Left in the Lurch

"Everything changed after the Easter Sunday attacks. Instantly, the entire Muslim community was dubbed as terrorists and extremists. Random arrests, abusive remarks, unnecessary raids and unjust detentions became common for individuals who believed in Islam or had a Muslim name. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law who had always observed niqab when going out were compelled to remove it. I, being a hijabi travel blogger, became hesitant and sceptical about going to areas with non-Muslim majority.”
Aaliyah, resident of Kalutara, Sri Lanka.

On 21st April 2019, Easter Sunday, churches and hotels in Colombo and two other cities in Sri Lanka were attacked with bombs by a local Muslim armed group, claiming 250 lives and injuring hundreds more. For the following four months, a state of emergency was imposed by the Sri Lankan government.

Numerous Muslims were taken into custody without charge under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Properties of Muslims, including mosques, schools and businesses, were attacked by anti-Muslim mobs which were known to be incited by extremist Buddhist monks, with every Muslim made to feel responsible for the attacks.

This new wave of hate did not even spare Muslim doctors and other professionals, with one physician arrested and accused of sterilizing Sinhala women. Not only this, a gang of unelected extremist monks coerced the mass demission of Muslim State and Deputy Ministers. Muslim women were the ones who suffered the most.

Since the government of Sri Lanka announced a complete ban on all types of face covers after the attacks in order to help security forces with the investigations as well as to crush the growing wariness among the multi-ethnic communities, niqab-wearing women had to put up with this spiteful situation.

“After the ban, one of my sisters-in-law, who teaches in a madrassa, faced a lot of unpleasant situations. She, along with other teachers, was demanded to get all her teaching material checked by law enforcement personnel. Also, the teachers had to make a new ID card to prove that the madrassa is registered,” says Aaliyah. “Since I do not observe niqab, I had to help my other sister-in-law with the outdoor chores, who chose to be confined to her home, instead of going out without niqab. But, now that the ban has been lifted, the situation is not as bad as it was before. The niqab-wearing women, however, still have to uncover their faces at places like airports, polling stations and other security checks. So, life for them may never be the same again.”