By Jayantha Dhanapala and Professor Savitri Goonesekere –
President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President of Sri Lanka,
Presidential Secretariat,
Janadhipathi Mawatha,
Colombo 1.
7th March 2013.
Anti-Muslim Hate Campaign: The Government Must Act Decisively
Dear President Rajapaksa,
The Friday Forum urges you to act immediately and decisively to counter the increasingly venomous and strident anti-Muslim hate campaign launched by a few extremist groups claiming to represent the majority Sinhala community. As you are aware, this campaign has intensified over the past several months. The country has witnessed attacks against mosques, and the circulation, on social media, public posters and web-sites, of obscene and vituperative messages that are offensive to religious beliefs. It has witnessed anti-Muslim public rallies and processions, including a call to boycott Muslim business establishments.
Mahara mosque - vandalised
In any situation in which there are efforts to incite communal tensions, the primary responsibility of removing such threats and reassuring the community under attack is with the government. The people elect the President and other representatives in the expectation that they will ensure an environment in which all citizens can live assured of their human rights including equality, personal security, dignity and religious freedom. Failure of a government to provide this is a serious breach of its responsibilities and has, in the past, had tragic consequences for our country and our people.
In a plural society hate campaigns against a specific community must be taken very seriously by the government and the people and viewed in the wider context of our historical, sociological, economic and foreign policy realities. The possibility of violence against a particular community, and the dangers of ethnic cleansing are very real. The horrors of the 1983 ethnic riots constantly remind us how human life and personal security mean nothing, when there is incitement to communal violence and hatred. Hate campaigns inevitably result in a deep sense of fear and vulnerability among members of the targeted community, giving rise to a fear psychosis. Such a situation not only deeply harms that community, but also imbues a whole society with suspicion and propensity to communal violence.
We welcome that you clearly spoke against those who incite communal intolerance at the recent Independence Day celebrations held in Trincomalee. Yet, the government headed by you has not up to now taken decisive and concrete measures to stem the current hate campaign or to reassure the Muslim community of its rightful place in our society. This is difficult to understand in light of your own assurances and that of the government on the urgent need to forge a lasting peace after ending the destruction and suffering of thirty years of fratricidal war.
The silence of the government, and a mute response in the face of the hate campaign against the Muslim community, particularly though the misuse of media is a violation of both national and international law, Such misuse sometimes justified as respect for freedom of speech and expression only encourages those who incite communal disharmony and violence. The government has recently decided to prohibit sterilization programmes for consenting adults undermining family planning and reproductive health policies that conform to national public health and treaty commitments. This decision, while unacceptable in itself, can also be perceived by the public as concession to the anti-Muslim lobbies.
The aggressive assertion of identity by any community creates tensions in a pluralistic society. If there are problems over issues related to any religious group, for instance, the recent “halal” certification issue, these need to be looked into dispassionately and responsibly after careful verification of the facts. The public must also be provided with accurate information with a view to defusing and not exacerbating tensions.
We urgently call on you as elected Head of State to address the nation denouncing the current anti-Muslim campaign and its sponsors and detailing the measures the government will take to deal with the hate campaign against Muslims. Only such steadfast and resolute action, rising above narrow identity politics, can safeguard the peace and further an environment of communal harmony and security in our country.
Jayantha Dhanapala Professor Savitri Goonesekere
On behalf of Friday Forum, the Group of Concerned Citizens
Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Professor Savitri Goonesekere, Rt. Reverend Duleep de Chickera, Dr. Deepika Udagama, Professor Arjuna Aluwihare, Ms. Shanthi Dias, Ms. Anne Abayasekara, Mr. Lanka Nesiah, Mr. Faiz-ur.Rahman, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Mr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Mr. J.C. Weliamuna, Mr. Javid Yusuf, Mr. Danesh Casie Chetty, Ms.Damaris Wickremesekera, Rev. Dr. Jayasiri Peiris, Dr. A. C. Visvalingam, Professor Camena Guneratne, Professor Ranjini Obeyesekere, Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda, Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, Mr. Chandra Jayaratne,
cc. Secretary to the President,
Secretary Defence & Urban Development,
Inspector General of Police,
Attorney General,
Chairman, Human Rights Commission,
Read the Sinhala translation here. Translation by Yahapalanaya Lanka.
Dissanayake / March 7, 2013
President Rajapaksha cant’t stop the hate mongering,because it’s executing by Sibiling Gota.
/
Ben / March 7, 2013
Why not he should be able to manage it – it is who is the president of the country, as he says, people elected him…. but he says.. not the people.. people are divided whether at all he is the candidate of the people^s choice to lead the nation. He has shown sofar his qualities – he is praised only among the rural folks that seems to be get fool by anybody easily..
/
Ben / March 7, 2013
If the nation is facing some threats among the IC today, it is all because of MR and his administration. If he has a vision things could go its way better for a better srilanka. Now with good news from Geneva, the future the country is uncertain.
weakened US contacts- no funds will get approval
weakened UK and others contract but all with Chinese means – more fall deep with human right violations.
Picture will not be clear to the masses- average, so long road and other constructions will be shown as so called development a midst international isolation.
As DJ pointed out a year ago – one can clearly get them better. I am not a fan of him, but his explanation to the interview is agreeable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjVKvBs7-QM (this he had explained a year ago)
/
Abhimana / March 9, 2013
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Godamune / March 7, 2013
There is no point communicating with this totally blind people with power, better the right thinking people of this country launch a ‘genuine relentless campaign’ to restore rule of law and order in this country, and to install a government with ethics that is accountable to the people.
/
Marwan / March 7, 2013
Thank God we have the crust of society finally coming together, out into the open and making every effort to avert a crisis of biblical proportions. The Al Qaeda’s and Talibans of the world are on the look out for hot spots in the world where Muslims are being harassed, to come forward as mercenaries and die for the Islamic cause. Our Muslims dont deserve this outside interference since we dont subscribe to their ideologies. But if pushed to a corner, even the devil’s help will be most welcome just to extricate themselves from the strife. By their sinister motives and misleading actions, the MR regime can ever be considered just and fare rulers and don’t deserve to be rated as such amongst world leaders. They are biased amongst their own kind, and this mentality flows right through to every strata of society. No one dares speak out against these injustices against Muslim minority populatio. The Mahanayake Theros have been silent and have not come and openly denounced this incouth behaviour of monks who are supposed to represent Lord Buddha’s teachings in action, word and deeds. The Muslims have no faith in them any more, and consider all to be allied and treat them as a common enemy. There is a deep fissure developed in the relationship of Muslim and Sinhalese community by the actions of a few misguidede youths, causing rise in tension, hate mongering and suicidal tendencies all rolled into one. It is only a matter of time before all that pent up trension gets unleashed and may hem ensues in this country.
/
rural / March 7, 2013
Where is jamiyathul ulema which voluntarily joined govt. to go to Geneva last time to hail MR: now mosques are ravaged with obscene graffiti on its walls muslims are threatned, where are they I mean ACJU. Also where is Alavi, Azwar, Abdul Cader, Rauf, Faiser and other silent spectators, may be they are afraid of their privileges and perks!!!
/
mike / March 11, 2013
All these jokers (Alavi, Azwer, Cader, Rauf, Faizer etc.etc) appear to have “profiles” safely lodged in Hitlerpaksha’s (Idi Mahin) safe! They dare not talk anything against the moronic regime. Right now Rauf Hakeem is stuck with the “Kumari” file??
/
manel fonseka / March 7, 2013
‘The Mahanayake Theros have been silent…’ Yes, distressing as it is, it does seem so. This silence (or is it that they have spoken out but not yet been reported?) has become almost deafening. Even before the President surely the co-religionists of the BBS should seek to dissociate themselves from the latter’s reported statements, policies, actions. Maybe they have still not come together to discuss the situation and make a considered public statement, but surely, by now, SOMETHING should have emerged to guide the Buddhist laity and reassure those of other faiths. We have had far too many years of one section of our people being set against another, and this country has been ever the loser with so many of its people fleeing to other lands. THOSE countries have reaped while Sri Lanka has lost, lost, lost. It is so tragic.
/
Native Vedda / March 7, 2013
manel fonseka
“The Mahanayake Theros have been silent…”
They will be vociferous only when the government announces a political package to satisfy the minimum demands of the minorities.
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 14, 2013
Native veddah:
You are wrong: they will be vociferous if their own power and influence (and perks!) are at risk, Remember how the two Chief Prelates “withdrew” REGISTERED letters sent to the Sangha when they were threatened that their lands would be taken over by a Buddhist entity controlled by a Presidential nephew when the Prelates tried to summon a meeting of the entire sangha to protest the government’s behaviour over Sarath Fonseka, I believe?
Their silence could also be “bought” by other worldly means as well, I know. Mercedes Benz, anyone?
/
punchinilame / March 7, 2013
What have the Muslim Political parties within the Govt. done to address
this matter – nothing tangible, by the evidence of events down south.
The Forums pleading only goes to the Waste bin, as the Regime has its
long-term hidden agenda. These are steps in that direction. The
regime is not worried about the I/C. If Burma could do it, whilst enjoying membership in the UN/CW etc. why not MR & Family?
There will no loss in any future elections – this is guaranteed. The
double-speak President claims loudly to be the President of all S.Lankans!!
/
Senguttuvan / March 7, 2013
The Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde deception eventually gives way. It may take time
but eventually it will. Why look further. Now there is a scramble among the “heroes” of “the historic defeat on the Tamils in May 2009” as to the slaughter of White Flag surrendees and the murder of multiple thousands of Tamils as well the “disappearance” of many tens of thousands more. This is outside the few the fascist LTTE shot to death in cold blood. It is the responsibility of the Govt to provide for the safety of all citizens but the first citizen of the laws tells in Geneva, laughing all the way, “Only god knows what happened to them” And he is a lawyer – and going by the official pecking order- a very senior lawyer.
Senguttuvan
/
Native Vedda / March 7, 2013
Senguttuvan
” fascist LTTE”
I beg to differ the label many attach to LTTE.
Fascism as a political force/phenomenon found only in reasonably industrialised countries.
I address the LTTE as Polpotists since both LTTE and Khmer Rouge didn’t reached the stages of capitalist development, required for them to develop a Fascist ideology.
I may be wrong.
/
Grope / March 15, 2013
Morio Aegrotum
/
Safa / March 7, 2013
Thanks to our intellectuals and leaders of society of all faiths for speaking up. The President is notably silent on such crucial issues thus providing encouragement to the inciters of religous hatred. Sri Lanka is the home for all its people who should live united in peace and harmony.
/
Mango / March 7, 2013
During JVP 2, both the JVP and Govt hit squads freely murdered Bhikkus. Perhaps violence is the only language that these extremist monks understand. I’m just saying…
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 8, 2013
“Mango:”
You are “just saying!”
What kind of a (sub) human being are you? To espouse vigilante justice of ANY KIND is reprehensible, to say the least.
/
Mango / March 8, 2013
Aney Appachi,
Here’s reminder of how Bhikkus were treated to ‘Buddhist’ punishments by a mainly ‘Buddhist’ govt and mainly Buddhist security service during JVP 2:
“Monks arrested under suspicion of being JVP activists were subjected to a specifically Buddhist form of punishment called “hitting the dhammacakka” (dhammacakke gahanava). The monk was made into the shape of a circle and beaten with a bat until he died or passed out.”
http://tinyurl.com/c5ner2k
As much as I hate to remind you, it seems to have worked. I’m just saying…..
Also, as these monks believe in rebirth, they shouldn’t be afraid of death, because they’ll be quickly reborn.
/
Sri / March 7, 2013
The law in Sri Lanka will not protect the minorities.
wherever there is violence against the minorities, the law enforcing agencies will look the other way.
The law is silent pregnant with meaning both to the victimiser as well as to the victims and this is a dharmista society with a 2500 years long history
The rule of law will not protect the minority- their life or property.
This is how the rule of Law is practiced in Sri Lanka historically.
Maximum is an appeal to the majority to desist from criminal activities -not to tarnish the good name of the country.
/
Ayesha Arambepola / March 7, 2013
The hate mongers and their supporters are demeaning the community which stood with them in solidarity to internal and external threat. They have become blind to reality. We salute the members of the Friday Forum who are intellectuals and men and women of calibre. The President should listen to them. They are better than his advisors who have built an iron tense around him and misleading him. The Secretary to the President who appears to be closer to the President should enlighten him the impending danger against the Community any failure to take concrete action to contain the growing threat will result in disaster to the image of the country and hamper the security of Muslims.
/
Prof. ANI Ekanayaka / March 7, 2013
First Christians – now Muslims !. There are echoes of Martin Neimoller’s famous poem. How can Sinhala Buddhist governments and their law enforcement agencies that have been consistently indifferent in the face of numerous attacks on christian churches, christian pastors, and christian worshippers during the past 10 years, now be expected to react indignantly when Muslims are attacked ?. Reports in the public domain of at least 240 such attacks against christians tell their own depressing story of beatings, insults, verbal abuse, stoning, stabbings, destruction of property, desecration, arson, mob violence, death threats, attempted murder, disruption of worship, obstruction of funerals, defiling people and places with human excreta, as well as framing up victims with fake charges. The persistent harassment of Christians has proceeded relatively unnoticed over a long period of time, amidst frequent police inaction if not actual partiality towards the culprits, overall government apathy , the sanguine indifference of a predominantly Buddhist public, and the complacency of a predominantly Buddhist media for whom this is not a priority.
One hopes that in accordance with the excellent appeal by the Friday Forum the government even now rouses itself to denounce the anti muslim hate campaign, and takes action against rowdy mobs, and violent militant monks who are a disgrace to Buddhism, while ejecting the sinister political wing of Buddhist extremism that sits in government. However if the government does so it would not be because of any committment to moral principle, but through sheer expediency driven by fear. Long suffering Christians who have silently absorbed persecution like lambs to the slaughter, may be a different proposition to outraged muslims who have taken all they can endure. Sadly, that seems to be the only language stupid governments that have learnt nothing from history tend to understand.
/
Pitiyegedera M Fouzer / March 7, 2013
The president himself is the Commander in-chief, Defence Minister also the Minister of Religious affairs hneace, no one else has the right mandate and the power to put an end to this.
30 years of war, yes we have won but remember both who were killed during war and those who killed were Sri Lankans, the LTTE cadres were no “Kalla Thonees” or aliens they too were Sri Lankans including their leader VP.
Look at the cost of living and the rate it escalates, we all should know that it is mainly the cost of war we are still paying and few more our generations will continue to pay.
There is already scattered violence increasing daily.There had been an incident reported in Gampola area last night.
What are we waiting for ???????
President should act immediately not with any fake arrest or any other show to the gallery to neutralize Geneva front but to genuinely put an end to this hatred campaign.
Pitiyegedera Fouzer
/
American Mama / March 7, 2013
The learned professor should let the people who really know what they doing handle it instead of letting her “book knowledge’ ruin matters further. What does she know about ground realities of politics. Teaching law is a total different ball game.
Theory & Practice : practice wins.
People like Azath Salley are making a so called ‘bad’ situation ‘worse’ by trying to write complaints to the UN about the Sri Lankan situation. This will make even neutral Sinhalese join the band wagon of the BBS
The best policy is what the government is doing which is ignoring the issue by letting the Bodu Bala Sena people run around until they get exhausted & quit.
Clueless & excitable Muslims are fanning the fires by protesting, crying about vandalism etc which is exactly the type of attention the BBS is craving for;
Then there are Chicken Littles like Marwan here who are invoking extremist based resistance, which by the way is on it’s last legs everywhere else in the world, & can hardly do anything in Sri Lanka. Muslims trying to take up arms against Sinhalese & others in Sri Lanka would be like the mouse getting into the boxing ring with the cat. This is another quick method of just playing into the hands of the BBS
Muslims should realize this and just let the situation die down without giving it too much attention, like they have been doing so far when faced with provocation in places like Kuliyapitiya, and keep discussing genuine issues like the Halal with the real people in power.
After an extended period of being ignored the BBS will retreat to the Buddha Jayanthi Mandiryaya to hibernate. ( they have painted themselves into a corner and are not capable of inciting violence because now they insist that they are a bona fide, non-violent organization)
/
Mohamed Marzook / March 7, 2013
The leadership of the BBS is arrogant and aggressive and they would not listen to reasons. There is no doubt that they are operating with the backing of powerful brains and hands who have sinister political objectives. One of their methods is to rouse religious or communal issues projecting that they are serving the interests of the Sinhala Buddhists. Muslims have continued to maintain patience and tolerance to all the attacks on them. But it seems that the arrogant and aggressive BBS with the powers that are behind it do not want to listen to reasons and they will not. The Muslims community is in a pathetic situation; they have no organised political leadership to represent their interests; and they have not international support. It is in these circumstances that a few Muslims who are concerned try to do something to save the community. Of course it is a welcome sign that the civil society at large, like the Friday Forum and Concerned Persons, Academics and Professionals are raising their voice. On the whole the Govt. is responsible; it cannot remain inactive; it has the laws; it should act on them.
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 8, 2013
American Mama:
There you go with your vituperative nonsense one more time! It wouldn’t be too bad if it didn’t fuel an already-blazing fire but then that is what arsonists like you are best at.
You are propogating a blatant lie when you say, “( they have painted themselves into a corner and are not capable of inciting violence because now they insist that they are a bona fide, non-violent organization)” Pay tell what kind of a “retreat” it is when they are launching their own university in Southern Sri Lanka with an U.S citizen who is one of your leaders presiding at the launch?
You are either stupid or deliberately disingenuous. Or both, more likely.
CT really needs to ensure that racist hate messages like yours are NOT PUBLISHED.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
@Aney Appochchi
Sure. Sure. I am part of a big conspiracy to spread a racist agenda !!
Actually U seem to be having an agenda against me. Some ancient grudge from past posts perhaps ??
I was simply quoting what I heard the BBS say openly on TV(U tube) about the non-violent nature of their campaign. I don’t know what University U are talking about. Care to elaborate ? What has opening a university got to do with violence or whatever I said earlier anyway ??
Just having a mouth doesn’t mean U have to open it.
I am actually not worried about anything tht is happening in Sri Lanka per se, as it doesn’t really affect me either way. I was just voidcing my opinion as these days as I have some time on my hands recuperating from ill health.
So in your esteemed opinion what should the muslims do about this situation ?? Keep writing letters ?? Or fight back with weapons ??
A fat lot that would do to help them. The UN takes a life time to move on anyhing . by the time they do the problem is already over ( eg Rwanda, Myanmar, Syria etc ).
I think it has to be solved internally. Actually yesterday Rambukwella the minister said the same thing I said. That they are waiting for the issue to settle down.
So Go figure genius !
/
kp / March 8, 2013
wise strategy, if we ignore the same facts you seem to have ignored:
-Lanka is still extremely volatile. This isnt the first time we see race-based agitations going on in the country… and we all know where that ended up… ignoring isnt going to do jack. As a responsible and democratically-elected government, they should take immediate action against folks spewing this needlessly racist nonsense. Calling for everyone to “ignore it” would work if there weren’t govt. ministers actively participating in all this. Knowing the setup within the govt., a five-year old can deduce that the only reason Champika Ranawaka is supporting the BBS so openly is because the Rajapakses allow him to. So no, ignoring the matter is tantamount to tacit compliance.
-“Muslims trying to take up arms against Sinhalese & others in Sri Lanka would be like the mouse getting into the boxing ring with the cat.” The reach of Al-Qaeda is long, my friend. As someone else here has said, they’re looking for more places to start wars, looking for more fighters. They’ve been kicking the combined asses of NATO for years, and if they start a war here, the LTTE’s going to look like little pussycats compared to them. They dont give a damn about who lives and who dies, and they’re much more experienced in wrecking pure havoc than the more conventional LTTE.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
1. Take action against BBS
So U think the govt should throw the BBS in jail etc..Are you out of your mind. You don’t have any idea do you ? Until there is clear evidence that they have done something obviously ‘criminal’ that’s not going to happen. Against the constitution & the law . You can’t throw people in jail for speaking their mind. Moreover i will be political suicide.
2. About Al Qaeda’s long reach..
Give me a break. Why don’t you ask Al Qaeda to take it up with the Burmese ( Myanmar ) who are busy kicking the bejeezus out of muslim Rohyngias. It is so bad that Sri Lankan navy have to rescue them off the high seas.
Didn’t the LTTE try suicide attacks. Did it help them ?
Leave alone Al qaeda, even a foreign government will think twice before taking on a 400,000 something strong armed force of fanatical Sinhala Buddhists comprising of battle hardened soldiers fighting a guerilla warfare in thick jungles and heavily populated urban areas of Southern, Central and north central Sri Lanka. Add to that pro government former LTTE fighters like Karuna etc all of whom will be happy to clean out muslims areas of the East . And all this supported by a civilian base which is 9 to 1 non muslim.
Easy for U to say these things but where will U be if & when this happens.
/
eureka / March 7, 2013
Minister Samarasinghe has told UNHRC that the govt has implemented 99% LLRC recommendations and soon he would say something on this too.
/
Ben / March 7, 2013
They the rulers also promised to go for a proper investigation against the channel 4 videos and about imposing independent police commmision…
so have they even made any efforts in that regard ?
Liars of high magnititude as we have not had no other times in the past are what I experience in today ^s politics in SL.
Dayan Jayathilaka has reiterated that the GOVT has failed to work on as pleged to do so immediately after UN resolution was passed last time. These ignorants seem to show cold shoulders to these issues but to their own pocket filling events.
/
ASIF / March 7, 2013
I believe the elimination of the LTTE terrorist has been an headache to the Politicians because earlier it provided them a perfect scapegoat for all the economic mismanagement.
However, with the civil war over and with the current spiralling cost of living,unemployement,closure of garment industries,screwed up Judiciary,blown out capital markets,corruption,dried out foreign investments etc.,
the survival of the war dependant politicians is at a greater risk than never before,so why not create another bloodbath and become a hero?
/
kp / March 8, 2013
i dont know if it’s just me, but i find it sad that we lankans need some shadowy “other”, an enemy, in order to come together. Weird. Says volumes about our so-called inclusiveness and cohesion.
/
Ben / March 7, 2013
I think need of the hour is to open discussion with rulers to the manner
largest democracy of the world – India has been performing..
Indian moderators using their Indian English carry out regular open discussion – are there any similar programs in SL ? NOT YET….. UNFORTUNATELY..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f27NrQ9qlM
/
Marwan / March 7, 2013
American Mama, please… When you are at the receiving end, there is only so much that can be endured. It is not like saying ‘turn your other cheek’ when attacked, villified and scorned with contempt for no reason but simply for being a Muslim. There comes a point when the dam will burst and the ensuing violense on the scale of July 83 Tamil pogrom (Black July) will only create a greater schism between the warring factions. Ignoring BBS, ignoring the desecration of Masjids, ignoring the vituperative speeches, ignoring police inaction and ignoring the breakdown of law and order will not make the problem go away. It only sends a sign of weakness and Muslims will never subscribe to that trait for too long. When all things considered including the odds being against the Muslims like the government, its goons and cohorts, the police and army, some sections of the general public, in my opinion, Azath Salley did the right thing by informing UN of the Muslim predicament in SL. Now that the entry has been made, the world will sit up and be witness to the unfolding saga and come to realize the belligerence and intolerance of the major community against its minorities, and can foresee the problem brewing based on previous massacre of Tamils. Further, I would venture to state that the Tamil pogrom was a provoked attack, whilst this would be an unprovoked attack on peaceful community of Muslims.
/
American Mama / March 7, 2013
I don’t know….up to you guys….
Hitting back in defense when you have no chance of prevailing is not a smart idea in my opinion. It will give the rabble rousing riffraff element the opportunity to loot, rape pillage and kill leading to even larger destruction.
Keeping a cool head & working with friendlies to “cool” down the rhetoric is a wiser method in my opinion. Also maybe keep talking to the BBS instead of antagonizing them some more ??
It may help to see whether anything the Muslims themselves are doing is contributing to the problem. The attack on Beruwala Mosque etc caused by Muslim on Muslim tension will diminish the respect others have for religious places of Muslims like mosques.
The government will NEVER allow a repeat of anything on the scale of July 1983. That will blow everything out of proportion. The government is not that stupid.
/
Marwan / March 8, 2013
Yes, agree, the coolhead diplomacy is what is going on presently between BBS misfits and the Muslim community. But what I say is if some other lunatic splinter faction (could happen from either side) gets provoked by this incensed rhetoric and starts attacking in the name of religion, then what? Do u think it will be tolerated just trying to talk to these to these mattayas that they were the cause of all the mayhem? As it is they deny all of the mischief happening all the country, specially in the rural areas, and claim criminal elements are using their name to ‘bring them into disrepute’. Men walking into Muslim shops in Kandy and abrasively walking off with goods without paying for the purchases, young Muslim girls forced to remove Niqab and police refusing to register their complaints, stoning and vandalising Masjids with most despicable carricatures and filth. With absolutely no confidence in the long arm of the law to perform their duty with justice, they will come a time when they will take the law unto themselves, set up their own vigilante groups and then it will be too far gone to pullback. Then, only the blaming contest will be left, after all the damage has been done. This country sees no silver lining in the dark clouds gathering.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
So what alternative course of action do you think will solve the problem for good ? If as U say the problem is that serious Please suggest a course of action in detail.
Only the governement can do it right ? Because they have the power. U & I can talk all we like but they are the ones who will deicde what to do and when to do it .
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 8, 2013
American mama:
I suppose it is a demonstration of your “education” when you say, “The government will NEVER allow a repeat of anything on the scale of July 1983. That will blow everything out of proportion. The government is not that stupid.”
That will NOT “blow anything out of proportion” because that is precisely what the racist rabble that you support have done and will continue to do in the future.
Why don’t you tell us, in detail, what the government did after thousands of Sinhala Buddhist rabble invaded the mosque in Dambulla, leave alone the other attacks on Muslims, Muslim places of worship and thristian denominations?
Come off you pandankaraya, don’t act as it butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth after actively supporting the most reprehensible elements in Sri Lankan politics.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
Looks like you have nothing useful to say these days but vent A LOT .
I already said that the govt seems to be trying to IGNORE it thinking it will GO AWAY.
So do something about it if U are so affected without yelling at me big boy. Tell us your solution for the problem :)
/
Anil / March 10, 2013
There are over 9000 mosques in Sri Lanka. So why do you go crazy when just one of them (or one non registered illegal Mosque)is attacked by just a hand full of people? Practicing or implementing what all those theorists say is a totally different ball game.
I am a Christian but I do believe Sri Lankan Buddhists Sinhalese are one of the most generous and easiest people to live with. But they can’t be fooled all the time.
/
Marwan / March 10, 2013
There you go again, plucking numbers (9000 Masjids) from the sky which bears no truth at all just like all the BBS unsubstantiated allegations to justify your hate posturing. Typical of you guys.
/
PaintCosts / March 15, 2013
Anil the Negombo dry fish? The VOA volunteer, you are smelt.
/
Ahmed Nadvi / March 7, 2013
American Maamaa!
We understand where you are coming from. But there is a limit for everything. We Muslims are not planning to resist the situation with arms, but talks. We have spoken with BBS to some extent and proved they are wrong about Halal, Hijab and their Islamophobia. However we have all reasons to believe, as the Friday Forum believes, that the Government is not up to the job. They treat people differently.
JR’s stupidity has taken the country to Geneva after 30 years. MR’s stupidity may take him to ICC. A Buddhist monk started killing politician, SWRD, then the Tigers happy carried on and on until they were killed. So far the Muslims behaved fairly, reasonably and prudently. We Muslims are angry with stupid Hakeem, Badurudeen, Basir Shegu Dauood, Athaulaah , Cader, Faizal Mustafa, Fawsy and Azwar. These people’s days are numbered.
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 8, 2013
Ahmed Nadvi:
It gladdens the heart of anyone who values decency and honesty to see you name the betrayers of the Muslims in this country, and decency and honesty as a whole.
Unfortunately, these are such horrible people that they will exhibit no shame and go on until the Muslim community physically kicks them out of the positions of authority (and trust) that they currently occupy.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
” Unfortunately, these are such horrible people that they will exhibit no shame and go on until the Muslim community physically kicks them out of the positions of authority (and trust) that they currently occupy.”
…and then what ?? Elect another lot of horrible people ???
YOu are good at VENTING but your common sense department needs serious revamping.
Easy to criticize anything & everything, isn’t it ??
/
Banda / March 8, 2013
Please read it is not in our country alone , other countries too have woken up to this nonsense.
Society of Australia Inc. – Upholding Australian Values –
Q on: Halal Food and Halal Certification
What does halal mean?
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted, the opposite being haram which means unlawful or not permitted. Under Islamic Sharia law, a Muslim is not permitted to engage in any activity that is considered haram by religious doctrine, including eating certain foods.
How does halal work in relation to food?
Halal is about religious ritual and observance in relation to meat products. It has nothing to do with the quality of the meat, its fat content or hygiene. The rumour that halal means ‘better’ meat in Australia is a falsehood propagated by some Islamic lobby groups to distract from the purely religious/ritual background. To be halal, the animal must have its throat slit whilst still alive and conscious (not stunned) to ensure it ‘properly’ bleeds to death. Furthermore, only a Muslim slaughterman may slit the throat of the animal and he must do so whilst facing Mecca and reciting a short prayer: “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” meaning “In the Name of Allah the Greatest”. Thus, the animal is actually being ritually sacrificed to the Islamic god. Pork, which is believed to be impure in Islam, is strictly forbidden, along with a few other categories of meat like “land animals without external ears” and, as is observed by most cultures, carnivores.
Recently a number of Islamic organisations began offering advice on the finer details of the medieval slaughter practices. They also periodically arrange for Muslim slaughtermen and inspectors to certify slaughter and production continues to be halal. For this, fees are charged to the producer, and then passed on to the consumer as with any other operational expense.
Why should you be concerned about halal certification and halal food?
Buying products that are halal-certified means you are financially supporting the Islamisation of Australia, including the implementation of barbaric sharia law. More and more products in our shops are labelled ‘halal-certified’ and this is now a multi-million-dollar income stream for Islamic groups in Australia and overseas. There are quite a few Islamic certification ‘authorities’, so the labels may look a little different, but all typically carry the Arabic word halal in the centre.
The halal certification fees extracted from companies (or rather from Australian consumers) fund the many activities and initiatives of these Islamic organisations. Most of them are concerned with what Muslims call da’wah, which is spreading Islamic sharia law into not yet Islamised countries of the world and strengthening the Islamic community there. Bringing Islam to the world (or at least helping with the financial aspect of this propagation) is a holy duty for Muslims.
Money collected from halal certification may also pass to foreign Islamic religious and political groups. Some insiders claim such donations can be used to finance fundamentalist Koran schools or cover operational expenses of Islamic terrorists. In any event, these certification organisations are made up of clerics, activists and followers opposed to our Australian way of life, our freedom and democracy, the separation of church and state, gender equality and other core values and human rights of our free Western civilisation. Halal certification schemes are likely to be funding the Islamic jihad.
Islamists may claim otherwise, but they are not speaking the truth: Muslims are guided and bound by the teachings and example of Mohammed as laid out in the Koran and Hadith.
Islamic scripture permits Muslims to omit and conceal the truth — as long as directed towards non-Muslims and in the interests of advancing Islam. This practice is called taqiyya or kitman.
Contact: inbox@qsocaus.org – voice (02) 8006 1525 – fax (02) 8008 1529
Letters: Q Society of Australia – PO Box 1228 – Altona Gate – VIC – 3025
© Q Society of Australia Inc – Form Q110102R2 – Public Halal Info
Society of Australia Inc. – Upholding Australian Values –
Christians should be particularly concerned with halal slaughter because it is a sacrifice of the animal to an idol, Allah. Allah is not the God of Christians and Jews and can be best described as an Arabic pagan idol. Acts 15 and I Corinthians 8 recite the concerns Christians should have eating meat sacrificed to an idol and why halal meat is a serious issue for them.
As Australians we are not given a real choice. We estimate 2/3 of chicken and lamb meat and over 1/2 of the beef in Australian shops and supermarkets is already halal, while Muslims account for less than 3% of our population. An increasing number of fast food outlets of well- known franchises operate as ‘halal-certified’ or use unlabelled halal meat products. Since there are no mandatory labelling laws (Q Society demands clear and prominent halal labelling) we have unmarked halal food forced upon us. This is a clear case of imposing Islamic sharia law on the non-Muslim majority. There are now over 100 halal abattoirs in Australia.
Since halal slaughtermen must be Muslim, the Islamic community can use this requirement to rort the Australian immigration system. Some Muslims come to Australia as slaughtermen and spend minimal time in the job, keeping demand for new slaughtermen perpetual. Additionally, as the provision of halal meat exceeds that required for local Muslim demand and the Islamic export market, this discriminates against non-Muslims in abattoir jobs. Some abattoirs claim it is simply a matter of convenience to make all meat halal now, but this is exactly how Islamisation of a country works. Sharia law standards are imposed on everybody, and current customs and secular laws must give way.
Muslims’ only issue with halal should be in relation to meat and meat by-products, and with avoiding alcohol in food products. However, recently many products, which by their very nature are perfectly acceptable for Muslims, are being sold as ‘halal-certified’. This is akin to selling spring water with a ‘heart tick’ surcharge. There is no reason for this nonsense besides raising money for Islamic organisations, introducing Islamic rituals in our daily lives; and the softening up of Australians for more medieval Islamic sharia law forced into our community.
Finally, groups like Animals Australia and the RSPCA have serious issues with the level of cruelty that halal slaughter can inflict upon animals.
What You Can Do:
1) When purchasing groceries, do not choose products with a halal label or which are otherwise marked halal (e.g. look for halal gelatine in some milk products). Also, avoid companies that have any halal-certified products as the halal certification fees will come from their consolidated revenue. Why should we support companies assisting in imposing sharia law in Australia?
2) Be aware of propaganda by Muslim groups and misleading campaigns by some food companies. They may claim that halal is a healthier option, or just relates to food preparation, so that non-Muslims may believe halal to be just another dietary option like vegetarianism or a regional style of food preparation.
3.) When buying meat and cheese at the deli counter, ask whether the product comes from a halal-certified source. If it does, or if they claim to not know, then refuse to buy those products.
If in doubt, and if you have no objection to pork, buy lean pork or cut-meat varieties containing at least some pork.
4) Remember, this is not just about meat. Anything from cheese, crackers, yoghurt, sweets, salmon and cosmetics can come with a halal surcharge. Be pro-active in informing friends and family about this halal sham and how it plays a strong part in the Islamisation of Australia.
There is more information available on our website. Please feel free to contact us with any question you may have, and if you would like to support Q Society and our volunteer work
Contact: inbox@qsocaus.org – voice (02) 8006 1525 – fax (02) 8008 1529
Letters: Q Society of Australia – PO Box 1228 – Altona Gate – VIC – 3025
© Q Society of Australia Inc – Form Q110102R2 – Public Halal Info
/
Mimi / March 8, 2013
Banda or whoever you are, you cannot quote Q society of Australia an Islamaphobic group of troublemakers, whose intent to propagate hate against Muslims and discriminate them, and expect rational minded people to believe they (and you) represent the majority Australians. They are notorious for their anti Islamic agenda, and Wikipedia calls them “critical of Islam”.
I hope the commenters here will read this Wikipedia article and realize what bigots and haters of Muslims do, to poison ignorant minds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Society_of_Australia
What you write is mostly a lot of bull Referring to Allah (which translate to God in Arabic) as a pagan God, just shows how ignorant you are and your despicable agenda. You sound like the pro Israel movement in the US, led by a anti Islamic hater called Pamela Geller, who like you paints all Muslims with the same brush, and flood these websites with the same hateful rhetoric. Quoting anti Islamic propaganda from a hate group makes you lose credibility. Thank goodness, Q Society and you are in the minority. Soon Sri Lankans will realize this anti Islamic agenda has been propagated by evil trouble makers who has hatred for the Muslims, and feel they can influence nations to turn against their own citizens.
Shame on you.
/
Marwan / March 8, 2013
It was with great interest I read your disclosure of Australia’s stand on the Halal meat industry, and how it has come to be accepted/rejected by the general populace. I respect your stand on this issue, but with certain reservations on some distortions which have sneaked in either thru genuine lack of understanding, or purposely to ridicule and misguide the audience. The following extracted allegations are what I would disagree with and give my reasons subsequently, Points linked to 1. Cruelty to animals in the method of slaughter, 2. Halal slaughter being a ritual sacrifice to God, 3)Buying Halal food supports Islamization of Australia, 4) Halal supposed to be only for meat and meat products, but now appearing in other products as well, 5) Money collected on Halal certificates create multi-million-dollar income stream for Islamic groups in Australia and overseas. These are just some amongst many other references such as ‘barbaric Sharia Law’ which hurts the sentiments of Muslims, and we Muslims generally refer to this as Islamophobia.
There is nothing barbaric about Sharia Law since as it is a Divine Law or God’s Law (not man made like every law we have in the world today) perfected for all of humanity forever (relevant to past, present and future). The Laws were revealed thru the Holy Quran, and enacted or shown in practice by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBOH – Peace and blessings be upon him). This law is universal and is the same in every country that deals with Islamic jurisprudence. No one is permitted to change it through amendments to modernize it, nor to please anyone’s whims and fancies. All Muslims are guided by these laws from birth upto their death (including burial rituals and every aspect of life in between). It may look wicked or cruel to some in the West (or should it be Down Under), but we Muslims have no choice and have to learn to accept it. There is much good that comes from it for good people, and is extremely severe on the transgressors.
Animals for food were created for human species. Some are designed to aid humankind in transport and lifting heavy loads, like horse, camel, elephant, bull, donkey, whilst some were created for food, sheep, lamb, cattle, goat etc., whilst still some animals were created for their hide – protection from the cold, shoes, belts etc. The only animal totally banned for human consumption by God’s Laws is the hog or Pig. Your detail description of the slaughter method is correct and needs no repetition. Reciting the name of God before slitting the throat is the only method in compliance with God’s Law and this can never be changed to suit modern so called ‘humane’ methods of slaughter. In fact, there is nothing humane about slaughtering animals. The Islamic slaughter process does not mean ‘meat offered to or sacrificed to God’ as you imply, but only to get God’s blessings and thanksgiving to partake of that animal for food. Islam prohibits the killing of animals for sport as in bull fighting, pigeon shooting, deer stalking, fox hunting as animal life is considered sacred and should be treated with respect as God’s creation. This what makes it Halal (permissible). There is no Halal slaughter process in fish and eggs. No one can be absolutely certain of what the animal goes through in the process of slaughter, except God Almighty. Scientific tests have been done but mean nothing when it comes to following the Law as revealed by God. No Muslim anywhere in the world is ever going to change the practice to suit modern times.
If you are a meat eater then animals will inevitably be killed to serve your needs, and what better way than the God’s ‘permissible’ way, and you get served Halal meat. The Jews do it and it is called Kosher. Same principal is applied. If you take a close look at your teeth structure, you have both canine (for tearing meat) as well as grinding teeth. So humans are perfectly adapted to eat meat and plant types as food. Shiploads of cattle, sheep, goats and camel get exported from Australia to Saudi Arabia every year during the period of Hadj. The meat industry in Australia is big business involving millions of Dollars and you are trying to ‘educate’ people to avoid eating Halal meat using scurrilous and baseless (or is it fantasized) reasons to justify your cause. You will just get rolled over and no one really will take you seriously. A rub off of our local BBS mentality. Just enjoy the good timjes while you can and try to investigate about Islam and its teachings to get a better perspective of what it constitutes.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
@Marwan
This attititude of Muslims in holding up whatever the Koran said as immutable etc is what drives me up the wall.
Here is a little something for you to mull over ??
U can correct me if I am wrong but according to the Koran
1. Islam means “submission to Gods will” ; right ?
2. It is Allah who decides everything and determines what has happened , what will happen etc as he knows all; right ?
Then why are you fighting so hard to avoid the Bodu Bala Sena campaign which according to you is going to destroy muslims?
Because if it is Allahs will that muslims suffer at the hands of buddhists it will happen however much U try to prevent it. If Allah does not wish it to happen something will happen and prevent Muslims from suffering a disaster at the handss of Buddhists.
So why protest so much instead of just waiing for God’s will to be enacted ?? Are U not so sure about which side God is on ??
/
Nabil / March 8, 2013
Maame, they say trust in god but tether your camels; that’s why :)
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
Good one !! That explains it all
/
Mohamed Marzook / March 8, 2013
Yes, we leave our fate to be decided by the Almighty, but at the same time He, the Almighty, has directed us to do whatever peacefully possible to defend us. So we keep trying believing in Allah.
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
How can God tell you to peacefully defend yourself against something that God himself has planned/preordained for you.
Doesn’t sound logical to me
/
Ceylonese / March 9, 2013
AMma – God has infinite knowledge on the unfolding of events of the future. That’s what termed and believed as planned/preordained.
/
Mohamed Marzook / March 9, 2013
God places both good and bad before mankind and given man the ability to think so that he could differentiate between good and bad and do only good. According to Islam Allah has prescribed his rewards to man for good deeds and the punishments for bad deeds. This all I have got to say on this as the main subject under discussion is quite another.
/
Totahmos / March 15, 2013
Let you reincarnate a swine and feel the logic when you are dining.
/
Anil / March 10, 2013
Can you ask God to open a page on Facebook so that we all can post questions for him to answser ?
/
Nabil / March 10, 2013
No need Anil. You will be disappointed, as o god talks back :)
/
Concerned / March 12, 2013
well you said you’re a Christian.. you can ask your “Holly Ghost” to open a Fan Page… so you guys can be instantly notified of Ghostly events..
/
VOA HATER / March 15, 2013
You open a backside book there will be a huge following to cater your needs.
/
Senguttuvan / March 8, 2013
Marwan – “I would venture to state that the Tamil pogrom was a provoked attack” ??? You obviously are talking of the pogrom unleashed against Tamil civilians in 7/83. How so? The embers were burning for some years by then.
Senguttuvan
/
Marwan / March 8, 2013
The riots began as a response to a deadly ambush by a Tamil militant organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that killed 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers. Estimates vary on the death toll and damage caused by the riots, but somewhere between 400 and 3000 Tamils were killed, and as many as tens of thousands of houses were destroyed. A wave of Sri Lankan Tamils fled to other countries in the ensuing years.
Black July is generally seen as the start of full-scale armed conflict between Tamil militants and the government of Sri Lanka. 23 July has become a day of remembrance for the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora community around the world.
/
UpShot / March 15, 2013
So, you mean the Sinhalese were provoked by the Tamils. You venture bravely ending in sarcasm, prickly head.
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 8, 2013
Here we go with The Friday Forum again fiddling with the stable door long after the horse has bolted.
An examination of the familial and other relationships of some of the constituents of this “respectable” lot to the ruling gang might prove most interesting and is recommended!
/
Mimi / March 8, 2013
It is wonderful that learned, respected citizens, like Profs. Goonesekera and Dhanapala speak out in such a sensible way. Unfortunately this will fall on deaf years by the so called leadership in this country, and the extremists rabble rousers, who are destabilizing this country, as they seem to be manipulated by unseen hands that pull the strings. The good Professors make wonderful points, educated minds seeing clearly this venomous attacks on Sri Lankan citizens for petty differences. Differences that were accepted for years, but suddenly the majority is feeling insecure. The sweets at no limit and the minority taking over the entire country will only be realistic to uneducated, ignorant minds. The educated Buddhist in this country are not fools, they see through all this garbage and hopefully speak out against the anti Muslim rhetoric and violence.
There are fools who do not realize they are being used to destabilize this country, and that they are just pawns in a dangerous game.
/
Rambler / March 8, 2013
A highly laudable act by the Friday Forum and I salute them.
In the long run the problem can be solved only if followers of ALL religions agree to downplay their religions in public space and try to keep their religious activities private and low key. Only hope is, with the rapid decline of religion in many societies today, Sri Lankans too would move towards a secular state and become truly spiritual.
/
Citizen / March 8, 2013
A personality will change when a person becomes suddenly powerful and rich, after being powerless and poor. Such a person can change from mercy to cruelty. This is in conformity with the common saying “Beware of man who is full, after being hungry”. This is what happened in Sri Lanka, after the defeat of the LTTE. The rulers failed to realize that minorities are also a segment of the Sri Lankan community.
Yet this issue has to be examined on a broader spectrum. Since Sri Lanka is a multi-racial and multi-religious country, it is a complicated issue, When one minority community joins with the ruling majority in suppressing the other minority community, it is presumed that the minority community utilizes that opportunity for its maximum benefit. When the LTTE was defeated MR was addressing the nation ignoring the feelings of the Tamils who, too, were against the LTTE. Moreover, there were instances where Rishard Badurdeen was snatching land belonging to Tamil widows, at a time that was the only land left for her to survive. Moreover, it is this Rishard Badurdeen who was active in distributing the tractors that were meant for the affected Tamils, to the Sinhalese and the Muslims and the NGO foreign woman official was crying being helpless. It should be borne in mind that a Minister is reflecting the face of a community. Wasn’t these behaviour tantamount to anti-Tamil propaganda. There are hundreds of instances which I can produce. What was worse the Muslims too failed to realize that Tamils are also a segment of the Sri Lankan community and have demonstrated by their actions. This is one reason for anti-Muslim Hate campaign by Tamils and some Sinhalese.
Now coming to the issue of Muslims, are there any guarantee that their acts had not posed a threat to the security of the country. What I assert hereafter are not my views. After the Twin Tower attack by the Islamic terrorists, President G.Bush said that Islam is a religion of Peace. However, President G.Bush’s close advisor, Rev.Franklin Graham said that Islam is wicked. There were even suggestions that Mosques were breeding grounds for Islamic terrorists. The US Attorney-General said “Islam is a religion in which Allah requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a religion in which God send his son to die for you.”
Mention should be made that Muslims were a peace-loving community until the presence of Wahhabi Sect in Sri Lanka. Democracy is demonised in Wahhabi ideology. The Wahhabi Sect set their eyes on America. The Wahhabi American mosques advocated jihad and terror. There was a publication ‘To be a Muslim’ published by Saudi Arabia’s International Islamic Publishing House and collected from the Al-Farouq Mosque in Houston. The hate-filled materials distributed by American Mosques and spread, sponsored or otherwise generated by Saudi Arabia, demonstrates that on going indoctrination of Muslims in the US in the hostility and belligerence of Saudi Arabia’s hard-line Wahhabi Sect of Islam” Shea noted. Schwartz said in an interview that the vision of Islam defeating and subjugating the West is a major element in the appeal of the Jihadists, supported by the Wahhabi clerics in Saudi Arabia, to their mostly-young followers around the world. Another document entitled ‘The Muslim Brotherhood’ which was seized in an FBI raid states that their mission was to eliminate and destroy the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house. If this is the situation in the West, won’t there be a Wahhabi Sri Lankan to shatter the democratic structure in South Asia, given the fact that India stands as a checkmate to Islamic terrorism..
The events in Sri Lanka should also analyzed in the context of the developments of Wahhabi ideology. It is the same Wahhabi that had gradually and violently penetrated in the Eastern Province. Their wealth of petro dollars had the force of affecting all aspects namely, political, moral, religious and economical. It is said that 15 out of 19 terrorists on Twin Tower attacks were Saudis with Wahhabi beliefs, speaks of Saudi’s contribution in spreading terrorism. Against such a background, some sections of the Sri Lankans are worried whether Muslims had been sincere in their activities which have not posed a threat to the security of the country and friction with other democratic countries. After the Twin Tower attack it was an open secret that Muslim clerics were praising Bin Laden over his illegal activities instead of condemning such barbarian acts. Similarly when Bin Laden was killed, the very Muslims were condemning US actions. My question is whether Sri Lankan Muslims are supporting Bin Laden and his illegal activities, are influenced by Wahhabi ideology. What is the assurance that such an attitude will not turn against Sri Lanka.
Moreover, with Chandrika’s assumption of power as President, Muslim Congress Chief, Ashroff became a Minister. Though Wahhabi ideology which arrived in 1940 in Sri Lanka was discouraged by Muslims, it is after 1970 petro-dollars has increased Wahhabi jihardism. There was a deep concern over a massive and determined Saudi petro dollars backed effort to spread the extremist Wahhabi ideology among Muslims. In this context one is puzzled about the necessity of transporting convoys of arms and ammunitions to the Eastern Province during Ashroff period as Minister. Is it to combat the LTTE or the after effects of the IPKF treatment on Muslims. Why has Chandrika remained silent over transfer of such convoys of arms and ammunitions. Thereafter there were disputes between two factions of Muslims resulting in burning of mosques and houses.
Neverthless, the Professors are absolutely correct in condemning the hate campaigns against specific community. Instead of mentioning a specific community, they could have mentioned as minority communities (both Tamils and Muslims). The President should have taken into consideration of all ethnic communities irrespective of any discriminations whatsoever and should have addressed the nation of building trust, building confidence, building relationships, building consensus, building teams and a bright future for the entire nation at this crucial hour. The manner in which President addressed the nation appears to demolish the entire hopes of specific communities systematically in a calculated manner. What the President should have done is to accommodate all sections of the communities for building a nation as a team, leaving no room for hate-propaganda. It is time that discourages the formation of groups like BBS which causes an unnecessary division in the country.
/
Marwan / March 8, 2013
You conveniently avoid mentioning the mental state of the Muslims when they were asked to leave all their possessions and leave Jaffna within 24 hours and forced to live in discrepit refugee camps sans all their jewellery, money and hope for a better future for their children. On the other hand being persecuted by government forces as LTTE sympathisers and their spy agents. Muslis were victims and trapped by both sides to the conflict. No one came to their rescue. Very typical of you to project your biased views to portray the Muslims as evil, and taking sides to serve their self interests in a negative way. Writing all cock about what Bush and his cohorts said denunciating Islam and its adherents, which was used as a ploy to justify an invasion on oil rich Iraq (which had no citizens connected to the twin tower attack) but was a false flag WMD goof up. Bush’s anti Islam rhetoric may be good material for you to bash Muslims, but Muslims know better. Rishard Badurdeen is an individual and being a minister with vested powers will always help his community. It is the same with any person holding authority since this whole country has got polarized along religious lines. He does not represent the face of Muslims as you suggest. Your lopsided analysis of Muslims in this country and in general is full of unsubstantiated, irrelevant hearsay which bears no truth and fit only for the dustbin. You are only fanning the flames of hatred towards Muslims for not supporting the Tamils in their cause, and justifying the repercussions from the Sinhalese community. If you read between the lines this is the message of your entire dissertation. For Muslims, only Allah is great and everyone else is a far secondary.
/
Pitiyegedera Fouzer / March 8, 2013
American Mama
Your calmness in the a shadow stance to your whatever ulterior motive is quite clever.
You see a lot of my learned and urban Sinhalese friends say that they hate to go the Panasala (temple) for observing SIL etc as the monks propagate anti Muslim thoughts instead of promoting and trying inculcate Buddha’s noble teachings in them.
But in the contrary the rural folks who are less educated and not much exposed to modern media and social networks are provoked and sense of fear is generated in them that the “Hambayas” are going conquer the country etc etc. It is from within this segment violence spreading and gaining momentum.
Temples are distributing leaflets promoting anti Muslim or hatred thoughts and actions. Even some ancient temples are displaying permanent hoardings “Sinhala Kadayata Pamanak Yanna”
Do you want Muslims and the regime to wait for national disaster may be worst than Black July to take place gutter the nation and all citizens pay for that subsequently.
My Mama prevention is better than cure – that is what Azad Sally has done. Because the regime who is the ultimate legitimate guardian of all its citizens keeps a blind eye on serious developments.
Pitityegedra M Fouzer
/
American Mama / March 8, 2013
I dont disagree that something has to be done, though I am not sure whether there is a planned conspiracy by buddhist monks to provoke attacks against muslims.
But Going to the UN is not going to solve anything because if there is such an attack, the UN will be twiddling its thumbs for months before doing anything ( Rwanda, Myanmar Somalia, Syria are good examples ). Mr Salley probably knows this but maybe he is just trying to be the champion of Sri Lankan muslims and score some political mileage by being seen as doing something about it
Actually yetserday Rambukwella the minister said essentially the same thing I said which is that they are waiting for things to settle down
”wait for Black July etc…”
This is just crazy fear taking over. The government will NEVER allow that to happen. This is the very reason I said that Muslims are just letting FEAR take over their lives & making things worse by reacting to everything some fool somewhere says.
Anyway talk to me in a couple of months & we will see who is right and who is wrong. Every thing will be ‘cool’ by then
/
Marwan / March 9, 2013
Big Mama, I beg to disagree with you on ‘Muslims are letting fear take over’, since we can actuakky feel the momentum building up, based on news reaching us from suburbs. Even the local media are silent. Did you know there was a fracas in Dematagoda in front of the Minon Masjid, where a group of drunken Sinhalese youth brought in from outside attacked a young Muslim boy, which provoked a clash by those coming out of the Masjid after late night prayers. What ensued was mayhem with blood splattered all over the place, 3 or 4 vehicles including trishaws smashed, glasses strewn all over the place. Police and army came fired shots into the air and chased all the Muslims away threatening dire consequences, and no mention of it in the media. Another case of denial, and further denial until the dingo comes and mauls the baby mercilessly.
/
American Mama / March 9, 2013
An isolated incident like that, if it happened, should NOT be given publicity. The govt was right about that. This issue became such a headache because Muslims started reacting to provocations and protesting having newsmedia conferences and TV debates and publicizing little incidents causing it to develop into a major issue
/
Concerned / March 8, 2013
The sleeping President, while his appointed government is creating more chaos.
/
AMT / March 11, 2013
he wants to fiddle while the country is burning = history repeats
/
Piyal Perera / March 8, 2013
Very true, it is the full responsibility of the President of the country to actively involve and stop these types of religious hate. We have been living in this country for many centuries with harmony, most of my classmates and friends are Muslims and I feel shame that a small group of Buddhists are tying to create another conflict in our small country.
Mr. President, you saves our country from LTTE, now save from BBS.
/
Lankan / March 8, 2013
If the President is a honest person and wants to solve 80% of the issues now weighing on us, then the first action he has to take is to fire Gotha from his position. Gotha, although only a Ministry Secretary is acting like a dictator and is leading illegal gangs to do his dirty jobs. He has to go. Secondly the President should appoint a National Government for a period of 5 years to resolve the balance 20% of the issues. Once this is done then we can go back to normal elections.
/
Senguttuvan / March 8, 2013
Marwan believes “The riots began as a response to a deadly ambush by a Tamil militant organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that killed 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers”….This is good for ignoramus simpletons. Before you preach to others study from others a little bit more. I do not have much time to waste but did it ever occur to you how all those Electoral Lists came to the hands of the degenerates who came to the streets of Colombo – and elsewhere in the South – on Monday (within 2 days after the Tinnevely blast) many in State-owned vehicles looking for wealthy Tamil homes?
So next time “you venture to suggest” check with others who know a little bit more before making a fool of yourself. Suggest visit the libraries of ICES, CPA and the MARGA who will help students keen to learn the actual story of 7/83.
Senguttuvan
/
Marwan / March 8, 2013
The facts regarding Black July are still vivid in everyone’s mind. Your denial of facts leading to that pogrom is like the jews who castigate anyone who denies the holocaust. You clearly dont want to accept the causes that led to it, but only espouse the crimes committed agtainst Tamils by this persecution, thus serving your own self pity as victims and not as aggressors. Very typical of your clan. I am not a fool to make comments which I cannot substantiate. You are the one trying to mask the truth by calling it a bluff. Your bias towards exposing the true facts are showing. I have no interest in becoming a student of any school of thought to promote your interests. We were very much alive to the incidents that took place by giving shelter to our Tamil neighbours whilst their house went up in flames, as did a lot of Sinhalese people. If you are unsure of those incidents, it will e better to research the facts through Wikipedia, and not succumb to your ownj maligned sources.
/
Native Vedda / March 8, 2013
Marwan
Your observations on 1983 July riot is moving.
You say:
“You clearly dont want to accept the causes that led to it,”
Would you care to mention the causes that led to it?
I would be grateful.
/
Marwan / March 9, 2013
I referred to ‘provoked’ and ‘unprovoked’ instances, comparing July ’83 riots and the impending crisis against Muslims in a this same forum, to which Sengu’s query was, why I considered the Black July pogrom was provoked attack. My response was that the riots began as a response to a deadly ambush by a Tamil militant organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that killed 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers, and became the flaspoint for the start of the Ealam war. His subsequent response was as stated above, in which he denigrates my knowledge on the background of this subject.
/
Native Vedda / March 9, 2013
Marwan
“I considered the Black July pogrom was provoked attack.”
Provoked by whom, entire Tamil speaking people?
The state had failed in its irresponsibility to protect its own people. Its institutions not only didn’t protect the hapless people but joined in the pogrom. If that was not enough politicians and their hoodlums contributed in no small ways.
Please note we have already had enough of revisionists history and I suggest you stop peddling in the same thrash of rewriting and reinterpreting the truth which most people now consider a big, big big blot on my ancestral land.
/
Rambler / March 9, 2013
By calling Sri Lanka your ancestral land you are negating Tamil Eelam and become part of the ongoing bad Sinhala TV program.
/
Marwan / March 9, 2013
This is my second attempt. CT modereators have removed my comments and have only displayed Sengu’s comments about ‘caught with sarong down’, since they too are playing games. But you can check it out ‘reasons behind Black July’ in Wikipedia if it has slipped your mind.
/
UpShot / March 15, 2013
It is your skulduggery you repeat a humour assimilated to you my Mr.Lionel Fernando in another article. Ignoramus is typically YOU scoundrel. You compile thesaurus following CT forums?
/
mohamed fazly ilyas / March 8, 2013
Hatred begets hatred! POWER CORRUPTS,ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY!We have heard these words before and also seen the effects of it being out into negative use.Remember 1983 July ? After almost a week of mayhem, the then regime very meekly started sermonising the pros and cons of the riots and effects on same. day after day for a week a politician appeared on the TV screens and spoke and showed a solemn face which depicted sorrow and confusion. Never would have they thought such a start would bring out a thirty year mayhem and massacre of innocent citizens who turned out as terrorist to fight a lost cause, some joining the security forces to save and fight the country and thirdly some vultures who made this issue to gain political mileage and make and earn millions in corrupt money and wealth at the expense of the ones who faced death and loss of limb,life and longings.
The current anti-muslim issue is baseless.A deliberate effort of some sinister characters who want to disrupt a peaceful co-existence of a multi ethnic society.Citing ‘Halal’ issue to riot, damage mosque and insult the religion of islam is unfounded.If the ACJU is acting in contravention of a basic law,The Ministry of Trade or a relevant Dept. could sue them in a court of law and ban or amend the mode of certification or call for transparency. As a muslim i and fellow muslim have to follow the commandments of the Holy Quran,(the word of god)in consumption meat particularly and the other things use in our daily needs.The Muslims have lived in this Country for many moons. Their social intergration with sinhalese as claimed by some learned MPs’ recently over the media is an eye opener. In this Multi-ethnic society no individual can vouch for which line of pure religuos line or heritage his ancestral Father’s,Father’s,Farther’s, Father,s,Farther’s,Farther’s,Farther was. The bloodline cannot be established. In the time gone by we have intergrated ourselves in mixed marriages and other bondage prevailing to ancient customs only the god lord above know as to who the real we are.
The situation is leading is akin to like first they came for the tamils, now they are kindling the muslims, the next would be the christians and all this while the sinhalese are looking and keeping quiet thinking a pure and clean society is theirs. WRONG. When they come for wealth and land and life of the sinhalese there won’t be anyone to speak to, but just submission to bunch of tyrants.How long thid takes, only time will tell.
The alternative is, that the President of this Country acts fast.bringing in peace, stability and growth in form of religous harmony,a better economic prospect to this country.Turning a blind eye or promoting these indviduals or organisation can only yet damage the strong roots of ethnic bond prevailing in this Country. NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.
/
Ainie / March 8, 2013
Mr.Banda and Mr. Citizen, please take note in every religion and society, there are bad eggs. Other than the BBS lot, majority of Sinhalese as well as Tamils and Muslims are very fine people. They lived in peace and friendship for years. Please do not add fuel to the burning fire as our country has gone through enough troubles and the people needs a good break from all these to lead a good life. All shades of our leaders are useless for they look into their own selves not about the country and the people. Most funny and disheartening thing is our people would not understand that they should elect good leaders for them to lead good life. If we are to find solutions and to build good life for all the communities, we have enough and more leaders from all the communities but they are useless and rotten to the core. Now the good God must save our country and the people. In my thirty years of travelling and seeing so many countries from all corners of the world but there is no other like our mother Lanka but we are ruining it and making life difficult for of us.
One more point, please mind you, Islam is the biggest religion in the world it has over taken the Catholics. Now they are about two billion of them. The German government has officially acknowledged that there would be 50 million Muslims in Germany by 2030. Recently in one day in one place 1200 white Germans became Muslims. In the 70s there were only 190000 Muslims in the USA. Every year nearly 20000 Americans are converting to Islam.Today over 9 million Muslims are in the USA. There are over 2000 mosques in the UK, most of them are old churches converted into mosques. Its the same in all the western country. There are 7 million of them in France.
Why so many of them coming to Islam, because its a fine religion. Why Muslims are growing because we are practicing it and following it. Others are not doing so and leaving their religions. We are very helpless and feel sorry for them.
My dear friends please lets think and do it to make our country and the world a better place to live a happy and peaceful life for all for life is short and none of us going to live for ever. At least lets try to leave a better place for our next generations.
/
American Mama / March 9, 2013
Plesase don’t spread false propaganda.
Islam is NOT the largest religion. Christianity is.
At the moment there are about 4.3times non muslims in the world as muslims & it will take another 1000 odd years for muslims to catchup just by reproduction, & who knows what will happen by that time.
/
Marwan / March 10, 2013
It is not reproduction that will do it but re-converts to Islam. It is happening now and will grow in leaps and bounds in a few years, (not 1000). Just hold your breath and check out the growth on Youtube in countries US, Australia, UK, Spain and all over Europe, which I use to sustantiate my claim, Obama’s parents are Muslims, and he realizes and speaks in support of Islam openly. Some say even the Pope resigned as he was going to convert and die Muslim.
/
American Mama / March 10, 2013
“Keep on dreaming” is all I can say.
Islam has been around for over 1400 years & still there are 4 times non muslims as muslims and these 1400 years included the best days of Islam. There are also many converting out of Islam. By the time you guys convert all chinese, Japanese Latin Americans etc We will be colonizing Mars already !!
The Pope ?? haha! From which side of the bed did you get off today
/