By BBC ASIA –
Sri Lanka’s government has ordered the removal of a mosque from an area it says is sacred to the country’s majority Buddhists.
The order comes two days after Buddhist monks led a crowd trying to storm the mosque in the central town of Dambulla.
Prime Minister DM Jayaratne says the mosque has simply been ordered to relocate to another part of the area.
But the incident has angered senior Muslim politicians.
The BBC’s Charles Haviland in Colombo says this statement by the prime minister appears to have been issued in a hurry, a day before the various parties to this religious dispute were due to meet.
Buddhist monks in central Sri Lanka had threatened to demolish the mosque next week if the authorities did not act first. A special meeting to discuss the issue appears to have been convened on Sunday, and this statement was produced.
The statement listed four prominent Muslims as present at Sunday’s meeting agreeing to relocate the mosque – but according to a weekly Muslim paper, three of them say they were not there.
Cabinet minister AHM Fowzie told the BBC he had not been to such a gathering. He added that it would be acceptable to request such a relocation but not to order it.
Another politician of the governing party, Azath Sally, said that even if the mosque were illegal, people opposed to it should not “act like thugs”.
“Do Tamils and Muslims not have a right to live in this country now?” he added.
Mr Jayaratne, who is also responsible for the affairs of the country’s majority Buddhists, said he had ordered the mosque to be removed from a sacred area in Dambulla and that it could be relocated to “a suitable place in the neighbourhood”.
He described it as a mosque which is in the process of being built and local Buddhists have reportedly said that a previously small structure is now being illegally expanded.
The chief of the mosque told the BBC Tamil service the building was legal and was simply being refurbished.
Our correspondent says that whereas Sri Lanka’s Muslim community normally shies away from confrontations with the government, this incident has angered some senior Muslims and prompted them to speak out.
The last dinasaur / April 23, 2012
It seems that now tamils are more or less finished.. not the time for Muslims…
So far the Muslim leadership has been in romance with the sinhala bhudist chauvinism…
Now the time has come for them to realize the truth……
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Observer / April 27, 2012
The Muslim uprising will begin eventually. Whether its 25 years or 40 years, it will definitely begin. Because as I said in an earlier thread, the Muslims are reproducing faster than anyone else and Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism is growing on a daily basis. What will be interesting to see is if the Tamils join in the Muslim uprising.
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BeautifulSriLanka / April 23, 2012
This is how ethnic wars begin…
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PresiDunce Bean / April 23, 2012
Still no sign from Max Silva? Maybe he is in the thick of things in Dambulla? ;)
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Denzel Washington / April 24, 2012
I forgot to tell you his batteries ran out! He is on a slow boat to China.
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Paul / April 23, 2012
Sri Lankan ruling party leaders ,as well as the Buddhist monks are mostly uneducated and arrogant by international standards.Mainly because of their ‘insular mentality’. they act like ‘frogs in the well’ and almost impossible to educate them about the current world affairs.If you try to tell them the truth,they will break your limbs.
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s.silva / April 26, 2012
Hi friend come to learn standards taught in Quran.
Quran (4:89) –
“They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.”
These kind of religions should be restricted as they by origin are killers.
Their lord will forgive them for killing innocent non believers.
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SLMuslim / April 26, 2012
Ahaa..wow.. you think you have quoted a verse and made a great comment? :D
Gon harakek venne nathuwa, stop qoating out of context. Always read a sentence with the previous and the next few sentences. Mullak allagena ka gahanna epa moda modayek wage.. if u want to learn what is meant by the Almighty Lord in that holy verse go through this http://www.muslimaccess.com/articles/quraan/quraan_teach_violence.asp
I clearly know u dont know the verse, u just googled up the websites created by enemies of Islam to tarnish its nobleness. Just because u can copy and paste from somewhere doest make u any brainy> try to learn the verse or keep shut like an IDIOT!
This is only a issue with regard to a land, do not bring the religions and make a ethnic problem !
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s.silva / May 2, 2012
wow..
Nice explanation. Hiding the ugly truth of your religion is natural . Why did your lord tell to love “Pagans”? I know you have no right to thing using your own brain, except beleiving what you were learning from childhood, praying. Thats why All muslim countries dont tolerate other religions. Even an image of other religion is destroyed. What about Bamian Statues your bloody muslims destroyed without listening to the protest made by whole world. They were doing it because it is in Quarn to destroy non believers.
May be the NEW Quran is produced in Sri Lanka with amendments covering the cruel side. Otherwise you cant boast about your holiness no ? Thats ok. But know that I have read the quran and if anywhwere killing is justified that is not HOLY ok? That is murder!
Dont just shout men.. WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE..
YOu have been born for REPRODUCTION thats all. thats your mission. IDIOTs!!!
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s.silva / May 2, 2012
Pls read the Quarn at home again, or check whether some pages are missed there.
Try to dress up those naked teachings by ammending those verses written by a murderer.I think being a Sri Lankan you may not have violence in mind.
You should be happy that you are among Buddhists, else you cant see even the foundation of the building, if this happend to Islam non beilvers in a muslim Country.
NEVER Justify Killings for any ones sake.
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nmfazil / April 27, 2012
S.Silva is sadly misled by one verse he has found in the quran, through some internet surfing. Please note below and correct yourself.
EXPLANATION Verse 4:89 simply refers to hypocrites who were treacherous and were helping the enemy during the prophet Muhammadh’s (Peace Be Upon Him) time. And the punishment for treason, even according to the US laws, is death. Verse 4:90, often ignored by critics of Islam, clarifies the issue.
[4.90] Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them.
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Ralf Sheldrake / April 23, 2012
….. request or order….Moslems or other Minorities shouldn’t take this personally… Sacred areas of the Buddhists in SL are only a handful…. unlike entire countries in the Middle East where no other place of worship is tolerated except Mosques… the Moslems can always relocate to a better place than fight back to defend their rights… and show an example of tolerance and peace… this would naturally put a smile on the face of everyone not only the genuine Buddhist who is watching all this quarreling….
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gamini / April 23, 2012
With due respect I wish to correct the above comment. Places like Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, other than the expatriates who are there for purpose of employment, the indegenous societies are not multicultural or multi Religious as ours. Therefore the argument of a sacred area does not arise in those countries. Here at Dambulla, what about the Muslims who have been living within this so called sacred area for generations? Obviously this Mosque functioning for the last sixty odd years, there must be a sizable Muslim population there, otherwise what is the need for a Mosque? Now if the Mosque is to be moved out, these Buddhists will argue that it is bad for the Muslims to reside within the sacred area also and should move out. Can one explain the rationale please? The irony of the above comment is that requesting the Muslims to relocate their Mosque else where and show an example of Tolerance and Peace. What a Joke? I have seen so many mixed marraiges and so with mine. The statues of Lord Jesus and Lord Buddha along with other daities and Saints adorn the same altar in the houses. They seem to get on very well unlike the followers.
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s.silva / May 3, 2012
Fully accept your comment
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SLMuslim / May 10, 2012
EXPLANATION Verse 4:89 simply refers to hypocrites who were treacherous and were helping the enemy during the prophet Muhammadh’s (Peace Be Upon Him) time. And the punishment for treason, even according to the US laws, is death. Verse 4:90, often ignored by critics of Islam, clarifies the issue.
If u want to understand u may understand, if not u can be in ur deep seated ignorance. WHO CARES AT BARKING DOGS>? :P LOL
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kamal nissanka / April 23, 2012
Read LLPC
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Shiyam Razak / April 23, 2012
I personally feel Mr. Rauf Hakeem should resigned from his Ministerial Port Folio.
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Shamil / April 23, 2012
Indeed its a disgrace for the basic teachings of Lord Buddha, who even gave up his robes to preach his philosophy of tolerance. Definitely he never preached these kind of low level activities… and the monks who are supposed to uphold those noble teachings are behaving in a manner not befiiting the values of Buddhism. Indeed the greater masses of our Buddhist brotheren would not approve acts of this nature. We as Srilankans just need to know that the world is watching us specially after we were hauled in front of the UN for alleged abuse of International humanitarian Law. Indeed after 30 years the masses are breathing a sigh of relief and are looking forward for a brighter Srilanka… the creation of another communal incident is the last thing the Country needs. We SriLankans are more wise and educated and am sure would not tolerate “communal elements” of this kind to ruin the country once more for their personal gains and spoil the future of our younger generations….SriLanka is the home of all the SRILANKAN CITIZENS and we should atleast live in peace and harmony.
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shantha / April 24, 2012
Well Said
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s.silva / April 26, 2012
Pls dont drag lord Buddha to this.
We have to protect over belongings as we are laymen. Do you mean buddhists to let robbers to steal their belongs because Buddhism is a harmless religion???
To live in peace with your neighbour, are you ready to give a part of your land to him??? Never.
Another thing is you see how muslims destroyed buddhist temples in Easter province. They will be innocent only till they are minority.
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SLMuslim / April 26, 2012
Pls dont drag lord Buddha to this??
then u can drag Quran verses out of context? Read the reply given by me for your stupid qutation made in the previous comment. I shall not see u quoting stupid anymore !
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Srilankan Muslim / April 23, 2012
Where is President MR?why he is silence of this incident?Why he cant involved this problem and look after minorities?when he is speaking every time he is telling we all are srilankan and we have to live to gether,but not in practically,why he cant controlled those thugs who enter in to other religions premises illigally did damages,i dont think where is srilanka is going………….
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K. C. John / April 24, 2012
He is the problem. Indiscipline proliferates when a leader shows no inclination to control it.
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Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe / April 23, 2012
The issue of the Mosque is first of all a legal matter. Whether it is legal to have erected a mosque in the first place and whether it is legal to refurbish/expand it is a legal matter to be decided in a court of law. However, the monks and their followers have deliberately turned it into a religious issue- a religious confrontation. What is the basis of this agenda? Who is fuellling religious conflict in the country? Who is to gain from it? These remain vital questions following the Geneva drama, since there maybe be forces who seek to gain from inciting religious and ethnic conflict as a way to create a state of anarchy, wherein they could advance their agenda to further consolidate an open military dictatorship. Some may see this as the way to deal with the post-Geneva crisis. Some may feel that this is the best time to enforce a Sinhala-Buddhist theocratic state, since any move to implement the LLRC recommendations, including a political solution based on devolution, may undermine this project fatally.
We have to be alert and do some deep anaylsis of the underlying motives and interests involved.
The Government acting to deny the legality of the issue and simply to act on a Ministerial directive has compounded the issue by violating the democratic rights of the entire Moslem community and alienating it. This should open the eyes of all citizens that this regime is only interested in entrenching its power at whatever cost, even at the cost of bringing shame upon the country, subjecting the copuntry to foreign imperialist and regional predator penetation and domination, shooting down workers and fishermen, burying democratic governance and the Rule of Law, selling the country to every bidder for fat commissions, while heaping intolerable burdens upon the masses. This process will lead to a state of anarchy, violence and terror throughout society generated by the Regime and will surely lead to an open military-fascist dictatorship. Only an elightened, unified and organised mass resistance can pave the path to a new political-economic order free of the venom of chauvinism, division, dependence and fascist dictatorship
Com. Surendra
Sec:
Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist).
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Rory Winter / April 23, 2012
In reply to Srilankan Muslim’s and Comrade Surendra’s (rhetorical) questions I would suggest that the people behind this violence are the same as those behind the terrorism of abductions, ie none other than the Rajapaksa mafia. There is a clear pattern here: cabinet ministers stirring-up anti-Indian sentiment after the Geneva Resolution, MR himself calling for protests in Dambulla, cabinet ministers bragging about and threatening violence, a government militarily occupying Tamil areas and behaving in a provocative and supremacist manner. MR is known for his extremist nationalism and dislike of both Tamils and Muslims. Comrade Surendra is quite right to warn the country where all this is leading to. Mass resistance, as calls for, is the only solution. The labour movement should lead the way in resisting and bringing down the present tyranny.
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Shiyam Razak / April 24, 2012
I request all my sri lankan brothers just to check the credibility of this buddhist monk who led the protest.
simply you will find the solution.
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s.silva / April 26, 2012
hey friend,
who are you to check the credibility of Buddhist monks.?
You read your HOLY??? quarn and understand how much your religion is harmful to human by origin. Killing non believers is your religious principle.
Just because our religion is harmless we dont let rob our rights.
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SLMuslim / April 26, 2012
Have you read the quran?
Have you read it with a proper mind? I mean i know u read websites and get which are written wrong about qur’an and u talk as if you know it well. Your behaviour is so silly.
Shows your cheap mentality.!
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s.silva / May 3, 2012
Yes. I have a Muslim friend who once trying to teach me Islam. Not only Quran, some reading stuff with those verses which were translated to Sinhala.Without proof I dont speak on my imagination.
Although you and most Sri lankans dont know about the rudeness of your religion, but, whole world knows. When Islam is there in a country, no peace.
Every misdeed is justified in your religion for your own benefit.
Killing for God- ok
Robbing for God – ok
(Once,the prophet and his companions were looking for the hidden treasure of a conquered tribe. An individual was brought to Muhammad who was supposed to know where the hidden treasure was located. The prophet threatened to kill the individual if he did not tell the Muslims where the treasure was. Upon refusal to cooperate, “The apostle gave orders to al-Zubayr b. al-Awwam, ‘Torture him until you extract what he has,’ so he kindled a fire with flint and steel on his chest until he was nearly dead. Then the apostle delivered him to Muhammad b. Maslama and he struck off his head” (p. 515)
Raping women captives- ok
You go and check your religious books again.
it is essential for people of good will around the world to know that underneath all the political, social and cultural causes for the rise of violence among Muslims, there is a religious foundation for violence deeply embedded within the very worldview of Islam. The world needs to take the challenge of Islam more seriously than any other time in the past.
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Shiyam Razak / April 24, 2012
Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero has organized a protest campaign on the 18th against the construction of a Muslim mosque in the Dambulla city on a Presidential directive, it is reliably learnt.
The Thero had summoned several donors to the temple and said that the protest was being organized on a Presidential directive.
A senior official from the Presidential Secretariat has requested Matale District Secretary to ensure that Samurdhi recipients cooperated in organizing the protest.
The Muslim mosque in question is over 40 years old and had been completely renovated recently.
Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero who is organizing the protest is closely affiliated to the President. The Thero make statements in support of the President whenever required and the President has in turn shown his gratitude by giving him a radio and television license.
The Thero first came into the limelight after protesting against the construction of a luxury hotel by the side of the Kandalama tank. However, it has been alleged that the protest campaign stopped midway after the management of the Kandalama Hotel had given the Thero several lakhs of rupees.
Also, it is the Kandalama Hotel and its staff that sometimes provide the Thero with alms.
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gamini / April 24, 2012
At a Meeting held at the Ministry of Lands this morning, attended by all the interested parties including the Politicians, it has transpired that this Mosque is outside the Dambulle Sacred Area plans of the UDA. Now how can the MR govt. order the Mosque to be relocated? The Trustees of the Mosque can take this matter to Court for redress. It appears that President Marapakse has set the ball rolling and gone on a visit to South Korea. The slap on MR’s face is that he had been met at the Airport by the third Secretary, being an Official visit. see foreign news for details in the net as none will be published in the local media.
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s.silva / May 3, 2012
Yes. Muslims can go to court. Thats better to understand it through the court. And doing Harthal, considering the Muslim countries pressure helped internationally should not come in the way of removing it.
They helped with future intentions like this. If they are really friendly, cant they treat innocents who go to work in Middle East. They kill human like animals and send the dead body back. But those mUslim govts protect those killers.
(Actually the fault is with SL Govt who send women for slavary)
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SLMuslim / May 10, 2012
MODA S SILVA, you are talking abt Muhammad b. Maslama who was a fake prophet like you, who was in deep ignorance..
Im laughing like nothing, you are quoting this to explain Islam. First know the sources to get information from; You look like right from a mental hospital. FUNNY ~ ! :D
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Ruwan / April 24, 2012
I feel sorry for this incident and it’s purely the terrorist supporters who did this where they wanted the UN to show there is no peace in Sri Lanka, Hope all Sri Lankans will agree on this and what about the Sinhala brothers and sisters who are mixed married will they also have to leave the country. Aren’t they Sinhalese just because they are married to a Muslim.
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Abdulla Al Fulaij / April 26, 2012
Instead of trying to demolish mosques and temples, why don’t you demolish the taverns and liquor shops in the so called sacred areas. Sri Lanka is the highest per capita alcoholic consumption in the world. Follow the religious teachings and lead a peaceful life.
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SLMuslim / April 27, 2012
VERY WELL SAID!
An area to be considered sacred land there are lot of criteria.. Just becuz there is a temple for centuries dznt mean its a sacred land!
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s.silva / May 3, 2012
Yes. All establishments withinh the Holy area should be removed including Bars, Mosque, Kovil and private buildings.
The problem has become has sever as we underestimate the threat.
They start with a hut, then expand it a bit, then crowd come to pray,
then, Aids for Muslim countries, then reestablish it with concrete with big domes, loud speakers on, buy the land around, they become the lords of the area, harassments to devotees come to temples, at last No Dambulla holy land, no history for buddhists. When they are the majority this will be like Saudi.
Betraying Sinhala Iditots, Muslims are not wrong as they are doing according to their religious teachings. See what hads happened to
1. Deegavapiya
2. Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Eastern Province
3. Kuragala Bodhigara in Balangoda
They will do the same for Dambulla.
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SLMuslim / May 8, 2012
ha ha ha .. moda silva.. the mosques mostly get expanded becoz, it has so much true followers. unlike a temple whr even for a poya they dun go :P :P soo funny…
And we will build thousand and one mosques.. what is your problem? as long as we have money to buy and build?? YOU CAN DIE OUT Jealosy. :D:D who cares for a moron like u :P
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s.silva / May 22, 2012
You can do it in Sudi Arabia, not here [Edited out]. We will look after even Jihad, the bloody butchery mission! We dont let our future generation to be killed or raped by muslims. Blind beleivers who have no doctrine to follow except reproduction. No spiritual development than expanding population in islam.
We are suffering because of boneless sinhala politicians did not take any action to stop the activities of killers at the first moment.
If you have a god of powerful, why cant he do his mission without encouraging donkeys like you to kill.He may have been paralized or sleeping.
by the way is it true that your penis is cut, bcoz you could not identify your mother properly at your reproduction mission???
Its not your fault men, but your forefathers fault!
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s.silva / May 29, 2012
Build your 1000 mosques on your head, not on buddhist sites shrewedly invaded by you.
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Ahamed Nadvi / April 27, 2012
Dear Silva,
There is a saying in English,i.e. “half knowledge is alway dangerouse” you’ve quoted something from the Holy Quran taking it out of the context. So that you not only missed its entirety but also the very meaning. As a result Mr(?). SL Muslim had to confront with you, not personally , but with your comment.
For your satisfaction and for an argument sake, we take your word that Holy Quran is preaching violance and the Holy Book of Buddhism, if any, teaches only peace.
Now you can see the logic speaks for itself, there was no violance or any unpleasant activity reported observed from the Mosque or against any citizens of the counrty in general, Dambulla in particular by this Mosque or Muslims.
However, the honourable Thro did actually, not only promote terrorism against another religion and its followers and manifastly do terorrist act against one of the country’s religions and fellow Sri Lankans.
Silva! please tell me with your open heart who is here to blame? the Muslim citizens of Sri Lanka or the Mousque or the Thero, or the Holy Quran or the Buddhism or lord Buddha?
I’m quite sure your heart silently says “Silva don’t be fooled yourself, the Thro is the culprit” am I correct Silva?
So why cannot we together as peace loving Sri Lankans isolate this rough element, like Thero, in our society and vow for a more viable and diverse Sri Lanka? World is moving very fast and we are stuggling to keep with the speed. Silva close your eyes and take a deep breath.
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s.silva / May 3, 2012
70% of the mosque in this country are illegally built.
Better to start from one corner and remove all. Govt is greedy on Muslim votes and betrey Buddhist rights
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SLMuslim / May 8, 2012
s. silva? means -Edited out] Silva is it?
Tell you what? if u want to learn a religion u got to learn it with a positive mind, from ur commetns i can feel that u have learnt it in d wrong way. U have a sense of insecurity when it comes to Islam. look at the fear u have..
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s.silva / May 22, 2012
yes I have the fear as all living being is having. Even your powerful God has the fear – fear of disbeleiving his foolish and harmful guidance.
why your god did not give you a freedom to think? why he is afraid of laening another religion??? why he cant tolerate another religion.
I will say this.
If as long as a muslim is not following the teachings in the quran, he is a human. But if he starts to gi deep in his religion learning and practcing it he is a muderer.
Islam Promotes violence is not a secret, the whole world knows..
Every nation with High muslim population are stable.
1st they kill non muslims, then sunni and shia come to areana of killings. what to do ?? God permitted no.. aney pawwwwwwwwww
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AYMAN / June 2, 2012
WHAT ABOUT ALL THE IDOLS AT STREET CORNERS AND PAVEMENTS. ARE THEY NOT
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ? THIS IS PROTECTING BUDDHISM. WHAT ABOUT THE
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION FOR OTHERS?
IS THIS THE BUDDHISM YOU PRACTICE?
DO YOU EXPECT ANYONE OUTSIDE THIS ISLAND TO ACCEPT BUDDHISM?
AS TO THE QUESTION, WHAT OUR “UNCROWNED KING” IS DOING ?HE IS ROAMING
THE WORLD, TO GET OVER “THE MALEFIC INFLUENCE OF JUPITER” AND PERHAPS
LOOKING FOR THE SWORD!!!!!!!!!!!
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s.silva / June 11, 2012
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
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In short:
• If you act with maturity and consideration for other users, you should have no problems.
• Don’t be unpleasant. Demonstrate and share the intelligence, wisdom and humour we know you possess.
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s.silva / June 11, 2012
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
In short:
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• Don’t be unpleasant. Demonstrate and share the intelligence, wisdom and humour we know you possess.
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