Dua prayers for Tsunami Muslim victims held in Trinco

[TamilNet, Friday, 04 February 2005, 18:41 GMT]
40th day Dua prayer meeting for Muslim victims of tsunami disaster, organized by leading local Muslim leaders of the east port town was held in Trincomalee Zahira Muslim Maha Vidiyalayam Thursday night immediately after Luhar prayers. Mr.Rasik Fareed, President of the Young Thakkia Sports Club presided.

A section of particpatants in Dua prayers.

Mr.J.A.Rafeek, addressing the gathering after prayers said Muslims of the district have no correct political leadership to look after their interests and political aspirations. "The appointment of the post tsunami District Task Force in the Trincomalee district has proved the weakness of our political leadership," said Mr.Rafeek.

In Trincomalee district 70 percent of the dead and 65 percent of displaced and rendered homeless were Muslims. But the government authorities overlooked the Muslims when appointing members to the District Task Force and its five sub-committees. Not a single Muslim representative was appointed to such institutions, which are engaged in implementing relief, and reconstruction work in tsunami affected areas in the district, he said.

It is a pity to note that Muslim political leaders in the district are not capable of exerting their pressure on the government to appoint a Muslim representative to the DTF, he added.