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Sri Lanka's main Islamic party refuses to relocate controversial mosque | Sri Lanka's main Muslim political party Muslim Congress, a government ally on Monday wowed not to reach any compromise on the removal of controversial Muslim
mosque in the central part of the country. Party leader Rauff Hakeem, also minister
of justice, said that the minority Muslims would never agree to relocate the mosque
and said it was an attempt by the xenophobic elements to incite communal disharmony.
“As a responsible government we expect that the grievances of the minorities are
addressed," said Hakeem. On April 20, a crowd of Buddhist monks tried to demolish
the mosque in the central town of Dambulla , saying it was an illegal construction
in the sacred Buddhist city. Two days later the country's prime minister who is
also minister of religious affairs ordered the relocation of the mosque and declared
the area a Buddhist sacred site. The decision angered senior Muslim politicians
including those in the government. The Muslims also staged public protest last
week by closing shops and taking to streets and claimed the mosque was there for
last 50 years. The Muslim Congress leadership is to raise the issue with the president
this week. The Muslim Congress which contested in 2010 general election under
the opposition and won eight out of 225 seats but joined the government during
the budget presentation in 2011. Sri Lankan Muslims have lived in Sri Lanka since
the 8th century and have the third largest population after Buddhists of 70 percent
and Hindus of 15 percent.
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