Hello
Everyone!
I
don’t usually engage directly with public commentary, but given the malicious
and false conspiracies being spread about at present, I feel I ought to set the
record straight.
I’ve
been reading comments on threads implying that if my father had not died, my
mother would have ended up being a radical Muslim.
There
also appear to be numerous allegations implying that my father was also
responsible for bringing Wahhabism to Sri Lanka.
For
the record:
1.
My father and mother met on a train, fell in love, courted and married. He was
from Kalmunai. She was from Gampola. This was unprecedented for Muslims at that
time. It should also give you an indication of how progressive they both were.
2.
My father practiced the traditional Islam that has been in existence in Sri
Lanka for centuries and was very attuned towards #Sufism. For those of you who
may not have the time to read up on Sufism, you should know that it is the
‘Spiritual dimension of Islam’ and something that Wahabis despise. Nothing
would give Wahabis greater pleasure than to destroy every Sufi shrine in Sri
Lanka. My father was a staunch advocate of the Sufi way of life and the
traditions and cultures which were associated with it. I hope that gives you
perspective.
3.
There are also accusations that my father wished to have a separate Muslim
state in Sri Lanka. I have answered this question publicly before. However,
since it has arisen again, here’s the link to my response a few years ago:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/105797/Ashraff-s-son-slams-Dawood-over-Muslim-State-remarks
4.
His political beliefs led him to forming the SLMC in 1981 because the political
climate in Sri Lanka AT THAT TIME required an independent voice for the
Muslims. By 1994, the landscape changed. Which is why he formed the National
Unity Alliance (NUA) in 1999 and announced that he will be turning his back on
the SLMC and embracing National Politics.
Finally,
last but not least, for those of you who know me and my mother and to ‘some
degree’ consider us to be ‘Normal’ Sri Lankan Muslims, please know this:
The
Islam I know, the Islam I believe in and practice to this day, every bit of it
was taught to me by MY FATHER. The aspects of tolerance, the aspects of
co-existence, the aspects of patience, understanding and much more were not
learned by me in a school, or a Madrasa. It was my FATHER who taught me and my
mother and guided us as to how we should live our lives as Sri Lankan Muslims!
I’m
aware many of you have your minds fixed in a certain opinion about my father
and that’s fine. I can’t change that. I do however have a question that I’d
like you to mull over.
IF
the rumours and conspiracies surrounding him are true, HOW THEN can the man who
is allegedly supposed to be a radical have a family which is by all accounts
normal? How then can my mother and I be acceptable in your eyes as ‘Normal’?
Because
if anyone believes that either my mother or I, changed our belief structure
after my father’s death, let me assure you, we have not. Nor will we ever. We
continue the traditions. We continue the culture. We continue the integration.
We continue to hold the ASHRAFF name high in dignity and pride and just be what
we are because of him, because of everything he taught us and demonstrates to
us by example.
I
leave it to you, dear friends, to judge for yourselves.
Thank
you for taking the time to read this post.
AMAN ASHRAFF
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