This is in response to the column “How South Asia lets down its minorities” by Aijaz Zaka Syed. I read the article with keen interest as it highlighted the plight of the minority communities in the region. I am a Sri Lankan Muslim living in the Kingdom for last many years. Being a keen observer of national and international politics, I am aware of the problems and challenges confronting the marginalized groups in different countries, particularly in South Asia.
For the last few months, I have been worried over Sri Lankan Buddhist clerics protesting against halal certificated food products at departmental stores. These protests can any time take an ugly turn, creating communal tensions in the country. Muslims are living in a state of shock and fear and braced for violence against them by the Buddhist fanatics.
As a matter of fact, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers are behind these demonstrations and they are the ones who are funding the protesters. — Mohamed Mustafa, Makkah
Halal meat row
