Prayers In Jaffna Mosque After 20 Years

Grand Mosque in Jaffna which had been closed for 20 years when Muslims were evicted by tiger terrorists has been re-opened and prayer services have been revived. This historical mosque was built by Dutch rulers in 1713.

A special prayer service was held on the 28th May at the re-opening ceremony which was also attended by 50 other religious officials from the North and the East. Sheik M.J. Abdul Halik, a Muslim cleric, delivered a special sermon. Religious leaders expressed that relations between people of different ethnic groups are crucial to maintain stability in the country.

About 75,000 Muslims, mostly involved in trade were evicted in 1990 from the northern districts of Jaffna by the now-defeated LTTE in their struggle for an independent Tamil homeland. Muslims are now returning to their villages in the North and are gradually reconciling with their Tamil neighbors and their past.