Nonviolence Response to Ethnic Conflicts: The Case of Muslims in Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACT The reinterpretation of Islamic fundamental values led to radicalization of the Sinhala Ethnocratic nationalism by well-established radical Sinhala Buddhist organizations such as Sihala Rawaya, Rawana Balaya and Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) in Sri Lanka. Among these groups, BBS extremely reacted to the recently emerged culturally changing behaviour of the Muslim community. Issuance of halal certificates, wearing clothes in the way of covering face and the head, increasing mosques, emergence and spread of Wahhabism and the increasing bourgeoisie and petty bourgeoisie among Muslims are the mainly identified issues which were addressed publicly by the BBS and other Sinhala ethno-nationalist organizations against the Muslims. The objective of the research was to examine factors that lead to majority violence against minority ethnic Muslims and investigate the outcome of nonviolence approach of Muslims towards conflicts and riots. Twenty four randomly selected and targeted in-depth interviews including scholars provided the necessary qualitative data for the content analysis. The research found that there are many factors causing the tension between a few extremist’s groups of both Majority Sinhalese and Minority Muslims as well as for nonviolence response. It is apparent that the Muslim community has chosen to respond nonviolently to the violent attacks made against them by the Sinhala majority. This is due to their own religious background, which emphasizes compassion and love, and their minority status. As a minority, they do not have the same clout that the majority does and this plays a role in their decision to employ nonviolence. Also, given their political leadership and religious leadership, the Muslim community is much more prone to choosing a nonviolent approach. However, this is not out of mere passivity but out of a calculated and educated understanding of how politics work in the country and what works best for the community without aggravating conditions. Serious policy implications arise from the findings which require immediate attention of political leaders and policy makers of the country.