether leading schools that have been in existence for years, Government or Semi-Government would agree to changing their names. Ministers have a way of drawing public attention by announcements that provide no logic just as absurd as some came out with the need to change the national anthem and the national flag and now it appears someone has landed a lucrative deal to change the national ID card to include Tamil as well.
Obviously, objections would have been made with former schools, children, parents or past-pupils NOT wanting to change the name of their alma-mater that the Ministry quickly reversed its stand and declared No NEW schools would be ethnic-based”. What do authorities propose to do about the rising number of Muslim Only and Tamil Only international schools, day care centers springing up in every corner while there are no Sinhala Only universities? Does this fall within the oft quoted multi” label?
So if the Ministry has decided to not allow no NEW ethnic-based schools what explanation can be given to allowing a MUSLIM ONLY university college?
The University College is to be funded by Saudi Arabia which is known for funding institutes that radicalize youth and draws them towards Saudi brand of Islam and Sharia law.
The newspaper announcements claim that the University was requested by Deputy Minister Hisbullah and is established as part of the Mahinda Chintanaya which clearly goes to show how authorities have a way of manipulating the system because no where in the Chintanaya does it say to create ETHNIC-based private colleges unless another Chintanaya is being practiced. But the college itself is earmarked to be inaugurated by the President himself. The announcements last line that it would cater to the needs of all three communities” is obviously a whitewash.
The argument against the establishment of an ethnic-based university has nothing to do with being against learning but everything to do with the principle that if authorities are attempting to integrate the youth and not segregate them why are they establishing places of learning that is imparting a brand of education that distances them from other communities?
Students coming out of such universities end up mentally and physically alienating themselves out of choice (in view of their new Arabic attire and thinking) and disassociating themselves from those in their age group – this affects the team spirit, the ability to work as teams even when they join employment. Is this a healthy environment we wish to create?
Moreover, we cannot ignore the rise in Saudi-funded Islamic radicalism to be naïve that while this may exist elsewhere it is unlikely to create similar catastrophe’s here in Sri Lanka too.
Recently wikileaks released US Embassy in Colombo cable identifying 4 such groups based in Sri Lanka – Jamthi Islam, Thauhid Jamath, Thableeq Jamath, and Jamathi Muslim. The cable was written by Ambassador Lunstead on 9 June, 2004. The cable also details training camps, while other youth are sent to Saudi and says that a Saudi-based NGO World Assembly of Muslim Youth fund these activities. The Ambassador cites that the Muslim youth initially started training to defend themselves against the LTTE. The cable also mentions the Muslim Congress being supported by the Islamic Unity Foundation which has military, intelligence, religious and political wings as well as weapons. Other groups mentioned in the cable include Knox group, Ossama group, Jetty group, Mujahadeen, Banda group all with Muslim Congress backing. Links to the underworld is also mentioned. Ambassador Lunstead also notes very little insight into the veiled world of Muslim militancy in eastern Sri Lanka and the information provided is just one part of a vast puzzle that makes up the cultural/political/religious melting pot of Sri Lanka.” This clearly shows that we need to be alert to all Saudi-funded seats of learning because the outcome of these in other parts of the world have resulted in fatal consequences and have torn entire nations apart. The question is – do we want to invite the same in Sri Lanka when we have just come out of a 30 year chaos?
The argument is further strengthened by the fact that ALREADY there are 5 types of institutes offering Arabic in Sri Lanka – the GOSL conducts 2 types of examinations, there are the Madrasas (religious based schools) which offer 8 years Sharia courses, then 4 Government universities which offer degree level courses and the Jamia Naleemia in Beruwela which is also a private university. There is a rising number of children as young as 7 attending these madrasas instead of schools which raises the question of Sri Lanka’s international commitment that ALL Children must attend schools – not religious based schools.
However, Arabic language courses selected by undergraduate students raises more questions than answers – normally in marketing the demand creates the supply – from what is happening is that the supply is been geared to create the demand.
For the 1.8million Muslims of Sri Lanka the number of already existing religious and educational establishments suffices to say the least. Authorities now need to work out a moratorium so that the demography of the country is kept intact and the peace dividends that 27,000 soldiers sacrificed their lives for is not eliminated by the shortsighted decisions taken by officials and public servants.
Shenali D Waduge
May 2nd, 2019 at 9:33 am
This Sharia University Campus in Batticaloa is being built for no purpose other than SPREADING the FANATICALLY EXTREMIST VIEWS of Wahhabi Muslim Religion not only within Sri Lanka but also in the GREATER South Asian region.
This “Super-Madrassa” style UNIVERSITY is slated to enroll over 5000 students next year as its first batch of POTENTIAL AGITATORS & TERRORISTS in their quest to achive the declared objective of Transforming Sri Lanka into a Wahabbi Religious Nation.
If this Sharia University survives and continues to exist within Sri Lanka, it will INEVITABLY THREATEN Hindu Majority INDIA and will TRIGGER ANOTHER INVASION by India into Sri Lanka. This time to protect itself against its Muslim Enemies who are prevented from achieving the same goals within India by the Hindu Dominated Government of India.
This university also has links to American/USA interests who will use any available tool to destabilize Sri Lanka and ESTABLISH a MASSIVE PRESENCE on the ground in Sri Lanka in pursuit of their STOP CHINA project.
The Americansare so myopic that they fail to see that the rapidly spreading Muslim FANATICISM, well funded by Saudi Arabia and other Extreme Muslim states, is a GREATER THREAT than CHINA to their own survival in the long term.
MAKE NO MISTAKE: For Sri Lanka, this is DECISION TIME: Do we want to SURVIVE as a Buddhist Majority Nation? If we do, then then we must UPROOT this Sharia University and the growing collection of Madrassas within Sri Lanka NOW!
May 2nd, 2019 at 10:32 am
Dear Shenali Waduge, I REALY APPRECIATE YOUR PROPOSALS & GREAT SUGGESTIONS!!! THIS IS WHAT I HAVE GAINED THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE UNDERSTAND OUR DEAF! BLIND!! & INSANE!!! POLITICIANS WHO TRY TO BE IN POWER AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR POOR PEOPLE’s MONEY!!!
When the DIRTY, MURDERERS,MUSLIM KILLERS STARTED KILLING OUR OWN PEOPLE,THE SADNESS CAME INTO MY MIND WAS VERY,VERYHIGH!!!.I FELT THAT ,HAD I HAVE BEEN IN SRI LANKA, I TOO WOULD HAVE TAKEN SOME WEAPON AND STARTED HARMING THE “MUSLIMS WHO ARE ALL OF THE SAME NATURE”!!! THAT IS THE GOSPAL THRUTH!!!
ANYWAY,ACCORDING TO LOARD BUDDA’S PREACHINGS, WHAT EVER YOU DO WILL HAVE ITS REPECUSSIONS!!!
THAT MEANS,?IF YOU DO GOOD TO OTHERS,YOU TOO WILL GET GOOD IN RETURN!!!BUT,IF YOU DO BAD TO OTHERS,YOU TOO WILL GET BAD REPERCUSSIONSQ!!! THAT IS! DHITTA! DHAMMA!! VEDANEEYA KARMA!!! WILL FOLLOW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 2nd, 2019 at 10:47 am
After watching the VIDEO OF THE SO CALLED CAMPUS,A GREAT HATREAD CAME INTO MY MIND!!!
SO,I THINK,””””””NOW ITS TIME TO DESTROY THESE CAMPUSES AS THEY ARE ALL MURDERERS!!!THESE PLACES SHOULD BE BOMBED,THE SAME WAY HOW THRSE EXTREMISTS MUSLIM TERRORISTSKILLED OUR INNOCENT PRAYESRS IN THE CHURCHES!!!””””””””
May 2nd, 2019 at 2:08 pm
When it was approved and the government participated in its initiation in 2013 it was very well established that this university or college or whatever was going to teach extremism. However, the government was unable and unwilling to stop it. Partly it was due to some Muslim countries supporting Sri Lanka at the UNHRC. However, Sri Lanka lost all UNHRC resolutions in 2012, 2013 and 2014 so any country voting for us does not matter.
May 2nd, 2019 at 4:03 pm
From Aluthgama until Easter all parties blamed BBS, Masason Balkaya, Sinhal-Le etc etc as racists elements by both political clans and JVP.
JHU, who were warning about Islamic extremism for years were also silenced by JO@Co including Wimal for political advantage.
By last Easter, no one left to complain about Muslim evil.
This has nothing to with intelligence at all because even during Aluthgama times blame simply came to Gotabhaya and he was silenced too !
Blame should go to all political clans and JVP too.
May 2nd, 2019 at 5:04 pm
This video of the University was in the net for a while. It was there as part of the Architects work who is a Sinhalese Architects.
Our real problem is we have no control over what is happening in the country.
Though Sinhalese are the majority, the country’s fate is decided by Indian minority and India.
There are 100% Tamil educational institutes in the country specially in the North, East and Hill country. No Sinhalese are allowed and all staff from India.
Look at all the Indian ..purams being built in the hill country with 100% Indian money.
May 2nd, 2019 at 7:23 pm
I have sent to the editor at LankaWe a Youtube Video of a very recent very comprehensive presentation by Prof Channa Jayasumana opposing the creation of this “Shara University of Batticaloa”.
I urge all to listen to his very informative presentation when it is published at LankaWeb.
May 2nd, 2019 at 11:21 pm
Not only ethnic – based universities, government should ban all ethnic and religious based political parties as well.
May 4th, 2019 at 4:21 am
This country will never have a chance to escape from the grip of minorities if elections are to be held under the present constitution. Current prez will not have a chance of even think of contesting again, to my mind. Therefore the best he can do for the large number of Sinhalese who voted for him is to find a way to go back to our original constitution. These extremist types will not have much clout in that parliament.
Therefore, I think, elections are not a priority. Dissolve the parliament and have a caretaker government to bring in a new constitution similar to the one we had at independence. Perhaps we could revisit Sirima-Shasthree pack and repatriate some of the up-country Tamils with enough compensation for them to settle down in Tamil Nadu which may be having a better economy than SL. They are much more developed in the tech sector. I am sure they would like to go back.
May 4th, 2019 at 5:59 am
Aloy te Sirima-Shastri pact was a joke and an Indian trick.
We should follow Nehru-Kotalawala agreement.