-By Muslim Affairs Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -08.March.2025, 11.30 PM) As the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, a bitter truth looms over Sri Lanka’s Muslim community—a truth that demands urgent investigation. For decades, Muslim politicians have allegedly received billions in donations from Middle Eastern nations, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even Albania, funds meant for community welfare projects. Yet, despite the vast sums of money pouring in, the Muslim community remains largely underdeveloped, with little evidence of meaningful change. So, where has all the money gone?
The allegations are not new. Since 1979, successive Muslim politicians, from parliament speakers to ministers and party leaders, have been accused of misappropriating foreign funds meant for schools, mosques, hospitals, and housing projects. The pattern has remained the same—foreign Islamic donors send money with the intention of uplifting the community, but instead, politicians pocket the funds, enriching their families while the public is left in the dark.
One of the most glaring examples dates back to Bakir Makar, a former Speaker of Parliament, who established a Muslim organization that allegedly received millions in donations. The records of these transactions exist within the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry and various diplomatic missions. Investigative journalists and agencies such as the DIC have uncovered these financial trails, yet no serious legal action has been taken.
Bakir Makar’s son, who today serves as the SJB Chairman, has inherited not just his father’s political legacy but also the suspicion surrounding his wealth. Many wonder: Was Makar’s fortune built on stolen community funds? Were the luxurious properties in Colombo bought using foreign aid meant for struggling Muslim families?
The story does not end with one individual. Rishad Bathiudeen, a well-known political figure, reportedly received Qatari funds to build houses for the underprivileged. Yet, the houses never materialized. Mohamed Fowzie, a long-time minister, was entrusted with similar projects but failed to deliver. M.H. Mohamed, a former Transport and Muslim Affairs Minister, allegedly siphoned off funds intended for community welfare. His children now live comfortably abroad, while the intended beneficiaries of those funds remain in poverty.
The formula is simple: politicians solicit donations in the name of the community, flaunting images of underprivileged Muslims, struggling madrasas, and crumbling mosques to foreign donors. Once the money arrives, it disappears into private bank accounts, real estate investments, and personal luxuries.
Despite mounting evidence, why has there been no serious investigation into these financial crimes?
The answer lies in the entrenched corruption within Sri Lanka’s political system. These politicians enjoy immunity through powerful connections, shielding them from scrutiny. Even within the Muslim community, there has been little organized effort to demand accountability, perhaps due to fear, political allegiance, or simply the lack of transparency.
This is why there are growing calls for a forensic accounting investigation into all foreign donations received by Sri Lankan Muslim politicians from 1979 to 2023. The public has the right to know:
How much money has been received in foreign donations over the decades?
Who were the donors, and what were the funds intended for?
Which politicians handled the funds, and how were they actually spent?
What tangible community projects were completed with this money?
If these politicians are truly innocent, they should have no problem submitting their financial records for public scrutiny. But their continued silence and reluctance to engage with these allegations suggest otherwise.
It is time for Muslim countries and Islamic charities to rethink their donation strategies. Sri Lanka’s Muslim politicians have proven themselves untrustworthy stewards of foreign aid, and the current system allows for blatant theft. Foreign diplomats in Colombo must stop handing money over to these politicians and instead channel donations directly through verified, community-driven projects with transparent financial oversight.
Imagine the difference it would make if these billions were directly given to the people—if hospitals were built, education was funded, and real economic empowerment was achieved. But instead, this money has gone to luxury properties, foreign bank accounts, and the lavish lifestyles of corrupt politicians and their families.
For those who believe in divine justice, the consequences of stealing in the name of Allah are severe. Many see the mysterious and tragic fate of Bakir Makar’s grandson,died like a begger in London, as a sign of divine retribution. How can these politicians sleep at night, knowing they have stolen billions meant for their own people—all while standing in Parliament and shouting about justice and Islamic values?
In the end, the Sri Lankan Muslim community must wake up. Enough is enough. This Ramadan, let the demand for justice be louder than ever. Let the corrupt be exposed, investigated, and held accountable.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must take immediate action—either through a Presidential Commission or a full-scale criminal investigation. If the state fails to act, then the Muslim community itself must rise and demand answers.
The time for silence and complacency is over. Justice delayed is justice denied.
-By Muslim Affairs Correspondent
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by (2025-03-08 18:52:14)
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