Muslim federation calls for hartal, urges Tamil-Muslim unity in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 November 2007, 04:12 GMT]
Federation of Muslim Mosques in Batticaloa district appealed Monday to the residents in Muslim areas in Batticaloa district to join in a shut down Tuesday, demanding the immediate release of a Muslim trader abducted Wednesday in Chiththaandi area, allegedly by a Tamil paramilitary group. The Federation has also released a hand-bill titled, 'Let us safeguard Tamil-Muslim ties,' sources in Batticaloa said.

Unidentified armed men way laid and abducted Mohamed Kasim Riyal, 30, a Muslim trader Wednesday morning at Chanthivea'li Main Road in Vazhaichcheanai police division in Batticaloa.

Kasim Riyal is the father of a child and a resident in M.P.C.S Road at Maavadicheanai in Ottamaavadi.

Kasim Riyal had travelled to Batticaloa town Tuesday around 5:15 p.m to purchase goods and had stayed overnight there. He was returning to Oattamaavadi when he was abducted.

An announcement related to the appeal to shut down was made over loud speakers in all the Mosques in the Muslim areas in Batticaloa district Sunday around 8:30 p.m.

The hand-bill of the Federation said that the Tamils and Muslims had lived long maintaining friendly relationship but had experienced rift due to unfortunate events in the recent past. But the present situation is conducive to rebuild friendly relations.

Tamils in the Muslim areas should co-operate to free the Muslim trader abducted by Tamil paramilitary groups, the hand-bill further said.

We request our Tamil brothers to offer their co-operation to get all government and private institutions and shops to observe the shut down Tuesday, the notice further said.

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