By Mass L. Usuf –
Mass L. Usuf
A protest led by several monks and lay people took place on 05.06.2016 in front of the mosque in Kandy, situated near the Central Market. There were also present members of the Police force. The point of contention was that this mosque is building a minaret which they allege will be taller than the height of Dalada Maligawa. According to some prominent persons, this is an unsubstantiated allegation.
The first question; Is there a law which prohibits any construction up to the height of the Dalada Maligawa? If there is no such law, can Article 9 of the Constitution be invoked with the argument of giving foremost place to Buddhism? It will be an interesting proposition to see how the courts would interpret Article 9 under such circumstances, if invoked. For further consideration will be the relevant Sections of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Report (2011) and the mandate of the Permanent Office of National Unity and Reconciliation. All of which dwells on freedom of religion, inter-faith harmony, inter-ethnic harmony etc.
This mosque was popularly known in the past as the Malay Military Mosque. This leads us to the question as to who are the Malays? Why was it called the Malay Military Mosque? I do not wish this piece to be given a racially biased misinterpretation. Therefore, at the outset, I declare that my interest is confined only to the area of tracing the history behind this mosque and the Rule of Law.
The Malay Community
The Malays are a small community of people living in Sri Lanka who came to Sri Lanka in the early parts of the first millennium. Tony P. Miskin – Former Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa in his documentation titled “Chronological events in the history of Sri Lankan Malays” notes that a Malay king named King Chandrabhanu, is said to have ruled the Jaffna kingdom during part of the period 1235-1275. (Daily News of 14th Nov 1983 – Article by Henry P. Abeysekera, on “Historical Basis for National Unity”). History also amply records the presence of the Malays during the Portuguese, Dutch and the British periods.
Quickly traversing from the ancient to the recent past history of the Malays, the first Sri Lankan Muslim to be honoured with the title of Kings Counsel during the British period was a Malay. He was the Late Honourable Justice Mass Thajoon Akbar, KC. (1880 – 1944). The late Justice also had the rare honour of being the first Sri Lankan Muslim to adorn the Supreme Court Bench. His being a Malay is a specific honour to the Malay community of Sri Lanka. There were also several other distinguished Malays who served in high or responsible ranks in the legislature, government departments and notably in the Fire Brigade, Police and the armed forces.
Saradiel
Another first to the honour of the Malay community is the first Policeman to sacrifice his life while on duty. “Constable Tuan Sabhan of the Kandy Police Station, who died in his daring and courageous attempt to arrest Saradiel on 21 March 1864 is the first regular Police Officer of the Ceylon Police to sacrifice his life in the course of duty. Every year the commemoration of Police heroes Day is marked on this day”. Saradiel’s gang comprised of some daring individuals. The principal characters were identified as Mammala Marikkar, Hawadiya, Bawa, Samath, Kirihonda and Sirimala. (A History of the Ceylon Police Vol: 1 (1795-1866) by A.C. Dep, Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police).
The names of Saradiel’s comrades indicate an obvious mix of Sinhalese and Muslims. Coexistence, is it? To share some humour, I was smiling to myself when the word ‘hambaya’ popped up in my mind. A distortion of the original Malay word ‘sampan’
Sergeant Mahat and Constable Tuan Sabhan were two Muslim Policemen (Malays) whose focus and loyalty was on the discharge of their duty – Not to be just onlookers while in uniform and on duty. Nor to be racially discriminative towards the subjects. – At the time of Saradiel’s arrest his confidant Mammala Marikkar a Muslim was also taken in. The Sabhan memorial on the Kandy road at Mawanella bears testimony. It says, “… lost his life in an act of gallantry…”
Malay Military Mosque
The Malays serving the British army were garrisoned in Kandy. Being Muslims they have to offer prayers five times a day. The Malay regiment was granted a large plot of land by the British to construct a mosque as a place of worship. Much of the land that belonged to the mosque, it is said had been acquired by subsequent governments.
The prominent journalist Edward Chandrasiri who researched on the Sri Lanka Malays, writes in his book “Malaywarunge Abhimanaya” that Jamindar Tuan Tunku Hussain of the Malay regiment requested for a piece of land to enable the Malay soldiers to build a mosque for worship. The British rulers in 1820 granted a large piece of land in a place called Japilawatte. The soldiers of the Malay Rifle regiment with the help of the other local Muslims constructed the mosque which was popularly then called the Malay Military Mosque. Tunku Hussain passed away in 1854 and was buried by the side of the mosque, whose grave remains there up to date. (Page 119).
The history of the Malay Military mosque therefore, is not a new one. The government should identify it as a symbol of cultural heritage of the ancient Kingdom of Kandy and protect it as a national heritage. 
Tomb of Jamindar Tunku Tuan Hussain (d. 1854)
Rule Of Law
Looking at the protest video shown in a national TV channel one can surmise the several areas of the law possibly violated. Besides the law, the primary violation is of Buddha’s teaching. He taught his disciples to let go tanha (craving) which he himself did. Alas, here we find claims exactly opposite to such teachings. When Buddha’s teaching was non-violence, the crowd shouts sadu, sadu in response to words of threats ! What is happening to Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha? Such uncivil behaviour on the part of those who are supposed to guide and direct human beings towards nibbana is unbecoming.
The Constitution enshrines the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Article 10. The right to equality before the law, Article 12. Are these limited to words in print only? The law applies to each and every citizen of this country irrespective of his social or religious status. The Rule of Law should reign supreme. As a nation, we are miserably failing in this regard.
A study done by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies and Equitas titled ‘The chronic and the Acute. Post war religious violence in Sri Lanka’ states at page 10, (excerpted)
“The Sri Lankan legal system is replete with laws which prohibit the use of certain types of speech that either hurt religious feelings or incite communal disharmony. The Penal Code, for instance, includes a range of such offences:
- Section 290 B : Acts in relation to places of worship with intent to insult the religion of a class
- Section 291 A : uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.
- Section 291B : Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class, by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Moreover, it cites legislative provisions in relation to certain types of attacks on religious groups, including breach of peace… threat and intimidation:
- Section 79 (2) of the Police Ordinance. Any person who in any pubic place or at any public meeting uses threatening, abusive or insulting words ………
- Section 2 (1) (h) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979…..”
The saddest part is that the Police becomes part of the spectators. The way they deal with a university students demonstration and that of a monk led one is different. 
Partially constructed Minaret
The Relevance of Minaret
From an Islamic point of view, the minaret has no relevance to its religious belief. It is part of Islamic architectural embellishment and as the place from where the call to prayer is sent out. The symbol of a minaret in a mosque has no sacredness attached to it. To upset the feelings of another community by doing something which is of no religious importance will not be condoned in Islam.
On the same token no person should be allowed to take the law into his hands and to indulge in coercion, threat, intimidation or to incite violence. The Rule of Law cannot be compromised in the name of coexistence or inter-faith harmony.
Applying the same Rule of Law principle, if the Trustees of the mosque have violated any law of the Kandy Municipal Council or any other relevant law, legal action has to be taken against them too. As no one is above the law whether it is a Muslim or a Sinhala; A Buddhist monk or a trustee of the mosque, in this instance.
Please get me correct, I am only advocating the establishment of the Rule of Law through which society can be strengthened and peaceful coexistence fostered. Otherwise, only the law of the jungle will
prevail !
Salman / June 9, 2016
watch Sinhale Protest Video about this Mosque
https://www.facebook.com/The.island.nation.of.Sinhale/videos/1365969400084796/
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Amarasiri / June 9, 2016
Mass L. Usuf
RE: Protest Opposite The Malay Military Mosque In Kandy
“From an Islamic point of view, the minaret has no relevance to its religious belief. It is part of Islamic architectural embellishment and as the place from where the call to prayer is sent out. The symbol of a minaret in a mosque has no sacredness attached to it. To upset the feelings of another community by doing something which is of no religious importance will not be condoned in Islam.”
“On the same token no person should be allowed to take the law into his hands and to indulge in coercion, threat, intimidation or to incite violence. The Rule of Law cannot be compromised in the name of coexistence or inter-faith harmony.”
Thanks for the write up and clarification.
This is a cultural issue both for the Muslims and Buddhists, and a hegemony issue.
Does the Quran say anything about Minarets? No, to my knowledge.
So according to Muslim belief, God, Allah takes no position on minarets and their height of minarets and the number of minarets. The Blue mosque in Istanbul has 6 minarets, ans some Mosques do not have minarets.
What did Buddha say about the height of Temples and stupas. There were no Buddhist Temples. All were Hindu temples.Did Mahawansa say anything?
Mahavamsa- An Insult To The Buddha!
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/mahavamsa-an-insult-to-the-buddha/
“Then, there is the ‘Dalada Maligawe’ in Kandy; most Buddhists believe, the tooth relic housed within, belonged to the Buddha. Some adorn the ‘tooth casket’ with mounds of gold jewelry, fervently believing, that they would earn merit, to the value of the gold they offer. The thought of donating the value of this gold, to feed and help, the poor, sick and the needy, that would be far more meritorious, never cross their minds!”
“There hangs a controversial question, over the authenticity of this ‘sacred tooth’. But then again, to those ‘educated and intelligent Buddhists’, devoid of wisdom, if the Buddha, was taller than the Avukana statue, and had a giant footprint, as on Adam’s Peak, then this ‘huge tooth’ could be his!”
“However it does not matter, if the tooth is over-sized, belonged to the Buddha or not, because he the ‘wise one’ asserted, that his followers must not revere, nor worship, any part of his physical self, nor idolize him. Had the Buddha wanted otherwise, he would have left not just a tooth, but his entire skeleton, for his followers to worship.”
“The annual Esala Perahera, in Kandy, is yet another case in point. This colourful and spectacular ‘parade’ of the ‘tooth relic’, atop a magnificent elephant, is nothing but an ego-boosting exercise, of small minded men of yore, and now, a tradition of small minded men of the present. The ‘Esala Perahera’ therefore, is no relation of Buddhism!”
So what do we have in Lanka, the Land of Native Veddah Aethho , currently populated by Para-Sinala, Para-Tamils and Para-Muslims have?
Idiots, Morons and Imbeciles with an average IQ of 79.
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
http://www.photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
Rank
——– Country
———————–IQ
————-
1 Singapore 10*
28 Sri Lanka 79
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Amarasiri / June 10, 2016
Correction:
Rank ——– Country ———————–IQ
1 Singapore 108
28 Sri Lanka 79
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Amarasiri / June 10, 2016
Mass L. Usuf
“The first question; Is there a law which prohibits any construction up to the height of the Dalada Maligawa? If there is no such law, can Article 9 of the Constitution be invoked with the argument of giving foremost place to Buddhism? It will be an interesting proposition to see how the courts would interpret Article 9 under such circumstances, if invoked”
“the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Report (2011) and the mandate of the Permanent Office of National Unity and Reconciliation. All of which dwells on freedom of religion, inter-faith harmony, inter-ethnic harmony etc.”
giving foremost place to Buddhism? What does it mean? Harmony will be maintained after giving Hegemony to Buddhism.
Hegemony for Buddhism is given in the current constitution.
So it will be interpreted to say no other religious structure should be taller than a Buddhist Structure.
What did the Enlightened Buddha say?
There is no Separation of State and Religion in Sri Lanka, just like in UK and several European countries.
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Afzal / June 9, 2016
Thank you for this interesting article pointing out the history of this mosque and that bit about Saradiel and his gang.
To me all this boils down to the failure of the current government to stem the past wrong doings of Buddhist clergy. Initially when they came to power there were talk of laws to control hate speech and bring to book all those who instigated communal disharmony. Needless to say nothing has been done.
Just few days back one hamudruwo showed his superiority/ thuggery over Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed. ( I am not justifying Nazeer Ahmed’s actions)
This kind of actions are going on every now and then. No one seems to take notice of it as such actions seems to be very much legalized now. While the usual suspects have folded new actors are popping up every where.
We the Sri Lankan fools are bickering on trivial issues while the elected dumbos are robbing us as usual. We will keep voting for such fools for millennia to come as we are not able to shed our petty differences and think as a nation.
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rana / June 10, 2016
Afzal, The Malay military, Meerukkam mosque,Kotugodalla mosque, Katukale mosques and Rajaweediya built on temple lands belongs to Dalada Maligawa. British rulers acquired temple lands and built churches and allow other religious groups to do the same. Some lands lease out to muslims and but later on somehow they acquire the lands with the help of British rulers.
Because muslims betrayed Sinhalese and stand with British rulers and spied on Sinhala war heroes who fought against British forces. Muslims in the guise of traders walk through the villagers, collecting data about Sinhala war heroes who organise revolution against British. It is because of that betrayel, British captured
and killed all Sinhala revolutionaries. For that help British rulers gave even temple lands,government jobs and other comforts to Muslims. While King Senerath protect muslims from imminent annhilation from Portugese and allow them to settled down in the East.But when British time they betrayed Sinhalese and support to Now after 200 years later, the story is the same only thing is characters different. To come to power the ancestors of British rulers “kalu Suddo” muslims gave their full support and now getting perks or “Santhosam” from the rulers for that help.
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Amarasiri / June 10, 2016
rana
“Now after 200 years later, the story is the same only thing is characters different. To come to power the ancestors of British rulers “kalu Suddo” muslims gave their full support and now getting perks or “Santhosam” from the rulers for that help.”
With Buddhism as well, the Kings gave “Santhosam”. to the temple, to keep them in place and get their support. Same with Church Lands in Europe.
So, when the King of Kandy, became the King of England, “Santhosams” were given to others for “services”. The Temples have been accumulating “Santhosams” for over 20 centuries by the different kings, the Kings must have run of Land to give as “Santhosams” any more. So, heyt part of it from the Temples.
After all it is NOT temple Land. That Land belongs to the Native Veddah Aethho, that was stolen by the Paras from India.
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rana / June 11, 2016
Amarasiri, Are you the ghost of Native Veddha? The King of Kandy never became King of England. The last king captured by British soldiers with the help of Muslims. British used Muslims to spied on Revolters and the King. Because Muslims walking village to village they knew the territory well. So they gave valuable information to British military. Because of that British gave Dalada Maigawa land to built mosques. Not only that British built Catholic church and the cemetary on the temple land.
The Kings in Sinhale gave “Nindagam” to temples just for the survival of monks and to cover the expenses of temple maintainance, monks education etc…. Not as “Santhosam”. But Muslims betrayed Sinhalese and support British to annihilate Sinhala heroes who revolt against British. In 1665 when Portugese tried to annihilate muslims, King Senerath protect them and settled them in the East.
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bandito / June 11, 2016
rana,
Even Vasco da Gama on his third voyage to Cochin wanted the Muslims killed but the locals defended them. Finally Vasco died and was buried.
from 1948 for 70 years Muslims are going strong at cabinet.
Thailand was never conquered by foreigners and it has a king.
you were born in a coconut shell.
what you going to do Obama loves them too.
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Amarasiri / June 12, 2016
rana
Correction:
“So, when the King of Kandy, became the King of England,”
CORRECTED.
So, when the King of England, became the King of Kandy.
Thanks for pointing the error.
“The Kings in Sinhale gave “Nindagam” to temples just for the survival of monks and to cover the expenses of temple maintainance, monks education etc…. Not as “Santhosam”. “
Initially, the Kings were supporting the Monks, and it became a burden for the Kings. So, they went for the “Nindagam” system, and the temples controlled 10% of the Fertile Land. The people worked the Lands and were probably paid by part of the output of the Land. The Temples became the largest Landowners.
Similar story in Europe.
“In 1665 when Portugese tried to annihilate muslims, King Senerath protect them and settled them in the East.”
The Portuguese Period in Sri Lanka was from 1505 to 1658.
Senarat Adahasin was king of the Kingdom of Kandy from 1604 to 1635. This happened Don Juan Dharmapala, ceded his Sinhala Kingdom, to the Portuguese, and the Muslims fought with the Sinhala Against the Portuguese.
Portuguese Ceylon (Portuguese: Ceilão Português, Sinhala: පෘතුගීසි ලංකාව Potugisi Lankava) refers to the control of the Kingdom of Kotte by the Portuguese Empire, in present-day Sri Lanka, after the country’s Crisis of the Sixteenth Century and into the Kandyan period.
Portuguese presence in the island lasted from 1505 to 1658. Their arrival was largely accidental, seeking control of commerce over territorial conquest. Their appearance coincided with the political upheaval of the Wijayaba Kollaya and were drawn into the internal politics of the island as they sought to establish control over the lucrative Cinnamon trade that originated there. The Portuguese used these internal divisions to their advantage during the Sinhalese–Portuguese War. Direct Portuguese rule inside the island did not begin until after the death of Dharmapala of Kotte, who died without an heir and who by 1580 bequeathed the Kingdom of Kotte to the Portuguese monarch. This allowed the Portuguese sufficient claim to the Kingdom of Kotte upon Dharmapala’s death in 1597. Portuguese rule began with much resistance by the local population.
Eventually, the Kingdom of Kandy sought help from the Dutch Empire in their efforts to rid the island of the Portuguese. The Dutch Empire initially entered into agreement with the Kingdom of Kandy. After the collapse of the Iberian economy in 1627, the Dutch–Portuguese War saw the Dutch conquest of most of Portugal’s Asian colonies. Eventually, Portugal’s Ceylonese territories were ceded to the Netherlands. Nevertheless, there remain elements of Portuguese culture in Sri Lanka today from this colonial period.
Senarat Adahasin was king of the Kingdom of Kandy from 1604 to 1635. He was the brother of king Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy. When he died, his two sons Kumarasinghe & Wijayapala were minors so the throne passed to his brother Senarat who was a monk. Senerath married his brother’s widow Dona Catherina and had one son by her who would become Rajasinghe II.
When the time came for him to divide his kingdom between his two stepsons & his own son, he tricked the other two & made Râjasimha II (his own son) inherit the main part of his kingdom including Kandy. His two stepsons died shortly after (Some say Senerath is responsible for this elimination of potential heirs to the throne and Rajasimha II became the sole heir to his kingdom.
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rana / June 13, 2016
Amarasiri, You are correct. I made a typing error. Yes King Senerath ruled from 1604-1635. Thanks.
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maya / June 12, 2016
bravo you hit the nail on the head. we deserve everything these corrupt murdering fools are doing to us bsecause we will not stand up to them. If we unite all the poor exploited and oopressed people of every race, creed gender in SL under a honest dynamic leadership of people we can make SL the paradise it can be.
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A W Abdulkany / June 9, 2016
Thank you Mr Usuf for enlightening the history of this Masjid. In Sri Lanka today, any action by Muslims are perceived as threat to Buddhism. If Buddhism has survived more than 2500 years, it will definitely survive till the day of Doom. It is the unfounded fear laced with racists ideas, which make some of Buddhists to oppose anything of Islam or Muslim. Peace loving large hearted Buddhists and other leaders of various religious denominations should come forward and stop this unwanted behaviour of the so-called Buddhists. Rule of Laws which are already enacted should enforced to prevent another ethnic violence in Sri Lanka. It is the utmost duty of the Government to ensure that the entire Sri Lankans live in peace and harmony for the development of the country. All beings in Sri Lanka should live without fear.May God bless Sri Lanka.
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The Laughing Lebbe / June 9, 2016
Oh dear !
According to the Daily News of 7th June 2016, “ … a group of Buddhists led by the Maha Sangha conducted a campaign protesting against the building of a Jumma mosque in Kandy, dwarfing the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Ranviyana which are the most hallowed places of worship for Buddhists”.
This group could not have been protesting about the ‘building’ of a mosque, since this Mosque has been in existence since the 1820’s (nearly 200 years). Hence the group must have directed their protests against the ‘dwarfing’ of the Sri Dalada Maligawa by the renovations to the mosque including the minarets.
“From an Islamic point of view, the minaret has no relevance to its religious belief”.
Therefore, rather than emphasizing the letter of the law, if the Mosque authorities simply reduce the height of the minarets, then we should have a win-win result for both contending groups.
Oh dear !
“The Rule of Law cannot be compromised in the name of coexistence or inter-faith harmony”.
No, it cannot.
But the establishment of ‘co-existence or inter-faith harmony’ is so crucial to our Motherland at this point in time, that it behoves on all of us to look at the implementation of such Rules of Law with a heightened sense of empathy and compassion.
If two groups keep insisting on their ‘pound of flesh’ and the total quantity of flesh available is less than two pounds, would not the pragmatic and empathetic solution be for each group to accept something slightly less than one pound ?
Oh dear !
“What is happening to Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha ?” Is it appropriate for a Muslim to ask this provocative question based on the behavior of a few Buddhist monks at a protest meeting ?
Would it then be correct for a Buddhist to ask the question “What is happening to Islam (the religion of peace) and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed ?” based on the fact that of the 4 main religious groups in Sri Lanka, intra-religious violence is unique ONLY to the Muslim Community – at least during the past few decades ?
Oh dear !
For some strange reason, I do not feel like laughing today
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The Professional / June 9, 2016
The Master Plan for the Kandy Sacred Area has guidelines to control developments in the surroundings of Dalada Maaligaawa. There are guidelines for building heights. Nobody in Kandy, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, objected to KMC enforcing it. The writer should have checked it before raising legal issues.
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Yoosuf / June 9, 2016
Just opposite Dalada Maligawa, the area just across the Kandy lake, where the swiss hotel and so many other hotels and commercil buildings are situated up to Hantane you may find thousand of building far taller than the highest point of the sacred Maligawa. Most of them built not very long ago. All new constructions, which also comes under these so called guildlines. Which were conveniently disregarded.
This professinal is technicaly worried about this piece of insignificant construction which is far below the road level of the sacred Maligawa.
Why the double standard. ?
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tinpotjihadi / June 9, 2016
How many buddhist temples are there in Mecca?
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / June 10, 2016
The issue is in Sri Lanka where Buddhists and Muslims live side by side since times immemorial. If there are Buddhists living permanently in Saudi Arabia let them take-up the issue with that Govt.
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Amarasiri / June 10, 2016
tinpotjihadi
“How many buddhist temples are there in Mecca?” Zero
1. They “believe” that Buddhists are infidels.
2. They “Believe” that Buddhists are “Idol” Worshipers.
Question: Did the Buddha wanted the people to make status of him and worship him? No.
What about his tooth to be worshiped? No.
So, are the Sinhala “Buddhists” practicing Buddhism or “Infidel” Buddhism?
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Girigoris / June 10, 2016
To all concern
5 minutes after your birth they decide your name, nationality, religion and sect, and you spend the rest of your life defending something you did not even choose.
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Amarasiri / June 12, 2016
Girigoris
To all concerned
“5 minutes after your birth they decide your name, nationality, religion and sect, and you spend the rest of your life defending something you did not even choose.”
Actually, 1 second after the egg and the sperm fertilize, combining 23 chromosomes each from each parent, your nationality, religion and sect and all decided, based on the religion, sect and nationality of the parents.
After the child is born, a new name is given.
Then the child is programmed, brainwashed for the rest of the child life, just like a computer chip. Reprogramming takes a lit of work.
after your birth they decide your name, nationality, religion and sect, and you spend the rest of your life defending something you did not even choose.
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Amarasiri / June 12, 2016
To all concerned,
Why can’t we all get along? Was Jesus a historical Figure? Was Mohamed a historical Figure? Was Buddha a historical Figure?
Are religions scamming people out of their money? Are religions exploiting peoples stupidity and gullibility?
Right to Life and Right to Liberty.
Re Buddhism — ATHEIST POWER!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsgcP65dDOg
Re The Amazing Atheist – By The Amazing Atheist — Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEWsU9m6g3o
Re The Amazing Atheist – By The Amazing Atheist — Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfyLZgNDido
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEWsU9m6g3o
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timbuttu / June 10, 2016
“How many buddhist temples are there in Mecca?” Zero
BTW what is there at Mecca but a wall and that is where they face to worship. No different from the tree hugging idol worshipers.
The deaf and dumb god thats consoles them.
you are a moronic mu_slim.
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srinath.gunaratne / June 10, 2016
You asked the wrong question, How many buddhist statues are there?
Last I heard one sent to jail for having one in his own room!
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mohi / June 12, 2016
This question should and must follow after you determine HOW many SAUDI ARABIAN BUDDHISTS are there in Mecca of Saudi?
How many devout Buddhists have left their employment in Saudi because there is not a single temple!
Answer yourself with sincerity!
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Amarasiri / June 13, 2016
mohi
“How many devout Buddhists have left their employment in Saudi because there is not a single temple!”
How many Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu places of worship were there in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition?
Zero.
How many heretics were there? Thousands!
How many human bonfires were there? Thousands!
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / June 10, 2016
Ia there any provision in the Guide Lines to restrict constructions higher than the Dalada Maligawa. In any case the Mosque Authorities have proved that the Minaret will not be taller than the height of the Maligawa. The protests are made by some rouble rousing communalists with divisive political backing as happened in Alutgama and elsewhere.
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simon / June 10, 2016
minaret means sound- no horns close to maligawa.
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Mahendra Kalingamudali / June 9, 2016
First of all, it is a well known fact that municipal councils do not work according to the law as well as they keep a blind eye for some cases. Otherwise most of the constructions in colombo city limit will not be their.
As per news reports, People did the protest because Kandy municipal council did not take necessary action to stop illegal construction. It is a well known fact that builders are not allowed to build anything which change the appearance and prominence of significant cultural heritage in a historical city. For example there are areas in Melbourne city where council do not allow to change the front appearance of existing houses. Not only in Melbourne Australia, this is the situation all over the world.
On the other hand this mosque was built in 1920 and Dalada Maligawa was built in 1595. The land for the mosque was given by British government. It is a well known fact that British rulers acquired land of Sri Lankans with a unjustifiable law. The aerial distance between Malay Mosque and Sri Dalada Maligawa is 600 m. Most probably the land on which this Mosque was build may have belong to Sri Dalada Maligawa which may have acquired by then British government.
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John / June 9, 2016
Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Youtube and Twitter, all in one platform and jointly, on the request of the European Commission given a pledge to ban and remove hate speech within 24 hours in all the 26 countries of the EU.
We still live in the jungle ages. No one should tolerate protesting and insulting against any religion, cast, creed, language or community. The one who does so should be severely dealt with to protect the peace, harmony and dignity
of the communities and individuals to live decent good life with out fear or harm from any quarters.
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Shantha / June 9, 2016
The poison spread by ractists like the BBS has spread and have made islamphobia an issue in this country.
There are deliberate attempts to set the majority against the minority, just like in Myanmar. The minority has a right to live in this country, they have a history, contributed to the progress of this country, and we have had many distinguished citizens who made Sri Lanka what it is today. This is home to Muslims and Christians, and they are part of our culture. It is was a crime that the Rajapaksas initially allowed it to come to this.
In multi religious nations, everyone respects other places of worship. Where do these protesters think Muslims should go, and they have a right to build a Mosque. It is childish to squabble over the size of the minaret.
The Lord Buddha would not have made an issue about this, he was tolerant and preached living peacefully.
The present regime must put their foot down and curb this ugliness before it gets too far, and both sides must try to be flexible, so that there can be peace in this country.
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Marrikar / June 11, 2016
“”Where do these protesters think Muslims should go, and they have a right to build a Mosque. 2”
You can’t be blind and deaf. or is it all dung?
Down with the volume, step down the volume.
No to a `minaret` in my back garden- the noise box
The noise box is an eye sore.
(calling to pray. cant you Whisper or use Texting??
(there are 100 of thousands refusals to work in the ME because of noise box)
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justice / June 9, 2016
This mosque is still intact – maybe, the height of the minaret will be reduced. But, a mosque in Trincomalee was destroyed.
A mosque in London UK was not approved.
Mosque building by Muslims is common in countries where they are a sizable minority – and they believe in building larger and taller mosques than other religious places of worship.
This does not endear them to citizens of other faiths.
In the eighties, loud amplified calls from a mosque in Maradana even in daytime disturbed the neighbourhood.
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mohi / June 12, 2016
Muslim calls for prayers disturbs due to use of loudspeakers. AGREED!
How about the Buddhist Temples? The disturbances they dole out at every junction in POYA days and on normal days for hours and hours.. with the use of loudspeakers; beating of drums; so-called Bakthi-gees (devotional songs); virudus etc. !
The worst type of “sound pollution” ever heard in this whole world. I know of Buddhists who sold the properties and homes that were closer to Buddhist temples due to unavoidable noise and frequent nuisance.
Let the government take a bold stop and stop the use of loudspeakers by all religions including the ones used by MOSQUES!
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sekara / June 9, 2016
Hindus and Buddhists are also building temples– some of them very elaborate and tall too –in Europe, America and Australia at times far more in proportion to their number than the Muslims.
If the Europeans and Americans could build churches here, why should anyone pick on Muslims for building their places of worship?
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Nirmala / June 10, 2016
Professor Sivasekaram, this is a discussion about a mosque minaret and Buddhist monk. Why bring Hinduism here? Do you hate that religion so much given your Maoist views? What about China’s treatment then which prevents Muslims from fasting in China?
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sekara / June 11, 2016
N
The point is that all religious groups build temples; but the Muslims are the ones that are picked on.
The comment does not object to anyone building temples: it is about people being selective in their objection.
There is little difference between any form of fundamentalism or for that matter any form of parochialism.
What one seeks to read in a comment is often what is embedded in one’s own mind.
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SR / June 11, 2016
Thank you, Nirmala.
Sivasegaram, practice what you preach and tell the Chinese to give freedom to Muslims to build mosques in colonized Xinjiang.
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Angelo Perera / June 9, 2016
The Malay community has historically been low profile with regard to the practice of their religious customs and integrated well with Sinhalese. In fact, it was difficult to distinguish between Malays and Sinhalaese from their attire or mannerism. Many Malays, although small in number, played a critical role in the eelam wars. Col Multhalif of the Intelligence Corps, whose wife was a fellow Sinhalese soldier, payed the ultimate sacrifice.
With the coming of Saudi funded Wahabism to Sri Lanka in the 90s, and women starting to wear burqas and niqabs, which were alien to Ceylon Moors, most Sinhalese now, unfortunately, view all Moslems through the same prism.
The Temple of the Tooth has historically been the seat of Sinhalese Buddhism, the Buddhist equivalent of Mecca. In Saudi Arabia, infidels who are discovered in the sacred precincts of Islam are severely punished. In fact, Saudi authorities prohibit non-Muslims from venturing within 15 kilometers of Mecca or the other holy city, Medina. In most Islamic countries, their is no opportunities for other religions to acknowledge let alone practice their religion.
Whether legal barriers exist or not, there is no good reason to build a massive edifice within sight of the Temple of the Tooth as it will only serve to alienate Sinhalese Buddhists from their Moslem brethren.
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Markar / June 10, 2016
Saudi Arabia is 100 percent Muslim country. Why should they allow other religions to take root when they are only temporary immigrants, who visit Arabia as workers, tourists or on business. The same cannot be said of citizens living in this country, which is considered to be secular in its multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi religious views, and which the country’s constitution protects their right to practice any religion of their choice. Two very different situations, which you have totally misunderstood and have mixed up to justify your personal views. If there is any justifiable reason by law, then let it be observed to the letter. Otherwise, this is just another case of rabid monks who insist on taking the law into their own hands to prevent another community from practicing their right to build their place of worship the way they deem fit. There are so many hotels built at greater heights than the Dalada Temple which serve meats and liquor to its varied tourist customers, while gambling, drug abuse including the many vices of the skin taken place, but these monks are blinded by it and never raise a voice in protest. It is only when it happens to be another Mosque or a church (places of worship) that it agitates their spirits to raise protest. How much worse can it get?
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srinath.gunaratne / June 10, 2016
It is Buddhist monks pho protected this country for thousand years, Yes Buddhists were generous and entertaine any nationality with open arms and let them live in this country.
What did they get most of the time, Ungreatfulness!
Their land were robbed,
Maybe we should have kept the Kandy as a 100% Buddhist chasing all of you, Then It will be like Saudi and no one can argue?
Extremism from both ands dangerous, Live and let live!
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Markar / June 10, 2016
Buddhist monks protected this country from what, with what and from whom? What does Buddhism have to offer in statehood, when we see the way monks behave on the streets today. Its only going to get worse when we have to see the dark side of Buddhism, All of their protests claim that it is done in the name of their religion, to protect it and foster it. This is what they keep oft repeating and this is what everyone is made to believe. Lord Buddha never visited SL during his lifetime, but everyone is made to believe that he visited this country 3 times. So it has even become a falsified reason to protect Buddhism in this country. Why couldn’t the Buddhists save Buddhism in the land of his birth if it was so genuine and good for the people. The Muslims living in Saudi Arabia will never allow a non-Muslim to come to Arabia and start preaching or practicing a different religion in the land of the birth of their Prophet of Islam. But Nepal (birthplace of Lord Buddha) is today a Hindu majority country. Hiding behind the saffron robes of monks to give you the best advice on how to run this country, is only going to make life difficult and make your situation worst. Islam is the solution, whilst Buddhism is a failure. Just look at all the Muslim countries and all of their prosperity. Take even our tiniest neighbour Maldives, a bunch of a thousand islands only, mostly uninhabitable. No gas and no oil ever discovered. No waterfalls, no scenery, nothing to see as interesting except just miles of white sands and sea. At most, a thriving fishing industry. However the people are 100 percent Muslims and most are leading wealthy lives, happy with their own faith as followers of Islam. Where does our country stand in comparison, with so much to offer.
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mohi / June 12, 2016
Sorry say your example is wrong.
“Like Saudi” ….. Saudi did not ever chase out any other to build a Muslim Saudi!!
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PinkLips / June 10, 2016
Bullshit. Malaysia is only 60% Muslim and it has A SOLE OFFICIAL STATE RELIGION OF ISLAM. You guys want to have the cake and eat it too.
As of the 2010 Population and Housing Census, 61.3 percent of the population practices Islam; 19.8 percent Buddhism; 9.2 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 1.3 percent traditional Chinese religions. BUT IT HAS ISLAM AS ITS ONLY OFFICIAL RELIGION. WTF?
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cat with 9 lives / June 11, 2016
anywhere in the world the muslim vote only a muslim.
so they are the assured majority from independence.
so they hatched the race, religion to keep the rest at war with each other.
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Amarasiri / June 13, 2016
Markar
“Saudi Arabia is 100 percent Muslim country.”
Before Islam, Saudi Arabia was a country that had Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, non-believers etc.
They were all converted or Ethnically cleansed.
What Happened to the Dhimmi, non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia?
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srinath.gunaratne / June 10, 2016
Exactly, One of the biggest problem is this pumping of Wahabi money and trying to change demography of the country.
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Native Vedda / June 10, 2016
srinath.gunaratne
“One of the biggest problem is this pumping of Wahabi money and trying to change demography of the country.”
Haven’t the state behaved in the same as the one you accuse of changing the demography of the country since 1940s?
Why should it worry you now whereas it didn’t in the past 60 years?
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mohi / June 12, 2016
Speak with clear statistics and reliable data!
Give ONE single example where “Wahabi” (Saudi or Gulf States) money have changed the demography of any country or land … leave alone a Buddhist nation!
Please speak the truth! NO MUSAVADHA please! It is a grave sin NOT to speak the truth.
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Tin pot Jihadi / June 9, 2016
Why be in your face building an ugly tall minaret? Dalada Maligawa is much older than this mosque. Many big or ancient cities have ordnances and traditions that govern building heights and sizes. Bad enough that even in the 1960s there was noise pollution by the use of loudspeakers in that big mosque off of kotugodaella mawatha (woke up ghosts in Bahirawa Kanda )(the same mosque where muslim thugs used to stone the kandy Perehera in 1915 thus provoking and inciting the riots )now you have people using Wahabi money to build in your face edifices. Kandy invited and welcomed Muslims and Malays but don’t forget British used Malay troops to shoot and kill sinhalese in 1915 too.
So build a shorter minaret and RESPECT sentiments of the majority and they’ll respect yours.
Don’t demand shit you know are NEVER ALLOWED AND NEVER PRACTICED in Muslim nations including Pakistan or Bangladesh. Right now world is shattered by ISIS jihadi muslim terrorists and buddhists and Hindus are killed even in Bangladesh.
NYC didn’t allow a mosque next to 9/11 site .
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Kara_Naufal / June 10, 2016
The Minaret is part of Islamic architecture designed into the Mosque. It is universal and not unique to any single country. Building one is no disrespect to anyone elses rights. That is only a figment of your imagination Tinpot. It is only that there is no law preventing the building of minarets in this country. If the government legislates such a law then we are bound to obey it. But these laws of the jungle don’t fit into this 21st century, as the next thing you know is only the fittest is bound to survive. Is that what these Buddhist monks want? Another 25 or 30 years of war, as they feel the past 30 years was not enough. May be they want to flex their muscles and show who is in charge? The punishment will be divine and not from us Muslims. At least learn your lessons from the past.
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CJ / June 10, 2016
THE RESULTS OF DESTROYING THE SINHALA MERCHANT CLASS !!
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RS / June 10, 2016
And these Kandyan monks are still practising discrimination based on dung-theory !!
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Farook Hamid / July 31, 2016
CJ, when did the Sinhalese Merchant Class came into existence. It came into existence only after Independent. Before that just Sinhala goviyas only.
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ballah / June 10, 2016
whole problem with this racist muslims is that they try to erase the 2600 years of sinhalese buddhists history and trying to show that muslims exist in the country longer than they really do. that’s reason why muslims vandalised and forcefully acquire lands belonging to budhhist temples in North and east. that’s why they build muslims mosques in every street corner.
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ballah / June 10, 2016
[Edited out]
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DambaneKaluwa / June 10, 2016
British, ruined this country, and still.
Brought utter rubbish and dumped.
All these are the results of them.
The instance is just a little hi-cough of those.
Why erect so high?
No use, just to show their outer world and say that they’re[the people who erect this sky-high]strengthening their (r)eligious power,(r)wealth,(r)dominance, and (r)governance.
ISIS will be “next to sooner” here in this lovely land…. Do not know already.
Let the Buddhists live here peacefully..!!
Enough Mosques next to every inch all over.
Useless erections are useless. Stop this.
If so craving to erect, erect it at the proper place.
We do not have a land to live any other.
If not happy, go to Mecca.
Thank you.
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Marrikar / June 10, 2016
“”The first question; Is there a law which prohibits any construction up to the height of the Dalada Maligawa? If there is no such law,””
Built environment has a law but it is not for street hawking crusade.
Has the mosque applied for construction and is it following the commitments??
The undeniable fact remains the Malays and Brits were traders who tricked the populace and ruled them.
Now its the time of the populace to call back, like recalling sterling companies.
Germany welcomes you is the craving of Muslims worldwide.
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Niyaz / June 10, 2016
It’s all a comedy of misunderstandings behind this whole episode. The Mosque was built late eighties to nineties with full approval upto 3rd floor by President Premadasa himself. The Mosque authorities taking note of the sensitivity of the Mosque situated seeing distance from the Sri Dalada Maligawa designed it to be least architechturally (Islamically)visible except for the window arches. The Minaret structure remained unfinished right throughout. With the building of the Kandy City Center covering the direct view from the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the approval of many new Hotels around the Maligawa the earlier taboos were very much changed. It was in this context and the request of the Council to finish incomplete sections that a Fiberglass structure had been made to fix it. With Semi-naked Dance Halls, Liquor Bars and many more and their advertising boards allowed at different heights far above this, could we fault only these people is the question.
The social media hyped it to put many unconnected developments in the country, together with a visit of Minister Hakeem to Kandy to say that the Muslims of Kandy hatched a plot to challenge the Supreme Maligawa with a ministerial opening of this. But the manufacturer of this Fiberglass structure and the construction workers renovating the mosque for Ramazan all being Singhalese from the neighbourhood.
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Ralph / June 10, 2016
Fact and fiction are mixed in most of the comments. Is there a way that fiction can be removed in order that the arguments remain valid and rational?
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Niyaz / June 10, 2016
Dear Readers it’s all a comedy of many misunderstandings that have resulted in this situation.
The said Mosque was constructed late eightees to ninetees by a plan approved by President Premadasa himself upto roof level. The Mosque authorities taking into account the sensitivity of the building seeing distance from the Sri Dalada Maligawa designed the structure very simple with minimum Traditional Architecture. The Building of the K.C.C. between them and the Building of many Tourist hotels around in the seeing distance of the Sri Dalada Maligawa at many different heights which included Semi-clad dance halls , Liquor Bars and many more changed the whole perspective. It was in this context and the request of the Council to finish the complete Mosque that a fiberglass detachable Minaret was designed by a Singhalese manufacturer whilst the set of construction workers renovating the Mosque for Ramazan were also Singhalese.
Thus the social media Canard Hype to stir the people that a plot to challenge the Supremacy of the Sri Dalada Maligawa putting together many unconnected political and other outside activities need to be investigated because it would have needed 10 of those structures to reach the roof height of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
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srinath.gunaratne / June 10, 2016
In addition to the mosques, I’ve heard some bunch of Morons who close the roads for parayers. What kind of foolery is that?
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Naufer / June 10, 2016
Why they even closed roads leading towards and around Dalada Maligawa permanently. At least what you refer to is a temporary arrangement which happen only for Friday prayers, may be 2.5 hours max. This is simply to accommodate parking facilities and two way traffic control and not for ulterior or sinister motives. Then who is causing more inconvenience to the traveling public?
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mohi / June 12, 2016
Same foolery that closes the road in front of Dalada Maligawa permanently. This is forcing a very long drive compelling to by Muslim (Arab) oil and causing hardship to all!!!!
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Politics -Poli putting the kettle on again / June 10, 2016
This has nothing to do with any religious issues , it is against Ravi Karunanayake. his wife is Malay , his bil is the chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance .
Poli putting the kettle on again , so we they , ba ba black sheep can all have tea again , then suki akki will take it away ,,,
Comedy of errors .
Just take the Mine-rate off, you do not need it as you have speakers to call out ,if that is another the problem, you have smart phones, create an app,, call out your people to pray through it , there are 100 and one ways to skin a cat , but one needs wisdom.
Jesus said if they ask you to walk one mile ,tell them you will walk two mile, am sure if Muhammad was he he will say walk ten miles , he was wiser , today’s tribal idiots who call themselves true Muslims are idiots , always falling prey to the enemy over trivial matters.
Their Mullahs must take some dale carnage classes,,,
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A concerned Sri Lankan / June 10, 2016
Please leave Sri Lanka if you Muslims cannot live as Sri Lankans. This is a Buddhist country . You have any number of Muslim countries to go live & you can plant your self in Mecca & build not 100 but 1000 mosques/ minarets. We don’t say Indonesia is a Buddhist country just because there are Buddhist s there! We call it a Muslim country . Similarly we call Thailand a Buddhist country though there are Muslims there.
If you cannot respect & accept this you can leave Sri Lanka immediately. We are not holding you back, AT ALL , AT ALL , AT ALL.
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bandito / June 11, 2016
sadly the sinhalese cannot do without the lankan muslim.
70 years going strong at cabinet.
thailand was never conquered by foreigners and it has a king.
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ranjith / June 10, 2016
All talk big on Buddhist monks protest but do not talk on insult every mosque make for other religions five times a day.There is no god but Allah. that announcement aired five times a day over the loudspeakers.in the mosque first prayer is destruction of people of other faiths. ask favours only for believers.non believers should go to fire hell no matter how good they are. then how come a Muslims talk on religious harmony or universal brother hood.in Arabic countries like Saudi Arabia even the receipt of greeting card with picture of Buddha is a punishable offense. but here talk big on equality. what is the difference between then racist south Africa and present Saudi Arabia. did Any Muslim living here write letters like this on suadi.s policies. what a pity. here Islamic expansionism taking place in guise of minority rights and religion coexistence.
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Sri Lankan / June 10, 2016
I think the Maligawa should be converted in to a multi facility hospital and the Malay Mosque should be converted in to a higher education center. These places of worships are doing good only to some crooks who maintain them. Innocent people are made to believe that there is a god and he will solve the problems if you worship. All are unproven failures. Let the gods to solve their own problem if they can.
Please teach the people to solve their problems by themselves without begging from invisible gods. Destroy all the places of worship in Sri Lanka and use their assets to serve the people. If any priests, moulavis, monks or poosaris oppose, jail them for life where full time they can worship whomever they want without disturbing the people.
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carlion / June 11, 2016
Muslims want all types of freedom in countries the world over but deny the same rights in almost all Muslim countries to others of different faiths. Even a picture of the Buddha cannot be taken to Saudi Arabia by anyone travelliing there. Why question Buddha Statues saying Buddha did not want them? Did Allah or Mohammed want a mosque or wall for Muslims to pray? Why pray at a wall? Did Allah want a minaret to blast and disturb an entire neighbourhood with a call to prayer? Those living in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
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Dushy / June 11, 2016
Usuf,
While touched by your attempt to think things through, I can’t agree with you on the foll:
“From an Islamic point of view, the minaret has no relevance to its religious belief. It is part of Islamic architectural embellishment (and as the place from where the call to prayer is sent out.)”
Let me try to say why. When Muslims conquered the Syrian region, churches there (at that time the one, undivided Church) had pillars which were the pillar-pulpits of holy men. In Antakya (Antioch before the defeat of the Byzantine kings) you can still find the ruins of the minaret/pillar about 9 foot high on which for 37 years Saint Simeon the elder, a Syriac ascetic, lived. He secluded himself vertically because of the crowds that followed him and preached from there. The crowds heard him from below. Dry bread and goat milk were sent up to him by his folks though he fasted a lot as an ascetic.
When the muslims conquered these parts they converted the churches to mosques, even the Hagia Sophia. Though they erased much of the iconography they adopted the architecture of the Churches including their pillars thereafter. (It is said that Prophet Mohammad would not let the icon of Mary holding Jesus to be erased and covered one such with his own hands and that is why this iconography survived in the the converted churches.) In the middle of Antakya to this day stands the 7th century church (with one such pillar/minaret) turned mosque, near the ancient spice market where Sts. Peter and Paul preached. By the gates of that mosque is the grave of the first Christian martyr for antakya a carpenter. Both Muslims and Christians come and pray at this grave.A minaret/pillar came to be a beloved symbol of asceticism in the churches and mosques in the region of Syria.With time, taller and taller pillars became the vogue.
Religion is the most beautiful thing we have in its struggle to portray the beauty of love and truth. So much art and music and architecture is forever pouring out of it evoking a de ja vu of heaven itself and stimulating culture. The highest of human potentials is drawn out by religion for the love of the Creator.
Such strong bickerings are therefore sad indeed for everybody. Sadder still that holy-man pillars should be the cause of it.
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Izeth hussain / June 11, 2016
Fine article by Mass Yusuf. He makes the important point that legislation against hate speech etc exist.The problem is that our Governments haven’t been enforcing them.Unless the Government is vigilant we can expect to see the upsurge of something like the BBS. – IH
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / June 11, 2016
Dear Izeth,
Sinhalese attack on Muslims will not cease, however much you try to distract them with your anti-Tamil bashing. Religious intolerance is spreading all over the world due to Islamic racism spearheaded by Muslim countries who are worse racists in the world after the collapse of apartheid. Buddhists in Srilanka have woken up and want to do the same thing to Muslims in Srilanka what Muslims are doing to others in Muslim countries. Last week one Christian was shot dead and one Hindu priest was hacked to death in Bangladesh. Murder and ethnic cleansing seem to be the norm in every Muslim country in the world.
I agree that Government should pass legislation against hate speech and implement it. But the worse hate speeches are made inside mosques during friday prayers. Recently a good Muslim in UK has revealed that Mosques and Madarasas in UK are promoting hatred of other religions. Moreover there is hatred preaching in Koran, which has to be deleted. When Koran says that those who do not believe Koran are infidels, it promotes racism. When Koran says destroy the places of worship of non believers, it promotes violence. So please put your house in order before pointing at the finger at Buddhists in Srilanka.
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Marwan / June 11, 2016
It has been repeatedly said that although crimes are committed by individuals who happen to be Muslims, it does not reflect the teachings that is Islam. But these accusations get repeated over and over gain as mainstream and will probably be around for some time to come. There are worse crimes of murder, gang rape and crimes against humanity committed by idividuals of all of the other major religions, but nothing is ever mentioned about their background nor reflected on the religion they profess. It is only done when it comes to Islam and Muslims. This is a well documented fact.
No religion in the world ever preaches killing of innocents, and the Holy Quran is no different. Killing of criminals by hanging and lethal injection is carried out by governments in many countries of the world as capital punishment, but when it is done by Muslims as law prescribed as a final judgement, then it becomes an issue and is condemned as barbaric. When punishment for wrong doing is only part of the Islamic law, amongst so many other good things which the law provides, yet this is the only thing which gets undue prominence, simply to bring Islam into disrepute simply to satiate your personal hate and illogical mindset.
Friday prayers is a gathering for religious discourse, and if there have been threats to harm Muslims and their way of life, then people are advised to calm down and take it easy, and avoid confrontation. Never to be the first to attack and stoke the aggression. There have been many instances in our own country where such situations have come up many times, in which the Muslims have reacted calm and collected because of these discourses which promoted calm and not hatred and eye for an eye, as you have claimed.
There are 1.6 billion Muslims living in the world today, and if they are all crazy and angry against non-Muslims as you suggest, then this world will truly be in turmoil. True, there are some fighting for injustices done to them by the western world invading their countries and treating them badly as occupiers, and they want to get back at them for destroying their homelands. But that has nothing to do with the teachings of the religion of Islam, which means PEACE.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / June 12, 2016
“There are some fighting for injustices done to them by western world invading their countries and treating them as occupiers, and they want to get at them for destroying their homelands.”
What about the Mogul invasion of India, where all what you have accused about westerners were committed. Do you say that Hindus are justified in getting at the descendants of these moguls. Westerners after committing atrocities have left, while Muslims are still occupying Hindu lands. Indus valley civilisation belomgs to Dravidians and the area of present Kashmir, Punjab and Sind are being occupied by Muslims. Are the Muslims prepared to hand those lands back to Dravidian and get back to Central Asia from where they came. Even the middle east belongs to Simerians and not to Arabs who are guilty of ethnic cleansing. Trace the descendents of Sumerians by genetic studies and hand over the lands to them and for Arabs to get back to North Africa from where they came. Turkey has committed several atrocities during Ottoman Empire which was brought to an end in first world war. They are occupying Constantinople and North Cyprus which belonged to Greeks aquired by murder and ethnic cleansing. Is it justified for Greeks to create trouble to Turks.
Most of the 1.6 million Muslims are crazy and angry and they have to carry on barking and do nothing else. What can they do to non Muslims. If they start a war on non-Muslims they know that they will be wiped out. If Muslims are only against westerners why are they killing Africans who never committed any offence on Muslims. How can Islam be a religion of peace like Buddhism when it is preaching revenge. All the Islamic fanatics even after murdering non Muslims or destroying places of worship, when questioned say that they are according to teaching of Koran. When this is so, your statement about peaceful nature of Islam does not hold water.
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mohi / June 12, 2016
There is a difference! In SL the governments are imbecile, so to speak!
In Bangladesh they have brought the culprits within the ambit of law. Punishment by death will be done!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / June 12, 2016
According to independant assessments, Bangladesh and Pakistan governments are more imbecile than Srilanka government. Please do not cry foul when Muslim culprits in Srilanka are put to death by Buddhists. According to Buddhists, halal slaughter and forcing such meat on Buddhists, shouting Islamic call for prayers over loud speakers, women covering their bodies like ghosts and males growing beard like zombies, are crimes and very soon their law enforcers will be putting Muslims to death.
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Glad_to_be_Muslim / June 12, 2016
What a [Edited out] doctor you must be with so much hatred for fellow human beings. A hate preacher of the highest order whose only match must be Gnanasara genes.[Edited out]
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / June 13, 2016
Please write in your own name if you are a good Muslim. You are hiding behind a false name because you are a racist fanatic. If you cannot face the truth about Islamic madness spreading around the world, then it is your fault. Can you deny that Rev Gnanssara is only following what mad mullas are doing in Muslim countries killing non-muslims and propagating hatred. Put your house in order before pointing a finger at others. Just as much as you say glad to be Muslim there are thousands who say glad to be a non muslim and live a sane and serene life. I suggest that you stop following Kuran and start reading Dhammapada the great book of peace to bring sanity into your cofused mind.
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Farook Hamid / July 31, 2016
Dr Gnana Sangaralingam you are not a follower of Buddha but just a rotten Hindu who is trying to create rifts between Muslims and among others, specially with Buddhist, since your are acting like a Buddhist. What bullshit you are writing about Dravidian occupying the North of India like Punjab and Kashmir. Dravidian were living in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bengal etc but not in north of India. Those places were occupied by Indus valley people and Mongols. When Alexandra and others started conquering, the Dravidians were pushed further south. Muslims are fighting in Middle-east because western bastard are trying to destroy Islam and subdue them. They are not ponnayas but determine fighters. Westerners don’t need to conquer Hindu or Buddhist countries to covert you to their cultures. You can see these countries are already following the western culture when you see how women dress,clubs, alcohol freely available, the films etc etc. Just do not bark on behalf of Westerners.
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PROUDMAN / June 12, 2016
Izeth
If government were to implement hate speech( which include hate writing as well) You will be the first person along with mahindapala and may be malinda to be imprisoned for your racist writings. So be happy that the officials are not taking any action. It is a pity that certain e-publications are encouraging racist writers under the pretext of freedom of speech. They fail to understand the freedom of speech does not mean insulting a group of citizens who are different from them on one aspect or other.
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Native Vedda / June 12, 2016
PROUDMAN
“If government were to implement hate speech( which include hate writing as well) You will be the first person along with mahindapala and may be malinda to be imprisoned for your racist writings.”
No, he could always plead innocence by reason of temporary insanity or diminished responsibility.
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PROUDMAN / June 12, 2016
Hi Native Vedda
You seems to have this knack to hit the nail on its head.[Edited out]
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animal DNA / June 11, 2016
A concerned Sri Lankan -you Please leave Sri lanka if you can not live and worship your elders as God like The natives and wear the G-String and walk around with bow and arrow like true Sri lankans, This is VEDA country .
GET YOUR DNA CHECKED ,YOU MUST BE HAVING ANIMAL LEFT OVER SPERM DNA ,,
——————-
timbuttu -How many Buddhist Citizens are there no Mecca? have you forgotten ,how many Temples are there in Malaysia, Brunei , Indonesia and Bangladesh ?
[Edited out]
Montessori kids will do a better job on the comments .
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