The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, we welcome these regulation changes to facilitate import of essential goods for those affected by Cyclone “Dicha.”

¶ 03 However, I must raise that successive governments, including the present one, still keep copies of the Holy Qur’an held up at Customs. Floods destroyed many households’ belongings, including Qur’ans, and with Ramadan approaching—a holy period when women at home recite the Qur’an more—why was specific Cabinet approval not secured to release Qur’an consignments under these very regulations?

¶ 04 We also see continuing anti-Muslim sentiments. When we asked for a Muslim Cabinet Minister, many here derided former ministers. We did not demand portfolios for Opposition or minority party leaders; we sought fair treatment. Muslims voted for you in the hope you would act justly after the Easter attacks and other matters. If not a full minister, at least appoint qualified Muslims—yet we hear even for the Jeddah ambassadorship there were “no suitable candidates,” which we consider insulting.

¶ 05 The National List exists to appoint experts when needed. Are there no qualified Muslim academics or professionals? Why appoint unsuitable persons instead?

¶ 06 Those who plotted against the Qur’an have faded; a previous government was thrown out in disgrace for tampering with it. We expected you to release the Qur’an consignments; failure brings misfortune not only to government but the whole nation. For the people’s sake, please release them.

¶ 07 On another matter, there is a serious disruption in Akkaraipattu where a doctor’s controversy has halted services for over three days, affecting poor patients. Please act urgently to resolve this. The public is preparing legal action.

¶ 08 Both regulation sets today are important, but your Government continues to act against the people’s mandate. Additionally, a “Prajashakthi” group appears to control local administration; officials act only with its leaders’ approval, even MPs and local chairmen must go through them. This is unacceptable.

¶ 09 Thank you.