Test of integrity: Mahara Mosque and NPP's promise

HERE is a challenge to the NPP Government which promised to eradicate racism and champion the cause of forging one united Sri Lankan citizenry.

- By Mass L. Usuf

An extension of this promise is to guide society towards reconciliation, mutual tolerance and coexistence. 'Cleaning Sri Lanka' with the promise of no discrimination, no injustice and replacing them with equity in action. All of which are excellent and highly commendable promises. Indeed, all citizens irrespective of any differences must commit themselves to stand by the Government in this regard.

It is said that sincere people keep their word. Therefore, people who are sincere do not make promises that they do not intend to keep. Now it is time for President Disanayake and the NPP Government to make good the promises.

The case in point is the Mahara Prison Mosque. This is a mosque which has been standing there for more than 120 years. As per documentations in the National Archives details of the allocation of a plot of land by the British Colonial Government for a mosque and burial ground for the Malay families within the Mahara Prison precincts goes as far back as 1903 (Department of National Archives, Ceylon Administration Report 1902-1903). Why to Malay families, is another interesting story narrated below.

After the Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts Act (Wakfs Act) was passed by Parliament in 1956, the Mahara Mosque was registered with the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs as a place of worship in March 1967. This registration further legalised the continuation of the mosque. In fact, the registration was done with the permission by the then Commissioner of Prisons F.D.L. Ratnayake. As a functioning mosque maintenance, renovation and extension to the premises had been done on an as and when basis. Way back in 1950, the mosque was renovated by the Government Building Contractor and there is a plaque until today in appreciation of their services.