By Colombo Telegraph –
Burma has issued a state of emergency in the central city of Meikhtila after three days of ethnic violence between Muslims and Buddhists has left scores dead, forced thousands to flee and left local homes and shops reduced to smoking rubble.
Rioting began on Wednesday in the now ash-covered town, located 360 miles north of the commercial capital Rangoon, after an argument between a Muslim shopkeeper and his Buddhist customers erupted into a street brawl that ended with the death of a Buddhist monk, the Guardian reports.
Read more in the Guardian
Kamal / March 23, 2013
Colombo Telegraph has picked up this story from Guardian. It is clear that there are a lot of subtleties in the way the writer Ms. Kate Hodal of Guardian has portrayed about the Muslims in the story. Any reader would rush to conclude that a Muslim shopkeeper has started the brawl and his Buddhist customers had been affected and the consequence is the death of a Buddhist monk. Mekhitila is a Buddhist majority region in Myanmar. Therefore, in reality there was a quarrel between a Buddhist customer and a Muslim jeweller and it has gone out of hand. The outcome was utter destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses and majority of deaths of Muslims. Scores of Muslims had to leave their homes to take refugee elsewhere. The law enforcement agencies did not do anything to curb the situation. This is the type of tactics the BBS followers are using in Sri Lanka.
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Dhaksha / March 23, 2013
Perhaps the same evil islamaphobes had instigated the violence against Muslims. It is easy to get people in our part of the world provoked and a few shekels or euros will make them turn on their neighbors.
It is strange that similar incidents are happening at the same time, as if an unseen hand is behind the same violence against Muslims. Hmmm..
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nimanta / March 27, 2013
Do you think Sri others eat grass? First ask why more and more Bangladeshi Muslims come to Burma and try to grab land of the historical Buddhists there? Are you suggesting Mianmar people to donate those land with resources to non-mianmar Muslim criminals come from Bangladesh?
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Justice / March 23, 2013
Minority people never try to make conflicts with majority of people, it is majority who persecute minority in any country. Myanmar is a Buddhist majority country as like Sri Lanka.
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Safa / March 23, 2013
The Rohingya people of Myanmar are stateless and have been persecuted for a long time. They comprise around 4-5% of the population. Myanmar is now emerging from a military dictatorship and it is hoped that there will be some solution to this problems. The OIC too is now taken up the matter before the UN.
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Teacher / March 23, 2013
Nothing to be surprised. Muslims have been much abused in Myanmar, a so called Dictator Buddhist state. Sri Lanka should better avoid such situations, and learn lessons from Myanmar. Hope some sensible people among Buddhist majority would rise against ethnic hate campaigns against Muslims here by elements like Bodubala. Or else, we should buy international insurance for our lives, homes, and businesses. The blood shed, if erupted here would be far intense as many international forces have clear interest here.
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marjan / March 24, 2013
Teacher you are right, we hear those failed bogus mediators who were thrown away by their own govt in a western country are now conniving with the evil forces that wanted to divide our nation and cause chaos. Learned people in Sri Lanka should try as much as possible to educate people within their reach of these perceived threats. Every lankan should be taught to live in peace and harmony with his/her fellow citizens.
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Ajith / March 24, 2013
Marjan,
we always try to blame international community and those who advise Sri Lanka to become a true democratic and importance of the rule of law respecting the basic rights of the citizens of the nation. Unfortunately it is the political leaders and religious leaders of the majority community are the ones who divide the nation in terms their race and religion. Under such powerful influence of these leaders, the voice of people who try to educate people are targeted and punished unlawfully and against to the buddhist principles. It is unfortunate that the so called two major buddhist nations (SriLanka and Burma)have shed blood throughout the independence. Though Sri Lanka is called a democratic nation, the true characteristics of both countries are dictatorship. It is not the words, it is the practice important. You don’t need to go around the world to find out evils, it is inside the nations ruling regimes.
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Alex / March 23, 2013
This Bodu Bela Sena, Helaurumaya, Champika and Gamenpille wants to create same Ethinic violence between Muslims and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. SLS Governmemt act faster stop this hate combain whic sponsored by Secretary of of Defense, Gottabaya.
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nimanta / March 27, 2013
Rubbish? What then Hakeem, Asrof and all Muslims have been doing over period if not planning to destroy Buddhists? Do youwant all sri Lankans come to worship ur God and practice so-called wicked culture?????????
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 23, 2013
In Bahrain the Sunnis are a minority and the Shia are the majority. The Sunnis rule. In Syria, the Alawites are a minority and the Sunnis are a minority. The Alawites rule. In Iraq the Shia are the majority, but the Sunnis were in control with Saddam at . In these countries, the minorities are / were resorting to violence to control the majority .
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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lionel / March 24, 2013
Dr. Rajasingham,
As i see it, all those Muslim countries were controlled by external powers using local proxies. To have the proxy chosen from the minority is more effective, rather than from the majority. The sectarian tensions and problems such a choice would cause is important for those neo-colonial powers to not only portray the victims of such ‘divide and rule’ policy as barbarians but also to legitimise their own continued interference in muslim lands.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / March 24, 2013
Dr.. Rajasingham, Tamils in Sri Lanka agitated and even resorted to an armed-struggle. Is it to control the majority or win the rights of the Tamil people. I believe that Tamil struggle was to win their rights but became violent when the ruling state resorted to violence to suppress the peaceful agitation of the Tamil people. Whether the Shias or Sunnis, in Iraq or Bahrain or anywhere are compelled to resort to violence when the the peaceful agitation of the minority is suppressed by state violence. Is that not the reality anywhere in world and any time in history?
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whywhy / March 24, 2013
All of them were Middle east.All of them were Arabs.All of
them were in one belief.Different tribes.Some were kingdoms.
Some were dictatorships.
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David Blacker / March 25, 2013
What about Rwanda and South Africa. There too minorities controlled the majorities. It isn’t just in the ME.
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lionel / March 23, 2013
‘Violence Breaks out Between the Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka’ might be a newspaper headline in future, if the current trend of demonising Muslims is allowed to continue. But such a headline would be very misleading. An appropriate heading would be ‘Some Buddhists unleash violence against the innocent Muslim community in Sri Lanka.’
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whywhy / March 24, 2013
Teaching a long lasting lesson to Muslims,their leaders and
their clerics is one objective of the BBS.Intimidating and
restricting Muslims fortunes and freedoms is another.A thirdheir
could be election gains through creating a sense of fear.On the
govt side, election campaign already started with the Muslims
and this time up in arms against”thambiya” would bring intelligent
majority of great Buddhist nation,a genuine prosperity,a long time
dream other leaders failed to achieve.Hurrah Rajapaksha & Co.All
third grade rubbish politicos of our country have eagerly
demonstrated their ability and desire to harm and discourage the
advance of Muslim’s growth in terms of commercial and cultural
developments.There’s definitely no point in some Muslim
representatives trying to use soothing tones about the majority
attitude towards Muslims because it’s being either interpreted as a
ploy or ignored as rubbish.The stage is set for a drama and the
curtains are waiting to raise.
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Ding Kuwa / March 23, 2013
Funny how where ever there are muslims there is violence.
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Riza / March 23, 2013
There is no funny matter.When you are majority, you should learn to show respect and compassion whoever the minority is.
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lionel / March 24, 2013
It is not funny! Muslims are viewed as the only nations who challenge the statu quo, where American imperialism is subjecting every OTHER to their savagery!
Most grouping such as BBS and nations are co opted by the Imperialists to prolong the status quo!
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 24, 2013
Ding Kuwa,
Considering the problems with the Tamils and now the Muslims, would it be right to generalize that wherever there are Sinhalese, there is violence?
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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gamini / March 23, 2013
Religion is for the intelligent and not for the foolish masses. A good sign that mere numbers alone does not reflect to the veracity of a particular belief, but certainly will fuel a situation as this. Why was Religion ever invented for the foolish?
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jansee / March 24, 2013
gamini:
I can pat you on the back for this. The myopic vies held by ALL religions far outweigh the good they seem to preach. Whoever created these religions must take responsibility for the actions of its followers and be consigned to the dustbin. The often cited “philosophy” that it is the view of a minority in each religion is both a hoax and hollow. If the violent few are allowed to roam freely with the majority pandering to these few as silent supporters, and what more when religion becomes the mainstay in politics, then the “holy” view of religions is but just a canard.
When the Hindus burned down the Babri mosque with the overwhelming support of the politicians who even partook in its demolition, the Buddhists and, even more disgraceful, the monks taking and making violent postures and actions, the shoot-to-kill forceful edicts of Muslims are a shame to us. It may have had its place in “those” years but for now the world will be a lot better place with religion at all. If at all it has become useful, it is to politicians who cleverly twist the heads of ignorant and idiotic people. Religion has no place in modern society.
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lionel / March 25, 2013
jansee,
There is wide perception that religions are the source of all evil. That is only a perception. The reality is different. In fact, in term of numbers as well as intensity, the crimes committed by god-less communism and the agnostic capitalism are far worse.
WWI, WWII, holocaust, pogroms, cultural revolution in china, Iran and Iraq war – the list is long!
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Native Vedda / March 24, 2013
gamini
“Why was Religion ever invented for the foolish?”
So that religious bigotry can flourish.
A convenient tool with which to discriminate and unite the stupids depending on whoever is benefiting.
Other tools include nationalism, caste ism, ………….
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Lester / March 23, 2013
Muslims causing trouble again. Phillipines, Burma, India, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Lebanon, where will this end?
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Riza / March 23, 2013
Lets talk Sri Lanka – why not blame BBS?
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Dhaksha / March 24, 2013
He cannot talk about Sri Lankan Muslims because he has been trained to seize any opportunity in articles about Muslims to spew his anti Islamic propaganda. He has become a mindless vessel, and directed to show Islamaphobia and hatred for a religion he does not understand. Read his comments and you will see what he means. He seems intellectually unable to differentiate between Sri Lankan Muslims and other. Please also note his admiration and devotion to a rogue nation like Israel. Trolls like him are best ignored.
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Lester / March 24, 2013
You have a lot to say for a Muslim hiding behind a Sinhalese name. I doubt you’re capable of ignoring me; the truth has a way of standing out.
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David Blacker / March 25, 2013
Shit is hard to ignore, Lester/Heshan/Observer. You have been stinking up a lot of blogs. I wonder how long CT can stand your stink :D
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Dhaksha / March 25, 2013
Who I am is none of your business. You come here under the guise of being a patriotic Sri Lankan to spew nonsense and a whole lot of bull. As if you are writing under your own name.
You are a noted Islamaphobe here, and your prove it comment after comment of hatred.
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Lester / March 27, 2013
I am not a “patriotic” Sri Lankan in the sense of condoning violence. However, I do believe Sri Lanka has a future when people wearing abayas, those espousing jihad, nude corpse photographers like Mr. Blacker here, pseudo-intellectuals like Dayan Jayatilleke, and war criminals like Mahinda/Gothabaya Rajapakse are removed.
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Pol Pot / March 23, 2013
A clash between Muslims and Buddhists cannot be called an Ethnic one, because it is based on Religion, not Race.
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Jamal / March 24, 2013
Based on religion motivated by politics!
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whywhy / March 24, 2013
Shall we call it barbaric?
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Safa / March 24, 2013
The three founders of BBS are Ven Kirama Wimalajothi, Galgoda Aththage and Gothabhaya Rajapakse. This was founded around 2005-6 to mobilise the Sinhalese Buddhist to defeat the LTTE. After the war the same mindset continues with new enemies. Perhaps it is deemed advisable to keep the masses on a war footing.
Myanmar after years of isolation is now grappling to overcome the after effects of military rule and become a democracy while we seem to be moving in the opposite direction. When people talk about muslims creating problems they tend to forget about the Vietnam war, Polpot massaacres, Myanmar ethnic strife, Korean dispute which has plagued those Buddhist Nations. This is called tunnel vision, where people have only a narrow view of what is happening in the world. Rather than being objective and treating each problem on its merits and specifics we tend to generalise and demonise people.
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PEACELOVER.. / March 24, 2013
BAUDHA HINGANNAYAALA ( IN PALI , BIKKU ) , IS THE MAIN ROOT FOR ALL THESE VIOLENCE..WHEREEVER THESE BAUDHA HINGANNAYAA LIVE HAVING FOOD WITHOUT PAYING MONEY , BECOME TROUBLE MAKERS.. SEE THAILAND, BURMA , THIAT – CHINA ,.
BUDHA TAUGHT THE ” AHIMSA ” BUT THESE BUDHA HINGANNAYA ( BIKKU ) TEACH VIOLENCE AFTER GOING TO PANSALA LISTENING BANA .., BANA..,
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Sonlight / March 24, 2013
The Burma Buddhist Monks as well as Sri Lanka’s have became shame for Buddhism and Lord Buddha. They kill people ,especially minorities in the name of protecting Buddhism and the majority community.All these are happening with the collaboration or support of the respective Buddhist Governments.Unfortunately there is no one to protect from these atrocities even the UN has failed in several occasions. The good examples were the Rewansa and Sri Lanka.
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pala / March 24, 2013
Buddha must be living in pain to see his teachings of good human values
going up in flames done by those who are supposed to be his deciples.
the BBs is propagating destruction of the human,race ,can one imagine to what level these BBs (supposed to be monks)have gone ,to propagate that muslim babies must be aborted before they are born!!
Buddhism says not to harm even a cockroach ,but how many lives are being snuffed out.No wonder we our called a pariah state,like Rwanda and Burma.
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muslim / March 24, 2013
you are right Buddhism says not to kill even a cockroach but BBs with the vote hunters like the new born buddhist champika and gammanpila gota are killing whom they do not want.That is why sri lanka is being killed slowly.We have joined Rwanda and Burma another set of human right killers.How can the BBs and the lot kill muslim babies before they are born.Today BBS and champika ,gammanpila gota would nt be in Srilanka if their policy was in force then.
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Lester / March 24, 2013
Sri Lanka is alive and well. It has been around for more than 2500 years, survived three European invasions, two insurrections, and a civil war. If you feel it is dying, I’m sure your brothers in Saudi have a place for you.
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Maghribi / March 25, 2013
Buddhism is on the decline world wide. Refer world stats. When Morality declines in a society, the rich and powerful takes control of the resources by unfair means, lack of respect among communities; are some of the signs of an impending catastrophe. when Sri Lanka sinks it will take it’s people with it.
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muslim / March 25, 2013
Lester
The right people were there then in srilanka, the good people who value human rights,that is why srilanka survived the invasion and insurrection,as you say.
And the country was blessed and became prosperous because there were no racists and,the rulers hands were clean and all people were Ceylonese.
But what is happening now there are people who are staining there hands with blood and doing the opposite of good,killing babies even before they are born,selfish rulers where only their kith and kin can do well.
We do not need to go anywhere because this is also our country and we have the right to live and work to find our bread and butter.
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Lester / March 27, 2013
Dear Muslim:
Please tell me why you are allowed to visit Dalada Maligawa, but I cannot visit Mecca. Surely as a “good person who values human rights”, you condemn this injustice.
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roshan / March 24, 2013
we have show the wisdom of asia. now all people can see it. now we have practicing thaleban buddhism
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J K Wijedasa / March 24, 2013
How have the MUSLIM MAJORITIES of
1. Bangaladesh
2. Egypt
shown compassion to Buddhist and Coptic minorities???
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Dhaksha / March 24, 2013
So what’s the rationale here?
Are you pointing fingers at other Muslim countries that have extremists, like we
have at the moment extremists Buddhists, and saying Sri Lankan Muslims deserve
harassment because of what other unconnected countries do?
The Sri Lankan Muslims have NOTHING to do with violence anywhere else in the world.
Is that too hard to understand?
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Manoj / March 25, 2013
I am totally against what is going on in SL these days. SL buddhist extremist groups should be responsible for these. But, I must say that some muslim people/groups have something to do with the hate towards muslims by Singhalese. for example activities like supporting Pakistan in a cricket match between SL and Pak and so on.
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whywhy / March 24, 2013
Wijedasa,
You now have no right to question Egypt and Bangladesh
because you are already following the same route.If they
are wrong blame them.Where’s your DNA?You said you killed
Tamils because they killed innocent Sinhalese didn’t you?
Now,did Halal and so called Muslim extremists come after
you too? My position is,if there’s any real issue with any
section of Muslims,that must be addressed in a genuine manner
by an accepted,recognized and civilized body.Is that’s what’s
happening right now? Hypocrisy is too big of a plate to hide.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 25, 2013
An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth! Where does compassion, the very foundation of Buddhist thought figure in this equation? The Buddha did not want monks to wear foot ware to forestall their hurting ants even inadvertently . Do not try to become what you were not meant to be.
The monks of the BBS should be disrobed and enrolled into the ranks of our despicable politicians. There should be public condemnation of such monks. The Sangha will be then,what it should be- an institution to be revered and respected. I have no problem with Sinhala-Buddhism as a political agenda of politicians. I however have problem comprehending how monks can be the leaders pedalling such an ideology.
I have to reluctantly reveal an incident that occurred around ten years back. A monk came to our door, requesting a donation for some cause. He looked a thug dressed in robes to me and I declined to help quite politely. He became quite belligerent and called me a ‘ Para Demala’. I kept my cool, but firmly told him that if he does not beat a quick retreat, I will remove his robes first and then beat him. As my then teenage son had also come to the door by that time, he knew I meant business and beat a quick retreat. He could however have beaten me to a pulp, if not for my muscular son!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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whywhy / March 25, 2013
Dr Nar,I’ll put it like this,if these guys can not live
with Tamils,with Muslims and with Christians,what’s the
world they are left with?What’s the name of this game?
This is a well controlled but a game.Even if something
slip out of plans,that’s going to be culprit’s benefit.
Divide and rule is reaching new heights and what’s
beingdone against minorities will be difficult for
anybody else to reverse.We still have in our memories
scars of the past.Instead of utilizing the best
opportunity we have,to build a new society,they are
becoming more and more racists and vulgar making life
miserable to all communities.Cities are being beautified
on one side and people are being indirectly pushed
to destroy it on the other side.Building,destroying and
then rebuilding.We have, out of the blue,become a
powerful nation haven’t we?Yes,begging and trying to look
heroes of punishing the donors themselves,what a bunch of
dangerous comedians!
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lionel / March 25, 2013
Wijedasa,
It is worth asking how come the Coptic christians in Egypt flourished over the last 14 centuries when islam was dominat, and why all of sudden they are facing problems there NOW?
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Mohamed Marzook / March 26, 2013
Those responsible for violence on minorities in these countries have taken to task by the Govts. and punished. Such is the duty of a responsible Govt. But in Sri Lanka the extremists Buddhists are on the rampage against the minorities. While the Govt. is not taking action the extremists claim that the Defence Secretary himself is supporting them and the head of the country, the President, too is with them.
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PEACELOVER.. / March 24, 2013
TODAY M IN KOTTAWA , CHRISTIAN DEVOTEES WERE ATTACKED BY BUDAH TERRORISTS WHILE PRAYING IN A PENTECOST CHURCH ..
WHAT ARE THOSE SO CALLED CHRISTIAN COUNTRIES CAN DO ?..NEGLECT ?.. OR JUST SAY INTERNAL PROBLEMS..
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J K Wijedasa / March 25, 2013
I am no extremist. Just want to point out BITTER TRUTH and reality where Muslims are in majority. Have stated an untruth?
I stand corrected if what I have stated is proved to be incorrect. Among my best friends I count 3 muslims. I do not want harassment of any community anywhere…
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Dhaksha / March 25, 2013
You have to stop generalizing and tarring ALL Muslims by what extremists do. Just like we do not tar ALL Buddhists by what the thugs in saffron robes do here. There are elements who come here trying to do that but it is nothing but a load of bull. There are over 1.5 billion Muslims world wide, the majority peaceful, normal, and getting on with their neighbors. The Sri Lankan Muslims are not wahabi, egyptian, or jihadists. They have lived peacefully in this country for generations and that should be the focus here.
You are doing exactly what Islamaphobic elements do here.
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whywhy / March 25, 2013
Why not your BITTER TRUTH could see Islam’s arch enemy
Jews live comfortably in Iran?
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lionel / March 25, 2013
Wijedasa,
Can you tell us why the Copts are facing problems NOW? But they flourished for over 1400 years when Islam was the dominant force there?
Your accusation that Muslims are intolerant to the minority is baseless.
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Bensen Burner / March 25, 2013
Myanmar is another repressive State nourished by Buddhism
Bensen
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naleer / March 25, 2013
No religion will grow beating another.For easy vote bank RACISM.
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peebee / March 27, 2013
Religion is like a dick. Everybody has one. But it is not a good idea to take it out and show off in the public.
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NAK / March 27, 2013
The head line itself is a misleading creation of the western media.
The problem is between the migrant Rohingayas from neighbouring Bangladesh and native mayanmaries.
They happened to be of two religions,but the clashes has nothing to do with the religions.It is the western practice of vilifying buddhists that they come up with headlines like this.
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Pol Pot / March 29, 2013
GOSL should not be using this article as an excuse for their inaction on Bodu Bala Sena’s actions.
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