Islamic Fundamentalism in Sri Lanka



Islamic Fundamentalism in Sri Lanka

Introduction

Sri Lanka has different ethnic groups. Sunni Muslims are eight percent of the total population of Sri Lanka. Muslims are said to be the third largest Ethnic group. The Sinhalese are the majority population of Sri Lanka. There are several differences and difficulties in Sri Lanka ethnic groups. However Muslims are in minority, but they are significant group or Sri Lankan minority. Muslims share green strip in the flag of Sri Lanka whereas, the Lion Represents the Sinhalese in the Flag. The Flag of Sri Lanka shows the equality and equal rights in the state. The facts and evidence does not seem to have a complete positive situation in the country. The ethnic minority and issues are part of Sri Lanka from the beginning.

Research Problem

Many political and religious leaders have not vacillated to use this inimitable power of religion to mobilize the population towards their set goals. Especially, at times of violent conflict, which involves sacrificing human and financial resources, continuation of the conflict requires deep commitment and a belief in the righteousness of the cause.

To provide support for their policies, leaders often employ sacred texts, religious myths and images to invoke emotions such as heroism, chivalry or vengeance, perpetuating a culture of violence. Defined by Johan Galtung as those religious, ideological or linguistic symbols that legitimize direct or structural violence, cultural violence contributes to the continuation of the conflict by teaching, preaching or condoning those acts that dehumanize the opponent. Religion as a critical component of identity, which influences individual attitudes and behaviors, and as a powerful source of legitimizing violent conflict, is often abused to promulgate cultural violence.

As spiritual beings, human beings struggle with questions regarding existence, life and death, suffering, injustice and the meaning thereof. They provide a deeper meaning to what is happening to the community. These myths may also be utilized to draw the borderlines of what is considered legitimate and what is considered illegitimate. Based on these limits, they render various acts (which would otherwise be considered illegitimate) legitimate. Religious discourse is powerful because it claims to be the Truth.

In this context Sri Lanka Muslims have enjoyed positive and negative impacts of political decisions and effects of recently ended ethnic war. Further this community as a minority group mostly marginalized in the society and even today world's open view on Muslim community is not in a happy environment due to the global terrorism.

Research Questions

This paper will attempt to answer the following research question:

Are there any possibilities for Muslim Islamic society in Sri Lanka to be transformed from the historical friendly relationship with the Sinhala Buddhist society to a radical Islamic movement? If so, why and what are the preventive measures?"

Literature Review

According to Pararajasingham (2009) the segment of the Muslim community living in Sinhalese areas, participates actively in political life, including parliament. It is in particular represented by one political party is willing to advocate on behalf of the entire community, the ...