By MYM Siddeek –
Dr. MYM Siddeek
“Fear is a distorting mirror in which anything can appear as a caricature of itself, stretched to terrible proportions; once inflamed, the imagination pursues the craziest and most unlikely possibilities. What is most absurd suddenly seems the most probable.” – Stefan Zweig
Is this what happens in Sri Lanka now?
I recently watched an interview given by one of the prominent and educated Buddhist monks in a popular Sri Lankan TV, in which he was expressing his fear about the way the Muslim women wear their attire. His utterance was against the Supreme Court ruling and therefore a law-abiding monk will not make such an utterance in public. We all know the Supreme Court on the 25th July 2014 ordered the Attorney General to issue directives to all public institutions to permit to wear the traditional Muslim cultural attire when entering public places. When the case was taken up for hearing before the Chief Justice Mohan Pieris said that the traditional Muslim attire was well within the identity of the Sri Lankan culture and that Muslim women had a right to wear such attire and it causes harm to none. The Chief Justice also commended the petitioner’s dress and said that the attire was well within the boundaries of decency. Accordingly, the Supreme Court bench ordered the Attorney General to issue instructions to all public institutions not to obstruct people who wear traditional Muslim attire.
In spite of the above court ruling and provisions in the constitution (section 14 (1) (e)), the Muslim women face great criticisms in wearing their cultural attire. On some occasions, they have been subjected to violence as a result. It is very difficult to understand how the Muslim women’s attire affects the daily lives of the other communities? Does it cause any harm to them? Why don’t they accept modesty? Why do they oppose the decency? Isn’t it a politically motivated criticism of the entire Sri Lankan Muslim community to achieve petty political objectives locally and internationally? Why are the educated and decent Sinhala Buddhists and monks silent on this? What is the response of Maha Sangha on this? Does their silence on this give approval for these nasty criticisms?
The above-mentioned monk’s fear was that the government of Saudi Arabia was funding to wear them the way they wear now to ‘Islamise’ Sri Lanka. This is absolute nonsense to misguide the Sinhala Buddhists, I believe. The communal tension we see in Sri Lanka is mainly due to ignorance. We, every Sri Lankan citizen, can play an important role to remove the misconceptions.
It is true that there is a certain degree of influence on the Middle Eastern culture on this cultural transformation of Muslim women’s attire after the economy was opened in 1977 for foreign employment by J. R. Jayewardene’s government. Up to the early 1970s, there were a very few Muslim women who wore Veil and Hijab. This cultural transformation could also be seen in the lifestyles of Sinhala-Buddhists who worked in the Middle Eastern countries in their food, eating habits and hobbies for examples. Even you can see a number of Sinhala Buddhists shop in the supermarkets that sell exclusively Arabian groceries in SL. But there is no evidence to suggest that the attire of Muslim women is funded and influenced by foreign governments. If this is funded by the Middle Eastern governments, why were those governments numb when the non-Muslims killed the Muslims and destroyed their properties including the mosques in Sri Lanka?
Before Veil and Hijab came as part of their daily attire, the Muslim women used to cover their head with ‘Mukkadu’ (used part of the ‘saree’ to cover their head). They very rarely had a separate piece of cloth to cover their head. Today, most of the Muslim women use Veil, Hijab or ‘Mukkadu’ as part of their cultural attire. This is partly their cultural identity too.
Cultural transformation due to foreign link is nothing new to Sri Lankan women’s attire. Today most of the Sri Lankan Sinhala women wear ‘gauma’. This is not Sinhalese. It is Portuguese. The Sinhalese started to wear Portuguese dresses from the early part of 16th century when Portuguese ruled (1505 – 1658) the country. If they oppose foreign dresses, they should wear sarees (the osariya) or redda-haetta (cloth and jacket) only. The Sinhala men should not wear trousers and shirt if they are true Sinhalese. They should wear a sarong or an amude (span cloth), the Sinhalese wear. Therefore, the foreign cultural influence in the way the Sri Lankan wear is unavoidable when they interact with foreigners. That is what happens to the Muslim women and their attire!
In fact, the spread of Islam in South India influenced the Sri Lankan women to wear modest and Islam brought modesty to Sri Lankan women’s attire. We all know when we read the Sri Lankan history how women wore their attire. In the 7th Century Sigiriya, the royal ladies in the frescoes displayed their breasts. The ladies in waiting wore a firm ‘breast bandage’ or thanapatiya.
How the Muslim and other women wear their attire is attributable to cultural transformation influenced by their own interactions with foreigners and therefore, there is nothing to fear.
Final note: Hijab is not just a piece of cloth on their head; it is their whole way of life. It shapes the attitude of the woman who wears it. Today a large number of working women who wear Hijab have broken the misconceptions that the Muslim women are weak, impassionate and powerless by climbing in the hierarchy of high positions. It is their own choice and not forced by anybody. Letting the Muslim women wear the way they want also contributes to the equality and freedom!
soma / April 17, 2018
“It is their own choice and not forced by anybody.”
This is the debatable point.
Soma
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Rizvo / April 17, 2018
Debate? It seems and show ignorance. Please peep or pop out of the box, as many learned express there view on group discussion on TV (local) and on stages.
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Jim softy / April 17, 2018
MYM siddek: You are dishonest or you are, also just as I would be, mis informed. I understand what ever it is Sinhala women are confused. they do not understand that they are more beautiful in the govn, Saree or Osari than in the tight fit trousers which make them ugly either fat or lean like a stick. I think the bhikky is correct. why muslim attire is a problem all over the world. It was earlier, decades ago, was limited to Arab coutries whether climate was just Desert in order to cover them up. Veil i snot something new. Even Indian women wear it. Hijab, Niqub and all those body coverign attire are to face the arid and desert climate. the problem is because muslims get used to Islam as interpreted by Wahabis. You know muslims women unlike sinhala omwn are not powerful. they are controlled by their religious fanatic parents and the mosque. Sri lankan women wear short skirts, but no one cares except johns, womanizer men (that includes muslims who want their women to cover up). but, bhikkus as gurdians of buddhism in Srilanka, buddhist culture, civilization, have a responsibility and buddhists expect it from them. YOu come and talk saying that what ever we do it noble and are the right thing whether it is objectionable and against the majority culture and let us be our way. But, you never nswer why muslims in other countries do not allow buddhists, christians or catholics beahve in theri way. No I don’t accept your crappy explanations. Probably your PhD is from a Islmaic University which says every thing that muslims do is as per quran and your other documents or laws. Jojab is arab culture. but, we have a right to ask not to spoil our culture and civilization becuse you want to dominate us and convert us.
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Ceylonee / April 17, 2018
Jimsot and Other Racists..
Sin Kele ya means Uncivilized Wedda lived in Jungles when Vijayan was deported by an Indian king. Your Sin kele woman never worn upper garments , like Lowest Caste woman in India . You and other sin keleyas can see this history proof by seeing SIGIRIYA PAINTINGS OF WOMAN in which all Breasts not covered. but still people go and see these half naked pictures with their children .. This was and is Sin Kele woman’s culture.
When Arab Merchants came to ceylon they shocked seeing these Low caste jungle sin kele woman without jacket showing all breasts publicly and roam freely . Then the Civilized Arab muslims gave them garments and taught half naked sin kele woman how to cover their bosom and be modest and moral . This is history.
But nowadays after migrated to Crusaders countries where filthy and lust freely worshipped , Sin Kele woman adopted the filthy cultures giving up moral teachings of Buda – Sidartha.. Because of Sin Kele woman , not all , HIV – Filthy horrible disease are spreading . Watch Sinkele baudhaya’s tv programe . Daughters are dancing half naked with unknown boys but parents are watching with joy ??? Your daughters are too may be dancing.. Shame.. But Still call themselves ‘ Budhists ‘ . The Budha’s teachings towards women dress code were ethical and something similar to Muslims woman’s code of dress. But Sin Kele woman even go to Pansal with Half naked dress show off their body to other boys .. Even the Kaamduru with Kaavibilla dress molest and rape sin kele girls because of their filthy dress.
We can write on on…..But only educated, unbiased , truth seeking civilized Srilankan Budhists will only heed and ponder……Others like you and Sin Kele Racists will never ever …..
WATCH this small CLIP for a Sri Lankan Budhist guy’s speech ;
https://video-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t43.1792-2/28303783_1905167883129335_4533823947887607808_n.mp4?_nc_cat=0&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9oZCJ9&oh=ce1a1a0b61341a4bd21422938aaa5137&oe=5AD610C0
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Native Vedda / April 17, 2018
Ceylonee
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“Sin Kele ya means Uncivilized Wedda lived in Jungles when Vijayan was deported by an Indian king.”
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Please cite your source.
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Marwan / April 19, 2018
Softy, you never seem to learn. You don’t need to denigrate the attire of Muslim women when you have so much going in your own Buddhist monasteries. The womenfolk who decide to get ordained, must be fully covered neck to toe. dressed in saffron robes (to project an image of purity), but must also have their heads shaved and exposed for the world to see, which to me must be the ultimate humiliation and degrading act that any women has to put up with, period. As Muslims, we don’t stoop to such low levels since the Muslim dress in only optional and not compulsory. A world of a difference, like day and night. But we don’t sneer or make fun of them using derogatory terms the way you do.
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Ralli Ameen / April 20, 2018
Jim softy idiot, before you write think what you are writing. It is basic physics and biology that black cloths cools you more than light coloured cloths. You should know only donkeys like you laugh saying, look at this fool wearing black cloths in this hot weather but Europeans do not laugh without finding the truth behind. Seeing Bedoins wearing black cloths in hot dessert, they studied about it and found black cloths absorb heat from sun and also heat coming out from your body and your body feel cool. Indian women wore viel after it was introduced by Muslims who ruled India for nearly 800 years. Nobody care what Sri Lankan womens wear? Rapes will prove it. We are not spoiling your culture and civilization, it is done by your own people.
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Jim softy / April 17, 2018
Even in this article, you have confirmed that that covering up the body is new. So, they transferred from Mukkadu (I turkish word) to Arabian garments. IT is everybody knows it is Imamas. Mullahs, MAulavis that run the Muslims society. they set up rules. Why your MMDA is so difficult to change. Because Politicians listen to the mosque. You come adn write here saying there are no givts. but shieks give money to build mosques. It is part of your religion. the rich build mosqes for poor. they gve money to pay Maulavi/Imam and even the cleanrer of the Mosques. so, you are misleading the reader, the typical ISlamic way. You spread sharia law all over the world. but, what is the financial law used by the Oil produing Arab countries. All lies.
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rbh / April 17, 2018
Jim
What was the religion followed by t before Buddhism?” to whom people prayed.
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Jim softy / April 17, 2018
dumb RBH: buddhism never vanished. buddhists never prayed. It is the Desert Tribes who were warring and Mohommad was a businessman and he I think he was a buddhist or Hindu in his previous life. So, he had what was called Pubbenivasanusthis knowledge.
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Native Vedda / April 17, 2018
rbh
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“What was the religion followed by t before Buddhism?”
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Sinhala/Buddhism
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“to whom people prayed.”
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Sinhala/Buddhist Buddha.
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Marwan / April 19, 2018
As usual, some crap from Jim Softy with his tirade of unfounded and misleading attacks on the Muslim attire. Just like the Ampara canard on ‘impotency drugs’ being fed to non-Muslins in Muslim owned restaurants,’ even when the world pharmaceutical industry has still to produce such a pill.
This is for the rest of the sane readers.
The rationale for the Abaya is often attributed to the Quranic quote, “O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, to cover themselves with a loose garment. They will thus be recognised and no harm will come to them” Qur’an 33:59[2] (Translated by Ahmed Ali) This quote is often given as the argument for wearing the abaya.
The abaya is most common in countries with large Muslim populations. Some denominations of Islam consider the entire female body, except for the face and hands, awrah – that which should be concealed in public from males unrelated by blood or marriage.
Critics of the Muslim veiling tradition argue that women do not wear the veil by choice, and they are often forced to cover their heads and bodies. In contrast, many daughters of Muslim immigrants in the West argue that the veil symbolizes devotion and piety and that veiling is their own choice. To them it is a question of religious identity and self-expression.
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Ralli Ameen / April 20, 2018
Idiot Jim softy, no Imams, Mullahs or Maulavis can run Muslim society. If they do anything we find not right we can kick them out because there is no priesthood in Islam. On the other hand whatever your Buddhist priest or Christian priest do you cannot do anything to them except bending and kissing their feet or hand.
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K.Anaga / April 21, 2018
What ever the dress, it should not cover the identity of the person. Dark tint on front widows of a car is banned as the identity of the driver will be inconspicuous. How about the Muslim ladies wearing full face cover dress and driving cars? or walking in public places?. Dress responsibly please..
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Al-faqurlah / April 17, 2018
You stupid Siddeek, court ruling was to permit Muslims to wear traditional Muslim cultural attire, and not Goni Billa and Thadi Wala dresses. You seem to be ignorant of the meaning of traditional. Muslims are in the country for nearly 1000 years. Can you show any photograph of any Muslim wearing these other than in the last few years. What the Buddhist monk said was perfectly in order which is expressing the sentiment of Sinhalese people. You say “It is very difficult to understand how Muslim women’s attire affects the daily life of other communities”. Sri Lanka had always been a bright and colourful paradise. Naturally these attire turns the country into an eerie and gloomy place. Do you not think that these women appear like ghosts and men appear like Dunkudu Bhais. You say “Why do they oppose the decency”, decency my foot. This is as indecent as going naked. Do you say that Muslim women were indecent when they wore like other communities in the past and now they are decent. How does the Muslim attire give decency more than what attire other communities wear. Yes Muslim women wore Mukkadu to cover the head in the past, but they used Sinhala man’s sarong to do it, and not Arab man’s cloth. You say “Letting Muslim women wear the way they want also contributes to equality and freedom”. Tell that to Muslim countries which insist that non-Muslims must wear according to the dress code of Muslims including head cover.
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Mohamed / April 17, 2018
Al-faqurlah:
It is all because your low IQ dad never knew how to use a condom, or wiped it off the sarong as I told before. Having a useless silly worm to deal with.
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Al-faqurlah / April 18, 2018
Mohamed the pissa, your father did not use condom because it is a stupid Islamic belief that if you do circumcision you do not need any other precaution. It is a pity that instead of removing his amude to produce an idiot like you, he could have worn it and ploughed an acre of paddy field which would have been more useful.
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Mohamed / April 18, 2018
Al-faqurlah, ha..ha.. not so convincing, just proving I am correct. So every time, you utter something stupid in public, I will appear like avatar to remind the inhumanity done to you by your low IQ dad.
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Fathima / April 18, 2018
Al-faqurlahL
Idiot, when you think a woman should have the right to wear revealing clothes, why don’t you think the same right is applied to the other women wanting to wear more covering?
” Muslim countries which insist that non-Muslims must wear according to the dress code of Muslims including head cover” – So you think it is just Saudi Arabia a only Muslim country in the world? See Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia, Indonesia etc..etc where beautiful women are roaming in half-naked as well as in fully covered Hijabs – These are the Muslim countries that respect women’s personal choice when it comes to dressing – If you’re looking to see some real colorful things you should visit these countries where you get to see the right contrast when black Abayas mix the rest of the colors.
On the other hand, these Muslim countries not only give women the freedom of wearing what they like, but assure highest security possible in every corner of the countries, unlike in SL where women have to be cautious which part of the country is safer to wear revealing cloths, and what hours in the clock are safest, or the revealing girl may get raped by a politician, his henchmen, a thug or a known serial rapist living a happy public life.
SL had always been a colorful and bright until the Tamil terrorists destroyed its values nationally and internationally and now the diaspora is doing the damage to little what is left and not the innocent Muslim women wearing Abaya.
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Al-faqurlah / April 18, 2018
Fatima you idiotic infidel, no one asked Muslim women to bear their body, which is in anyway an unsightly one. Demand is only to bear the head, face and upper limb below the elbow. Is this unreasonable and not in keeping with human dignity. It is stupid Islamic fanatics like you who say that covering of the whole body prevents Muslim women from getting raped, and not the strict laws that are being enforced to safeguard women in public. I am sure if there is a breakdown in law, these women coming out in those head to toe dresses will be raped, as what happens in a war.
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Fathima / April 18, 2018
Al-faqurlah:
I don’t believe that I wrote such a long reply to someone such an oily, sorry :-) You don’t worth my time kid.
Bye
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M. Sajjad / April 19, 2018
Hey Al-faqurlah,
Isn’t it better to keep your gap shut and put others in doubt than confirming?
To your low IQ idiotic mind, let me put it this way; when you flogging the frog, you watch a porn or an action movie?
Do you need a religion to say that a provocatively dressed woman creates sexual temptations? Or, distracts average men from the important tasks of work or education? Why do you think revealing dresses are not allowed in schools, companies or any reputable organizations (even our parliament) ?
In a country where law enforcement is usually weak and slow, I would prefer controlling sexual temptations as preventive measure, rather than depending on arrival of law-enforcement to stop a crime being committed.
“Muslim women to bear their body, which is in anyway an unsightly one” – For me, every woman on earth has some beauty , even your Northern ones.
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John / April 17, 2018
Siddeek,
Nonsense!!!!!!
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Lets get one thing clear first, that 1slam brought nothing to Sri Lanka except ‘Watalappan’ and misery.
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Muslim women are forced to wear gonibilla-ninja-Abaya-Hijab dress. Sri Lanka is a hot and humid country, there for gonibilla-ninja-Abaya-Hijab dress is really unsuitable to wear in Sri Lanka, this is evident in Muslim women’s facial expressions. Muslim women are not members of work force. Muslim women’s contribution to Sri Lankan society is ZERO so they can stay at home, instead of worrying about their unpractical dress, and causing public congestion.
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Stupid gonibilla-ninja-Abaya-Hijab dress have denied Muslim women living an active and a happy life. When you travel around Sri Lanka you will see Muslim women are sitting on the edge of the beach miserably while Muslim men and children are playing, swimming, diving, in the sea.
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Women like to wear all sorts of fashionable clothes, it is in their nature, insensitive Muslim men (barbaric circumcision taken away their sensitivity) don’t realize this simple fact.
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‘Amude’ (span cloth) had ONLY been worn in paddy field, not all the time.
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If Muslim men had modest thoughts, Muslim women would have needed an unpractical dress.
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M. Sajjad / April 18, 2018
Johnny,
“Muslim women are not members of work force. Muslim women’s contribution to Sri Lankan society is ZERO so they can stay at home”
Who is contributing to SL society? The ones make sure to maintain SL remain having the largest State Sector workers in the world? The ones coming out of womb with a hope of getting a State Sector job only but nothing? The ones who consume all my tax money, and return no productivity? The ones being biggest hindrance to the country’s development?
Come on, Muslim women produce babies that don’t and will not depend on Govt and waste others’ tax money. Muslim women produce babies that contribute and will contribute to country’s economy.
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Thanos / April 17, 2018
“In fact, the spread of Islam in South India influenced the Sri Lankan women to wear modest and Islam brought modesty to Sri Lankan women’s attire. “
Huh? WTF? Nobody asked for your modest dress-code. Sinhala women were free to wear what they wanted. It is their freedom. Ancient Sinhala women had exposed breasts and wore jewellery, makeup, etc. Some chose to cover their breasts (likely to be pregnant women). There was nothing wrong with that and women were quite safe. They could walk alone even at night without harassment and anyone who did harass women would have chillie on their genitals and rapists will have it much, much worse. That was one of the proud aspect of being a Sinhalese. Women in our culture were empowered strong women. Ever since the influence of middle-eastern religions women progressively lost their power and rules imposed upon them by MEN. Just because you Muslims in the middle-east get instant erections and urges when women had exposed body parts is not the womans problem. Real men don’t harass or rape regardless of what the woman wear. The resposibility is on man to hold on to his urges. Throughout our history the resposibility was on the men. Thats what made them strong. The irony is, after the influence of middle-eastern religions the rape, harassment and general mistreatment of women have shot up. Your so called modest attire didn’t do sh!t. Another fun fact about our past is that it is the women who made fun of boys and men unlike today. A man is supposed suck it up. There are multiple attributes to a strong man/husband. Wife beating is not one of them.
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M. Sajjad / April 18, 2018
Thanos,
“They could walk alone even at night without harassment and anyone who did harass women would have chillie on their genitals” – Unfortunately nowadays a serial rapist is comforted inside the prisons and comes out in few days to rape another woman.
Middle-eastern men might be getting instant erections due to the food they eat, but it is Sri Lanka that is recorded more than a few times of raping tourists, including a granny of 80 years old raped by a man like her grandson.
Today, the freedom women can choose what they want to wear, is not there when they want to walk alone in the night, and even in the day times in some areas, they need to be accompanied by men or forget the idea of walking alone. Forget walking, even driving is not advisable in some areas.
“The irony is, after the influence of middle-eastern religions the rape, harassment and general mistreatment of women have shot up” – This is the best LOL in your comment. Check the news archives, Google or do whatever to find some of the rape cases, and see who involve most.
How come middle-eastern religions did not affect their direct followers then? Why are these non-direct-followers of middle-eastern religions only buying the bad sides of these religions?
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Jay Chambers / April 17, 2018
The Sinhalese should note that in the not too distant future Moslem women wearing head to toe, ghostly dress will be joining their Jihadi men to attack the Sinhalese. In the near future a clash for the very survival of the Sinhalese will take place in Lanka and Moslems will be sending their Jihadis as well as fully covered “ghosts” to battle, to commit the ultimate sacrifice for allah, by blowing themselves up. The sheer arrogance and lack of remorse or empathy and blatant distortion of facts shown by the writer Sideek is your proof and a omen about what to expect.
Make no mistake dear Sinhalese, you have your most defining battle in the next 10-15 years that you must face. This is not the usual South Indian invasion of the past two millennia, nor the colonialism that the Portuguese started. This is the ultimate war with the Devil himself, and like Buddha who had to defeat the demons to attain Buddhahood, the Sinhalese will be tested to their last fiber. Its now too late to prevent this eventuality, to avoid the war. ALL the Moslems in Lanka as one are radicalized, and are yearning for battle. They believe that the Islamic Republic of Lanka is round the corner, and Lanka will fall the same way Afghanistan, parts of India proper such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Maldives fell. Can it be prevented? YES, but it will require the sacrifice of all men and women who are born of a Sinhalese mother, and atonement for the sin of allowing the Moslems to beguile and invade the wonderful land of Lanka but sheer population explosion. It will require a leader with sangfroid, an absolute avatar of Dutugemunu. Can this leader manifest from the current miasma engulfing the land. Again, yes, but it will require the ultimate dedication of the servants of Dharma, the monkhood, to let go of comforts of their temples and take to battle.
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Marwan / April 19, 2018
You are Conspiracy Theorist a-la-carte. So much has already happened with Muslim homes, businesses, properties and Masjids looted and burnt by goons, but no Muslim terrorist has still been caught fighting back in retaliation. Your myopic fantasies are legendary. The only thing that has happened is that government was sent packing, and in the same way, with the recent attacks on innocent Muslims, one half of this government has split into two and will get further splintered in time to come.
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Muhandiram / April 17, 2018
Fact is Muslim women are More Visible today than a few years back when very few of them ventured outside their homes. And when they did, they either wore the saree or the Salwar & Kameez both of Indian origin long before Partition into India and Pakistan. The non-Muslim women also wore these dresses and there was No problem.
Now, Muslim women venture out freely outside their homes like their non-Muslim sisters and the Black attire worn by some give them a greater visibility which is misinterpreted by interested parties as Extremism, Fundamentalism, Wahhabism and what not.
It is hard to understand why some people should make so much of a fuss about the attire worn by some Muslim women. How does it affect them? It is the choice of the women to dress modestly and should it worry others whether it is comfortable to them or not?
As for the Lankan Culture on female dress, can any one prove what that culture is, whether it originated in Sri Lanka to be called Sri Lankan Culture?
Let us not waste time on a matter which is the choice of some women and which causes No Harm to any one. If we continue to focus our attention on this subject, we will only succeed in creating Needless friction among the communities which is what we must Move Away for the greater good of the country.
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2018
Muhandiram
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The black body and face covers are an unnecessary primitive effort to standardize and monotonize variety, vibrant colours, human creativity and beauty. Anyone with great sensitivity to beauty should oppose it.
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Men cannot and should not dictate what women dress up and how they look though modesty can be displayed in variety of ways other than black mask and body cover. Fascism starts with homogenizing what people do, what people eat, how they dress, ………… what they read, how they live and how they think.
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If you are a secret admirer of Arab/Islamic fascism go ahead, start with how they should clothe themselves, what they should eat, number of children they should have, how many times they have sex, and out of 64 which position is religiously acceptable, ……………….
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Steve / April 17, 2018
Every citizen irrespective of race, religion, caste, sect, gender etc has the fundamental right to dress, eat, drink, worship etc in accordance with the laws of the country.
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concerned citizen / April 17, 2018
How about the half naked arm pit showing saffron clad scoundrels who wears the most displeasing coloured clothing, do they add to the colourful clothing of the country, if they can wear what they want, the same freedom should be applied to all.
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Kemo Sabey / April 17, 2018
The increasing visibility black burqa clad females has different effects on Muslims and Buddhists.
To a Muslim, it may signify a growing conservatism on the part of a section of the Muslim community, which might be interpreted as a positive beneficial development.
To a Buddhist, it may signify a growing extremism on the part of a section of the Mulsim community, which might be interpreted as being detrimental to their future well-being and to that of the country.
Unfortunately, both interpretations are deemed to be correct by the corresponding religious groups.
Simple statements made or written by Muslims to the effect that “… it causes harm to none” or that “,,,there is nothing to fear” will not serve to reassure the Buddhists that their sense of growing trepidation is without foundation.
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Native Vedda / April 17, 2018
MYM Siddeek
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“Hijab is not just a piece of cloth on their head; it is their whole way of life.”
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I do not know any non Muslim protesting against Muslim female wearing Hijab unless of course he or she is a card carrying full time bigot. In fact Hijab enhances women’s beauty. Muslim female usually covered their head with one end of the their saree or Shawl. Even the Hindu women of North India cover their heads with one end of the saree. We are in the globalised world which require people to move with the time, fashion, food, life style, ……………. etc so is the is the Muslim head cover. That’s fine.
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However what is most annoying even to the liberal Muslim is the Burqa wearing women. Is it Islamic practice or cultural practices of medieval middle east kingdoms? I suggest the ugly Muslim men wear Burqa and stay at home.
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Dr Nass / April 17, 2018
JAY CHAMBER .
YOU ARE REALLY DREMAING .
Please see one of the best psychiatric doctors in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka army is one of best army to defeat LTTE and Sri lankan intelligence service is one of best in Asia’.
They will have all update about Muslim community.
We Muslim community know how to deal with Muslim extrmisms.
We do not welcome any imported ideology from Saudi or Pakistan.
Sri Lanka Islam is a unique Islam..
It’s followers are born and brought up here from sinahslese and Tamil mothers..
Not from Arab or Indian mothers as you think .
My best advice for you is to see a doctor soon.
Before you become a lunatic with devil thoughts.
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Taraki / April 17, 2018
If France can ban this form of dress so can Sri Lanka.
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Native Vedda / April 17, 2018
Taraki
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“If France can ban this form of dress so can Sri Lanka.”
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Sri Lanka is not France and you little islanders don’t have nuclear arsenal or seat at the UN security Council. You also do not have a bridge to link your neighbors.
Stop being a silly fantasist an try being a realist.
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Taraki / April 19, 2018
Vedass, what have seats at the UN and a bridge to India got to do with the veil? Try to post something that makes sense. I know it is difficult but keep at it.
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Fathima / April 19, 2018
Taraki:
Let me put it in a version you can easily understand:
If Czechoslovakia can split, why Sri Lanka and Eelam did’t split then? If Sudan can split into South / North Sudan for Christians and Muslim, why not Sri Lanka for Sinhalese and Tamils?
Got it?
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Taraki / April 19, 2018
No. France and the Western nations are held up to us as paragons of democracy that Sri Lanka should follow. So if a democracy like France can ban the face veil so can Sri Lanka. Got it?
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Fathima / April 19, 2018
Taraki:
If you think France is a paragons of democracy just because it is a European country, you’re on a ride unfortunately.
Your demo-greasy role-model is not even on first 25 democratic index, sitting with flawed listings. And again it is a secular nation with banning other religious symbols in schools and certain public places. Can Sri Lankans do that when we need religious symbols on our necks, wrists, house entrance, kitchens, toilet etc.. and even on car dashboards and bumpers? If the religious symbols are not around people become Sura pappas without harishta
In your case UK, a non-secular nation would be a perfect one to follow ;-)
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whywhy / April 18, 2018
I remember Gnanasara once in an interview said emphatically that ‘ the system of
our governance ‘ is not suitable for the country ! Mainly because the system does
not make the country a Buddhist, was his frustration and then the rights guaranteed
to minorities was his other frustration . So , their attack is against the whole process
of DEMOCRACY which guarantees rights to all citizens of the country . They can be
stopped by the application of full force of DEMOCRACY . Uphold democratic values
to its maximum and these forces hiding behind various masks will be dealt the
blow . Law and order in its fullest capacity will sort it out . THERE IS JUST NOTHING
ELSE . Is there a law in the country ? If yes , then let everyone respect it .
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Jay Chambers / April 18, 2018
To the fanatic Jihadi hiding under the cover of Dr. Nass above: I do not live in Lanka, I am a frequent visitor to Lanka. I live in a part of the world that is yet to experience full-blown, exploding birth rate driven, Islamic fanaticism.
I happen to love Lanka. I happen to think that its Buddhist culture is innocent and the Sinhalese and Tamil are wonderful, hospitable people. I also think that the battle fought with LTTE was a battle largely against a megalomaniac, driven to that stage by elite Tamils living in the comfort of countries like mine, who felt its worth a try to get a piece of Lanka separate from the Sinhalese. Yes, Lankan military did a remarkable job, but they would be defenseless if not for the military, logistical and intelligence support from other countries including China. It must be stated that the Sinhalese had literally the hand of “god” helping them, for the global politics in 2008-2009 helped them immensely.
That is a sad past. The Tamils and Sinhalese are doing a great job in general living with each other. Short memories in this case is a blessing.
What you and other Moslems are doing is something else. On the one hand you have completely radicalized your youth, made them Jihadis and black clad ghosts who display clear and ominous venom towards the non-believer kaffirs and want to separate from them, except to grab their wealth, land and women, while urging your community to breed like vermin. This is nothing new. Its all in the Koran. So congratulations, your people are now fully and utterly fanatic Devils.
Now read what I said again. Its not meant for you, but for the Sinhalese but through your hate filled, bigoted, eyes, read the writings of a Western Kaffir, who will fight with whatever he can to help the Sinhalese. And also remember, most of us are silent, don’t write here.
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Ceylonee / April 18, 2018
@jay Chambers
To the fanatic Baudhda Racist ay Chambers
We live in a part of the world that is yet to experience full-blown, exploding Kasippu Drinking , Buddha fanaticism.
Yes, Lankan military did a remarkable job, but they would be defenseless if not for the military, logistical and intelligence support from A MUSLIM COUNTRY – PAKISTAN which was glorified by Mahinda and Sarath fonseka for their great help when the last part of the war.
The Tamils and Sinhalese are NOT doing a great job in general even though living with each other. Still Thamils innocent mothers are protesting for months looking and demanding for their sons and daughters abducted by Budha army .
What you and other Sin Kele Racists are doing is something else. On the one hand you with the help of Kaavi Rowdies ( who are worshipped by you) who eat begging in pansal , have completely radicalized your youth, made them to become Buddha Terrorists like in Myanmar and kaavi clad ghosts who display clear and ominous venom towards the innocent muslims and kiristians and want to destroy their property out of Extreme Jealous , kill and rape their woman in order to grab their wealth, land and purely cleaned women, while urging your Sin Kele community to breed like dirty pigs thus become 74 % in sri lanka.
This is nothing new. Its all in the BORU PURANA MAHAWANSA which led Kaavi Terrorist Anaakariga Darmapalaya to start terrorism in the name of Budhism which have been followed by you and others like you.
So congratulations, your Sin Kele Boothayas are now fully and utterly fanatic Devils as YAKKAS who lived in Jungles of ceylon.
BE A CIVILISED MAN before die.
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Ralli Ameen / April 18, 2018
Jay Chamber
Whoever you are, may be Christian Sinhalese or Tamil or a Muslim hater from west but don’t write here like a kindling to incite racist. You shit yourself must be an anti-Muslim and writing here without knowing the truth. Which was the first country to help Sri Lanka at the beginning of war with LTTE.? Those Indian and Israeli trained LTTE was gaining ground and the helpless Sri Lankan army was asking Indians for arms and help. They said first to settle Tamils problems. When asked from USA, they said first to get Indian’s approval. Then it was only Pakistan which was under Zia-ul Haq trained Sri Lankan army in Pakistan camps and open around 8 camps in Sri Lanka to train the army in modern warfare and handling modern weapons. There may be many retired generals and corporals who got trained under Pakistan, you can verify from them if they are honest. Initially Pakistan gave weapons too and later by container loads with China’s help. You say China and other countries which helped, which other countries, Israel? Those bastards were the trainers and arm suppliers to LTTE at the beginning and when found the card was turning other way about slowly crept in as supporters.
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Marwan / April 19, 2018
Empty chambers making loudest din. Although your pseudo name is alien to our society, you are very much a native in your thinking and bigotry. Fear is the Root of Hatred and Great Enemy of a Community. Examples of hatred (as espoused by you) in our country have saturated our political, social and religious climate in ways that are inescapable. Everywhere you turn, hate is being discussed. Hate is being revered while at the same time the seeds of that very hate is being spread far and wide. Hate is being shown on television screen and embodied on my computer screen. Its ignorance and violence is no respecter of person. I’d even go as far as to say that hatred’s blindness would have it believe it to be for the sake of ‘love’ for whatever that is perceived theirs or what belongs to them. Bias is a human condition, and history is rife with prejudice against groups and individuals because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other myriad characteristics. As a nation, we’ve made a lot of progress, but stereotyping and unequal treatment based on religion and caste still persist. People like yourself perfectly fit within this category. This country has no future when you cannot understand that religion is just something personal, and should not be the basis for judging others in any which way, period. You still have a long way to recover from your fear of inferiority complex mentality.
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Hela / April 18, 2018
Cultural practices driven by Middle Eastern fanatic & fundamentalist ideology are clearly not part of SL culture. Any attempt in superimposing such fanaticism/fundamentalism must be resisted and defeated. SL Muslim community bear the greatest responsibility in that regard.
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Native Vedda / April 18, 2018
Hel ass
–
“Cultural practices driven by Middle Eastern fanatic & fundamentalist ideology are clearly not part of SL culture.”
–
Sorry I never understood SL culture. Could you define and explain what exactly you mean by SL culture.
–
“Any attempt in superimposing such fanaticism/fundamentalism must be resisted and defeated. “
–
I agree. However the state should treat the people well in order to keep the strangers and neighbours away from groping the women folks. Well how are you going to keep your rottweilers on leash? How are you going to keep yourself under control?
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Hela / April 19, 2018
Hora Indian Vedda,
Firstly, under age girls must be protected from fundamentalist Islamic ideology. Take action to prevent them being raped under the guise of “marrying” them to mentally sick bastards who fantasize sleeping with children.
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2018
Helass
–
It appears Crocodiles do shed tears.
–
“Take action to prevent them being raped under the guise of “marrying” them to mentally sick bastards who fantasize sleeping with children.”
–
Pedophiles transcend race, religion, region, ….. For instant do you know how many fathers who are at home alone with their under age children because the lazy bums do not work and have sent their wives to medieval middle east kingdoms sexually abuse their teenage daughters?
–
Please familiarise yourself with what has been going on in this island.
Read:
Sri Lanka: Becoming A Nation Of Perverts, Paedophiles And Rapists
By Barbara Seneviratne
6 July 2012
Colombo Telegraph
–
SRI LANKA: Rising Incidence of Incest Revives Abortion Debate
Kumudini Hettiarachchi
http://www.ipsnews.net
–
Sri Lanka – Rape, Marital Rape, Incest, Law Issues, Shame
By Vijita Fernando
http://wunrn.com
–
Shocking child abuse stats
By Michael Hardy
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2009/10/31/
shocking-child-abuse-stats/
–
Helass
What seems to bother you is that a few Muslim old men with clanking b***s are able to legally marry and have sex with under age girls whereas you are deprived of the same pleasures. Tell us haven’t you ever stroke under age children in the wrong places acting as the affectionate uncle?
–
Aren’t you being jealous hence your outrage against Muslims.
–
Please avoid justifying your heinous crimes pointing out how the Americans, Brits, the Germans , the Arabs, ………………….. abuse their children and women. Foreign pedophiles come to this island to abuse them.
–
Like Jim softy the Dimwit were you also a beach boy?
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Marwan / April 19, 2018
Holy Helai Heleiya! No wonder your numbers (population) are dwindling. When your girls get married in late stage in life, the chances of conceiving gets drastically reduced, due to over cautious safe sex practices, such as use of contraceptive methods and drugs, including all the risks of miscarriage, while the window of opportunity starts closing in on their reproductive cycle, before they cross over into stage of menopause. It is just the the opposite when girls get married young, soon after attaining puberty, and immediately upon reaching the legally permissible age for marriage. Marry of these girls who marry young even get to see their their great grandchildren before they pass on. Your suggestion of ‘Underage girls getting raped under the guise of marriage by so called Islamic fundamentalists’ is a figment of your imagination, and parroting media bias. Such isolated incidents may be exceptions, but are not the norm, and further from the truth. In such cases, offenders must be brought to justice and punished in keeping with the law of the country. They are not human but even worse than animals.. That is not Islam, nor what it teaches us Muslims. A prejudiced mind cannot be fair in judgment. In fact, a prejudiced mind can not recognize the reality of life and all that it truly is. .
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Lex Luthor / April 18, 2018
Just like the Sri Lankan Buddhist community took responsibility in Kandy for…. wait what was it again.
Since we are holding people responsible for other peoples actions, because Hela thinks that’s how the world works.
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Hela / April 19, 2018
Lex,
Sinhalese as a community responded to incidents in Kandy in variety of ways such as vehemently condemning it, blasting the incompetent law & order regime of yahapalanaya, protecting Muslims, quickly re-building damaged property in certain places.
Over to you and the Muslim community………………if you care for healthy cohabitation…..
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ceylonee / April 18, 2018
hela
if you want to safeguard your wedda culture then , tell your sin kele woman NOT TO WEAR JACKET and make them to roam in the streets as Sigiriya low cast woman.. and you , Sin kele Males wear only Sarong and belt manufactured from COW’s skin around the hip tightening sarong.. haa.haa.. Your Sinkeleyas got to know how to dress decently from wealthy Arab merchants. you guys must be grateful to those Arab Muslims.
Again after centuries your sin kele Bauddachchila little by ittle strip off dress thus going back to Jungle era.. still saying Following Budha’s teaching………. LOL……….
if your guys dont follow the modest and moral way of dressing as muslims woman ( not black face cover ) wear ( not showing fleshy hip , half chest with cleavage, full back , thighs , legs, armpits ) , then you will never ever be civilized ..
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Hela / April 19, 2018
Moda Ceylonese,
“Modest and moral way of dressing” is a subjective matter.
I have no issue of the attire of the Muslim woman in SL as being worn for so many years. The issue is the more recent attempt in super impositioning of an alien culture here.
I am glad you agree with that in your latter statement re “not black face cover”.
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jak / April 18, 2018
Hi, all
why is srilanka and her citizens cant grow to be like a western country because of the people living in srilanka their call them self highly educated 98% literacy even further we can say BSc, MSc and PHD’s charterships you guys can earn any credential next your name but your hearts and mindsets never change beacuse it is filled with jealousy, filthy cruelty towards other communities and law and order is there but it acts and implemented favourably ,
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Mohamed / April 19, 2018
jak,
BSc, MSc and PHD? These are given here to people who are good in memorizing fat, fat books. But when it comes to practice, Sri Lankans are having PhDs is CRAB MENTALITY. So that no other country can compete us in the pace we are moving at (But in the opposite direction)
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Real Revolutionist / April 18, 2018
Muslim women’s fully masked dress is against god’s (Allah’s) wish
God gives what anybody deserves
God created women beautifully & attractively, not be hidden. It should be moderately exposed.
That’s how god wants you.
God punishes all those fail to respect his interests.
Ladies be careful, if you wrap the whole body, sure you’ll be an ape with a thick layer of fur; gorilla like in your next life even if you’ve done it on your dad/husband/brother’s request.
The present day gorillas in the jungles probably had been women in previous life covered the whole body, against god’s wish.
It’s no joke.
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The Sinopian / April 19, 2018
So now like the Pope you are God’s Vice Regent on earth and speaking for Him.
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Ralli Ameen / April 20, 2018
Real Revolutionist you have nothing to write against modesty of Muslim women so you writing like fighting school boys who utter words whatever that comes to their mouth.
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kalu / April 19, 2018
Dear Ceylonee,
You are so right in a way-why not send these sinkalayas to Syria,Iraq or some ISIS held area where their head can be chopped off if they misbehave
kalu
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The Sinopian / April 19, 2018
Sexually dysfunctional monks get their thrills by gaping at half naked women – that is why they do not object to women exposing themselves in public. Fully covered females deny them their cheap thrills – this agitates them.
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Real Revolutionist / April 19, 2018
The Sinopian
Anybody dysfunctional sexually may not cause problems as they don’t know its taste.
Monks enjoy the freedom to de-robe if they want to enjoy sex. No need for them to gape @ half or full naked women as Buddhism is not that extremist type.
Some may enjoy even without de-robing but it’s against discipline.
It’s an innocent action but people want them to de-robe & do it. As far as it’s not forceful or criminal it’s tolerated.
But the problem may be that Muslim women don’t enjoy freedom to remove the full cover & go in public places. They don’t have freedom to enjoy god given gift because of extremists.
Whether it’s half naked or full covered people know what’s inside unless psoriasis inside.
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Ceylonee / April 19, 2018
@sino
haaa..haaa……haaa……………..YES.. correct……
In Sri lanka , Haamaduru la became ” KAAMADURU ”.. lol… lol
When Bavana gets at his peak , Kaamadur lata peyanne Half naked woman’s breasts and thighs so start to give aaseervadaya to woman telling them to bowdown then enjoy seeing the cleavages.. haaa…..haaa. . All Muslims , Tamil , kiristian girls and woman are scared of these Kaamaduru .. But its dangerous for woman go to Pansal alone. Be aware all Budhists.
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Real Revolutionist / April 19, 2018
Ceylonee
It’s considered sinful to interrupt monks” or ab’s meditation but if a monk is lustful & keen in love making, women can take such one for their purpose.
It happens everywhere & it’s natural.
Even god is not bothered about it.
How can that be dangerous?
Give Muslim women also that freedom if they want it without making them prisoners.
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whywhy / April 19, 2018
Real R ,
In Weligama , 13 have been so far arrested for sexually assaulting
tourists on beach and in a restaurant . You have a more serious
job here than appearing for women freedom for Muslims because
Muslims (serious Muslims) buy products only from reliable sources .
Why waste your time ?
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Real Revolutionist / April 20, 2018
Police are there to do the job @ places like Waligama,
Are there monks among the 13 arrested?
You’re also wasting time by taking my comment to Ceylonese seriously.
However see my comment “……. If they want it ….. ” so you need not bother about it.
I maintain my comment.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / April 21, 2018
Thank you for sharing Mr Siddeak. My personal thoughts on “dress code” is one’s personal choice nothing more and nothing less. May be some expectations at educational institutions/work place but leave that to cultural/family limits and more importantly applicable codes at the respective places in question etc.
I note you have raised the question about why should it matter as to what others wear is fair enough…
However my observation/understanding (I am 55years of age) since 90’s the changes in dress code of Muslims around the world has been discussed in many societies. For local communities when woman belongs to certain faith start wearing different type of attar “suddenly” at schools/work places/social settings will raise eye brows naturally/initially. This in noway should be taken as racism/religious prejudices but community share holders trying to have clarity/understanding why this changes of styles/dress code not in line with the rest of the country etc?……..which is a very natural human response I hope you agree.
In response to the Monks observation/statement on changing Muslim “dress code” your counter statmenet pointing to modesty/decency “may” not be adequately answers the question too??. The difference is Monk is saying this openly when others are not is the point one should take note of etc. This will invariably have an impact to the social harmony and more imporatntly work against the interest of the Muslim woman too. One has to do a lot of ground work at schools/work places specially to “prepare our people” mentally to accept these changes too you may agree mindfully….a conditioned human mind is hard to change and not open to reasons immediately??
It is unfortunate we in Sri Lanka do not have a space/environment to discuss community issues without violence/aggression attached or called names etc……it is our “terrible history” is what is stopping us from having an open/transparent discussion on issues affecting the share holders of our communities……..
/