Award-winning UK-based Sri Lankan author, writer and human rights activist Lukman Harees’ latest book on ‘Muslim in the Dock’ will be launched on Sunday, 20th July 2025 at 04.30 pm at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo, following the recent launch of the book at a well-attended 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 Post 9/11 Muslims. He appropriately and accurately 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 Lankan launch will be graced by Hanif Yusuf, Western Province Governor as the Chief Guest, while Justice Dr Saleem Marsoof, former Supreme Court Judge and Mr Ghazali Hussain, a former Commissioner of HRCSL, will be Special Guests. Sunday Times International Editor Mr Ameen Izzadeen will review the book.
Lukman has authored 7 previous books, including 2 poetical works in Sinhala, and regularly writes for Sri Lankan and international journals on Sri 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 Sri Lankan community in the field of media and social services. He is currently a director of a human rights advocacy boy in the UK and regularly invited to TV/radio panel discussions on Sri Lankan socio-political developments, including BBC Berkshire and for discussions organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK.
