ACJU denies unfounded charges
The All Ceylon Jamithyathul Ulema (ACJU) yesterday reiterated that the Halal certificate was a voluntarily obtained certificate by businesses and refuted "unfounded allegations on the amounts charged for issuing of certificates"
Addressing a news briefing, ACJU Halal division secretary Moulavi Murshid Mulaffer said he regretted the continuous false propaganda generated by various elements regarding the 'Halal certification'.
Regretted the continuous false propaganda generated by various elements
"I speak to you with a lot of sorrow. We don't understand the reason or the motive behind these false allegations regarding the Halal system. This is a very transparent process and all our accounts have been duly audited and submitted to the government. All allegations to the effect that this is a multi-million rupee business are totally false" he said.
Moulavi Mulaffer went on to add that the Halal division is not a company or a business but an association which provides services.
"Like any other association we charge a fee for the services provided. Each product that is under the Halal certificate would cost less than ten cents and there are no instances of this being passed to a general consumer" he said.
I speak to you with a lot of sorrow. We don't understand the reason or the motive behind these false allegations regarding the Halal system
Speaking further the cleric, explained that according to Islamic law, every "process" must be Halal, thus the reason for mineral water, cake and other products to fall under the scope of the certification.
"The Halal certificate for cake is given to certify that the cake is free of any additives that have been considered haram. The need for a Islamic certified banking rests on the need to have a banking system free of interest, gambling and other such encumbrances' which are prohibited" he said,
In an emotional appeal, the cleric requested all those who need to verify facts to contact the Jamiyathul Ulema and they will furnish them will all facts and figures regarding the process.
" We urge any party to come to us and talk to us,we are ready to dispel all these myths and falsities that are now brewing in the country. We want to live in peace with everyone and therefore it is a must that we all be tansparent. We are a transparent organization and we are open to furnish anyone with any details regarding this process" he said.
Speaking at the briefing Moulavi Fazli Farook, of the All Ceylon Jamiyathu Ulama, called for religious tolerance.
"This country has suffered enough due to the brutal war now we have to move forward. Every Muslim in this country was born a Sri Lankan, will live as a Sri Lankan and will die as Sri Lankans," he said.