Reopening of Closed Masjids and Preservation of Mahara Masjid as a Heritage Site

The National Shoora Council (NSC) wishes to respectfully draw your kind attention to the continued closure of several Masjids across the country, initiated at the instance of the previous government, which is causing great concern and distress within the Muslim community.

The NSC earnestly requests the Government to take immediate steps to permit the Trustees of the Masjids to reopen all such Masjids, enabling local communities to resume their religious worship and associated educational and social activities. The right to worship freely is a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right, and ensuring its protection is a constitutional obligation.

The reopening of the Masjids is essential for nurturing a disciplined society and for maintaining harmony, reconciliation, and trust among all communities. In a country where liquor shops, taverns, bars and night clubs are freely allowed to function, contributing in no small measure for corrupting societies and ruining peace and harmony within families, closure of places of religious worship comes to us with great shock and dismay!

In particular, we wish to highlight the Mahara Masjid, which holds significant historical, architectural, and religious importance of well over a century. The Masjid has long served not only as a place of worship but also as a center of spiritual guidance, education, and social service for the surrounding communities. Its closure has deeply affected local residents, worshippers, and families who have traditionally been associated with the Masjid for generations.

We therefore respectfully request the Government to:

1. Reopen the Mahara Masjid and all other Masjids closed across Sri Lanka after the Easter attacks, with which these Masjids had nothing to do and to facilitate the resumption of regular congregational prayers and religious activities, ensuring that prayer facilities are restrictively made available for prison officers and inmates only.
2. Gazette the Mahara Masjid as an Archaeological Heritage Site, recognizing its longstanding historical and cultural significance, Under Section 2(2) of the Archaeological Sites Act No 16 of 1990. This step would preserve the site for future generations and high light the shared heritage of Sri Lanka’s multi-religious identity.
3. Allocate or facilitate the purchase of a 20-perch land under Government sponsorship, outside the prison but in the vicinity of the Masjid to enable Muslim worshippers, deprived of access to the existing Mahara Masjid within the prison, to develop same as a lawful place of worship for Muslims in Mahara and to support religious and community development programs. Such a facility would enable educational and welfare activities as well. The NSC notes that Chabad houses of worship for temporary tourists are believed to be illegal but given protection by the armed forces of the country, while on the contrary Muslim citizens do not seek any illegal centers of worship anywhere in the country but will not accept any discriminatory treatment in respect of their right to worship.

It is our firm belief that reopening the closed Masjids and preserving the Mahara Masjid as a recognized heritage site will reinforce the values of religious freedom, respect, and national unity that our nation upholds. The NSC stands ready to work collaboratively with your Ministry and relevant agencies to facilitate this process in a transparent and community-friendly manner.

We respectfully request your kind and urgent attention to this matter, which bears deep spiritual and emotional significance to the Muslim community of Sri Lanka.

Thank you for your kind consideration and continuous support in promoting religious harmony and cultural understanding across the nation.