The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has requested IGP Pujith Jayasundara to initiate an inquiry and take action against Bodu Bala Sena’s Galagoda Atte Gnanasara for inciting hatred and threatening to unleash violence against the Muslim community.
In a letter addressed to IGP Jayasundera on 23rd June, President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, N. M. Ameen said that Gnanasara was threatening to repeat the Aluthgama violence against the Muslim community. “He is also threatening the police,” Ameen said. The MCSL also provided a video copy of the hate speech by Gnanasara which was delivered by him in Mahiyanganaya on 21st June 2016.
“As you are aware, two years ago on the 15th of June 2014, Ven. Gnanasara Threo incited the people of Kalutara district to cause violence, death and destruction to the Muslims of Aluthgama and Beruwela. The rioting caused the death of two persons, destroyed house and property and inflicted damages to businesses worth billions of rupees. The repeated calls by the Muslim community for a commission of inquiry and punish the perpetrators have fallen on deaf ears. Two years on, Ven. Gnanasara Thero is proudly claiming that he will repeat Aluthgama in Mahiyanganaya,” Ameen said in his letter.
MCSL called on the IGP to immediately initiate an inquiry against the threat and take necessary police action against the provocation to violence.
“We also once again call upon you, sir to conduct an inquiry against the Aluthgama riots against the Muslims and take necessary police action against the perpetrators. Ven. Gnanasara is proudly claiming responsibility for the violence in Aluthgama. There is also ample video evidence to his provocation on the 15th of June 2014,” Ameen added in his letter.
On 21st June in Mahinyanganaya, Gnanasara threatened to unleash phase 2 of the Aluthgama mayhem against the Muslim community.
Rislan Farook / June 27, 2016
Dear Mr. Ranjith
I would like to have an intellectual discussion with you, with regards to your claims…
Please find below Quran link, could you please let me know, where it preaches hatred among non- Muslims…. Do you know there is a chapter in Quran allocated to preach how to deal with non- Muslims mercifully? http://www.sinhala-quran.com/Quran/Quran/MoreDetails/1
You were talking about Mahiyanghana incident, yes it was a disastrous, we all the Muslims voiced against those drunken culprits and even Mahiyangana mosque leaders got to gather and handed over those culprits to the police and insisted to take action according to the law, they are already behind the bar….didn’t you read this news in any local news outlets?
About the no-limit/birth control medicines (I don’t want to protect any private business firm either its Muslims or Non-Muslims) but do you know approximately 65% of their employees are Budhist even in top management, do any person with brain will do such think to ruin his/her own business and unfortunately it was found that the candy producers and suppliers are also Budhists…!!
Concurrence of Islam, yes I agree with you Islam is not a religion it’s a way of life and a civilization it ruled the world for 14 century, please visit BBC documentary to know how world benefited from Islam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM8HnvuKbAo (When Muslims ruled Europe), and still for 14 centuries there are significant numbers of Christians and other faiths living in Muslim majority countries how it possible if they are not tolerant of other faiths ?????
Five times they are calling for prayer and telling there is no God but ALLAH, this is their faith and this calling is not for non-Muslims instead it’s for Muslims, what is the wrong in it ? Furthermore do you know how they finish the prayers… they finish it with the word of “Peace be upon you all” for all the people? Do you know about the concept of GOD in Budhism exists or not?
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ranjith / June 28, 2016
Dear farook,
Thank you very much for your reply. Any way I must tell you that I have gone through quaran several times in order to get fair knowledge on your religion but impression I got is very disturbing. specially chapter 2;191. other chapters I can not remember now.my impression is that Islam always tells their followers to conquer non believers in whatever the way possible and establish your messenger’s doctrine every where and whole human kind to submit to your almighty Allah. In our religion we accept existence of divine spirit called gods but not powerful as your religion accept. they poor community lack of merits and looking for humans to invoke merits on them in order them to become human one day and achieve enlightenment or nirwana. the other divine powers like demons and all are same.but our ancestors before arrival of Buddhism were animists. still those belief can be seen in our society.
with regards to mixing of birth control medicine in food items there are so many allegations. one shop in kandy found guilty I heard doing that. it was situated in front of ladies schools other shops there are allegations. I found in face book some Muslims admitting that saying that yes we poisoned all sinhalese and one day Muslims will take over entire country.
Mahiyagana incident news I got is very little but I know that is very sacred place to Buddhists as such incident that took place there is very sensitive one for Buddhists. All in all my view is not allow Abrahamic religious worship places should not be allowed in those Buddhist and Hindu sacred places in kataragama it is amazing to see such coexistence of Hindu and Buddhism. as you know hindus accept animals sacrifices but in no where they practice it when Buddhist are involved instead both release animals meant to kill in there sacred places. that is the difference between abrahamic religions and Indians religions.respect each other belief.but your religions are intolerant religion no rooms for others belief.
I am not sure about your claim on that issue Islam control world for centuries. may be some parts not whole world.treatment on other religions as far as Islam is concern depend on rulers if rulers are bit flexible it was ok. but if not holicaust. we can see lots of examples going through your hadith and world history.
regarding venerable gcnanasara’s activities It is the need of the our as far as your peoples activities are concern. otherwise no control on your people.they may be misinterpreting your quaran as euro Muslims claim whatISIS doing. but our concern is our existence and peaceful life.
My feeling is Islam can not coexist with other religion. it is not in conformity with Indian religions.those days in India I heard sultans who conquered north adopted separate version of Islam in order to win support of Hindus and jaines but they massacred entire Buddhists community.as Buddhism does not accept sole authority of any unknown god.
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Nahfees / June 28, 2016
Dear Ranjith,
I would like to quote directly about coexistence and how Qu’ran tells us about no compulsion. Please refer below.
1. Chapter two, verse 256:
There is no compulsion in religion meaning, “Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear.
2. Chapter 109 is dedicated on tolerance.
verse 1 : Say the people who disbelieve ( Monolithic religion of Islam)
verse 2 : I worship not that which you worship,
verse 3 : Nor will you worship that which I worship.
verse 4 : And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.
verse 5 : Nor will you worship that which I worship.
verse 6 : To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islâmic Monotheism).
Verse 6, says the answer for your question.
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ranjith / June 28, 2016
Dear Friends
yes I saw that chapter but all other chapters contradict very much. that might be the revelation of early stages mac can verses but after becoming caliph his attitude completely changed.much needed universal brotherhood for any religion is very much lacking instead promoting egoism. believers only attitude.he himself was responsible for destruction of various religious places when in Medina. history says he ordered destruction of worshiping place situated in around two hundred kilo meters south of Medina now may be north yeoman. as per the description given on that temple it look like Buddhists temple. likewise he contradict what he preached or revealed time to time. As such it become unpredictable one and coexistence become very difficult. that was why early Muslims rulers in India adopted separate version of Islam.
As such followers can behave their own way and interpret it the way they want in order to justify their actions. it is like military doctrine but situational.as such no rooms for others belief.as such having such followers among religious complexes like kataragama, maha nuwara where two major religions here have their festivities may cause chaos.and may disturb peace of entire country.
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ranjith / June 28, 2016
[Edited out]
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Farook Hamid / July 30, 2016
Mr Ranjith you are right, there should not be any other religion in Kataragama except the two major religion (Buddhism and Hinduism) or rather two major idol worshipers. I think you can allow Christianity too because they too worship idol. I will be very happy if all those Muslim’s worshiping places in Kataragama destroyed and all those rogue Muslims in charge of them too chased. If you do that you are doing a great service to Islam because these bastard rogue priest (Muslims) there had brainwashed the foolish Muslims saying it is a holy place and abode of saints and earning money. It is difficult for Muslims to get rid of them because if Muslims go forward disclaiming the holiness of that place and not to believe rogue Muslim priest there, they will make a big hue and cry claiming Wahabist had come. The real truth is Islam says there is only one creator who created the universe and beyond and the things therein. That includes your Buddha, Jesus, Muhammed and the Hindu high priests but not the idols they created. Islam says if you worship idols, dead or living men you are stooping too low thus destroying the supremacy Allah (god) has given you over other things. So Mr Rangith if you can get rid of the Muslims from the Kataragama you are doing a great service not only to Islam but to your Buddhist and Hindu priest who are keeping you all trampled down.
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Aku / June 27, 2016
The Boru Bana Sellama – Punk Monk with a Gun at it again??? We need to enforce the death penalty and use it too…
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Sam Fernando / June 27, 2016
Why cant govt rehablitate the kind of men hidden behind red robes proclaiming themselves as born to save the nation- in order to please these testeterone suppressed men we need to see new methodologies or not? Sure, turning them to average thinkers should rather be focused… hatreds and revenges cant bring him or anyone forward basta – We perfectly know how this man BBS head behaved himself publicly in recent years….. there the kids raised the quetions the difference between street thugs and normal decent monks…his verbal provocations mostly contain all kind of defarmatory wording.which the western world would impose hard punishments alone for usage them.. he should be a product of a bad uncilvized parent house- those who will see it – who are the authorities in finding solutions to his problems should focus his background… where he grew up… to better undrstand the siutation.Allow runing amok should any means be CONTROLLED.
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Kautilya / June 27, 2016
I simply do not understand why these Muslims do not understand, Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. The Muslim squatters cannot occupy any and every land in Sri Lanka, especially in the Buddhist sacred cities. Mahiyanganaya is one of them. It is customary or habitual practice for Muslims to come in hordes or filter one by one into the sacred lands of other religions. Rationale is these cities good for the commercial activities and not to renounce their religion. That is the crux of the present problem. It has created questionable law and order situation. The Muslims cannot hide behind “Yahapalanaya” banner and request political leaders to take action against the Buddhist monks devoted to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Presently, the president and the prime minister are caught between a rock and a hard place; They are sworn as Buddhist to protect Buddhism in this Buddhist country but on the other hand in order to retain power they need the support of the chauvinist Muslim politicians. It is a dilemma and it has nothing to do with Ven. Gnanasara. The political leaders as Buddhist have to stop the Muslims encroaching into the Buddhist Sacred cities under various pretexts. Sacred cities of Buddhist are absolutely sacred to the Buddhist majority in this Buddhist country. People did not install “Yahapalanaya” to let Muslims to occupy sacred Buddhist lands.
Short sighted political thinking has got the present political leadership into this messy situation. That is exactly how they feel right now. Being the political deal makers trying to hang onto power either by hook or crook, they are unable to see the way out of a situation like this. They don’t have to be the victims of their own political follies all the time especially in this situation. Will Ruler of Saudi Arabia allow non Muslim (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or even a Shia Muslim) squatters to setup dwellings in the vicinity of Mecca or other any sacred Islamic cities in Saudi. Not even within an area of 100KM or 200KM radius. (Allahu Akbar). So my advice to the President and PM of Sri Lanka is; follow the Saudi Model, it is very simple direct the concerned authorities including the Police to evict all Muslim squatters at least from an area of 10KM radius around all our Sacred Buddhist Cities. That includes Mahiyanganaya. Inaction on the part of government to evict Muslims from the vicinity of Buddhist sacred cities will feed the Anti–Muslim frenzy prevailing in the country right now. Unscrupulous organizations and individuals will take the advantage when the leaders of the nation act passive.
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Native Vedda / June 28, 2016
Kautilya
“Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country.”
Since when?
Did Bandu de Silva assure you with his history typing?
“I simply do not understand why these Muslims do not understand,”
I too don’t understand why Sinhala/Buddhists don’t understand this not a Buddhist country.
“The Muslim squatters cannot occupy any and every land in Sri Lanka, especially in the Buddhist sacred cities”
What is sacred about it when none of you in this island follow Awakened One’s teaching, adhere to his code of conduct, …. precepts, … ?
Where on earth had Buddha asked you to declare every bit of land as sacred?
If these were sacred places, why the Sinhala/Buddhist people weren’t told?
“Mahiyanganaya is one of them.”
It is my people’s ancestral land and what have you got to do with it?
A Sinhala/Buddhist bigot has no right to comment on Buddhism, leave it to the Buddhists.
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ranjith / June 28, 2016
Dear native wedda
who are Buddhists. as you know when bakthiar approching with his troops chief incumbent of Nalanda retired to his cell and started meditating. he directed all monks residing there to do same. what had happen. baktiar and his troops killed all monks and burnt down nalanda. but in china when monk anticipated same in their territories. they innovated martial arts base on automatic evasive actions of body of human being,for that no erroneous thoughts involved but evasive actions of body,that is kun fu, in that way Chinese monks over come threats and survived.as such Buddhists or not self defense or offensive anticipating future threat is the human rights,no need to make big cry. venerable gnanasara doing what Chinese monks did centuries ago for survival. not in same manner but in different way. .
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Native Vedda / June 29, 2016
ranjith
Since we are discussing about this island could you confine your typing to this country.
I just remembered, in Vietnam and Chinese controlled Tibet, there had been cases where monks self immolated against oppression. Why cannot the saffron clad thug follow their example and self immolate himself as a diversionary tactic which most people would welcome.
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ranjith / June 29, 2016
if so stop using these facilities and following Buddhism as well as all invented by outside not within this territories
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Peter Pan / June 29, 2016
Hello N.V
It appears you are neither a Sinhala person nor a Buddhist, stop the charade and say something sensible.
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sarrij / June 28, 2016
Is guy is full of rubbish.
Another psychopath.
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ranjith / June 29, 2016
yes truth may be rubbish
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Upali Wickramasinghe / June 27, 2016
This type of person lives on exposure. If his madness is ignored he will disappear from the scene.If he is prosecuted he will attempt and some others will attempt to make him a hero.His ego was pricked at Homagama.What the govt should do is to ignore him and prevent any eruption as at Aluthgama.You cannot expect much from the spineless Mahanayakes, in this case the man at Asgiriya.
This govt is providing enough and more space for such people to exist by their foolish day to day policies.They seems to be antagonizing the electorate that voted with them.
Many of the things they have done should have waited for a better day viz, the paddy issue,asbastos and Glyphosate issues,the statements on the policy on liquor and cigarettes. The paddy production should have been encouraged and used as a basis for the production alcoholic fuels for transport.
They were sent there to rule the country and provide a satisfactory economy, that is the last thing they are doing.
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D.E.M. Ocracy / June 28, 2016
GNANASSARA THE YELLOW ROBED TERRORIST SHOULD BE ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY FOR INCITING HATRED AND CAUSING ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS DISHARMONY.
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Upali Wickramasinghe / June 28, 2016
D.E.M.Ocracy,That is what he and the people who hold the leash expect the govt to do.See how they are attempting to make a hero of person accused and remanded over a larceny – Gamanpila.It is upto Gamanpila to prove that he is innocent as you and I would have to do, if we are similarly accused.There is no necessity to accuse the govt of vengance. Arresting him would have been possible with Mrs B’s Govt. Since then all the rogues and pick pockets have got into politics.If this fool is arrested watch the crop of safron clads who go around the country to make him a hero.
If this govt had a good propaganda machine they could have exposed all the crooked safron clads and taken the wind off – but do not have such a machine.
He is fat, must be a diabetic.Nature will look after him.
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Peter Pan / June 28, 2016
[Edited out]
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Rislan Farook / June 28, 2016
Dear Mr. Ranjith
Thanks for your reply; it’s good that you are learning some other religious texts to understand instead of commenting blindly. Surely the mutual understanding of other religions, faiths and culture will wipe out the extremisms and unwanted suspensions among the people in our beloved nation. Thanks for your explanation about the concept of GOD in Budhism. I would like to clarify some of your statements please.
“Any way I must tell you that I have gone through quaran several times in order to get fair knowledge on your religion but impression I got is very disturbing. Specially chapter 2;191”
You may absolutely correct, not only you even MUSLIMs cannot take the direct guidance from Quran unless they understand how to approach the Quran. Because Quran is neither dictionary nor an encyclopedia, even not in a format of a simple book which we used to read. In our terms it’s a comprehensive guide for humanity it upheld the society which was the least in all aspects of the life on the surface of the earth in terms of education, morale, culture…etc. Within 23 years that society became the rulers of the world with high moral values, knowledge…etc. This civilization ruled the world for 14 century (It’s not meant they rule each bit of land on earth, it means how the western world USA/EU/Russia rule the world in this century, in a simple form the real looser of First World War WW1 was Muslims (Automan) empire and it divided to 57 countries on earth). So in order to get the guidance / meaning from Quran you have to read it with contextual approach of that time. Please refer the introduction page of this web site you will get an idea how to read Quran.(http://www.tafheem.net/tafheem.html )
I took the same verse you have quoted; please refer the full format of the verse as below. (http://www.tafheem.net/tafheem.html or )
(2:191) Fight against them wherever they confront you in combat and drive them out from where they drove you out. Though killing is bad. persecution is worse than killing *202
*202. Here the word fitnah is used in the sense of ‘persecution’. It refers to a situation whereby either a person or a group is subjected to harassment and intimidation for having accepted, as true, a set of ideas contrary to those currently held, and for striving to effect reforms in the existing order of society by preaching what is good and condemning what is wrong. Such a situation must be changed, if need be, by the force of arms.
Bloodshed is bad, but when one group of people imposes its ideology and forcibly prevents others from accepting the truth, then it becomes guilty of an even more serious crime. In such circumstances, it is perfectly legitimate to remove that oppressive group by the force of arms.
This verse talks about the situation in battle ground not in day to day life (Islam is a civilization and it contains the guidance for entire life including how to nurture a child, peaceful family life, successful business, non-harmful eating habits, the rights and duties towards kith and kin and even the way of behavior in a war time situation, natural disastrous situation…etc ). In line with these verses clearly talking about the war time situation. Now you go through the versus once again, how it explains the way of handling in battle ground even though you are in a war THE KILLING IS BAD, PERSICUTION IS WORSE THAN KILLING, The confrontation is allowed only if you were driven out from your home land. Please explain to me what’s the wrong within this verse? I don’t think in any religious scriptures the war situation has explained this much of soft and lenient language.
The Mahiyanghan incident was not about sacred places, it’s about the bad behaviors of some drunken culprits and they should be punished according to the law of our mother land, no any Muslims protect them we have handed over to the rule of the land, what we could do more than this for wrong doers? I have no comment about the derogatory language and actions of Ven Ghanasara thero, unfortunately most of Ven’s claims are unfound and untrue and misinterpretations. I strongly believe lying, usage of bad language and spreading unfound issues are not matching for religious leaders.
I hope you do believe the same.
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ballah / June 28, 2016
[Edited out]
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peanuts & Monkeys / June 28, 2016
ranjith Thank you very much for your reply. Any way I must tell you that I have gone through quaran several times in order to get fair knowledge on your religion but impression I
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
stop taking shop , you can not even spell the word quran first and foremost, you out of all people to get fair knowledge ?, my freaking foot , you should be tied to a bullock cart and driven around ,give up your current Job of driving others ..
sound like someone rolling on his testicles
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Johny Come lately / June 28, 2016
Kautilya ,
It is ok man, like we say it in Ceylonism , standing ok ,sitting ok ,sleeping ok , squatting double ok Machan ..
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Johny Come lately / June 28, 2016
When the Rev. Monk in question was drunk and misbehaved ,(for which he apologized) it had nothing to do with Buddha or buddhism or the entire sinhala Buddhists ,
Sameway The flag was damaged by drunkards , just because they come from a Muslim community ,how come it makes it so right to hold the entire Muslim Population , its Prophet and The Holy book responsible .?
According to the Qu’ran Alcohol has been discouraged to the extreme and condemned as the handy work of evil and in strong words adviced to be avoided .
In The traditions of The Prophet it is said to have been prohibited later on . same as the Five precepts , it is prohibited in it too.
And as the drunkards have been handed over to the police and they will get the due punishment , why try to make this an excuse to attack a whole religion and its people? , neither the religion or the people are responsible for the action of the drunkards.
People Like Ranjiya should just sit and read the comments and learn what is going on ,, and before reading the sacred book of others and trying to monkey around with it,he must first learn and practice his religion . its like someone saying , everyone is going dewala ,so am also going any wala ..
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Talking walls / June 29, 2016
Rislan Farook , if you had any basic intelligence you would not be wasting time with a dullard like Ranjith .
Talk to people like Native Veda , Amarasiri who are well informed, well read born buddhists , or Ben Hurling ,people of that calibre ,,, well unless you want to share the bullock cart Ranjiya is willing to be tied to , then you may continue wasting your time with him ,Be sure he will drag you down to his standard.
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Ignorance is no Bliss ! / June 29, 2016
Discrimination inspires Myanmar Muslims to keep the faith
Channel News Asia – 13 hours ago
YANGON: The recent spotlight on the plight of Rohingyas and discrimination against Muslims in Myanmar has prompted some in the country to …
Discrimination inspires Myanmar Muslims to keep the faith
By May Wong, Myanmar Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia Posted 28 Jun 2016 20:41
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YANGON: The recent spotlight on the plight of Rohingyas and discrimination against Muslims in Myanmar has prompted some in the country to learn more about their religion. They hope that by learning more about their faith, they might be able to promote better understanding and counter extremist views.
One such person is first-year university student Tine Thurein Tun who grew up in a Muslim family.
After sectarian clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State back in 2012, some of Tine Thurein Tun’s classmates treated him with suspicion and did not want to have any contact with him, he said.
That was when the 17-year-old decided to find out more about his faith because he wants “to show all the people we’re good people; we’re a good religion, we’re not the bad guy”.
“I know that Christian friends go to the church on Sunday, Buddhist friends go to the pagoda to pray, Hindi friends go to temple to pray, but they really don’t know about us, what we’re doing in the mosque and they don’t know what we’re doing. After I explain it to them, then they know.”
First-year university student, Tine Thurein Tun says 2012 clashes sparked his interest in religion. (Photo: May Wong)
Tine Thurein Tun said he tries to learn about Buddhism as well by visiting pagodas with his friends. He also believes that his friends are more accepting of him and his religion now that they are more familiar with Islam practices.
The Islamic Religious Affairs Council in Myanmar observed that the 2012 violence between Muslims and Buddhists has indeed motivated Muslims to learn more about their religion.
Its joint secretary, Wunna Shwe, said anecdotally, he has seen more people buying Qurans and books on Islamic history after 2012. He also said the Internet has played a part in helping people connect with other believers. “Back then, people just went back home after worshipping at mosque, but now they form groups, discuss and share information,” he added.
As Muslims in Myanmar learn more about Islam, Mr Wunna Shwe said he believes “they will have better harmony with other religions”.
To prevent further division between Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar, writer and education reformist Ko Tar organises overseas trips for some Buddhist monks.
He brings the monks and religious leaders to places like Thailand, Cambodia and South Korea to expose them to several faiths. This is so they can learn to become more receptive to the other religions in Myanmar and to see how people of different faiths live and interact with each other, he said.
Ko Tar (R), who runs a school, regularly brings Buddhist monks to foreign countries to expose them to different faiths. (Photo: May Wong)
Mr Ko Tar said: “Because of the (military) regime, we become a closed society. A closed society results in closed minds so we have to change those closed minds to become open minds.”
By exposing some of the monks to foreign cultures, it could help them learn that “religions are important, understanding is important to be able to live harmoniously”, he added.
The majority of the 51 million citizens in Myanmar believe in Buddhism, where Muslims only make up about four per cent of the population. Many hope with better understanding, the two communities will be able to co-exist in a common space peacefully.
– CNA/ec
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