A Reflection On Oxford Professor Tariq Ramadan’s Visit To Sri Lanka

By Ummu Hana –September 27, 2015

“Pluralism is a fact and now we have to deal with it and try to find solution. It starts with our mind, our intellect, and our way of understanding and putting things and its quiet challenging. When we speak about pluralism, we should be at the same time rooted in our tradition and open to the other traditions.” Philosopher Tariq Ramadan, at 18th annual commemorative lecture of the late Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka M.A Bakeer Markar, 21st September 2015.

Sri Lankan Muslim community of 21st century is in desperate crisis to understand and reconcile between the scriptural text and the exemplary traditions of prophets in line with the higher values and objectives of Islam such as justice, dignity and respect to humanity in a rational form.

The Oxford Professor Tariq Ramadan’s philosophical thoughts explicitly interconnect the scriptural values (that are Sri Lankan values as well) with prophet Mohamed’s tradition and illustrate the consistence between specific individual texts with the overall objectives of scriptural text (Quran) and demand Sri Lankan Muslims to be consistent with the values and objectives and become as an asset by their contribution witnessing and struggling for social justice toward all Sri Lankan communities.

Tariq Ramadan’s thoughts are healing to Sri Lankan Muslim community who is in desperate need to understand and reconcile within, as to how to be fully aligned with faith of god and at the same time fully engaged with local development in every social spectrum to enrich the humanity at large and witness them as a mercy to humanity.

Read More