SRI LANKA: FEARED VIOLENCE AT NEGOMBO AHMADI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001803 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: FEARED VIOLENCE AT NEGOMBO AHMADI MOSQUE DOES NOT MATERIALIZE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Embassy received a letter from a local Ahmadi leader expressing concern that his community was being targeted for violence and a possible take-over of the Negombo Ahmadi mosque by Jumma Muslims on October 31. The US-based Ahmadi community also wrote letters to senators and to the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. Staffers for Senators Chafee and Santorum requested that the Embassy follow up. A senior political FSN went to Negombo October 26 and spoke to the police, who committed to protecting members of all communities. The political FSN also spoke to members of the Jumma mosque, who objected to Ahmadi presence but said they sought to resolve the problem through &peaceful dialogue.8 The DCM sent a letter to the Deputy Inspector General of Police asking that police ensure the safety of the Ahmadi mosque and its leaders. As of COB local time October 31, Ahmadi and police contacts in Negombo reported that no violence had come to pass. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Embassy received a letter dated October 17 from Mr. N.A.M. Zafarullah, president of Sri Lanka,s Ahmadiya community based in Negombo, 30 miles north of Colombo. Zafarullah wrote that the Ahmadi mosque in Negombo was under threat from a group of Pakistani Muslims who attend a neighboring mosque. The letter reported the October 14 murder of Ahmadi Niyas Ahmad, killed on his way to the mosque, and expressed concern that senior Ahmadi leaders would be targeted for violence. Zafarullah also wrote that he expected a protest demonstration that could lead to a take-over of the Ahmadi mosque on October 31. The US-based Ahmadi community wrote similar letters to senators and to the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. On October 24, staffers for Senators Chafee and Santorum contacted the State Department to ask that Embassy Colombo follow up on the concerns. On October 25, the Embassy responded by e-mail confirming that Mr. Ahmad had been killed and noting that we were gathering more information on the threat of further violence. ¶3. (SBU) A senior political FSN went to Negombo October 26 to speak to police contacts about Ahmadi concerns that violence might erupt. Negombo Police Headquarters Inspector O.W. Silva said that some persons associated with Negombo,s traditional Jumma mosque were anti-Ahmadi. The police were unaware of any specific threats against the Ahmadi mosque, but assured pol FSN they would ensure the safety and security of members of all communities if any violence was to break out. Commenting on the October 14 murder of Abdul Niyas Ahmad, Silva said no arrest has been made due to a lack of information. There were no eye-witnesses, and villagers were reluctant to discuss the case, Silva said. However, he added, the investigation is still pending. ¶4. (SBU) Pol FSN also met with Al-Haj A. M. Ziyad and Naushaard of Negombo,s Jumma mosque, who denied responsibility for the murder of Mr. Ahmad. They did, however, express ideological disagreement with the Ahmadiyas, calling them a threat to Islam. The Jumma mosque leaders said that during Friday prayers, they warn congregants to be cautious of the Amhadiya group who try to convert traditional Muslims by offering money or other benefits. Ziyaf and Naushaard said that Jumma mosques throughout Sri Lanka have initiated &Anti-Ahmadiya programs8 requesting boycotts on trade, association, and inter-community marriages. The Trustees of the Jumma mosque want the Ahmadi mosque to re-locate outside of Negombo town, and will invite the Ahmadiya group to a discussion on the topic. Ziyaf and Naushaard hoped for &a peaceful dialogue8 to address core concerns of both groups. The Jumma group is also planning to make a representation to the Government through Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana requesting that the Ahmadiya place of worship not be given legal status as a mosque. ¶5. (SBU) Pol FSNs also spoke by phone to members of the Ahmadi community who reiterated the concerns from Zafarullah,s letter. On October 26, the DCM sent a letter to the Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for the Negombo region. The DCM forwarded the information from Zafarullah and requested that the police ensure the safety of the Negombo Ahmadi Mosque and its leaders. As of late afternoon local time on October 31, Zafarullah and local police reported that all was calm at the Negombo Ahmadi Mosque. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: While members of the traditionalist Jumma COLOMBO 00001803 002 OF 002 mosque in Negombo clearly disapprove of the Ahmadiya, their willingness to engage in dialogue and the peaceful passage of October 31 without the feared demonstration are encouraging signs. We will continue to maintain dialogue with our contacts in Negombo and report on religious freedom issues when they arise. End comment. BLAKE