Embracing Globalisation: The Case Of Sri Lanka

Some of the new economic initiatives announced by the Sri Lankan government about integrating the economy with the wider world, initially acquiring land to create special economic zones where large scale investment projects from India and China are to be invited to locate, are a refreshing departure from an economically dysfunctional post-independence mindset of nationalist pre-conception of the national interest as a zero sum game with the world beyond: their gain is our loss and our gain is their loss. Sri Lanka at the time of independence boasted an economy more prosperous, a population that was better educated and a society which was largely free of the worst dysfunctional aspects of religion which characterize the neighbouring countries of the sub-continent. Yet the country became ensnared by angst over identity and suspicious of opening up the economy to the world at a time when development was fueled by trade. The changed mindset informing recent economic initiatives holds out prospects for greater prosperity. Read more>>>

WAN Says Muslim Marriage And Divorce Act Treats Women As Second Class Citizens, Calls For Rectification

The Women Action Network (WAN) has called for the rectification of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of 1951 citing that the Act renders Muslim women as second class citizens and does not guarantee them equal protection under the law. The Network has also called on authorities to ensure that the new Constitution rectifies this which will ensure Muslim women will have equal rights in the eyes of the law. Read more>>>

Muslim Political & Religious Clerical Leadership Crisis in Sri Lanka

Who represent the Muslim community in the government? The shocking answer is “NONE”.

One may ask “how could the Muslims complain as there are several Muslim ministers and deputy ministers in the government”. Yes there are many Muslim ministers, but they do not represent the community as most of them entered into deals and got into the government. For example the presence of Sri Lanka Muslim Congresses, SLMC, in the government is deceptive as they contested in UNP tickets and entered the government. Read more>>>

The future of Sri Lanka’s economy

A new era has dawned in Sri Lanka. Peace has been consolidated after a bloody 30-year civil conflict. The country’s 67-year old democracy has been reinforced after a dramatic, peaceful and people-led political transition in January 2015.We’re prioritizing business-friendly policies so that we can take advantage of today’s peace to build a thriving economy. Read more>>>

Industrial Development Policy in the Islamic view point

Whilst the Western world has managed to achieve phenomenal development since the industrial revolution the Muslim world on the other hand lags far behind. The Muslim world is represented by an underdeveloped infrastructure, poverty, unemployment and nothing in the way of technological development. At the same time the Muslim world possesses some of the worlds largest reserves of key mineral resources. The Muslim world single handedly possesses 74% of the world’s oil reserves – the world’s most important commodity. Read more>>>

The Manufacturing Policy and Building an Industrial State from the Viewpoint of Islam

Since the time Allah has created man and put him on earth, man tries to satisfy his needs with materials created in the universe around him, as well as trying to maintain his security, sovereignty and survival whether in case of attack or defense by using the raw materials around him. Read more>>>

World Islamic Economic Forum - 2016 in Indonesiya

The World Islamic Economic Forum started off from a modest beginning as the OIC Business Forum, which was held on 15th October 2003, in conjunction with the tenth OIC Summit in Putrajaya, Malaysia.The inaugural OIC Business Forum sought to create a business ‘face’ of the OIC. The Forum brought together government leaders, captains of industries, academic scholars, regional experts, professionals and corporate managers to discuss opportunities for business partnerships in the Muslim world. The second OIC Business Forum was convened in Kuala Lumpur in 2004, a momentous event that brought about the birth of the World Islamic Economic Forum and the subsequent convening of the 1st WIEF in Kuala Lumpur in 2005. Read more>>>

Muslim Women, Shariyah & Modernity

A Review of the book – Women Claiming Rights and Spaces: Activism to Reform Muslim Personal Law in Sri Lanka, Published by Muslim Women Research and Action Forum.

Muslim Personal Law (MPL) in Sri Lanka that governs the family affairs of the Muslims which specifically includes marriage, divorce and inheritance and exclusively applicable to the Muslims is supplementary to the general law of the country. There are such supplementary family laws like Kandyan Law and Thesavalamai Law that governs the family affairs of Kandyan Sinhalese and Jaffna Tamils respectively. Read more>>>