Analyzing the Contributions of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and its Founder–Leader to Muslim Politics and Community in Sri Lanka

Mohammad Yusoff,Azhar Ahmad,Nordin Hussin,Athambawa Sarjoon

doi:10.3390/socsci6040120

Mohammad Yusoff, Azhar Ahmad + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6040120

Copy DOI

Abstract

Historically, the politics of Sri Lankan Muslims has been identified as moderate and characterized by alliance-making with other major ethnic groups. Muslims rarely considered to form a strong political movement or party to increase their political influence, until the peak of the civil war in the 1980s. This occurrence helped the Muslim community to be facilitated socially and economically, but it also made them vulnerable in terms of rights and power accommodation in national politics. However, the establishment of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and its distinct form of politics progressively revived the Muslim community and its politics. This study examines the contributions of SLMC and its founder–leader to Muslim politics and community in Sri Lanka. The findings of this study reveal that SLMC under its founder–leader uniquely colored Muslim politics, which in turn strengthened popular support and transformed the Muslim community into “queen-makers” in the national politics. Under its founder–leader Mohammed Hussain Mohammed Ashraff, the SLMC greatly contributed to the transformation of Muslim political culture, and to the uplift of the socio-cultural, economic, and political status of the Muslim community, while voicing Muslims’ grievances and fighting for their status, rights, powers, and privileges. By contrast, the party and its founder–leader faced considerable opposition and criticisms on communal and racial bases. Nonetheless, the qualities and contributions of its founder–leader continue to be remembered and still have a significant influence on Muslims politics in Sri Lanka.

Highlights

Muslims are the second-largest minority ethnic group in Sri Lanka’s population and have traditionally expressed their political attitudes and behaviors in favor of the country’s two major ethnic groups—the Sinhalese and the Tamils
This study argues that a historical review of the leadership qualities of MHM Ashraff and his new ways of politics through his political party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), as well as his contribution to the Muslim community, can serve as guidelines for future political actions and reactions of Muslim politicians in Sri Lanka
The SLMC under MHM Ashraff’s leadership played a significant role in improving and promoting the socio-cultural and economic development of the Muslim community, of those living in the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka

Summary

Introduction

Muslims (referred to as “Moors” in ethnic grouping and official recording) are the second-largest minority ethnic group in Sri Lanka’s population and have traditionally expressed their political attitudes and behaviors in favor of the country’s two major ethnic groups—the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Their ethnicity and religious–cultural features became highly targeted by the ethnic majorities, they continued to work with them and rarely attempted to form a stronger political force or party that opposed the ethnic majorities or to differentiate Muslim politics until the mid-1980s. Sci. 2017, 6, 120 major ethnic groups and became vulnerable in terms of political representation and political voice

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion