WikiLeaks: A Growing Wahhabi Presence In Eastern Province Muslim Leaders
Ambassador hosted prominent Muslim leaders for a roundtable discussion on Muslim issues to mark the holy month of Ramadan. Participants noted the absence of Al-Qaida and other radical Islamist terror groups but expressed concern about a growing Wahhabi presence, and the need to address social problems within the Muslim community before radical ideas begin to resonate with the youth. the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable is written on October 9, 2007 by the US Ambassador to Colombo Robert O. Blake.
On October 2, Ambassador Blake hosted prominent Muslim leaders for a roundtable discussion on Muslim issues. Participants included Principal of Zahira College T.K. Azoor, former Attorney General Shibly Aziz, Chairman of the Muslim Peace Secretariat A.M.M. Faaiz, and Chairman of the Islamic Center of Sri Lanka M.H. Mohamed.
Ambassador Blake wrote; Participants expressed concern about land rights for Muslims in both the Eastern Province and the North-Western Province. Despite historically good relations with both Hindus and Buddhists, Muslims now face some resistance to their activities, even in Colombo. For the most part, however, they remained optimistic about relations between Muslims and both Sinhalese and Tamils and confident that Sri Lankan Muslims would remain moderate and peaceful. Ambassador assured the Muslim leaders that the U.S. is paying close attention to religious freedom and other concerns raised during the discussion and regularly encourages the GSL to listen to and address the concerns of the Muslim community
Under the subheading Wahhabi Influence Growing the ambassador wrote; Participants noted that Islam in Sri Lanka has traditionally been both moderate and peaceful. Lately, however, they observe a growing Wahhabi presence, based mostly in the town of Kattankudy in Eastern Province. Fortunately, they said, there are not yet any jihadi groups present in Sri Lanka. Muslim leaders have made a point of teaching youth to shun this path. They expressed a concern however, that if social problems within the Muslim community are not addressed, radical ideas may begin to resonate. The growing influence of the Wahhabis has led to intra-religous tensions and increased intolerance of minority Muslim sects such as the Sufis.
Placing a comment the ambassador wrote; The roundtable participants seemed eager to share their concerns and appreciative of an audience with the U.S. Embassy. They welcomed U.S. intervention with the GSL to encourage fair treatment of Muslims. For the most part, however, they remained optimistic about relations between Muslims and both Sinhalese and Tamils and confident that Sri Lankan Muslims would remain moderate and peaceful.