• There had been differences of opinion within the Muslim community on  methodology and ritualistic practices at different times

Former MP M.M. Zuhair who also served as Sri Lankan ambassador in Iran said it could not be accepted that ‘Thowheed’ or ‘Thowheed ideology’ is at the core of extremism prevalent in the country.   

Issuing a statement, he said that no doubt there had been differences of opinion within the Muslim community on methodology and ritualistic practices at different times in the country. There had been similar rifts among followers of other religions as well. “The Easter Sunday Commission has said (at page 471) that “The Thowheed (Wahhabis) ideology is at the core of the Islamic extremism prevalent in the country. We also do not accept that ‘Thowheed’ or ‘Thowheed ideology’ is at the core of extremism prevalent in the country. No doubt there had been differences of opinion within the Muslim community on methodology and ritualistic practices at different times in the country. There had been similar rifts among followers of other religions as well.