Where Were You When Muslims Were Attacked During Mahinda’s Era? Questions Posed on Hakeem and Faizar

The UNESCO has recognised Masjid Al Aqsa, being the declared Muslim’s holy prayer mosque in Jerusalem. During voting Srilanka took a neutral stand and not voted for it. This came under attack by the sections of the Muslims in Srilanka. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was blamed for this. During Cabinet meeting a tense situation arose due to sections of the Muslim Ministers raised the issue. Ministers Rauf Hakeem and Faizar Musthafa took the stand that the Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera should have voted in favour of the UNESCO resolution. But Mangala Samaraweera has briefed the Cabinet colleagues that there were difference of opinion expressed by other religious groups in the UNESCO. Hence, Srilanka took the neutral position during voting, which was accepted by most of the Ministers. It was observed some of the Ministers were commenting on Rauf Hakeem and Faizar Mustafa thus “Where Were You When Muslims Attacked During Mahinda’s Era? You were silent under Mahinda’s regime then and now making a big fuss now,” they asked.

As most of the Ministers supported the position taken by the Mangala Samaraweera both Ministers kept quiet.