By Hameed Abdul Karim –
Hameed Abdul Karim
Reading the preamble of Mr. Udaya Gammanpila’s article titled ‘Halalization and end of Sri Lanka food culture’ (‘Ceylon Today’ 24 February, 2013) I got the impression that he was beginning to turn a new leaf in his approach to Muslims and Christian communities living in Sri Lanka, though the title kept nagging at the back of my mind telling me such a transformation was not possible.
All that soppy babble about how it was unnecessary for the Norwegians to teach us religious amity was intended to take another shot at the Muslims via the halaal bogey. If we are to take the word of this self confessed Sinhala nationalist it were the Muslims who shattered the bonhomie that existed between all communities in the country by insisting that their food be ‘halaal’.
Shiv Sena
Much has been written about the halaal controversy created by the Bodu Bala Sena and hijacked by the JHU fearing they might lose the little support they are left with. That is assuming the BBS is not an extension of the JHU like the Shiv Sena is an extension of the Hindu racist party the BJP. No more need to be said about ‘halalization’ now that the Jamiyyathul Ulama has handed the ‘halaal business’ over to the government to do as it pleases thus taking the wind off the sails of the BBS and the JHU. But don’t be surprised if these racist groups come up with some other ‘grievance’ to grumble about. And if they do then those of us, who include decent peace loving Sinhala Buddhists, will need no further proof of the halaal issue being only a pretext for a sinister plot. And this plot could be taking over the reins of government like did the BJP in India.
Jamiyyathul Ulama Equals Prabhakaran?
Be that as it may, I think it was grossly unfair for Mr. Gammanpila to compare the Jamiyyathul Ulama with Velupillai Prabhakaran claiming that the former is more dangerous than the latter because the Jamiyyathul Ulama is making an attempt at social segregation and not territorial segregation. This is absolutely ludicrous and can be seen as a subtle attempt to create hate among rural Sinhala Buddhists against Muslims. The bulk of the urban Sinhala Buddhists don’t care a hoot for the scare mongering of the likes of Mr. Gammanpila. This is patently obvious when you see them patronising Muslim owned restaurants on Galle Road on any given day.
Portuguese Expulsion
Once again we have a Sinhala Buddhist nationalist selling his supremacist ideas to all and sundry. And poor King Senarath pops up again. Mr. Gammanpila tells us that the good king came forward to accept the Muslims that the Portuguese had expelled from Colombo. Here again you begin to get the feeling that it was King Senarath’s magnanimity and charitable bent of mind that prompted him to come to the assistance of the displaced Muslims. But the fact is that King Senarath needed the Muslims to cultivate his lands so that he could be assured of a regular supply of food while he waged war on his fellow Sinhala Buddhists. To the good king Senarath the Portuguese’s expulsion of Muslims was a godsend.
Mr. Gammanpila says that the good Sinhala Buddhists of that time gave these Muslims accommodation in temples and gave them food. But don’t you think it’s rather comical when he says that ‘no Muslim demanded halaal food at that time’? Well, how would he know? Was he there? Maybe, the food was vegetarian with a little bit of fish or ‘karowala’ (dry fish) thrown in for taste. If that was the case then the food would be halaal! So if I get a similar Sinhala ‘buth’ (meal) parcel with or without the ‘dharma chakra’ I would gladly eat it. Same goes for a ‘saiva sapadu’ even with the ‘thrishool’, because these foods, being vegetarian, are halaal for Muslims. Frankly, I think Mr. Gammanpila has still not grasped the actual meaning of the words ‘halaal’ or ‘haraam’. Then again maybe he doesn’t want to on account of his political agenda.
Muslims in Sinhala Armies
Muslims were not lotus eaters during the times of the kings. In fact they were among the best of fighters in Sinhala Buddhist armies to a point where the historian Qyeroz bitterly complains that in all revolts against foreign occupation the ‘Muslims were always on the side of the enemy who happened to be Sinhala Buddhists. Today sections of the descendants of those Sinhala Buddhists consider us Muslims as the ‘enemy’ or ‘outsiders’ or ‘tourists’ or ‘creepers’. Look at how they are treating us. What a travesty of history and justice. There is not even a trace of gratitude for what the Muslims have done for Sri Lanka in history and up to current times. All along we have stood by our faith in Islam whilst Sinhala Buddhist kings and noblemen changed their faiths for posts and privileges. No Muslim did that. We don’t need a pat on the back for standing firm in our faith, but give us some respect. King Dharmapala changed his faith and became Don Juan and became a vassal of Portugal.
Tsunami
When the tsunami hit us the whole nation was plunged into grief. We moved around like zombies, struck by lightning, with devastated looks on our faces. Thousands perished in the disaster and people from all the communities here and around the world came together in one grand display of humanity to console and help those affected. In short it was a humanitarian crisis. So for Mr. Gammanpila to add a sectarian and racial tinge to this humanitarian crisis by bragging that he and his JHU housed Muslims in temples and gave them food goes beyond all decencies. He said the Muslims didn’t ask for halaal food then why are they asking for that now. If the food was vegetarian then, like I said before, it is halaal for Muslims. Unless of course Mr. Gammanpila and his band of merry man had prepared beef curry and fried chicken!
Many were those of other faiths who banded together as groups to help the affected people. None of them identified themselves with sectarian labels as does the overtly self righteous Udaya Gammanpila of the JHU. Millions of dollars poured into the country (some of it went into the pockets of corrupt politicians). Muslims too joined in with men and money helping all communities without any sectarian bias. My religious upbringing and modesty prevent me from elaborating.
What Halaal Found
Something good happened during all the halaal controversy. During a routine check it was discovered that a chemical called ‘L-Cyesteine’ was used by bakers as a taste enhancer for bread and pastry products. What was not known even to the bakers was that this chemical is mainly sourced from human hair, duck feathers or, according to a manager from the products’ Chinese company, hog hair’. This was stated by Mufthi Rizwi of the ACJU in an interview with a weekend paper. Nobody I know would want this ingredient used in bakery products unless of course he or she is an out and out cannibal! In this instance all right thinking people should thank the ACJU for exposing the unsavoury substances that went to make L-Cyesteine.
Hero and Victim
All through his article the self righteous Mr. Gammanpila plays a triple role, that of the good Samaritan, hero and victim. Good Samaritan when he publicised his charity towards the Muslim tsunami victims. Hero of the Sinhala Buddhists, doing his best to save Sinhala Buddhism which according to him and his fellow travelers’ reasoning is facing an imminent threat from Christianity and Islam. But it is fast becoming clear that all these tantrums and propaganda are only pretexts to gain political advantage. This is the identical way India’s BJP operated before they won an election and formed a government of their own. The BJP had its Barbri Masjid campaign. The BBS has, with the full backing of the JHU, has its Barbri Masjid in Daftar Jailani in Balangoda. The BBS has ordered the destruction of Daftar Jailani by the 31st of March. Will President Mahinda Rajapaksa invite the BBS to tea the same way Rajiv Gandhi invited the BJP when they threatened to destroy the Barbri Masjid? Or would he, unlike Gandhi, read the riot act to them?
The JHU’s plan is to relegate Muslims and all minorities to subordinate roles in society like Tonto was to the Lone Ranger. Since the day the BBS and JHU created the halaal controversy Mr. Gammanpila like others in the extremist groups have played the role of victims of Muslim ‘fundamentalism’. Like as if to say ‘we are very good people but since the Muslims want halaal food we have to take a stand and stop this nonsense’. Muslims have always consumed only halaal food since the advent of Islam and never indulged in haraam business like running casinos or bars. The JHU had supported, in violation of Buddha’s teachings which they claim to protect and foster, the establishment of casinos and new bars in parliament over and over again. So instead of playing the victim for political propagandist purposes, Mr. Gammanpila should address issues like alcoholism and gambling among Sinhala Buddhists, not to mention the other evils like child rape and murder that is everyday news these days.
Keep Your Kiribath
Burghers, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims who have strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood will continue to exchange their delicacies with one another on their ‘festival’ days. And come April I can expect my friends sending me delicious Kiribath, kavun, kokis and kolikutu bananas. And we shall continue this centuries old tradition every year and for all years to come, God willing. Mr. Gammanpila says that he wouldn’t want his milk rice to end up in a dust bin so he won’t be sending this Kerala delicacy to his Muslims friends. Well, Mr. Udaya Gammanpila, you can keep your Kiribath to yourself. There will be a lot of Kiribath going around for days and I am going to wallop as much as I can.
Champuke / March 14, 2013
Dear bro.duleep,
you are very valid in your points
Dear bro. duleep , Halal is a modern scientific concept that must be used by muslims?
Halal is not modern it is the same thing folowed in islam and muslims and it is never changed for the last 1400 years as per the book of allah quran revealed to all mankind.Quran is the only skript not changed unlike other religious Scriptures.Quran not changed as the creater allah promise that this Scriptures are suitable for all time /every time till the end of this world. i suggest you to youtube is to see , which religion is more scientific , Dr,Marurice buccail wrote a book islam and modern science. please watch this /read it then you will be enlightened dear bro duleep.
why dont you think or ask , why there are more than seven greate budhist countries issing halal certificate, Thailand,japan,china,etc. google it dear bro. duleep. NO ONE FORCE YOU TO CONSUME HALAL Product ,it is your choice , how can a 9% minority muslims force you to consume halal, you decide dear . it is only BBS ,JHU telling you that muslims forcing you to eat halal. it is your choice , you have mind and heart , decide what to eat ,simillary muslims will eat their choice.
dont you think/undeerstand , why the product makers going to obtaining halal certificate ? it mean only muslims are eating and others are fasting? why the venders or product producers not complaining or going to court.
recently chamber of commerce was asked by the jurnalist , afetr withdrawing the halal the price of product will go down then the answer was no because it is negligible. then why BBS claims the acju rOBBING MONEY , in that case why they not going to court in a civlised manner to investigate any iregularities?
PLEASE READ , Why We Should Boycott Halal Products?By Kasun Adikari –
KasunKasun Adikari
“Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, ‘The monk is our teacher.’ Kalamas, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,’ abandon them.”- Kalama Sutta: The Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry
Introduction
Violence in the name of religion has become the predominant model for politics in the modern world. In the present context, has increased in its frequency, scale of violence, and national reach in Sri Lanka. Too much emphasis is wrongly placed among the majority on various aspects on the practice of other religions especially on the concept of halal. It’s telling that more verbal and political energies are being channelled to create anxiety about this.
The purpose of this article is to provide a basic understanding on the concept of halal and how it operates internationally, to people from my own community since they often tend to be provided with inaccurate, lacking and sometimes simply fabricated facts of the same. Hence, right understanding of the concept may help to alleviate vague or poor understandings and in some way enhance peaceful relationship between Sinhalese and Muslims which we have been maintaining it for more than thousand years without any cracks.
What is halal?
Twenty years back when I was reading for my first degree at University of Moratuwa, I raised this question to one of my batch mate and now it is at the heart of a controversy for the majority Sri Lankans.
Oxford dictionary defines ‘halal’ as ‘religiously acceptable according to Islamic law.’ The word halal refers to anything that is considered permissible and lawful under religion. Muslims are supposed to live their lives by this concept, with its connotations of cleanliness, integrity and self-restraint. The opposite of this word is haraam. The term halal is widely used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law. In fact, it refers to permissible behaviour, speech, dress, conduct, manner and dietary. In a Muslim’s life, every aspect of life is regulated by Islamic law; therefore, the Halal-Haraam dichotomy almost always applies to everything, and Muslims make sure they understand what is what since saying or doing Halal will lead to Paradise and Haraam to Hell.
Halal Foods
Halal foods are foods that Muslims are allowed to eat under Islamic dietary guidelines. The criteria specify both what foods are allowed, and how the food must be prepared. Why Muslims want halal foods at all? “the logic behind this is that remaining blood in the body may become polluted and harmful to humans”.
The foods addressed are mostly types of meat. In order to be halal, permitted animals must be slaughtered according to prescribed methods of slaughtering (halal slaughtering), which emphasised on the aspects of hygiene, health, safety and humane treatment. A study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Humane Society International concluded that the animals that are slaughtered according to halal method complies with the hygiene and environmental health issues and halal meat should be labelled when it is put on sale, so that members of the public can decide on the choice.
Halal Certification
Halal is not only concern on meat foods, it emphasise that Muslims must ensure that all foods, particularly processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and non-food items like cosmetics, are also halal. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products or other ingredients that are not permissible for Muslims to eat or use on their bodies.
Halal certification tells Muslims that their ingredients and production methods have been tested and declared permissible by a certification body (i.e., internationally or locally recognised halal certification bodies certifies the product as halal, preferably with a trademarked and unique symbol). It also allows companies to export products to most Middle Eastern countries and South East Asian Countries.
Since the introduction of halal certification, many mainstream manufacturers, especially pharmaceuticals, prepared foods, and other products, as well as hotels, restaurants, airlines, hospitals, and other service providers have pursued the halal market. These companies purchase halal-certified products.
International Perspective
Halal Food Authority (HFA) is one of the UK’s largest regulators of halal foods. HFA is well established, both within the halal slaughter and wider food industry. Today, from Kelloggs cereals to KFC; from ASDA to British Airways, the HFA logo can be found on food products declaring them to be approved as halal.
The oldest and most well-known halal certifier in the United States is called the ‘Islamic Services of America’. In 2011, ‘Halal Products Certification Institute’ was established in California and became the first worldwide corporation that certified halal consumer products such as cosmetics, personal care products and perfumes & fragrances. The institute was established by Islamic intellectual scholars and Muslim scientists to assure the dissemination of halal consumer products.
Also in Europe, several organizations have been created over the past 20 years in order to certify halal products. A survey recently published by a French association of Muslim Consumers (ASIDCOM) shows that the market of halal products has been developed in a rapid way.
In South Africa, most chicken products have a halal stamp. The South African National Halal Authority (SANHA) issues certificates and products bearing this logo range from water, snacks, and even meat-free products (which may contain non-halal ingredients). The South African National Halal Authority also licenses the usage of the Halal logo in restaurants where the food is halal in addition to no alcohol or pork products being served.
McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have been declared to be halal in most of the countries. In the United Kingdom, China, Malaysia or Singapore, halal fried chicken restaurants having thousands of outlets serve halal foods, such as the ChicKing Fried Chicken, Brown’s Chicken, and Crown Fried Chicken companies.
Also, in New York City there are numerous halal food carts in business which serve gyros, chicken platters, and other halal fast foods, whereas in Europe, there are many of halal certified Doner kebab shops. Very recently, twelve stores in the Mary Brown’s chain in Ontario and Alberta became 100% halal.
Thailand and Philippines also has a noticeable population of Muslims and halal meat shops country wide. Within the People’s Republic of China, which has a sizable Muslim minority population, halal food is known as ‘Qingzhen’ means ‘pure truth.’
Charges justifiable?
Almost all the halal certifying institutions around the world incorporated as non-profit organisations and they are categorised under service sector. Besides, Halal certification is a long and meticulous process that requires investment in expertise, equipment and manpower. Therefore, organizations certify halal products are compelled to charge a fee to meet their expenses. Like any other certification process, halal certification also has a management cost involved. For example, when a company obtains the quality standard, the system standard or the risk management standard certification, it is charged for various costs with regard to logistics, communication, human resources, professional services and consultation fees. In addition to that, halal certifying institutions has to bear the costs in relation to technological testing and research, human resource costs as they are obliged to maintain a dedicated team of food scientists, administrators, Halal auditors and a large team of supervisors based at certified plants.
Conclusion
From the above, it appears that the concept of halal has a global recognition and is wider in its scope. Specifically as far as Muslims are concern, the concept of halal is embedded with their day to day life and is considered as one of the significant aspects of practicing there religion.
As Buddhists, we must know how to regard other religions and their practices as we belong to the religious group that accepts and appreciates the reasonable teachings of every religion. Buddhists can also tolerate the practices of other religious, cultural traditions and customs, although they may not necessarily wish to emulate them.
In other words, Buddhists respect the other man’s views and appreciate other practices without harbouring any religious prejudices. If there are certain Buddhists who feel they are unable to appreciate the ways of other religious practices, then the least they could do is to maintain their silence and refrain from any undue criticism: this attitude is very important for peaceful co-existence. If we study the teachings of Buddhism, then we can understand the basis of our religion and our attitude towards the other religions. To practise a religion we must be honest, sincere, truthful and kind to others: we must avoid deceit and cruelty: and in our relation with others we must be broad-minded.
According to the Buddha, if we adopt aggressive and violent methods to solve our problems, we cannot find the real solution to overcome them. No doubt, we can suppress some troubles and temporarily win the battle as long as our opponents remain weak. But when our opponents get the chance, they will not keep quiet and will not forgive us. Therefore, if we act with violence, we can never find lasting peace. This is why the Buddha once said: “Hatred is never ended by hatred, but only by loving-kindness.” Buddha also said: “It is not that I quarrel with the world but the world quarrels with me. A teacher of truth never quarrels with others.
Accordingly, non-violence is at the heart of Buddhist thinking and behaviour. Nothing in Buddhist scripture gives any support to the use of violence as a way to resolve conflict. One of Buddha’s sermons puts this very clearly with a powerful example that stresses the need to love your opponent no matter how cruelly he treats you:
“Even if thieves carve you limb from limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile you are not following my teaching.”- Kamcupamasutta, Majjhima-Nikkaya I – 28-29
DEAR BRO.DULEEP PLEASE WATCH THESE VEDIOS
1)How 100,000 Britons have chosen to become Muslim… and average convert is 27-year-old white woman
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343954/100-000-Islam-converts-living-UK-White-women-keen-embrace-Muslim-faith.html#ixzz2LtDtYPXI
2)Why do Western Women Convert?
Read more
http://standpointmag.co.uk/features-may-10-why-do-western-women-convert-julie-bindel-islam-female-conversion
3)Women & Islam: The rise and rise of the convert
Three-quarters of Britons who become Muslims are female. Now a major new study has shed light on the difficulties they face in adjusting to their new life.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women–islam-the-rise-and-rise-of-the-convert-6258015.html
4)WHY YOUNG BRITISH WOMEN Converting to ISLAM? – BBC Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPwaJSMCGTE
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Observer / March 15, 2013
Man, i’ve been posting messages on the wrong page!
@ Champuke,
1. “NO ONE FORCE YOU TO CONSUME HALAL Product ,it is your choice , how can a 9% minority muslims force you to consume halal, you decide dear”
If Halal is not forced upon non-Muslims, please tell me how and where a non-Muslim can buy the following products without Halal, in Sri Lanka
a. KFC
b. Pizza Hut
c. McDonalds
d. Pizza Hut
e. Dinemore
f. Elephant House & Cargils Ice Cream
g. CBL, Maliben & Cargils (Kist) biscuits
h. Marmite
i. Anchor milk poweder
j. Ediborough products
k. Any of the products listed in the page below
http://www.halaal.acju.net/brands
Now tell us – where is the non-Halal choice? Brother.
2. “recently chamber of commerce was asked by the jurnalist , afetr withdrawing the halal the price of product will go down then the answer was no because it is negligible”
How much was “negligible”?
3. “organizations certify halal products are compelled to charge a fee to meet their expenses. Like any other certification process, halal certification also has a management cost involved. For example, when a company obtains the quality standard, the system standard or the risk management standard certification, it is charged for various costs with regard to logistics, communication, human resources, professional services and consultation fees. In addition to that, halal certifying institutions has to bear the costs in relation to technological testing and research, human resource costs as they are obliged to maintain a dedicated team of food scientists, administrators, Halal auditors and a large team of supervisors based at certified plants.”
I like this one, really. Now please explain us what science and what exact technology does ACJU in Sri Lanka use to “test” the food products. Basically, please explain the following in detail – we would like to understand the process behind the certification.
a. How does ACJU determine processed meat items made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc are free of Pig meat/Pork?
b. How does ACJU determine various food manufacturers who are using local and imported fats, ingredients etc are not contaminated with pig fat/lard etc?
c. How did ACJU guarantee the purity of the products to justify their fees?
d. If all the costs you have detailed have to be incurred, how does ACJU plan to fund it self now with free certification?
3. “From the above, it appears that the concept of halal has a global recognition and is wider in its scope. Specifically as far as Muslims are concern”
True about the Halal availability – but why did ACJU made the entire country pay for the certificate when only the Muslims require it? Why did they not issue the certificate free of charge from the beginning? if they can issue it free now, why didn’t they do that before?
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AYMAN / March 14, 2013
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Doctor MS / March 15, 2013
Ayman – I recently visited a relative in the UK. One of my friend complained that no new church buildings are allowed to be constrcuted in the UK but mosques are allowed. But if you go to Saudi you cannot take a bible yet alone build a church. Dont you think this is unfair?
You mentioned that those who are in Maldives will become beggars if they are in Srilanka. If you go to UK you will see who lives without going to work at all and getting state subsidy every month – majority muslims…I call them state beggars.. yet the same muslims are received state subsidy and then bombed inncoent civilians in central London. Ungrateful beggars..
Recently I heard “female genital mutilation” is a common practice in islam and it is done when a girl is less than 5years old. Isnt it sad that men can have all the enjoyment but the muslim women are not allowed.
You dont practice what you preach that is the problem..
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TimePass / March 15, 2013
Don’t base Islam on the actions of its followers, just as one cannot base Buddhism on the actions of its followers.
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Citizen / March 15, 2013
Totally agreed. This is what I always main that they are ungrateful after receiving State subsidy and then bombed inncoent civilians not only in central London, but also America and India. For a moment, they don’t seem to realize that these countries are home to everyone. It is time they change to adapt themselves to changing conditions. Otherwise it is pity to watch that they are destroying themselves.
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Nabil / March 15, 2013
NT/Alias Citizen
Looks like the Americans were in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain to because of their love of humanity.
Have you counted the dead thanks to Western military interference in those countries. These are peoples of the middle east who have suffered because of western belligerence. By the way they also happen to be Muslims!
My point is that the West has a strategic interest in the Middle East for reasons of energy security, as well as protecting Israel. America and Russia played a proxy war there.
There are inevitable fallout’s, when you sow the wind you reap the whirlwind.
Please note that I condemn violence in any form and am not condoning it.
To call Muslims beggars is a bit below the belt and naturally I can only surmise your backgrounds from what you say and both of aren’t much to write home about.
We have lots of people among our midst for example those who qualify using the poor tax payers money and then sell their expertise in foreign countries. I don’t KNOW what you call people like these?
Also the same UK I visited recently had a different story for me. Muslim pray in Churches on Fridays and the Christians there don’t have a problem. I also read often about reverts to Islam BECAUSE the very same society that you ape doesn’t treat women well.
If you insist on looking at the Muslim World with jaundiced eyes there’s little that we Muslims could do!
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Nabil / March 23, 2013
Citizen
Thank you for your croc tears! I hope you are not scrounging on your Canadian Hosts like a beggar and contributing to their economy.
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Alavi / March 16, 2013
@Doctor MS, I remember bila chakkarawatti, M. S. Fernando who were famous for singing bila songs of real stories. Our salute to him! You are quite opposite to him to tell story of what your UK friend shared with you. It is not building of new church are not allowed in UK, but the fact is that there are enough churches in UK and not many followers go to churches. You are correct to say, there are so many mosques coming up in UK because of democracy and equal rights in those countries. When I was in UK, Sri Lankans had bought a Mosque in Harrow, and after couple of years, one more in East Ham.
I don’t reply to your discussion of beggars, it is far beyond once moral of talking about under privileged group of people, not only in UK and US, but all over the world. It is sad, over 25% of world population not have their regular meals. Though this is nothing to do with religions, you have tried to name and shame Muslims in your writing.
Clearly you are also right on the job of creating disharmony in the country amoung communities, rather than understanding others values and feelings and find solution through diversity, which is widely followed in UK, you may check with your friend in UK.
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lionel / March 16, 2013
@ Doctor MS,
What a quack! In the UK, churches are being sold because there aren’t christians to worship in them. They either becoming atheists or Muslims. (On average about 5200 people are becoming Muslims).
So why would any want to build new churches there? With the increase in number of muslims due to conversion, there is need for more Masjids to come up. But islamophobes/ extremists are forcing the govt to deny this new community of muslims a place to worship. A plan for building a mosque in Newham was canceled by the govt, due to pressure from christian and secular fanatics.
Genital mutilation? Which islamophobe website are you scrounging now? Blaming the muslims for imagined crimes is well known trick to divert public attention from local crimes. In the UK 167 per week are raped. Sri Lanka has a lot of catching up to do. We are raping only around 35 a week.
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Observer / March 15, 2013
Open Question
If Halal is not forced upon non-Muslims, please tell us how and where a non-Muslim can buy products from the following without Halal, in Sri Lanka
a. KFC
b. Pizza Hut
c. McDonalds
d. Pizza Hut
e. Dinemore
f. Elephant House & Cargils Ice Cream
g. CBL, Maliben & Cargils (Kist) biscuits
h. Marmite
i. Anchor milk poweder
j. Ediborough products
k. Any of the products listed in the page below
http://www.halaal.acju.net/brands
Where is the non-Halal choice? How do you prove that non-Muslims have not been forced to consume Halal? How do you argue that non-Muslims were not forced to share the cost of Halal?
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Alavi / March 16, 2013
@observer, it is simple. You will not realise facts of Halaal until and unless you understand JHU and BBS is working on hidden agenda.
There are no truth in anti-Halaal propagation of JHU and BBS. Halaal is not religious ritual nor god saved products, also head of CCC cleared ACJU of so called massive 700 million income for ACJU being alleged as single religious organisation with largest income. all BBS & JHU positions are baseless and truthless.
These companies, remember major local Buddhist owned companies and international brands, and don’t forget even Unilever Sri Lanka accepts Halaal system and accommodate in thier production plant. Who works on these companies and plants, majority of them are Buddhist.
Halaal system is simple because it ensure and confirm that products are Alcohol and Pork free. What is good, product with Alcohol and Pork or otherwise. This just a question of ingriedient of a product, nothing else
Do you like bread that is with product called L-Cyesteine, a chemical mainly sourced from human hair, duck feathers etc.,
These explnations are given enormous time in TV, radio and papers. Halaal branded products only guide muslim consumers that is suitable for muslims consupmtion.
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Nawala Somey / March 16, 2013
Dont these racist Monks have any real job? I mean what do they do for living? holly molly.Sir why you are inslulting the great RAJIV GHANDI to War Criminal RAJAPKSE that is a great insult.to the humanity.
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remy / March 16, 2013
Let people eat what they want.Ten years ago we did not have any dharmachakra or halal labels on anything.Now suddenly some of the Muslims are illuminated and want halal label while some Muslims say ullama has no rights to give authority.Let Muslims eat hala and non muslims eat food without labelling halal.Everybody thinks and fight for their religions and culture and nobody wants anything to do with other’s religion.So respect what others eat and do not label all the food halal or dharmachakra!Why all these things started now?I have been living in Europe and USA for a long time and they have normal,Kosher(for Jews),halal,vegetarian foods.Anybody who is interseted in any food is free to consume the stuff.But here if you want to eat a biscuit you have no option but to eat halal.People apart from Muslims have no right to eat a thing that is prepaired according to some others religion.In Europe and USA they use stun guns before cutting the throat of an animal and according to halal Muslims cannot consume such meat.But I would like to eat that rather than eating a flesh of an animal whose throat has been cut while it was conscious.LET PEOPLE EAT WHAT THEY WANT AND STOP PUTTING RELIGIOUS LABELS ON THEM LIKE IN ANCIENT TIMES.
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Anton / February 14, 2014
JHU’s call for public donations rake in Rs. 842,000
February 8, 2014, 6:35 pm
Typical Sinhala Racial mentality proven by a portion of sri Lanka Sinhala extremists -We are willing to starve and be taken for a ride as long as we have a racist politician who is willing to oppress the minority
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By Franklin R. Satyapalan
Former JHU Western Provincial Minister, Udaya Gammanpila said that in response to his appeal to the 1.5 million or more Colombo district voters to donate Rs. 100 to prevent the party him from asking funds from the rich and powerful for his election campaign, Rs. 842,000 have been collected so far.
Gammanpila is the incumbent UPFA Group leader for Colombo district.
It is not easy to take the campaign of the UPFA government towards victory in a multi-
Island News paper
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Anton / February 14, 2014
JHU’s call for public donations rake in Rs. 842,000 February 8, 2014, 6:35 pm
Gammanpila-”I will be launching my inaugural campaign meeting in Colombo with the participation of academics, professionals, clergy, journalists and diverse social sections of civil society, at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) on Thursday (13) at 10 am”, he note Gammanpila ,
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said that DEFENSE SECRETARY ,GOTABYA RAJPAKSA will preside as the chief guest,
A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE MINORITIES IN COLOMBO????????????????????
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whilst the leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Dr. Omalpe Sobitha thera will be the guest of honour and will address the gathering.
He said the problem some people faced in donating money was the transfer fees of Rs. 250 charged by banks. They had to pay Rs. 250 to transfer Rs. 100 from one account to another. “They say they wouldn’t mind contributing the whole Rs. 360 to my party without paying transfer fees to banks”, he noted.
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A master mind way to rob the poor people ,, when will Sri Lankans ever learn?
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