In March 2018, four Assistant teachers of Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College, Trincomalee lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) that the Principal and the School Board of Management prohibited them from wearing the Abaya at school. The school justified the prohibition on the basis that historically the school, which was founded by a Hindu, has followed Hindu traditions, and wearing the Abaya was not in line with the customs of the school.
Dr. Deepika Udagama – Chairperson – HRCSL
HRCSL in its recommendation states that national schools are bound by the Constitution and cannot violate the absolute right to religious freedom under Article 10. The denial of the right of the complainants to wear their traditional dress as well as the arbitrary nature of the transfers to other schools were done on the basis the religion of the complainants. Hence, the rights to which the complainants are entitled as per Article 12 (1) and 12 (2) of the Constitution have been violated. The Commission further states that although the manifestation of religion, under Article 14 (1) (e), can be restricted in order to recognize and respect the rights and freedoms of others, ensuring another person’s religious freedom does not require barring the wearing of the Abaya at school.
The Commission reiterates the need for respect for diversity and pluralism in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country such as Sri Lanka, and calls upon the Ministry of Education and the Zonal Education Director to conduct awareness raising programmes on diversity and pluralism for school principals, teachers, students and parents.
The Commission also notes with deep concern that the use of social media, such as Facebook, to share information related to the case in the public domain without any regard for the confidentiality of the proceedings and without the permission of the parties concerned or the Commission is a breach of ethical responsibilities. In this case, such acts only served to incite religious and ethnic hatred and intolerance within the community and led to the harassment and intimidation of the complainants and respondents. Since such acts can even lead to inter community violence, the Commission calls upon all citizens to be mindful of the misuse of social media as weapons in campaigns to incite religious and ethnic hatred and violence and use social media responsibly as a tool to promote inter-ethnic and inter-religious understanding and harmony.
To read HRCSL recommendation in full, click here
Suranga Gunasekera / April 5, 2019
Wearing sunglasses, helmets, caps, hoodies are posing the same threat When you are in public places.
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I don’t agree with full coverage of the face, but half abaya I find very respectful.
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If there is a security threat, in terms of identifying a person, then it makes sense to ban it.
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But otherwise it should encouraged as fashion, because it promotes good sexual conduct.
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Uthungan / April 6, 2019
Non Muslim women can be seen to often use Abaya to guard themselves from sun’s intense heat these days on roads and public places..
Similarly the use of sun glasses to protect one from the sun’s ultra violet rays as a prevention against sun strokes should not be considered dangerous.
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Amarasiri / April 10, 2019
Uthungan,
I know of some Muslim girls who used to wear the Salva Kameez got sexually harassed in public transport, where there are many perverts, and they decided to wear the Black Abaya.
So, the Black Abhaya can be conspired as prevent insurance. Do the perverts harass the Catholic Nuns? We all know some priests do, in addition to alter boys.
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Eagle Eye / April 5, 2019
Sinhala teachers should give up wearing saree and switch either to ‘Redda and Hette’ which is the traditional dress or ‘Jacket and Slack’ which is modern and more convenient.
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Native Vedda / April 7, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye
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“Sinhala teachers should give up wearing saree and switch either to ‘Redda and Hette’ which is the traditional dress or ‘Jacket and Slack’ which is modern and more convenient.”
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Make sure like in the Irrigation days they do not wear under garments which became fashionable only after 1950s, ban them from using sanitary towels, birth control pills, gadgets, …. using shampoo, scent, body spray, eating anything other than traditional food, …………… cooking from electric or gas cooker, driving cars, riding scooter and bicycle, …. feeding babies imported milk powder, …………
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K.Pillai / April 5, 2019
HR SL must reconsider the ‘abaya’ issue and make it an acceptable wear not to Muslims alone but to all who wish to wear it. In other words it must not be used as identity.
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Can we accept the burka as a dress to all irrespective of gender? This is bound to create problems.
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Lankan Muslims please note: Self-segregation is not progressive. It is an ACJU way of controlling the flock.
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Sinhala_Man / April 5, 2019
Well said, dear K. Pillai.
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Native Vedda / April 5, 2019
K.Pillai
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“HR SL must reconsider the ‘abaya’ issue and make it an acceptable wear not to Muslims alone but to all who wish to wear it. In other words it must not be used as identity.”
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You should also mandatory for crooks, politicians, state functionaries, policemen, armed forces, war criminals, Shavendra Silva, ….. to wear red colour Burqa/Niqab.
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Mallaiyuran / April 5, 2019
Pillai you appear to want to go for compromise. But many of the commentators misguided by the photo CT put it in the front. The photo is not the average Muslim women life.
First you need to understand difference between the Islamic religious laws and the commission starved Sinhala-Muslim government’s politicians’ mentality. This kala-bula is not created by the poor Muslim women went to Middle East and returned. But this is a sin being sowed by dirty Colombo politicians.
The other think, is fashion industry, by mistake, is not stuck at 1,500 years old tradition. They recycle everything every season. When you recommend the fashion industry to promote niqab as fashion, you are forcing their painstaking creations to Meethotamulla. What you are recommending is not fashion for them. What they come up with is the fashion for your daughter and granddaughter. Just ask the youngest girl in house if she would start to wear this as fashion and start to go to school? Then show her a torn off denim your wife might be having in the kitchen to wipe things and ask if she would wear to next hang out with her girls and see her reaction.
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Iqbal / April 6, 2019
@ K. Pillai
It is a myth that ACJU is controlling the Muslims of Sri Lanka, in fact the mainstream Muslims totally reject and ignore this bunch of crooks, to the extent a year ago the ACJU president was man handled or nearly assaulted by some men for their sacrilegious & hypocritical behavior. They run behind politicians, Corporate entities, NGOs and other organisations for petty monetary and material gains thus they’ve sold their souls & hijacked the religion.
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Ranjith(SPRRW) / April 5, 2019
I think Human rights activists or commissions all over the world are the promoters of terrorism.Their actions in the name of human rights give big boom to terrorists to carry out their activities under the cover of traditions. we may see terrorist attacks on schools soon. Now they have license to enter into schools under the cover of this traditional cloths with weapons. as such this ruling is big win for ISIS terrorism. Now ISIS activists can enter schools of the other faiths & carry out attacks. That is what local ISIS activists want. Protection of somebody’s human rights should not violate the others rights. Rights to live. I think this ruling is big win for local ISIS sympathizers & Activists.
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Tambiya / April 5, 2019
Ranjith(SPRRW)
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“this ruling is big win for ISIS terrorism” – It is bad to laugh at an ignorant but you can’t help it some times :-)
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / April 5, 2019
Next we will have Muslim female doctors, nurses, receptionists and counter staff, dressed in Black or Blue Abaya , Nikab or Purdah treating patients and serving customers and if anyone protests , about being treated and served by anonymous ghosts, whom they cannot see or recognise if something goes wrong, they will state this is their tradition( sic , what tradition , all recent imports from Saudi Arabia and other hardline fundamentalist , western Asian nations) religious right to dress like this and be anonymous , frightful looking and evade responsibility. The Human rights commission will uphold their stupid argument. They will then want to joined the armed forces and police and demand to come to work in an Abaya , Nikab or Purdah and state this is their right ( real life Ninja turtles in combat).. We also can have Muslim air hostesses serving international passengers dressed in Abayas, Nikabs and Purdah. Even in these fundamentalist Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan, women working in these professions are not allowed to dress in this manner but only wear the headscarf called Hijab. as the person should be recognised and the face has to be shown. If you want to be a teacher, doctor, nurse, office worker or a government servant this is the dress code in these nations. Dress modestly and cover your head with a scarf and some countries not even a scarf. If you want to wear all these fine it is your right but stay at home , or teach in some Salafist Madrassa not in ordinary schools . offices , hospitals and government offices, especially in schools/institutions belonging to another faith. How many of these so called Muslim teachers who are teaching in Muslim or Sinhalese schools are insisting in wearing the Abaya . Nikab or Purdah. I bet next to nothing .
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Muhandiram / April 5, 2019
Siva, Siva, Siva. What an Incredibly Perverted Imagination this guy has!
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / April 5, 2019
Only thing perverted is you and your imported Wahhabi/Salafist fundamentalist doctrines that you and your perverted supporters are now forcibly trying impose on the country , especially in the Tamil areas, with funds obtained from certain nations, as you think you can now easily do so. There is nothing traditional or Islamic about these customs . It is a very perverted form of the religion , that is creating chaos throughout the world. The human rights commission is very vociferous about the religious rights of extremist fanatical Muslim women to wear the Abbaya in Tamil Hindu schools, tell me in which part of the Koran , does it state that women must cover themselves in black sack cloth and their faces ? This is not modesty but cruelty to women and to the children they teach, Child abuse. However this so called Human rights commission ignores the rights of the Tamil Hindu students or the what is happening to the Tamil people in the island , the genocide , structural ethnic cleansing , land grabbing by the Sinhalese , armed forces , the very same Muslim Wahhabis like you , the destruction of Hindu temples and forced conversion of them to mosques and Buddhist places of worship. Muslim politicians in the east stealing Hindu temple lands and donating them to Mosques to build supermarkets and beef stalls, then openly boasting of this on a video. These are all non issues to them but Muslim fanatics asked not to wear the black Abaya inside the class room full of little children is a huge issue to them. Where is government and its dress code? There is a vast difference between religious rights and fanaticism , especially when it is forcibly imposed on helpless students belonging to another faith. Ask them to wear the Abaya, Nikab or Purdah and teach Muslim children not Hindu children but they will not do this to their children.
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Tambiya / April 5, 2019
Siva Sankaran Sharma, you have lost your voice decades back in any matter relating to Sri Lanka when you took up arms, killed innocent civilians including children, destroyed public assets, bombed religious places, tarnished the name of this wonderful country among others, illegally landed in foreign lands via sea routes using small boats and lied there you’re not treated well here, involved all possible illegal activities and stealing Whites’ credit cards in a land that provided you with asylum, tried to keep the war going for petty personal financial gains of you and the list can go on and on.
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Please let Muslim and Sinhala deal the matters related to Sri Lanka, you better be away.
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Muhandiram / April 5, 2019
So, this guy, SSS, is a Terrorist who sneaked out when the going got tough. What a Coward. And, he hides behind an Indian name to sling mud at Muslims with Diabolical Lies. Shameless fellow.
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Abdul Kader. J / April 5, 2019
Siva Sankaran Sharma,
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“The Human rights commission will uphold their stupid argument”
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When HRC works against SL Govt & forces on behalf of your whims and fancies, you are ready to worship them and they are higher than your god Shiva. When they give a verdict against few Tamils, they become mere “stupids”?
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Do you expect the entire world to work for your faked struggle and shed sympathy for you as and when you demand?
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Aney Mandha / April 12, 2019
Thank God to the Muslims …the hindus became civilized… otherwise will be insisting the lower castes to go topless, bury girls alive, burn the widows.
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Native Vedda / April 12, 2019
Aney Mandha
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“Thank God to the Muslims …the hindus became civilized”
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and Sinhala/Buddhist too.
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“otherwise will be insisting the lower castes to go topless, bury girls alive, burn the widows.”.
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and the Muslims married all of them many times over and divorced them with Triple talaq, … Marriage/family as an institution is a convenient culture when bored recite Triple talaq. If you are phedophile convert to Islam where Pedophilia is legally institutionalised, Jihadi love, ………………
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Champa / April 5, 2019
Abaya is not a national dress for Muslim women in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, they wear only a head scarf.
Typically black colour Abaya, Burqa, Niqab, Jilbab, Khimar, Chador, Hijab are mandatory dress codes in the Arabian Peninsula and North African countries which are predominantly Muslim.
Sri Lanka is NOT a Muslim country. Therefore, there is no reason for Muslim women in Sri Lanka to dress like Arabian or North African Muslim women.
In fact, Abaya, Burqa, Niqab, Jilbab, Khimar, Chador and Hijab should be BANNED in Sri Lanka given the prevalent Muslim extremism.
A “woman” dressed in a Niqab was arrested last year as the Police found “her” behaviour was weird only to be found “her” to be a “man.” Likewise, any criminal can wear an Abaya, Burqa or Niqab and go unnoticed.
Muslim women in traditional Sri Lankan dress code is respected by everybody.
However, when there are “people” in black Arab garments such as Abaya, Burqua, Niqab, Jilbab, Khimar, Chador and Hijab, everyone is suspicious naturally as nobody can identify them whether they are Sri Lankans or foreign. Moreover, many Muslim women tourists were arrested in possession of or transporting drugs.
Recently, there was a news item in a Sinhala daily about a protest in Colombo by Puttalam residents against government’s decision to dump garbage in Aruwakkalu quarries. I fully support their fight, but I didn’t feel like making a comment when I saw Muslim women in Arabian Abaya and Niqab. There was only one or two “Sri Lankan Muslim women.”
Sri Lanka is beautiful when “our women,” no matter whether they are Muslims or Hindus, if they are in their traditional attire which is familiar to everyone. We are happy to see them look like Sri Lankan Muslims, not like Arabian or North African Muslim women.
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Mohamed / April 5, 2019
“Abaya is not a national dress for Muslim women in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, they wear only a head scarf”
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While, I am completely against “face covered Abaya or Niqab”, and my mother, wife, sisters are still on Saree and Salvar, I respect choices – What is the national dress of Sinhalese women? What did the Sinhalese wear traditionally? Are they wearing the national dress or traditionally worn dress still? If not, the same right they had to choose their dress should apply to Muslim women also.
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Once a guy / girl is a thief or a terrorist, she doesn’t depend on any dress code to achieve their malicious targets, it is only an option, if not, they would go for plan B. Aren’t bombs getting blasted without Abaya? Aren’t drugs being transported without Abaya or Niqab?
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On my vacation, I saw a funny thing in one of the super markets in the suburb; on the notice board, they put some pictures of women in sleeveless top and short skirts, frocks also etc saying “Kamba Horu”. My point is, once people have malicious intention, that can not be controlled by dress codes.
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Champa / April 5, 2019
Mohamed
The national/traditional dress for Sinhalese Teachers is an Upcountry Osari or a Low Country Saree.
Recently, there was a Cabinet Paper to exclude this dress code for pregnant teachers. However, Principals of some Sinhalese schools were opposed to it. Also for parent meetings in schools, Sinhalese mothers are also supposed to wear Sarees.
I guess the picture you mentioned is a warning because some girl/woman thieves wear ultra modern dresses to distract shopkeepers and fellow shoppers.
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Mohamed / April 6, 2019
Champa,
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“I guess the picture you mentioned is a warning because some girl/woman thieves wear ultra modern dresses to distract shopkeepers and fellow shoppers”
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No, it is to say even when wearing dresses as revealing as sleeveless tops, short skirts those determined to steal continue to steal. Well, these people might be doing a petty crime, but the intention is heavy enough. For people with malicious intention, it doesn’t matter whether they are Sinhalese or Muslims, or they wear Osari or Abaya, they will continue to commit the crime and not respect their religion or humanity.
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So, a good woman on Abaya is better than a traditionally dressed bad woman. Crime is linked to the people and their intention, nothing to do with the dress they wear or the community they belong to.
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Champa / April 6, 2019
Where is my reply? I distinctly remember posting a reply here.
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Aney Mandha / April 12, 2019
There are monks , priests who do criminal activities…. so are you saying we should ban the sivura, robe, etc.
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Aney Mandha / April 13, 2019
Though I am not a supporter of black attire….need to say this…
If the Abaya is arabian then the saree is Indian and the denims and tights are europian.
Why dont people see things like this… why only the abaya is a problem.
We see no one talking about the tight leggins , pants that the women wear today.
Honestly the abaya is more moral attire than the tights..
By the way I am not sure we have a National dress… it has evolved…. Statistically today tight pants which expose the shape of the women body has ben the National dress…
Please tale offort to dress the undressed…. before trying to undress the dressed.
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Champa / April 5, 2019
About SLHRC’s Statement:
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As usual, the SLHRC think that they rule Sri Lanka.
There are many fundamental errors in Dr. Deepika Udugama’s statement.
1.) “a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country such as Sri Lanka……”
This is no such term in Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese Buddhist Country. That is why the Constitution has given the uppermost position to Buddhism.
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2.) SLHRC’s typical twist when it comes to religious freedom.
If the Hindu School has certain customs, then all teachers are abide by such customs. Moreover, if the children and parents feel uncomfortable to see their teachers in all covered Black or Blue Arab costumes, then it is a serious concern for the Principal.
The notion, “recognize and respect to freedom of others” goes both ways.
When teaching in a Hindu School, Muslim teachers are required to respect Hindu customs, too.
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3.) “The Commission also notes with deep concern that the use of social media, such as Facebook, to share information related to the case in the public domain without any regard for the confidentiality of the proceedings and without the permission of the parties concerned or the Commission is a breach of ethical responsibilities.”
Ethical responsibilities is not a purview that comes under the SLHRC. In what part of this issue is confidential? The Commission has forgotten that people have a right to know and right to expression and that they don’t need Commission’s permission to do so.
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Idroos Fahmy / April 6, 2019
Champa,
“This is no such term in Sri Lanka’s Constitution” – Did you try to find by copy/pasting Deepika’s wordings in the constitution?
:
True, Buddhism is given foremost place in the constitution. Did you also see the below mentioned in the constitution?
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Article 10 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion:
Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
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Article 14(1) – Every citizen is entitled to:
(e) the freedom, either by himself or in association with others, and either in public or in private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching.
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Article 12.(2) – Right to equality:
No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any such grounds.
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Champa / April 6, 2019
I sent a reply to this. Where is it?
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Isharath / April 6, 2019
Champa – Perhaps Dr. Deepika Udugama’s eye-wear is a better brand that doesn’t need the support of that extra lens called “racist” to see the world clear? I guess it is time you better consider replacing your obsolete eye-wear too, because the world is very colorful, not just monochrome.
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John Silva / April 7, 2019
Protest by the Hindu school is perfectly right. Hindu, or Muslim or Sinhala schools have their own dress codes, so the Muslim teachers should abide by that rule. I am sure the Hindu/Tamil children are not happy to see a woman teaching face covered. Sri Lanka HR Commission is wrong in this instance.
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Champa / April 8, 2019
Isarath
Not only the minority, the majority is also has the right to speak.
When Tamils and Muslims speak of their race, it is freedom of expression.
When Sinhalese speak of their race, it is racism.
It is you who should change your double standard lens.
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Isharath / April 9, 2019
Hi Champa,
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No sister, you got me wrong. Whether majority or minority has the right to talk of/for their religion and their rights. No body will be labeled “racist”
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But, whether majority or minority go to talk against another community’s rights, they become racists – “Your right to swing your arms ends just where the other man’s nose begins”
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Honeida Packeer / April 5, 2019
I respect this decision but when upholding the rights of a particular person it’s also necessary to take into consideration the rights of others. It should work both ways. The nikabh is not a healthy way to gain the confidence of the students. Just the abaya only should be followed.
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rbh / April 7, 2019
Principal and the School Board of Management prohibited them from wearing the Abaya at school.
Why is that the learned dont know the basics about that national schools are bound by the Constitution and cannot violate the absolute right to religious freedom under Article 10.
Any good teacher knows how important it is to connect with students and understand the culture
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John Silva / April 7, 2019
How can the Sri Lanka HRC give a ruling on this? Are they running this country?
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Nathan / April 8, 2019
Thambiya, I dont agree with what you say. Even during the riots that finally led to Tamil militant uprising many thambiyas in the south were responsible for looting Thamil homes. While Sinhalays just attacked and damaged and killed Thambiyas were the looters. Like when the lion leaves behind the carcas the nariyas take over. So you cant say that Thamilan has no say in this matter.
But of course it is true that all humans are entitled for their human dignity and what happened in SL throughout past independence were other way round and ultimately all races became victims. Muslims too were victimised despite their varied stand. Whatever they say many could read in between lines what they are up to. At the begining SL was ajolly society, happy go lucky people but sadly religious and racial extremism led to this chaos and we have already ruined it. At this juncture there are people trying to exploit, make hay while the sun shines!
Wearing any dress is ok as long as they are decent and acceptable. Muslims dress too ok and it is their right but this face cover is just extreme and if others cannot see their faces then how can they see others faces and best thing for them is to stay indoor as what Islam and ISS and Taliban rightly say. Earlier times Muslim ladies wore a nice head cover (muddaakku) which is beautiful and enhanced their charm and beauty and decent too. Indian Hindus too do that. But why this face cover, Arabs wanted it those days to protect from sand storm and why now and in SL where there are no deserts. So let us be more rational and in a society is is important for co-existence.
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Tambiya / April 9, 2019
Hello Nathan,
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Sorry for that comment, it was a personally targeted to Siva Sankaran Sharma for that mad fellow’s arrogance, but just realized it affected other good people, apologies.
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Like in any community, there are good and bad people among Muslims also. I remember there were Muslim looters along the rioters. But those are of street types, drug and alcohol addicts, and thugs. What you didn’t mention was about the right thinking Muslims who helped save many Tamils during Black July. My aunt who lived in Colombo 12 saved 2 sons and a father. They were living in her home for 2 weeks. Now the father has passed away of some sickness, however, the sons are in Norway and still in touch with my aunt. And I know even Sinhalese did save lives of Tamils.
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So the bad ones and good ones are among any community.
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Nathan / April 10, 2019
Bro Thambiya, I fully agree with you and goodness go beyond race or religion. That is why I say that we must stand above race or religion and be like humans with human values if there is one. Let there be logic and let logic guide us and not race or religion. I am a man lived among Muslims and they are great people no doubt similar to any other good people.
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Rohan / April 10, 2019
He may be mad to fanatical Islamic Wahhabis like you but what he states is sane and most of us agree, with his comments.
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Tambiya / April 13, 2019
So my comments targeted for those who agree with that mad fellow, feel-free to take it serious
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rbh / April 8, 2019
Masking/Covering called in any name the face aviod Breath borne illness protect handling food Patients inhaling environment pollution duct/Spoke properly and safely is essential to preventing food borne illness or acquiring foreign bodies sets out to offer you the highest quality Health protection, Stopping the spread of bacteria through cross contamination, Heat/Mist wipe your hands after sneezing coughing on your clothing as this can easily transfer microbes and bacteria.
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Nathan / April 9, 2019
[Sinhala teachers should give up wearing saree and switch either to ‘Redda and Hette’ which is the traditional dress or ‘Jacket and Slack’ which is modern and more convenient.]
Eagle Eyeless,
Better they wear still more traditional or cultural dress is to go top less what they did a century or so ago.
It is not about that man. It is only about the face cover by Muslim women and not about the head cover gear. First and foremost this black attire it totally unacceptable to our tropical humid weather and certainly the face cover is bad for heath too. If they are concerned about dusty Lankawa then let them wear a mask while they are out in dusty streets and not this frightening face cover the so called Abhaya that in Sanskrit and Tamil means abayam or dangerous. This cover may be ok for wealthy Muslim women who come in AC cars and go away without sweating. But how about the poor Muslim women and they will be sweating and stinking internally due to black dress and total cover. I am even worried about their internal health and do Muslim men enjoy such smell? Come on guys be realistic. Let our logic to lead our way of life and not these outdated, archaic religions that have no value at all. Same thing applicable to other religious fanatics too who go by traditions and claiming god or someone said it. No wonder it is said “religion flourishes in ignorance”. Come on guys no live in the past saying Allah said it, Krishna said it or buddha said it. Many dont even know exactly what they said. Stupidity in the name of religion. Only way to progress and peace and harmony is to get rid of religions.
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Shalini Munasinghe / April 10, 2019
This is like the most sensible comment I have seen so far! I have my own religious believes and neither am I an atheist. But all our religions have been invented long long time ago, when the world was a different place. And non of the religious leaders were atleast from Sri Lanka. The world has moved a lot since then and certain things that were done then are not valid anymore or does not suit the country or the present world. All the religious leaders should seriously consider this than making the people blindly do what was done 1500-2500 years ago. Surely, certain things done back then had a meaning at that time, but not now.
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ralli hamid / April 11, 2019
Shalini Munasinghe, what you say is correct about blindly doing what was done 1500-2500 years ago, but you cannot say this to followers of Islam. What others do is worshipping pagan idols or dead peoples idols so they should think about this. What Islam preached is good for present day followers or future followers. Muslims pray 5 times a day and for which they wash 5 times a day. Even the doctors now says to wash your hands and face when you go out and come. During the prayer you have to stand, bend and prostate 3-4 times and five times a day. Don’t you think this is a beneficial physical movement which helps the doer than good? Even doctors will not deny this. Even there are other hygienic thing Muslim must follow like shaving the hairs in private parts to keep it clean and circumcision for male to keep his penis clean. No health promoters will say these are bad. Besides who is Allah (god) to Muslims? Muslims believe he is not a man or women, neither born or die, the absolute one, the all-powerful and all-knowing ruler of the universe, and the creator of everything in existence. As you can see god for Muslims not mere idols or dead people lie Buddha or Jesus. This truth hold for all the times until the world’s end. World may move but not this belief.
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Shalini Munasinghe / April 12, 2019
First, no religion tells you to do anything bad.
Like I said, I have my own religious beliefs and so do you. Things one does according to their religion may seem worthless to person of a different religion. Just like the way you have described about Buddha and Jesus, people of a different religion may feel the same of Allah. It is a sensitive topic which needs to be spoken in a way which will not hurt or create anger among different groups.
However, I mentioned about things people do that shape their lives, including attire, cultural activities in the name of the religion that goes beyond the basic principles of any religion in day to day lives.
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Nathan / April 12, 2019
Mate Hamid, so where did it say that Muslims can marry many women, marry children, keep women locked up at home as slaves or heaven to those who kill to moksha or heaven where 70 virgins await them obviously for sex. So you mean to say that Islam is centred around killing and virgins and for getting virgins they can do anything? Is it sex centred more than anything else? Mate those days Prophet asked to wash several times, circumcise, etc simple because in the Arab countries there was no water and personal hygiene was very poor. Even they cant clean their penis properly due to foreskin so he said to wash many times at least when you enter the mosque and also to circumcise. Now they are more civilised and progressed so not only during going to mosque but other times too wash frequently. Dont you agree it is a habit even now to use “athar” by Muslims to ward off the smell of sweat etc. It is because of their poor hygiene then and now dont you think things have changed mostly of course except poor Muslims. There is no such things as God or hell or heaven but it is something created by man to control people who dont listen to reasoning and logic even today. Be Hinduism or Buddhism or Islam or Christianity it is only silly things are followed but rational and logical things are ignored. If humans are sensible we can lead a better qulity life than following religions. Just see the number of Muslims killed in the name of religions, brothers killing brothers, so what is the purpose. By this stupidity even sane Muslims are penalised. See in India how Modi is using Hindu extremism to win election and by that also diving India. What Hinduism for this guy? Hinduism like Buddhsim should not have hate, no killing and no extremism but see what the Buddhsit clergy are doing in SL.
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