All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) (in Tamil: அகில இலங்கை ஜம்இய்யதுல் உலமா ) is the apex religious body of Islamic theologians that provides religious and community leadership to the Sri Lankan Muslim Community, who are 9.6% of the population of the country. It was established in 1924 and incorporated by Act No. 51 of 2000 of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. ACJU has established 25 districts and 102 divisional branches, and enrolled over 5000 theologians, most of whom are holders of doctorates, special degrees, master's degree or 1st degrees.

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
Formation1924 (1924)
TypeReligious Organization
PurposeReligious Practice
HeadquartersMaradana, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Region served
Sri Lanka
President
Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe
Secretary General
Ash-Sheikh M. M. A. Mubarak Al-Madani
Treasurer
Ash-Sheikh A. L. M. Khaleel
Websitewww.acju.lk
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Primary Goals

The word ulama is derived from the word 'Aalim', which means a learned person or 'Scholar'. In the Islamic way of life, aalims are not confined to a Masjid or a seat of learning. Islam gives guidance on all aspects of life; and aalims are living examples of this. Therefore, they take the lead to create good citizens; regardless of community affiliations. The formation of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama nearly a century ago, and the continued operation of it, is based on these values.

The need for a body of Islamic scholars in countries where Muslims were a minority was felt very strongly in the early 20th century, since proper guidance was most needed in such places. The establishment of the ACJU was preceded by the setting up of a similar body in South Africa in 1923, and was followed by the setting up of the institution in India, in the year 1926. Over 90% of the scholars in the ACJU are homegrown, gaining their knowledge in Sri Lanka itself; a country that played host to Arab nations since long before the advent of Islam.

Presently, the ACJU has matured into an organization that prioritizes the promotion of cooperation and coordination among communities, and focuses on Social Service at a national scale. While indeed being the leadership body for the country's Muslims, the ACJU embraces the need for peace and harmony; modeling itself after Singapore's globally acclaimed Harmony Centers, and its efforts to engender a greater understanding of Islam and Muslims amongst the multi-racial population of Singapore. In line with its values, the ACJU avoids all involvement in active politics on principle; its role in the political structure is that of a thought leader in policy construction and a source of guidance, especially in times of crisis.

Primary Goals

  • Promoting and preserving the concept of “Dheenul Islam”
  • Maintaining and promoting tranquility among Muslims, especially among the theologians
  • Enhancing the economic, cultural, educational and social welfare of the Muslim community

Executive members
  1. Ash-Sheikh Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwe
  2. Ash-Sheikh M.M.A. Mubarak
  3. Ash-Sheikh A.L.M. Khaleel
  4. Ash-Sheikh A.C. Agar Mohamed
  5. Ash-Sheikh A.L.M. Rila
  6. Ash-Sheikh S.H. Adam Bawa
  7. Ash-Sheikh M.H.M. Burhan
  8. Ash-Sheikh M.J. Abdul Khalique
  9. Ash-Sheikh M.S.M. Thassim
  10. Ash-Sheikh M.M.M. Murshid
  11. Ash-Sheikh M.K. Abdur Rahman
  12. Ash-Sheikh M.H.M. Yoosuf
  13. Ash-Sheikh H. Omardeen
  14. Ash-Sheikh Abdullah Mahmood Alim
  15. Ash-Sheikh S.A.B.A.S. Sufyan
  16. Ash-Sheikh I.L.M. Hashim (Soori)
  17. Ash-Sheikh S.A.M. Jawfer
  18. Ash-Sheikh A.B.M. Aliyar (Riyadhi)
  19. Ash-Sheikh S.M.M.Junaid
  20. Ash-Sheikh A.M. Abdul Azeez
  21. Ash-Sheikh Yoosuf Najmudeen
  22. Ash-Sheikh M.H.M. Ibraheem
  23. Ash-Sheikh H.M.S.A.M. Siddeeque
  24. Ash-Sheikh J. Abdul Hameed (Bahji)
  25. Ash-Sheikh M.C. Hazbullah (Bahji)
  26. Ash-Sheikh Ash-Sheikh M.F.M Fazil
  27. Ash-Sheikh M.L.M. ilyas
  28. Ash-Sheikh A.L.M. Ibrahim
  29. Ash-Sheikh M.M. Careem
  30. Ash-Sheikh Arkam Nooramith
  31. Ash-Sheikh K.M. Abdul muksith
  32. Ash-Sheikh S.H.M. Zarook
  33. Ash-Sheikh S.M.M.Junaid
  34. Ash-Sheikh M.H. Abdullah

Sub Divisions

ACJU has organized itself into 14 divisions to better serve its stakeholders. The divisions, arranged as follows, are each headed by key ACJU members who are supported by a team of Aalims and professionals, mostly volunteers aided by a few staff members.

  • Council for Cooperation and Coordination
  • Social Service
  • Education
  • Maktab
  • Fatwa
  • Public Relations
  • Hilaal
  • Research and Publication
  • Youth Affairs
  • Women's Affairs
  • Media
  • Islamic Economics and Finance
  • Ulama Affairs
  • Branch coordination

Council for Cooperation and Coordination (CCC)

Furthering the ACJU's role in community service, this Division focuses on humanitarian values and exists to foster and grow the unity and co-existence the Muslim and non-Muslim community has enjoyed for over a thousand years. The Division brings together various actors in the community including Da'wah Organizations and the Tharīqās (sects), within the Islamic principles, as well as the non-Islamic communities, by taking effective steps to create and promote mutual understanding, unity, peace, cooperation, and peaceful co-existence. In its broader mandate the CCC focuses on fostering inter-community relations by means of dialogue, discussion and conventions, providing guidance to the public on harmony and co-existence through the Friday (Jumu'ah) Sermons, supporting Schools and Universities in building social unity, and supporting the propaganda unit in creating and issuing publications. Going forward, the CCC seeks to establish representative Divisions at Masjid level; comprising Masjid and ACJU representatives, Aalims of Islamic Organizations, Professionals, Intellectuals, Journalists and Social workers. The same idea is to be carried out at the National and International Level with Divisions to be established comprising key members of the Community. The Division intends to draw on the collective guidance and advice of these Divisions when planning and implementing strategic action.

Social Service Division

The Social Service Division of the ACJU aims to develop high levels of social and cultural propriety standards, and the best environment and healthy lifestyles. It is also making efforts to assist Muslims and non-Muslims on humanitarian grounds, making endeavors to help uphold peace and economic development of the country and is engaging in relief and rehabilitation activities. The Division also creates a space to provide conflicting couples an option of reconciliation, to arrest the current trend of over 250 divorces a month. The work of the Division is, therefore, focused on the areas of Relief, Social Services & Counseling Relief & Social Services includes the training of Aalims at branch level, in Disaster Management, building strong relationships with NGOs within the frame work set out by the Government, eliminating the social impact caused in the areas of medical support, relief and education, rehabilitation of prisoners and organizing special camps for stakeholders to provide guidance concerning the environment, health, medical, education and relief. Counseling Services are carried out by a South African trained team of counselors specialized in handling marital disputes. Plans are also underway to appoint counselors under every Qazi Board to guide the conflicting couple in reaching an understanding, and organizing teams under every Masjid federation. They also aim to identify and support addicts in need of counseling and rehabilitation, and providing psychiatric counseling for those in need of such intervention.

Education

The Education Division of the ACJU is in place to provide services to schools, Universities, and Arabic colleges. Currently, the focus of the Division is to develop the educational system for the Muslims of Sri Lanka. In that direction, necessary steps are being taken to raise the standards of Muslim schools, while for the Arabic colleges in Sri Lanka; a common syllabus and lesson plans are already being implemented.

Maktab

The idea of a Maktab is not a new one for Sri Lanka. As far back as 1969, the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Ceylon in its publication “A Centenary Volume of Education in Ceylon – 1969” carries an article by Dr. A. M. A. Azeez on 'The Muslim Philosophy of Education' in which he explains the Islamic elementary education system, the 'Maktab'. Established with the aim of cultivating an enthusiasm amongst students towards learning the Quran and the Sunnah, and the Islamic way which in turn would benefit the society; the 'Maktab' project for the development of Qur'an madrasah is by far the biggest project carried out by the ACJU. Similar Maktab Projects are currently conducted in England, Thailand, South Africa, India, Pakistan and many other countries. In an environment where the madrasah education system and the remuneration of scholars was in disarray, the Maktab project was launched by the ACJU in 2011, with the objective of standardizing the process in all madrasahs enabling students to read the Al Qur'an with Tajweed, learn Islamic etiquettes & the foundations of Islam and gain familiarity of the Qur'anic Arabic Language within a short period of time, in a structured manner. The curriculum and program structure was designed and developed by Aalims who studied similar systems in India and South Africa, with these two countries providing the knowledge transfer and initial training to get it underway. The project is now in place in Masjids around the island with classes currently conducted at three grade levels, which over the next two years will increase to 5 as the students advance through the syllabus.

Fatwa Division

The ACJU, as the only authorized body to deliver Islamic Shari'ah based guidance and rulings (Fatwa) on socio-religious issues faced by people, carries out this unique project with consensus of opinion among Aalims of different schools of thought. The aim of fatwa is to simplify and present religious rules that may cause confusion for the people and to create a lifestyle of peace and harmony. It is notable that the majority of the fatwa issued by the Division has been related to social, economic, and inheritance related guidelines. The public are able to request fatwa via phone, email, post or by visiting the ACJU. All queries are handled by dedicated lay staff and scholars; with common fundamental issues being responded to immediately. More complicated queries requiring deliberation are taken up by the Division during the monthly fatwa meeting with key scholars. The intention is to deliver clear and accurate solutions to issues of a religious nature, and documenting and compiling such discussions for future references. The fatwa Division currently handles 15 -20 inquiries per day, and has also made a compilation of over 185 documented cases of fatwas handed down.

Public relations

The Public Relations unit of the ACJU is formed and focused on assisting and guiding the community in dispelling misinformation by misguided movements, and on other key areas including Masjids, the general public and Aalims.

Masjids: On request by the trustees of a Masjid the ACJU will guide them in proper structuring in terms of Masjid registration, constitutions, training for trustees, Imams & Mu'azzins, creating MOUs between Masjids, Imams & Trustees, Baithulmal, Zakath (wealth tax) and Wasiyyath (last will), cleanliness and good management; and on fostering great relationships with the non-Islamic community of the area.

Public: The Division conducts awareness programs needed for the general public such as Hajj, Ramadan, Good Family life etc. through every ACJU branch. It also provides guidance to the general public on protecting themselves from major sins.

Aalims: Aalims are trained in the art of effectively presenting Jummah sermons and in public speaking. The ACJU is also educating them on the challenges of modern times such as the internet, drug abuse, Islamic finance etc. Misguided Movements: The ACJU regularly arranges and conducts awareness programs for the public on misguided movements such as Qadiyanizam, Bhailavanism and others, and activates Aalims to guide the public, where and when required.

Hilal (Crescent) division

In line with the Islamic usage of lunar movement and the lunar calendar to determine key events and timings, the ACJU's Hilal Division is tasked with determining the Hijri Months, changing salah (prayer) times according to various geographic locations in the country, and providing accurate Qiblah directions.

Determining the Hijri Months :

A moon sighting mechanism organized according to the internationally adopted standards are in place to determine the (beginning and end of) Hijri Months. According to plans in place, sub-Divisions at National level will guide the Division in implementing this mechanism. At a grassroots level Jummah Masjid representatives for Hilaal (crescent-moon), will operate under the ACJU Divisional branches.

Public awareness of the Hijri month declaration will be done through SMS, while the Hijri calendar will be published through email and in the ACJU web site. In addition, the public will be kept informed of solar and lunar eclipses. Changing salah times according to various geographic locations in the country As a future project in the pipeline, the ACJU intends to assign representatives of all Masjids in different geographic locations to report the Fajr and Maghrib prayer times, in order to determine the changes of salah times. Based on these recordings, prayer time differences in these locations will be established in the future.

Providing guidance for determining the accurate direction of the Qiblah having taken into consideration the fact that due to dependence on technology, the direction of the Qiblah established in Masjids has been wrong at times, the ACJU is planning to introduce a system based on the Sun to identify the accurate direction of the Qiblah.

To achieve the above goals the ACJU has already conducted in house training programs at divisional levels to all participants of the program. It also plans to inform the public at the Masjid at prayer times, to be vigilant about moon-sighting, on the 29th day of each lunar month. Once it has been determined that the crescentmoon is sighted and a decision is taken in that regard, the Grand Masjid and ACJU will share the information with the public.

Research and publishing division

The Research and Publishing Division is tasked with publishing material including books, magazines and periodicals in Arabic, and other languages and the translation of important works from their original languages. It also maintains and upgrades the ACJU libraries. The Division also undertakes the scrutinizing of purportedly 'Islamic' publications including newsletters, magazines and other periodicals, and takes appropriate action where anomalies or discrepancies with the Aqeedha are found.

The Division is in the process of completing a special project on the Sinhala translation of the Holy Qur'an complete with key footnotes, and expects it to be ready in the near future.

Youth affairs

The Youth Affairs Division will operate by organizing youth teams, district wise or branch wise, to discuss their problems and encouraging them to propose their own solutions to the Youth Affairs Division.

The Division will also aim at identifying all Islamically unacceptable activities that youth engage in, and find means to draw them away from sinful activities. It would also provide counseling and other services for youths with addiction problems, in order to rehabilitate them. The Division is currently collecting the data of youths in prisons and planning steps for their future rehabilitation.

In order to provide the youth with an Islamic way of life the ACJU will providing leadership training and other training such as leading a successful marriage life. It will also take other efforts necessary to achieve this objective. The ACJU is also drawing up strategies to encourage parents to lead their children to become a Hafiz and/or an Aalim.

Identifying the need for youth to be empowered, the Division will be helping the youth for higher studies, providing needful technical and vocational training to find means of Halaal income, strategizing manners to identify the basic skills of every youth and to develop their skills, among others. The Division is also working out means by which to provide unemployed and under-employed youths to find better employment according to their competencies, (e.g. A job bank for Muslims).

In order to encourage youth to realize the importance of unity, peace, coexistence and tolerance the Division will be organizing competitions for social unity, conducting seminars, and encouraging the youth in participating in sports, social and cultural activities permissible in Islam.

Women's affairs

The main goal of the ACJU in handling women's affairs is to safeguard the Mothers of our future and current generations and to guide them on how to serve the community and country in areas most suitable for their contribution. In order to fulfill this, efforts will be made through the ACJU branches to conduct monthly programs for the spiritual development of women to enable them to live a better life.

Plans are being made to publish a biannual magazine consisting of articles related to women's affairs. Furthermore, compiling booklets on Massails (rules & regulations) related to women's affairs to be published through the fatwa Division will also take place.

The Division aims to network and communicate with Muslim ladies' schools island-wide with the aim to provide Tharbiyah to the teachers and students. It will also provide support and assistance to the Iththihadul Madaris (Association for All Arabic colleges) regarding matters concerning ladies madrasahs. Aalimas are also being trained through the Maktab centre, to conduct Maktab classes for older Girls and Women.

From the social angle, Division, through ACJU branches, is working on recruiting and training Ladies on conducting the Janaza obligations for women. It also aims to provide premarital counseling for couples who are to marry, on how to lead a successful married life. In line with this, women with special skills in psychology will also be trained to provide marriage counseling services to women and couples who may be considering going before a Qazi for dispute resolution. The Division will provide guidelines for women, within Shari'ah limits, in matters such as continuing higher education, social affairs like childbirth, social media etc. It will also be organizing a telephone inquiry system for women to find quick solutions for their day-to-day problems through the fatwa Division.

Media division

Given the current situation of unrest in the country, the Media Division was established on a priority basis by the ACJU with the main goals of eliminating the misunderstandings and misconceptions of Islam & promoting the truth to counter the current spread of misinformation, educating non-Muslims on the basic beliefs and values of Islam thereby preventing them from taking harmful action due to misconceptions about the religion, publicizing the ACJUs stand on national and day-to-day issues by way of media releases, educating Muslims on Islam and training the Aalims and professionals to carry out these tasks in all three languages.

Print Media: Regular press releases and media articles to guide and inform the Muslim community and general public is done through this channel, in addition to the publication of special religious articles during special occasions such as Ramadan and Hajj.

Electronic Media: Regular Radio and TV programs are conducted in all three languages to disseminate similar information as published in the press. A future need of the Division includes the launch of an Online Radio Channel.

Online & Social Media: Catering to the modern trends, the Division intends to upgrade the ACJU web site to cater current needs, and also plans to create videos and documentaries to be uploaded on the website and through social media channels. The Division is also working on using social media platforms such as Twitter & WhatsApp, to exchange news & views more efficiently.

Islamic economics and finance division

The Division is tasked with handling the financial & economical aspects of the Muslim community, as well as to streamline the processes of handling matters related to Zakath (Wealth Tax), Sadaqa (Charity), Warasath (inheritance) and others.

The Division collects information at Masjid level on the economic needs of the people, in order to provide assistance and guidance to those in need. Further, steps are taken to provide vocational training to Muslims in order to improve their livelihoods and to provide assistance for technical studies for those who discontinued school education due to financial inabilities and other reasons. The Division also will be providing guidance to people in securing job opportunities and starting small industries.

The streamlining of the Zakath collection process is another major task of the Division, with Zakath collection and disbursement of Zakath done at Masjid and/or Federations of Masjid levels. Educating people on the calculation and payment of Zakath, by way of organizing seminars is also undertaken.

The Division also is working on establishing Baithul-Maal funds in Masjid or/and federation levels in order to help Muslims with interest free loans to takecare of their needs. It also encourages giving out money in the forms of Sadaqa, Wasiyyath, wows, and Waqf (endowments) etc., and redirects these funds for economic activities for eligible, skilled and motivated persons in the community.

Legal guidance to solve issues of Wasiyyath (last will) and Wirasath (inheritance) with the assistance of lawyers is also provided by the ACJU. Members also visit funeral houses to observe if assistance is needed to solve any legal issues arising from the death.

Ulama affairs

The Ulama Affairs division is dedicated to serve the interest of the Islamic Scholars who have served and continue to serve the community to the best of their ability. The Division aims at providing the following wide range of services for the Aalims:

  • Identifying the sacrifices and the services of the veteran Aalims and honoring them.
  • Identifying qualified Aalims and categorizing them based on expertise, in order to best utilize them for the needs of the Muslim community.
  • Supporting Aalims in their quest for Islamic-based higher studies.
  • Uplifting the general living standards of all Aalims and every Imaam serving in the Masjid
  • Creating self-employment opportunities for Aalims, with needful technical and vocational training, where necessary.

Division for branch organizing

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama has a total of 134 branches around the island, with 110 Divisional Branches and 24 District branches making up the sum. These branches will be reorganized every three years, for optimum performance. Thus, the activities of the Division for Branch Organizing shall be as follows:

  • Reorganizing the whole set up of the branch.
  • Introducing all divisional activities of the Head Office with the exception of the Fatwa Division.
  • Providing all necessary training for the branch.
  • Monitoring the performance and service standards of each branch, and addressing issues with corrective measures and necessary follow up.

Controversies

Child Marriage and MMDA

The ACJU has justified and supported the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act which allows child marriage for Muslims and even minors under 12 can be married off with a special permission from an Islamic magistrate. Further all divorce issues are handled by quazi courts which frequently discriminate and abuse female victims of domestic abuse and the woman can't even choose to be represented by a lawyer. Further females are banned from becoming quazis. [1][2]

Female Genital Mutilation

The ACJU has demanded that the Sri Lankan government legalize Female Circumcision claiming that it is different from Female Genital Mutilation despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying FGM as "procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons" and have claimed it as an "obligatory Islamic duty" and according to Al Jazeera victims of FGM are threatened if they speak out. Further the ACJU claim that the process provides numerous health benefits to women despite the WHO stating that the procedure has no health benefits for girls and women. Instead the WHO state the process is painful and traumatic and interferes with the natural functioning of the body causing several immediate and long-term health consequences such as excessive bleeding, swelling of genital tissue and problems urinating, and severe infections that can lead to shock and in some cases, death, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of perinatal deaths.[3][4][5][6] Supporters of FGM have claimed it to be a mere harmless "nick" to the clitoral hood and cannot be compared to other forms of FGM. However the process often carried out on infants may expose nerves making intercourse a painful and unpleasant experience. In 2017 Al Jazeera exposed the effects of FGM in Sri Lanka with the title "FGM in Sri Lanka: It's never 'just a nick'".[4]

References
  1. "Forced to marry at 15". BBC News. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  2. "Sri Lanka debates its antiquated Muslim family laws". The Economist. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  3. "Muslim groups call for female circumcision to be medicalised". Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  4. Tegal, Ermiza. "FGM in Sri Lanka: It's never 'just a nick'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  5. "Female genital mutilation". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  6. "Classification of female genital mutilation". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
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