Sunday Times 2
‘Muslim in the Dock’ book launch in Colombo
View(s):Award-winning UK-based Lankan author, writer and human rights activist Lukman Harees’ latest book ‘ Muslim in the Dock’ will be launched on Sunday, July 20th at 4.30 pm at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo, following the recent launch of the book at an event held in Harrow, London.
The book reflects a bystander’s perspective on how multi-pronged Islamophobia-related challenges, coupled with a defeatist mentality, are sadly pinning down Muslims post 9/11. He describes Muslims as being “in the dock”, a metaphor for someone finding themselves as a defendant on trial. As Mr Ameen Izzadeen, International Editor of the Sunday Times says in his foreword to the book; “The book is an erudite and hard-hitting response to the divisive forces that work against our common humanity, common destiny, and mankind’s unity and is timely and a must-read”.
The Sri Lanka launch will be graced by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf as chief guest while former Supreme Court Judge Saleem Marsoof, and former HRCSL Commissioner Ghazali Hussain, will be special guests. Mr Izzadeen will review the book.
Lukman has authored 7 previous books including 2 poetical works in Sinhala, and regularly writes to Lankan and international journals on Lankan and global politics. He received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Literature’ award during the BRISLA Awards 2023 held in October, at the Caledonian Club in London, by Lord Naseby.
Lukman has also been the recipient of many awards for outstanding services to the Lankan community in the field of media and social services. He is currently a director of a human rights advocacy body in the UK and is a regular invitee for TV/radio panel discussions on Lankan socio-political developments including BBC Berkshire and for discussions organised by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK.