OIC pledges its cooperation for communal harmony in Sri Lanka

The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has pledged its support to Sri Lanka to stabilize communal harmony in the island.

This was revealed during a meeting here in Jeddah on Sunday between OIC Secretary General Dr Yusuf Al-Othaimeen and Sri Lankan Ambassador Azmi Thassim at the Organization's headquarters here.

Speaking to Riyadh Daily, Ambassador Thassim said the meeting  was  arranged on an directive from the foreign ministry in Colombo which has received a letter from the OIC expressing immense concerns over the recent violence unleashed against some Muslims in Kandy and Amparai.

The ambassador explained that the things were brought under control by swift action by the government enforcing curfew and even the compensation for damages have been promised by the state.

During the three-day violence, mosques, Muslim shops , and Muslim houses were vandalized by racists who came in large groups to attack Muslims properties and persons.

Al-Othaimeen told the envoy that it is not OIC's business to interfere in the affairs of a country. However , he added that as a parent body for 57 Muslim countries, it is concerned with the welfare of the Muslims who are minority in Non-Muslim countries .

"We like to promote peaceful co-existence with other communities in a country for a peaceful living", Al-Othaimeen said.

He expressed the OIC's readiness to cooperate with Sri Lanka to conduct inter-faith dialogue among the people which would gradually promote communal harmony in the Island. Al Othaimeen agreed to visit Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by the ambassador 

The island is a popular destination for the Arab tourists who have recently got attracted to the scenic beauty of the country and due to the hospitality shown by its people. Last year, there were 38,000 Saudi tourists to Sri Lanka and the trend was poised to increase, if it were not for the recent violence against Muslims.