Appointment of Arabic Teachers :

Mosque Federation thanks President

The Federation of Mosques and Institutions in the Eastern Province has thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for action taken for the proposed appointment of Arabic Teachers which has been one of their long-standing requests.

"We do appreciate this step so much in the midst of the brave declaration of the next Presidential Election although there still remains a two year period for the expiry of your first term of the Executive Presidency," the Federation says in a statement.

It states: "By our letter dated 2007.10.01, we had requested Your Excellency for the early appointment of Arabic Teachers which matter has been long overdue.

Although you were kind enough to have ordered immediate action in this regard, nothing had come out of it due to the negligence of those in government authority. You are aware that this was a matter in the forefront at all election propaganda meetings for the East, West, Central, Uva and the Southern Provincial Councils. However, we find satisfaction that action is being taken at least now.

There are a lot of vacancies for Arabic Teachers, in almost all Muslim schools in the country, as previous governments had failed to make these appointments in time for the last 17 years. Therefore, we do hope that all existing vacancies would be filled in full in sincerity and goodwill by the Education Ministry without any reluctance.

This could be best achieved through a special directive from Your Excellency for such a course of action which would definitely earn the goodwill and support of the Muslim community at this moment of time."