7 December, 2024

Blog

The Marriage Made In Hell

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Religions may begin as vehicles of longing for mysteries beyond description but they end up claiming exclusive prescriptive rights to them”. –Richard Holloway (New Statesman – 15.3.2012)

Last week Myanmar banned the latest issue of ‘Time’ with its cover-story on the violent creed of Ashin Wirathu, the Burmese monk deemed the ideological leader of the country’s anti-Islamic terror campaign.

The Rajapaksas have followed suit; probably because the ‘Time’ article makes a passing reference to our own Wirathus and their political masters: “In Sri Lanka, where a conservative, pro-Buddhist government reigns, Buddhist nationalist groups are operating with apparent impunity, looting Muslim and Christian establishments and calling for restrictions to be placed on the 9% of the country that is Muslim”[i].

The BBS and Sinhala Ravaya stepped up their anti-minority campaign in recent weeks, under the benign gaze of the police. The fact that the BBS/Sinhala Ravaya monks can take the law into their fanatical hands with total impunity is proof-positive of the nexus between the saffron purveyors of terror and the Ruling Siblings.

“Muslims are like the African carp. They breed quickly and they are very violent …. Because the Burmese people and the Buddhists are devoured every day, the national religion needs to be protected”: That was Ashan Wirathu[ii]. Similar sentiments are being articulated by our own fanatics, even though facts indicate the opposite. As the Department of Census and Statistics pointed out, Sinhala population actually increased between 1982 and 2011 – from 74% to 74.9%. Indu Bandara, Director, Population Census and Demography Division of the Department of Census and Statistics, “disputed a claim being propagated in the country that the Muslim population is likely exceed that of the majority community”[iii].

But fanatics care nothing for facts.

Most members of the Republican Party in the US are anti-Islamic, according to a poll conducted by the Arab-American Institute in August 2012. This is no accident. “A new study published in the American Sociological Review notes that the Republican party’s tacit endorsement of its loudest anti-Islam elements – and conservative media outlets like Fox news that aired, promoted and legitimized this-fear mongering – had the effect of mainstreaming what were once fringe theories”[iv]. In Sri Lanka, Sinhala-Buddhist fanatics languished in the lunatic fringe (their advent into the centre-stage, via the JHU, proved to be short-lived) until the Rajapaksas decided to use ethno-religious extremism as the perfect cover for their dynastic agenda. Thanks to the enabling environment provided by the Ruling Siblings, the Sinhala-Buddhist fanatics, in between attacking the minorities, are enshrining their perverted version of Buddhism as the only ‘correct religion’.

The following incisive observation made by Dr. Ameer Ali is relevant not just to Muslims but also to Buddhists: “Hooliganism, homicide, and even suicide have become the trademark of Muslim protests in recent times. This has seriously damaged the image of Islam and Muslims…… This unacceptable behavior has no justification in the primary sources of Islamic shariah and is contrary to the spirit of free thinking that was pioneered by Muslim thinkers of the classical era…. In conclusion, the Muslim world has to develop modes of response to blasphemy and religious vilification in the true Islamic spirit of tolerance, compassion and understanding. Those with differing views should be listened to or allowed to hold their views, just as Prophet Muhammad did with the Christians from Najran. Violent outbursts have no place in a religion like Islam that condemns compulsion in religion and says ‘To you be your Way and to me mine’ (Quran 109:6)”[v].

A Land of Ignorance

Today most Sri Lankan school children are taught Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim. If this tri-lingual policy was followed since Independence, there would have been no language issue, no ethnic problem and no war.

But we do not like the easy, painless way. We prefer the road lined with corpses and drenched with blood. For us wisdom comes late and at a great, almost unbearable, price.

It was so concerning language; it is likely to be so, concerning religion.

In Lankan schools, learning one’s religion is compulsory but there is no subject called ‘Comparative religion’, no effort to give all children at least a basic grounding in the country’s four main religions. Consequently, what most of us know about other religions is limited to a few derogatory remarks made by extremist elements of our own religion.

Most Sinhalese who equate Islam such joyless, colourless and anti-intellectual manifestations as Wahabism and the Ayatollahs in Iran would not know that many of the magical tales which enchanted their childhoods (Ali Baba, Sinbad and Aladdin, for instance) originated in the Arab world. Or that the world’s greatest symbol of romantic love was built by an Islamic emperor in memory of his dead wife. Or that the most popular Buddhist songs in the Sinhala language were sung by a Lankan Muslim, Master Mohidin Beg.

Perhaps these myopic Sinhalese should take time to watch ‘Arab Idol 2013’. The sights and the sounds of that show, the music and the dancing, the confident, articulate contestants of both genders in their glamorous dresses and suits, the ecstatic response of the audience to the Arabic version of ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’, the stirring revolutionary-hymn from the Les Miserables Musical would be as unwelcome to the BBS-types as they are to Islamic fanatics. The BBS types would find themselves in the company of the Hamas, which has condemned the Arab Idol for permitting “indecent clothing” and “the mixing between genders”, and banned the Palestinian winner of the show from performing in Gaza. Mohammad Assaf is probably the most compelling icon of Palestinian nationhood since Leila Khaled caught the imagination of generations of rebellious youth, from orient to occident. Hopefully his stratospheric popularity in his homeland marks the end of the deadly religious-detour which has caused irreparable harm to the Palestinian cause and provided the Zionist-hardliners with a readymade justification for everything from new settlements to the rejection of the two-state solution.

Whenever religion marries politics, darkness descends, countries regress and people suffer. When Rome became a Christian Empire, it abandoned and destroyed the intellectual achievements of the Greco-Roman world and condemned Europe to centuries of backwardness. Incidentally this enhanced identification between religion and politics has eventually, and always, rebounded on the religion, discrediting and dishonouring it. The anti-clericalism of the French Revolution and the Italian Risorgimento are cases in point; the decline of Buddhism in Korea was caused primarily by the politicisation of Buddhism during the Koryo dynasty.

As the Myanmar Times pointed out, “Neither the article nor the cover linked Buddhism and terrorism”[vi]. The likes of Ashan Wirathu, the JHU, the BBS and the Sinhala Ravaya should not be allowed to hijack the teachings of the Gautama Buddha. If we truly care about Buddhism, what we should do is not to defend these fanatics or to use them for some short-sighted political purpose, but to put as much distance between them and Buddhism. If we allow Sinhala-Buddhist fanatics to equate their perverted message with Buddhism, a brutal religious war of all-against-all (including attacks by extremists of all creeds on their own moderates) and an eventual Balkanisation may well be our future.

Latest comments

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    Eventual Balkanisation will be the future if the citizens let the regime continue to Rule with an iron fist with the help of Sinhellists (BBS/JHU/SR). History has a way of repeating itself.

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      I fully agree with what Tisaranee is saying here.

      However, I find the doctored cover page of TIME magazine distorting MR’s face a bit repulsive.

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        It’s nothing but Modern Romanticism from a fan of Tin Tin.

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          Looks more like a hate attempt by a wailing hymie enemy of Tin Tin!

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            Beauty is that which beholds the eye as in art.

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        The distortion is repulsive indeed coming from a person so blatantly does not practice what she preaches.

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          Chandra:
          Did you attend the same English classes as JimNutty. Sure sounds like it from the unintelligible barf that you write.

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        You know my problem is it is not clear to me that GOVT is fully behind BBS. There are times, BBS ^s filthy mouth – so called pseudo buddhist monk -Gnasara verbally attacks the rulers. One reason why the govt openly neglects the BBS^s attacks to Muslims according to some is that GOVT feel not to loose voters to stay further in power. Rulers seem to ignore anything when it goes for to protect their voters rather than governing the nation. Can anybody comment on this, would be great.

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        I think on the doctored picture He appears kinder than what he is…..!!!

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        Ben Hurling

        “However, I find the doctored cover page of TIME magazine distorting MR’s face a bit repulsive.”

        In his thought, words and actions he is a natural born repulsive.

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          MR politics as a leader is not praised by many, that is the fact. But why to judge anyone from outer look ?

          I never expected from NativeV. How come NativeV is apparently infected by the other commentators ?

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            Samagi

            “But why to judge anyone from outer look ?”

            This is what I wrote:

            “In his thought, words and actions he is a natural born repulsive.”

            Have I commented on his beauty or lack of it?

      • 2
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        this just goes to prove that TG who was named as one of the Buddhist Bashers is upto just that…

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        Having a leader is better than no leader. We should try not to be disrespectful to our leader whether we like him or not.
        One thing I am sure, this is against all Islamic teaching and ethics. ( what I mean is crossing the line ). We should not forget that a leader is placed at that position with the will of almighty and we get is what we deserve..

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          What ‘Shaira Boy’ quotes is an incomplete version of Islamic Teaching and Ethics. Islamic Teaching and Ethics clearly expects a leader to act in the best positive interests of the people to live in peace and harmony. If the leader fails, the leader and the people who continue to tolerate him will face Almighty’s punishment as recorded historical events have shown. And it is also Almighty’s guidance to man that ‘He (the Almighty) cannot change the wrong doing society unless man himself attempts to change it when he (man) will receive Almighty’s Blessings’.

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            Lanka Muslim UK,

            I do not mean to offend your feelings of faith.

            But, these matters are way to important to be left just in Almighty’s hands.

            There is no proof what so ever, that such an Almighty actually exists. That is why it is called a “faith”.

            In the meantime, people keep killing each other in their millions in the cruelest way possible. Bickering over Almighty. I am truly tired of it. I don’t think I am the only one.

            Live a good life. If Almighty exists, he will reward you anyway. Whether you scream about it or not.

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              There are certainly there are a few who doubt the existence of the Almighty but the whole mankind strongly believes in the existence and the few who are fast dwindling number have failed to impress their thinking on the others.

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              Mohamed Marzook,

              If you are person of faith. Completely OK with me. It is your right to believe in what you wish. As long as it is not pushed on other people in the name of “Almighty”. Unfortunately many religious people do that. Thus all the horrific violence over many centuries.

              All I am saying is there is no scientific evidence.

              Have you read writings of Preessor Richard Dawkins. I tend to agree with his reasoning. Unless the opposite is proven.

              Cheers!

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              Ben Hurling,
              I have read enough on Atheism, Rationalism, Philosophy, etc. Though all the masterly written in convincing language which are interesting to read only end up in causing confusion in the reader finding no guidance for good living. The ideas conveyed by the respective writers have not and do not bring about changes in the lives of the human being, whereas religions guided by the Almighty have brought changes for the better living of man kind.

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              Mohamed Marzook,

              All factions with in Abrahamic faiths are at each other’s throats. Have been so for as long as we can remember.

              I am talking about Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There is bloody strife within these respective faiths as well. Such as Sunni, Shiite, Wahabi & Salafi fights etc. 3rd world war may well happen based on religious beleifs.

              “changes for the better living of man kind” sounds a bit hollow.

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              In the changing circumstances in all aspects of life, dialogues do arise as to how best man could be guided, as provided in the vast and varied knowledge available in the religions, to over-come difficulties. That is a positive process of development towards good living. However, there are few situations which differences are used for wrong purposes sometimes violent. Such situations are just a few but are exaggerated by anti-religious propagandists. But religious following keeps increasing while trust in Aethism, Rationalism, Philosophies, etc. which create negative thinking is fast declining making them only subjects for discussion around a table full of strong liquor when the participants are not in their normal senses and, when they regain senses, forget what they have discussed.

            • 0
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              In the changing circumstances in all aspects of life, dialogues do arise as to how best man could be guided, as provided in the vast and varied knowledge available in the religions, to over-come difficulties. That is a positive process of development towards good living. However, there are a few situations when differences are used for wrong purposes sometimes violent. Such situations are just a few but are exaggerated by anti-religious propagandists. But religious following keeps increasing while trust in Aethism, Rationalism, Philosophies, etc. which create negative thinking is fast declining making them only subjects for discussion around a table full of strong liquor when the participants are not in their normal senses and, when they regain senses, forget what they have discussed.

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              Mohamed Marzook,

              You are reducing people who dare to question and think religions to mere drunkards.

              Patronizing thinkers of our time is not the answer.

              Cheers!

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              Amen!

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      ANY REAL ISSUES WITH MUSLIMS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE LAW, NOT ROWDYISM & THUGGERY.

      DIFFICULT WHEN THE HEAD OF STATE ARE THUGS, YET HAVE TO TRY.

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    ‘Whenever religion marries politics, darkness descends, countries regress and people suffer.’ This is correct. However every rule has its exceptions.

    The Arab empire, in the 7th century emanated after religion married politics. However it has to be borne in mind that it was not religious fanatics who made the Arab empire possible. It was enlightened Arabs who made it possible. The Arab empire was 3 times larger than the Roman empire that preceded it. (Hugh Kennedy- The great Arab Conquests)The empire did not force anyone to convert. However they ikposed different set of taxes on the locals. The policy was live and let live.

    Then they took science to great hights. Questioning Greek learning and improving upon every aspect of science. (Jonathan Lyons- House of Wisdom. Sir Isaac Newton thanks the Arab scientists by name in his ‘Principia Mathematica’.

    So the bottom line is, fanaticism in religion when it marries politics darkness descends, countries regress and people suffer.

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      Amila, perhaps you heard of Cyrus the Great the father of human rights (have you seen his statue at Sydney). The Zoroastrians were driven away by the Arabs and most took refuge at Gujarat and at present there are only 125k families in the world. The Romans drove the Jews away so some landed at Kerala.
      Islam and Christianity are foreign to the East so how did it arrive? Definitely not conviction alone! Religion and patriotism are emotions – only I saw follow me I am the piper is their song nothing rational like Tisaranee.

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        Islam came to East through Ottoman Empire, while Christianity came through Western European Christian Empire.

        Now both Christians and Islam is divided on Judeo Christian VS other Christians including Orthodx Christians….. and Judeo Muslims such as Gulf oil rich Monarchy states sponsering Wahabi, Salafists VS Shia and ordinary Muslims.

        All over the world now every religion is infiltrated by Political and Mega Corporate Funding Powers including Big Banks to change the world’s political and economic power balance to their side.

        The Politicians ultimatum is to stay in power which ever way can, and funding Religion extremists for their side is a sure way to keep masses under control.

        What the Communists and Marxists did in the past, now been done using Religious Extremists.

        This is dangerous and should be stopped immediately.

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          TG’s Same old anti-Rajapakse and Anti buddhist Whinning:

          Christianity is just 2013 years old and Islam is about 1600 years old. Sri Lankan Buddhism is at least 2500 years old. In that every land that christian church or muslim mosque is build on buddhist land. Because Sri Lanka had so many buddhist temples at one point. It is written in books.

          Western educated, western – every thing loving – TG does not know those things except quoting from a book written by people in the west.

          Even the western philosophy is crap in comparison to the Eastern Philosophy all of which is based Buddhism.

          Only thing eastern of TG is her first name. She should take a name like EVE or MARY.

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            Idiot, you are an ideal candidate for a doctored picture in the next edition of Time Magazine, as Hitlerpaksha’s deputy

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            Incas, Aztecs and Pharaohs has history of more than 5000yrs and they dont boast about their history.

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          It is wrong to say that Islam came to the East through Ottoman Empire. Arab empire preceded the Ottoman empire. At its peak, may be in the 12th century, it stretched from Spain to Samarkand in Central Asia. History books have been deliberately obliterated to conceal this fact. William Dalrymple says that we should include this historical event in our school curriculum to educate students. According to him it is the historical prejudice that has concealed this fact. If you read more material on this subject read- the Great Arab Conquests by Hugh Kennedy. It is unbelievable how the West has wilfully ignored the world’s largest empire.

          You could also google on youtube a BBC program on ‘What the Ancients did for us- Arabs’. Also on youtube another program- ‘when moors ruled the west’. Only now facts are coming to the fore and historians mentioning these facts. It is fascinating.

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            There is no distortion it is evident even today – the tunnels in the south of Spain- Arabs ruled Spain for 800 years and taught the Spaniards navigation till Isabel along with Ferdi drove them to present day Morocco ect.then came Vasgoda Gama the deputed to Ceylon following the spice trail of the Arabs and C Columbus to Americas.

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      The greatest challenge is to get out of the social/economic rut the country is in. The people from all communities should start focusing on strengthening economic ties with friendly nations who respect integrity and unity of the country. Sri Lanka can learn a lot from the moderate Arab countries specially the Arab Emirates and their leadership style. Unfortunately, Sri Lankans are passive and they lack the courage to act and take bold decisions to weed out the undesirable elements within. Be it With Bhikkus/Politicians.

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    Kotta is Black mailing the president Rajapaksa . President is helpless

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      Yes, the Goat suns the show.

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        What else could you expect from a Pig Eating Shit. Family playing Pandu Politics.

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    However considering all facts national and international, we can arrive at following observations and recommendations or Sri Lanka. These recommendations are for future harmony between the major ethnic group and the minorities.

    The ideological development against Islam can be seen all over the world. Yet this does not say all Muslims are terrorists. But due to the behaviour of few such extremists, the entire world looks at Muslims and Islam with suspicion. (9/11 can be identified as the point where world turned against Muslims and Islam)

    • There should not be special laws for ANY ethnic group. Muslims, Sinhalese or Tamils. Thus no Thesawalame, Kandiyan law or Muslim law / Shariya. Just the general law of the country

    • No person is allowed to have more than one legal marriage. So Muslims can’t have 4 wives, if so they are been favoured against others.

    • Sri Lanka is a Sinhala-Buddhist country, where all ethnicities / religions can live in harmony.

    • I have understood, like in France, Muslim societies do not merge with the rest of the community in Sri Lanka. So no one can have Hijabs or cover entire body. ( if law in Saudi Arabia is such that every woman who enter the country should cover face, why not Sri Lankan law should be such no one can cover their faces ? Sinhala-buddish culture never depress woman nor impose dress codes to cover their faces.)

    • No special treatment to any ethnic group via law or any other such provisions.

    • However, if there is any organisation that promotes violence (could be a Jihad / Vahabi or LTTE, or a Sinhala extremist group) that should be punished and deal with law of the country.

    I talked with my Muslim friends and they don’t agree with abolishing their right to marry 4 and they still need special laws to empower them. This of cos create anger among Sinhalese, that they are been treated less better than Muslims in their own country. Which leads to clashes among ethnicities.

    Muslims also should understand that this is a SIHALA BUDDHIST country and they should respect the culture / law of the country( it is not sharia they should respect but law of Sri Lanka). I’m sure there is no other country in the world, (may be at least up to recent past,) that minorities can live in peace, like Sri Lanka. Muslims should not try to take advantage of the kindness of Sinhalese and exploit the country.
    Look, what happened in Burma. Muslim population grew so much and incidents that took place made Buddhists identifying Islam / Muslims as the threat to them.

    Look what happened in Bangladesh and Indonesia. In some Muslim counties there are special taxes that non-Muslims should pay. Do Sinhalese been the majority , do they treat Muslims in Sri Lanka like that ? When Muslims try to impose things like Halal, or sharia, then they we can’t blame Sinhalese to act violent and protect themselves. Like in Burma.

    Sinhalese on the other hand ( as I know many of them) are very nice and good people. Some of them are with the view of BBS and other extreme gups that is Islam is a cancer in the country. Well, that is thank to some uneducated, extreme Muslims who try to make Sri Lanka a Muslim country. We can’t expect Sinhalese to be so nice and be “stupid” all the time, they will react and end will be a blood shed.

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      Very sensible and profoundly truthful article. I fully agree with the writer on many counts. We, Muslims should understand the multi-cultural composition of the society and not allow our religious beliefs to spoil our relationship with the rest of our compatriots. Religion should not be made the vehicle of hatred and mistrust between members of society. However, this also requires a measure of reciprocity from the majority based on trust and mutual respect for one another.

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      Ali :“Muslim population grew so much and incidents that took place made Buddhists….”
      Understand the geography, fertility resources and the governance of Burma and East Pakistan/Bangladesh after Independence. The same way the kallathonies came to Ceylon.
      Any government that does not give the individual rights will never give it to minority.
      All religions are emotions and best kept private.

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      Sorry, I cannot see much difference between what BBS says and what is said in above comment.

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        To quote from Tisaranne’s previous article.
        “Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don’t know because we don’t want to know” – Aldous Huxely (Ends and Means)

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          Dear Buddy, it seems you are reading only quotes. Please read Tisaranne’s full articles to get enlighten and come out of ignorance. Good Luck!

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            There are always 3 sides to a story where one is right another wrong and the middle path is always evil. That is precisely your problem wise owl.

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        Fully agree,
        sadly these people focus only on the interests of the majority and how their intentions could be made dominated. It is the nature of any country or social groups to do so, but the state is obliged to protect the rights of the every citizen equally. Seeing that is not the case today is the wound point here. I am a born buddhist as many of us have been. I dont think so long we improve our thinking patterns to feel us all SRILANKENS not considering as race,caste, religions and all other differences etc, we will further remain as we are.

        Even if this particular BBS-like commentator states, there are muslims here, they still respect that those who harm the islamic views is the thinner minority in our society (of 70% buddhist, I dont think even 0,5% would hate muslims). That is the reason for example Ismet@ adds his peaceful comments. And to the question why the muslims tolerate all these sofar in the country. I have read this lately on the web- Azath Salley views are the facts actually. His requests and suggestions on the issues raised by PR man of BBS facist movement – should be addressed by the state without delay – he clearly points out that the law should be equal to everyone – which is the foundation / that the authorties should take to their hearts right at THIS CRITICAL TURN POINT.

        We as human beings need to learn respect everyone, after all our people (muslim, hindu, buddhist and others) equally. It is becoming evident that respect and dignity of the life is losing its ground in our society today. Religious and political leaders should address these things without further delay if wanting to protect the nation.This we can achieve through interactive various programs like for example ones already carried out by UNITYMISSION srilanka. It is rocky road ahead of us, but not impossible to achieve PEACE.

        Those who just argue – any kind of laws prevailing on some countries, I ask the purpose of arguing on such laws be them sharia or any other traditional barbaric practices.

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      Shariah is a Divine injunction applicable to the Muslims in their day to day life. This is built in and no practicing Muslim will ever discard it no matter what the consequences are. Muslims believe that only The Creator can explain His creation; how life on earth should be lived according to His Will. The most striking feature in Shariah is that all Muslims abide by the ‘law of the land’. Those who apply the Shariah in their lives socially and economically enjoy the fruits of this life and hopefully they will receive the reward of eternal salvation.

      We do live in a perfect universe. Scientist say there is such perfection in the way the earth, the sun, and the stars all fit together, that if one planet had been placed in the sky just a teeny bit differently, we wouldn’t be here today. That’s perfection.

      Staying with the big picture, think about how almost all of life on earth is sustained by the perfect harmony of the seasons, the sun, and the cycles of life. Now, zooming from the expanse of space, letting your mind’s eye focus in on the image of a newborn child, see those five little fingers and five tiny toes. Add five amazing senses, and you are looking at the creation of harmonious perfection. That little person is you.

      So listen to this: if perfection exists in that which is as large as the universe and as miniature as a baby’s toe, why wouldn’t it also be likely that Allah has created the Islamic Shariah as a perfect design for our life?

      No soul can ever die except by Allah’s leave and at a term appointed. Whoso desireth the reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof; and whoso desireth the reward of the Hereafter, We bestow on him thereof. We shall reward the thankful. (The Noble Quran 3:145)

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        what about those who are not muslims. tey belive it is not Allah who did the creation. do they have to be governed by Shariya ?

        say, im a minority in a muslim country, but im not muslims. why should I have to live accoding to Shariya ?

        when some other ethinicity is the majority, still muslims need shariya ?

        well, … can u explain ?

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          Shariah complies with most of the Universal laws. The application of Shariah is only in Islamic countries collectively and in the non Islamic countries the Muslims apply on an individual basis thus abiding by the local laws. That’s part of the social contract of Shariah. Freedom of choice to choose a way of life is a natural disposition bestowed on Humanity.

          We live, eat, breathe and have prospered for centuries within the Shariah. The confusion is for those who have taken the Shariah’s interpretation to suit the whims and fancy of their desires. It would be unfair to expect a secular educated person to grasp the Divine injunction without the basic faith in One Creator. Islamic assets valued are currently valued at AED 4.8 Trillion and growing world wide and a Shariah complaint annual growth conservatively estimated at 15%. Source Faith In Finance – Bloomberg Documentary)

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            Shariah is a barbaric Middle Eastern practice that should be banned worldwide. Rizanna Nafeek was beheaded because of Sharia.

            The law of the land is the law of the land, everyone should obey one law. Muslims should not have their own law that is in conflict with the laws of the larger society.

            As for Sharia, here is what it permits:

            1. Beheading
            2. Honor killings
            3. Amputations (for stealing)
            4. Whipping/Lashing
            5. Stoning

            These are barbaric practices. Look at stoning, for example. A ditch is dug, the victim is covered up to the neck in sand, and stones are thrown by the crowd until the person is dead.

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              When the Supreme Court met in a ceremonial sitting at the demise of Sir Alan Rose, Chief Justice Tennakone is reported to have stated that the Sharia was one of the noblest systems of Justice. He cited the incident where a Judge stood up on the arrival of the Caliph Omar into the court. The Caliph took action to sack the Judge stating that in the Court of Law, the most important person in the eyes of GOD was the JUDGE not the RULER, He qualified his action by stating that the action of the Judge would give a wrong impression to the Public. Pit this against the situation currently in Sri Lanka where even the sitting Chief Justice was thrown out of office on the dictates of the Ruler on cooked up charges! And you talk of a barbarian Society! More like the lament of a Financial Fraud kicked out of Saudi Arabia!

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              If Rizana Killed the child which was proven by the laws of the country, the punishment is to be accepted. If she was innocent she would receive a higher place in her life after her death. If anyone has wronged in the legal process including the judges, they will be judged severely in the hereafter. As per Islamic teachings it is the judges that will be judged first on the day of judgement.

              Honor killing is not part of sharia. Honor killings are against Islamic principles.

              According to Buddhism what is the punishment for stealing, adultery, killing, fornication.

              According to Buddhism there are hells for persons who sin. In these hells person burn in fire, etc ( so scary even to explain) . Are these hells not worse than been barbaric ? When a human is said to be reborn as an animal for his sins, isn’t it worse than been barbaric ?

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              You have expressed your complete ignorance on shariya. Shariyah law is not like Sri Lankan Constitution or any other man made law that you can politically manipulated to suit your own agendas. You are criticizing the Saudi Arabia law.

              Tell me which country has less crimes in the world now. Definitely, not Sri Lanka, where they say the Dharnmishta society and family values are based on Buddhist principles. It is Saudi Arabia man!

              If you believe that Saudi laws are barbaric, then do not go there. You have no right to criticize somebody’s practice. Buddhism is not a religion, it is only a philosophy. You take it or not, it is your choice.

              Do you know some section of the Hindus have a custom that the widow of a dead man will jump in to the same fire to kill herself in order that she would join her husband in eternal life. For you and me it is barbaric. For them it is not?

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              Honor killing is not part of sharia. Honor killings are against Islamic principles.

              Honor killings were there under Taliban, who practiced the most pure form of Sharia Law:

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BllHRtudLCw

              Wherever there is Sharia Law, there are honor killings. Women have no rights under Sharia Law, so there is no way for them to oppose the honor killing.

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              Afgan Talibanism is not Sharia or Islam. Burmese Buddhist Talibanism is not Buddhism.

              What are the rights that Sharia does not provide women and other religions provide. (example Buddhism).

              In Buddhism ALL WOMEN have to keep their hands together and worship a MAN. In Islam it is prohibited for ANY WOMEN to worship or give godly respect to ANY MAN (even the prophet). the paradise of a man is under his mothers feet..

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              @Lester,
              I agree with you. There is no book called sharia law. People should obey the rule of the land where they live. yes 100% correct. if somebody kills your son or daughter what punishment you would like propose? i know even in the Democratic countries they propose death sentence. I am just asking your opinion….
              Rizana Nafeek: did not obey the rule of Sri Lanka. She was just 17y old but made Passport for 23y. So, in this case the Sri Lankan foreign ministry (Immigration and Emigration office) it self not obey the country rule, they have made fake Passport.
              She fail to obey the rule of KSA which has sign an agreement with our government to send domestic workers. So, both places she had made crime. First the problem is in our country judiciary system. So, the Sri Lankan domestic workers are not suitable to sent KSA as they are not capable to follow other countries laws since our country has corrupted judiciary system.
              So, it is not advisable to send domestic workers to Middle east who has very dangerous laws for who committing crimes.
              So. don’t send your mother, Brother and sisters to ME as domestic workers.

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            Sharia laws as practiced in Sri Lanka are not women friendly- Of course it is not the law per se but how it is practiced in this country. This country has chosen all what is favourable to us ie men and not taken sections of sharia favourable for women

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              Can start by implementing … Sharia dowry .. “MAN HAS TO GIVE DOWRY TO THE WOMAN”. And that too should ask the woman what she wants as dowry, not just give what the man wants.

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        Shariya is devine for muslims. But not for non Muslims. why are you trying to impose it on non muslims ?

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          No one is imposing anything on anyone. Sharia is applicable only for the Muslims.

          However, there is no ‘Sri Lankan’ law – what we practise is the Dutch law. Stand to be corrected here.

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            No one is imposing anything on anyone. Sharia is applicable only for the Muslims.

            Rubbish. If a female Western tourist exposes her ankle in Saudi Arabia, she will be whipped (under Sharia Law). Anyone who commits murder (or what is percieved to be murder) in KSA, will be beheaded.

            Muslims try to enforce Sharia Law everywhere they go:

            http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/muslim-patrol-enforcing-sharia-e-london-article-1.1253893 (London)

            http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2013/04/sounding_the_sharia_in_sweden.html (Sweden)

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              We are talking about Sri Lanka. Why do you have to bring up Saudi Arabia all the time. We know Saudi Arabia is not your best friend having being fired from your job !

              It will be good for your health if you put your Saudi experiences behind you and move forward !!

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              Utter rubbish! HOGWASH! This is a figment of Lester’s criminal minded imagination. I ask readers if they have ever heard of female visitor being whipped for showing her ankle? How on earth could she buy a pair of shoes without exposing her ankle? Really this is the height of incredulity! Lester why don’t you post this to the Marines!

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              They must impose sharia law on you so that you may stop expressing your idiotic notions in these columns!

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              Lester,
              There is no special book call sharia law. Every country has their law for crimes. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka the is no law anybody can do killing and scape….it is call Buddhist law. In singapore drug smuggling is a big crime. If you want just try once see…………
              Why you are talking about KSA…..that everybody know in the world. If you don’t like to obey the rule of KSA don;t go there. There is no problem for Americans and Europeans to work there…because they obey the rule of that country and living very peaceful.
              If you kill anyone in KSA they will chop your head. Are you afraid for that?? Then please don’t go. In your Buddhist law you can kill anyone and live peacefully no problem. That is what happening in Sri Lanka.

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            Point of view:

            that is how Islam begins. Firs they start in a back room of the business place. then that becomes a mosque. Otherwise, it is the private land of a muslim. that is there way of expansion. It is all legal.

            Islam is all about domination and subjugation.

            Once Sharia law becomes the dominant law, there is no other space for other laws.

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              Exactly. In Europe they are buying old churches/cathedrals, and turning them into huge mosques, with funding from Saudi Arabia. Not just one mosque, but in every city a big mosque. If they don’t have the mosque, then hundreds of them pray in the street (creating a nuisance for pedestrians and drivers) all at the same time; this was a big problem in France and Russia.

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              Jim can you enumerate the number of countries that are governed by Sharia Law, please?

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              What is wrong in renting or buying Land or a building for the people to practise their Religion? You say it’s legal Sotheby’s matter ends there! Has any country in the West been subjugated so far? Jim stop tilting at windmills and come back to your senses.

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              * Sotheby’s should read { So the }

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          If Islam is to be forced on Buddists (non-muslims), then there wont be any sinhalese living and working in Middle East. It appears to me most people writing to this forum who are critical of Islam and muslims, are like frogs in a well and have not seen how Sinhala buddhists are living in these countries. How muslims are hospitable to them. No body is forcing you to eat Halal foods. It is your choice. Do not forget, Sinhalese are not citizens of these countries.

          Strange that like every anti-islamic action in Sri Lanka happen like a Big Bang theory during this regime. It was never been issue hundreds of years, but buddhists become sensitive on Cattle slaughter, Halal, women rights etc. all of a sudden.

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          When it comes to personal law, correct sharia is only applicable for Muslims.
          According to Sharia law in a Muslim majority country the minority can have their own religious and personal laws. The majority has to ensure the safety and security of the minorities.

          When Muslims are a minority it is only the personal laws of sharia that is applicable for them and they have to adhere to the laws of the country.

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            According to Sharia law in a Muslim majority country the minority can have their own religious and personal laws.

            So a Jew can go to Saudi Arabia and build a synagogue? :)

            You really think you can fool the readers with your twisted arguments?

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              Saudi Law IS NOT EQUAL to Sharia law. Kingship and the kingdom it self is against Islamic teachings…

              According to Sharia law if there is a Jewish or any religious community, they should have the right to practice their religion and have their places of worship.

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            The legal system of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia, Islamic law derived from the Qu’ran and the Sunnah (the traditions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_system_of_Saudi_Arabia

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              what the heck you seems to be only busy with SAUDI`S administration. What can that bring us here ? If you were appointed to do so – at the time POOR young girl RiZANA had been on the death row, your engagements could have helped her lot, else, for what reasons, you come always about these irrelevant sharia law. We are not saudis to listen here anything about sharia. Almost everyone here have roots in SL. It is not a country that would ever sharia law to be introduced.

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              Wikipedia is no gospel and is subject to correction.

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        Dear Maghribi you don’t need to explain Shariah here it’s for Muslims not for all. ‘To you be your Way and to me mine’ (Quran).
        Anyway, I believe Thesawalame, Kandiyan law or Muslim law should prevail in this country. At least in Sensitive issues ethnic groups should be ruled themselves according to their own rules. In these specific areas religious groups should not be forced to follow the same set of secular laws. This can be a creative solution to running a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. This will assure rights and freedoms to religious minorities.

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          Peep peep ;) There is over a score of faiths like atheism, agnostics, pagan, mahayana, hinayana etc. Even in England where they try to give equal opportunities it is not practical as it becomes a recipe for inequalities and discrimination. Only individual rights resolve the problem.
          Learned Dr Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury tried to discuss Sharia Law and the British public said a loud NO. Later he resigned with his final New Year message January 2013. Who needs a public caning not even school kids?

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          Great, your comments are the best among the few here :)

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      “• No person is allowed to have more than one legal marriage. So Muslims can’t have 4 wives, if so they are been favoured against others.”
      Allowing a male to marry 4 females is a Favour. A Favour Ha ha. :-) how this can be a Favour?
      Can you imagine having 4 wives and living in civilized country … My first wife left me with 65% of my (our) assets. I can’t even imagine having 4 wives and divorcing 4 females. God! please don’t even in a dream …
      Anura

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        Don’t worry under Islamic law, a man does not have to pay alimony to your wives, so do not worry you can get married and divorce – it is easy.

        Muslims in this column can correct me if I am wrong. Sorry I havent studied the law, this is what a friend told me. He swears it is correct

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        @ Anura:

        It just shows the male chauvinistic nature of the Abrahamic religions. A woman must cover up, but not a man. A man can have 4 wives, can a woman have 4 husbands? A woman is sold for marriage at age 16, but even 80 year old Muslim men are marrying pure 18 year old virgins. If a woman is raped in Saudi, she is lashed for “misbehaving”, even if the perpetrators are punished. A jihadi is promised 72 virgins in Allah’s paradise, but where are the “studs” for women? :)

        If women were allowed freedom in Islam, there would be no Islam left. It is no different than keeping the parrot in a cage.

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          Well said Lester! Apologists say a woman chooses to wear the burqa, but can she choose not to?

          http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3555/sharia-law-london

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          I have great respect for Gautama Buddha and his teachings.
          Having said that, are women equal to men in Buddhism ? eg : Women cannot attain Buddhahood. ……. The Buddha was not happy with the idea of having women as nuns and only very reluctantly accepted women to be nuns. He also said that by agreeing to have women as nuns that his preaching / order’s life will be shortened dramatically.

          Buddha only took his nephew (man) to show the beautiful virgins in heaven to Nanda his nephew, has the Buddha mentioned about the handsome guys in heaven…..

          Buddhists prefer to talk only about the period after Siddhartha left the palace in search of Truth… No one likes to to talk about the luxury life of his in the palaces and the ……

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            There is no heaven or hell in Theravada Buddhism. Buddha treated everyone (men and women) equally. Many female nuns attained Enlightenment during Buddah’s time.

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              Compare Buddha with your Prophet, who chased the Jews, pagans, and Hindus out of Arabia as soon as he conquered it.

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              Provide references to say that Buddhism ( Even Theravada) that says there are no hells and heavens….

              Theravada Buddhist cosmology describes the 31 planes of existence in which rebirth takes place. The order of the planes are found in various discourses of the Gautama Buddha in the Sutta Pitaka. For example, in the Saleyyaka Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya the Buddha mentioned the planes above the human plane in ascending order.

              Provide reference to say that women and men are equal in Buddhism…

              One of the key references that strongly discriminates against women is the legend of the origin of the nuns (bhikkhuni), in which the Buddha showed his strong disapproval of women’s ordination as requested by Prajapati Gautami, his aunt and stepmother. Ananda, the Buddha’s close attendant stepped in and negotiated on her behalf. As a result, the Buddha laid down a set of special rules, or the so-called Eight Heavy Duties (Garudhammas) that established the conditions for women’s ordination, and nuns were required to strictly adhere to them for the rest of their lives.

              The Eight Heavy Duties are:

              1. A nun, even if she has been ordained for 100 years, must respect, greet and bow in reverence to the feet of a monk, even if he has just been ordained that day. (Monks pay respect to each other according to their seniority, or the number of years they have been ordained.)………

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            @ Sharia Boy:

            These planes of existence are states of mind, not an actual physical location. Nuns: Buddha gave strict rules for all monks, not only the females.

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              That doesn’t answer the question of gender equality which has been incessantly aimed at Islam, does it? Oh, it is a different logic, a different proposition when it comes to Buddhism is it? I know it hurts and our dear Houdini knows the art of deflection very well.

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              Fact of the matter is mind or physical or anything else, hell and heaven exists in Buddhism. Should also not forget that mind state could be more painful or enjoyable than the physical pain or gain.

              Yes there are strict rules for monks in Buddhism. A female monk irrespective of her status has to greet and bow in reverence to even the most horrible young male monk. What do you call this equality…

              If this is the case with monks rules, had there been strict rules in Buddhism for laymen the most honorable women would have been asked to bow in reverence to a young boy who may be a rascal or a thug.

              GIVE AT LEAST FEW REFERENCES TO SAY THERE IS EQUALITY AMONG SEXES IN BUDDHISM….

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              @ Lester,
              I hope you don’t have sufficient knowledge on Buddhism to answer the questioned raised.

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          @ Lester,
          Why you should worry for this…..The muslim women have answer for all this questions..that’s why they obey the rule. You are just Racist monk….always talk about KSA KSA KSA KSA KSA……i really fed up with you man.

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        Anura, let us discuss with what is relevant to SRI LANKA. Surely there must statistics available of the number of plural marriages amongst Muslims? Pit that against the Muslim population and you will realize that you guys are making a mountain of a mole hill!

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      Great article

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    Religion is a commitment. It involves the whole life, totally. And there is no turning back. It is not a shopping trip to pick and choose what you like, and ask for refund afterwards when you change your mind. You can not buy a religion like you buy a car. Religion is not like the flavour of the week. It is a commitment.

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      So you would go to heaven? Where the hell is that?
      Money is the barometer of all virtue.

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      so what are you trying to say ?
      if a regilion says, kill all who do not belive in god X, so u accept it is ok to procees with the saying s of that perticuler religion ?

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        I simply feel these people are trying to make an issue out of non-issue. This is made easy today with the electronic media sources. Face Book and other devices are almost comparable to deadly viruses that would harm mankind bringing all kind of disputes through media by feeding with wrong views. Receivers are diverse and their capacities are different, however polarisation is comparable to the hate or filthy slangs of Weerawansa and Mervin of the current cabinet. Disadvantages of IT today causes all these.

        Lanken problems with muslims, This was unfortunately started by BBS. This is just an issue that the state defence department has to control by going through the prevailing laws. Anyway state would have to control any kind of fascist movement regardless of being built by religious fanatics or any other social groups. BBS is proved to be violent against the civil society – by trying to manipulating the innocent masses to go against own country men (be them by race and religion different, they are all we are srilankens)- not just one video several of them are available to study why BBS monks become violent – even being vandalists- damaging public properties – why the police constable doing nothing but gawking at the monks – why the police has not spine to react….

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    The ignorant and the violent here in Sri Lanka, who have decided to attack the minority religions in the country, do not have the sense to realize that right now it is THEY who are shaming Buddhism, insulting their own Teacher, and will give Buddhism a bad name for years to come, by their incitement and violence, against minorities, who have NOT retaliated, instigated, nor engaged in this one sided campaign.
    Rogue monks and their followers most probably used as pawns, and financially backed, by unknown elements with a vicious agenda. Marriage made in hell all right.

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    In fact one who is practising the teaching of the Buddha should: – after becoming a Buddhist – first understand the teaching of the Buddha and behave according to the teaching in both the family and the society. Purifying one’s conduct and mind, so that the members of the family feel that one has changed for the better should be the goal. If before becoming a Buddhist, one was greedy, has strong hatred and lacked of a sense of responsibility and loving kindness; and after practising the Buddha’s teaching, one becomes less greedy, less paranoid and shows more care to the others with a stronger sense of responsibility, then the members of the family would see the benefit of practising the Buddha’s teaching

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    Good timely artilce.All violence based on race religion should be denounced as all should be treated as human being with respect and diginty.However there is a root cause for this problem.Buddists are peace loving people.They hardly try to convert others to their own religion.However ,during the recent past it is very evident that various forces in a subtle and organised way were trying to subdue the place buddism held in this counrty.This is a fact and that cannot be disputed.This has nothing to do with the separatist war we experianced. Due to our drawbacks in development and resources there was a fair ground for these forces to act in a hideous way.They had enough opportunities to organise properly and there were enough finanacial backing for them from out side sources as well.In this back drop Sinhala sentiments evolved against these forces after the conclusion of the war as the attention was now drawn on these elements.It is the majority’s duty to protect the rights of the minorites.However at the same time minorites should know their place and should not try to displace majority by various hidden tactics.What we have seen during the past few decades is mushrooming of various religious places and then gradual displacement of the Sinhala people from that area with time and it has become a real curse. Thisaranee has given the percentage increase of Sinhala race but conveiniently has ignored the dramatic rise of one particular race.The percentage may be still low but the rate of growth is what is significant as eventually it is a matter of time to change these proportions and one may not need a degree in rocket science to understand that.The answer to these issues is looking after our interests and welfare of our people to maintain our strength to future generations rather than resorting to extremist groups like BBS which are infact aggravating the existing problems my fuelling ethnic tensions. This is like digging our own grave by disgracing the centuries held good name and values of ours.

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      This is to Ct and CT only- I didnt write this reply- may be another priya

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      Did anybody here this news……

      When BBS shouting and crying that Muslim population is icreasing and they should be curbed, quintuplets are born to a Muslim Mother in Kandy.

      Please read the following news.

      http://www.emirates247.com/news/sri-lanka/quintuplets-born-to-woman-in-sri-lanka-2013-06-30-1.512580

      We have to see who is incharge of this world.

      Yes God Gave 10 Commandments to Moses and Muslims say God gave Sharia Law to Prophet Mohammad.

      But Jesus came and interpretted the old laws differently as every law has it’s own meaning depends on the consequences.

      Most of the preachers today interpret Quarn differently and misguide the public.

      What Muslims should do is to find a middle path to suit the current Generation and to suite civil societies.

      Marrying four wives is in the shoulders of the man, and he has to face both civil and Islamic laws and bare responsibility. I find difficult even to cope with one wife and children with economic hardships leave alone four. More over there are very few Muslim men who have four wives.

      Many of the Islamic laws will change when the ME oil stock disappear, and monarchies fall, similar with BBS when Sri Lanka’s Govt. collapse economically and Rajapakses disappear.

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        Jayantha

        “Sri Lanka’s Govt. collapse economically and Rajapakses disappear.”

        Don’t bet on this forth coming collapse.

        India will bail out Sri Lanka irrespective of whoever is in power. Now India desperately needs a stable neighbour not a failed state given that it has too many in the North.

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          Native Vedda,

          I may have to partially agree with you.

          Whenever USA brought human right issues against Castro, Cuba sent boat loads of people to USA mostly Sick, invalids and mentally disable. Soon USA stopped criticising Castro.

          Similarly Rajapakses may plan to repeat same. There are over 3 million war related Tamils are languishing in other countries and many in India. India do not want anymore extra mouths to feed when they already have starning of millions.

          I think 13 Amendment could be a decisive make or break situation for Rajapakses.

          Let’s see the outcome…..but Economic Red hole is worse may hit first.

          But the boat people are now already used to the new destinations and routes such as Australia, New Zeland and may be Indonesia, Malaysia, Philliphenes, Sumatra or even go to Figi. They have GPS now.

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        Yes who is in charge, God or the Devil?
        The devils can propose ,destroy and kill,but, God Almighty is all
        powerful ,he may give the devils to do what they want, but, when Allahs wrath comes even the devils are scared.The Bbs through their cohorts may destroy those children ,but the All Powerful has His Plans.

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    There is a quote attributed to Gandhi that goes something like this:

    “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

    Perhaps it is apt to rephrase the quote taking into account our particular circumstances:

    “I like your Buddha, I do not like your Buddhists. Your Buddhists are so unlike your Buddha.”

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      “I like your Buddha, I do not like your Buddhists.

      Then leave Sri Lanka. What’s keeping you? Join your missionary comrades in Norway, or your brothers/sisters in 95% Muslim Pakistan & Bangladesh.

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        “Then leave Sri Lanka.”
        Hey tyrant we know who we are.
        So for a day’s wage you are the e-pook dividing Asian cultures?

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        Lester

        “Then leave Sri Lanka. What’s keeping you?”

        I like Buddha’s teaching I oppose Sinhala/BUddhism.

        If you don’t like me, you should be leaving my ancestral island not me.

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          Native Comrade:

          What will you do, roam around the big cities built by Sinhala-Buddhists, with your axe, hunting birds? The island is yours, true, but Sinhalese built what you see now, give them some credit.

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            Lester

            “What will you do, roam around the big cities built by Sinhala-Buddhists, with your axe, hunting birds?”

            Its non of your business, we will live the way we like.

            ” The island is yours, true, but Sinhalese built what you see now, give them some credit.”

            We don’t like what we see now. We didn’t ask you to build/destroy this island. Would you like me to give credit for all the destruction caused by your people?

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    This is too bad. Cheap media use by CT. I will never have soft corners for them again. This is not on the article but for the picture. You are trying to make fun with a respected religion. I had good feeling about your Christianity but no more Tisaranee.

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    Rajapakse has done Sri Lanka a great favor, which is prevent it from being divided. Tisaranee does not have the guts to even show her own face; she is some obscure pen name (probably fake), roaming on all four corners of the Internet. That is how most journalists are, anyway; glossy on the outside, shallow on the inside. An inevitable result, when your “professional” work consists of digging up trash about other people.

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      Lester, you haven’t offered a single rebuttal to the substance of this article. I would have appreciated such a response, and we could have then had a spirited discussion.

      Instead, you have simply expressed a wish that journalists critical of the government NOT critique corruption, nepotism, religious fanaticism and such, in deference to Rajapakse’s role in keeping the country united. It displays a level of sycophancy and the lack of critical intellectual capacity that truly scares me.

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        Journalists have their own agenda. Unbiased journalism is a misnomer. Look at Lasantha, he was playing both sides of the coin. So was Jansz.

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          Everybody has agendas, Lester, as do you and I. Some of us want SL to be a vibrant democracy – and guess what, that is an agenda.

          Again, you have not dealt substantively with any of the issues raised in this article. I look forward to such a substantive critique.

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            Why don’t you define “democracy”, for the benefit of the readers. Give us your favorite Western example. :) I am waiting with bated breath.

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              Germany and Switzerland

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              Democracy -Noun
              A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
              A state governed in such a way.

              Your beloved leader, MR unfortunately seems to be far from even realizing the great democratic values.

              You cant expect 100% democratic rule with today^s human being, but people deserve democracy to significant levels – as it is the case in Switzerland, Germany, France, Uk and other european countries.

              Even in SL, we enjoyed it long ago. Unfortunately, when thugs in power, you can even open your mouth to exchange your views – this is why you find no dissent REACTIONs from seniors today in the country.

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              A very poor reply. It’s unfortunate that the only “democracy” you could come up with is Germany, especially given it’s WW 2 history.

              You cannot use “press freedom” as indicator of democracy. The US has the most press freedom, yet it is the most aggressive nation on the planet. It will invade any country it feels like (Iraq). Do you know why Guantanamo Bay was built in Cuba? It was to circumvent the US constitution.

              Native Germans hate Islam, because Turks are lazy, Turks refuse to learn German, and Turks wear hijab all over the place. Native Germans are also opposed to mosque building:

              Michael Höhne-Pattberg is an anti-jihad activist based in Cologne. He told CBN News the new mega-mosque is a political statement designed to show Islamic dominance in the city.

              It’s no coincidence, he added, that Cologne is also home to the famed High Cathedral of St. Peter, a historic landmark and symbol of German Catholicism.

              “The cathedral is the largest Christian building north of the Alps, and the four Islamic Turkish associations also have their center in Cologne,” he noted. “That is with a purpose to challenge the sovereignty of Christianity in Cologne.”

              http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/october/turkish-mega-mosque-in-germany-sparks-controversy/

              These mosques are funded by outsiders and threaten the native heritage of Germany.

              There is no such thing as “democracy.” It is a fake political idea designed to fool the masses.

              Let me again address the point that Germans hate Islam, and see the Muslims as a threat. Why else would Thilo Sarazzin’s book be a national bestseller? Here are a few quote from Sarazzin.

              A large number of Arabs and Turks in (Berlin)… have no productive function other than in the fruit and vegetable trade.”

              “I don’t have to respect anybody who lives off welfare but rejects the state, doesn’t do enough for his children’s education and constantly produces little girls in headscarves.”

              “I don’t want the country of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be largely Muslim, or that Turkish or Arabic will be spoken in large areas, that women will wear headscarves and the daily rhythm is set by the call of the muezzin. If I want to experience that, I can just take a vacation in the Orient.”

              “The lower the class, the higher the birth rates.”

              If you keep trying to make the point that Germans care for Islam, I will post links to videos showing Germans expressing their views, as such videos are easily available. I do not care about one or two fools who have converted to Islam; the vast majority of Germans hate Turks/Arabs/Muslims, which is why so many young second-generation Turks are going back to Turkey to find jobs.

              Comparing Tamils to Muslims is laughable. Tamils have integrated well whichever country they’re in, unlike Muslims.

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            Germany banned halal in 1995 and Switzerland banned new minarets (annoying tower from which people scream). This is what the Swiss think of Islam:

            http://olehgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Switzerland.jpg

            This is what Germans think of Islam:

            “The research shows that more than half of the German population believes that Islam is prone to violence (64%); has a tendency toward revenge and retaliation (60%); is obsessed with proselytizing others (56%); and strives for political influence (56%).

            More than 80% of Germans believe that Islam deprives women of their rights, and 70% say Islam is associated with religious fanaticism and radicalism.

            By contrast, only 13% of Germans associate Islam with love for neighbors, 12% with charity and 7% with openness and tolerance.”

            http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3487/germany-fear-east-west

            I hope you still consider Germany and Switzerland as democracies. :)

            Actually, Germany is not much of a democracy, especially after World War 2. You have to carry an id card everywhere you go, jobs are given to Germans over foreigners, any kind of Nazi display in public is forbidden, children cannot be homeschooled, etc. This does not mean Germany is unsuccessful; it is successful, but that is because they do everything their own way, whether it is building a simple house or leading the EU. I would say Germany is successful despite having limited democracy.

            I do not know much of Switzerland except that the people are very independent.

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              France, Uk and other european countries.

              France and UK ( at least England) are not democracies. Look at what they did to Libya and are trying to do now to Syria. They are still imperialists who will join brother USA to loot any 3rd world country when the opportunity arises.

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              All these give us a view how NARROWMINDEDLY YOU FEEL even about democracies.
              Name me please any utopic democracies on this planet ? If not these countries are not democracies.

              Not everyone is controlled in Germany as you assume here, of course in a country where 80 mio live, there are also all kind of foreigners living in these countries, I am not against that kind of ID controls. That is for everyone^s security.

              I did not know that ONLY one Halal issue or any of other hand pick factors would be taken to measure the democratic values. Anyway, the rigorous laws in function regardless of being who you are – control almost everything in Germany. No people are being targeted by groups of thugs. Press freedom is much higher in Germany than in any other country. They also consider code of ethics as it is not at all the case in SRILANKA under MR. And unlike in the UK, PID research are not held in German institution respecting the life of a fetus. But that means not that germans are far from stem cell research.

              Today germany is social democratic country with rule of law is in function rigorously.

              These values are not that far in Switzerland though it is a small nation of 8mio. But good thing is they have given refuged to a large number of tamils from SL and many other people, though it has reversed to own problems today in Switzerland.

              If your knowledge far behind about Switzerland, please google and try to inform yourself. Canton administration in Switzerland is far more developed than any other countries – particularly to those of Germany.

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              Germans in general have no hatred against muslims OR any other religious adherents.It is just that their culture and mentality is far different from ours. Also true that they dont respect some Muslims running illegal businesses or ghetto way of lives without willingly to integrate themselves to German culture. This is common to many of the tamils living in Switzerland too. Migrated tamils are seen as gipsy or traveller folks to these people. Not to disgrace or prejudice but to tell you the truth, many among the tamil refugees unfortunately live very isolated in Switzerland, Germany and France. I myself know all these as one who travel through Europe all these years. And about the way, that the Germans respect the Muslims; there are even enough mosques built in German townships (Aachen, Munich, Berlin, Cologne and several other cities) all these are without any barriers so that they can practise their religions as they wish to do so. Moreover, I have met Germans that have later become Muslims for their own reasons. It is upto you to choose your own religions- religious freedom is relatively high. There are even powerful Turkish parliamentarian in German parliament representing green party. These people discuss religious issues regularly as it is not the case in SRILANKA yet. As it is our leader in SL, German Angela Merkel would not stay blind if a fanatic fascist movement would attack the Muslims in Germany. Her actions are straight and prompt. Of course, we cant compare German standards with those of Srilanka. Latter has been a poorest of the poor nations yet in the world. But since you focused it with Germans and Swiss, I thought of adding them here.

              Further to their tolerance towards their migrant communities; They respect me as a Buddhist, I have not seen anyone who would try to attack me being born Buddhist. If you go to Cologne (1 mio city in densely populated state NRW) you will see them clearly. Seeing all these my US friends (white amis) from Texas were very surprised on their visit last year. So please study all these, not just focusing on few single incidents. It is true some folk groups have been isolated in these countries but not because of their religions. That has lot to do with the (German) language skills rather than them being Muslims(mainly Turks). But the second generations incl. srilanken born tamils have integrated to German life as every other communities regardless of them being hindu, muslim or christians adherents. U can read more about all these, but not just overreading all these. All these you may get on the web, but clearly, you will also find single issues where some foreigners have been attacked by nazi groups specially in newly joined german provinces. That kind of issues you can find also in UK, USA and any other developed countries. It is not right to generalize german nation basing on these single incidents. Further to this there are also tamil hindu temples in some cities of Germany. Germans have tolerated that too, providing lankens tamil communities to go and worship their kovils (place is called – Hamm and Zweibrücken). But what these tamils are up to is an another story – LTTE money collections

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              Where there are proper systems in place, there you can see progress regardless of any kind of ideologies they practise. Chinese and some parts in india are becoming like in developed world today, not because they are democratic but the rigorous systems, much less corrupted management that they have in their administrations. So, these peoples have exemplary figures to follow. Unfortunately, we in Srilanka, have neither better systems nor religious freedom. Gone were the days we enjoyed them both. I still remember decades ago, it was relatively better when it goes with democratic way of life in SL. They are becoming even more corrupted hour to hour today, more than anytime in he past, by studying some facts about the current regime I confirmed this further. Alone keeping his delegation to jumbo level- comparably the style not different from former president of Egypt, Indonesia or Zimbabwe, neglecting the wastes that eventually make – what the incumbent is currently doing is beyond all unbearable margins. Country^s Poor people have to struggle hard for their three meals today is seen not an alarming issue for him.

              And I wish I could know, what can a minister like Mervin contribute to such an entourage ?

              I think ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.., people should finally protest against the rulers.

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    He is just an estranged incapable leader: See the latest..
    here he does not seem to care that the role is of Ministry of External affairs.. and just neglecting the hatred of Indians – alone that they accuse Rajapakshe family of being that corrupted… nevertheless sending own brother who is far from external affairs to discuss with indians.. ???????????????????????
    ——————————————————————
    Sri Lanka will send President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger brother Basil Rajapaksa to Delhi to hold talks with Indian leadership over its controversial plan to tinker with the India-moved thirteenth amendment (13A), government sources today said.

    Basil Rajapaksa, the minister of economic development and the key political advisor to his brother, would leave Colombo on July 4.

    Basil was quoted as saying in the Sunday Times here today that he would be meeting External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid and National Security Advisor Shivashankar Menon.

    “I will brief them on the political situation including matters relating to the proposed amendments to the thirteenth amendment”, Sunday Times quoted Basil as saying.

    Analysts say Indian pressure has forced Colombo to retain the 13A sans amendments until the conclusion of the northern provincial council elections scheduled for September.

    Khurshid in a phone conversation with his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris in May had stressed that Colombo should not unilaterally move against the 13A.

    The younger Rajapaksa visit comes in the backdrop of a visit to New Delhi by the main Tamil party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which opposed the government plans at the behest of its nationalist allies to dilute 13A.

    The tinkering of the 13A, a by product of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of July 1987 to try and resolve the ethnic conflict, is being attempted ahead of the provincial council elections in Tamil-dominated northern areas in September.

    TNA has said it will not take part in the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) proceedings to review the 13A, saying it has been convened to strip provincial council of powers.

    A senior TNA legislator, Suresh Premachandran, said his party has decided to skip the PSC proceedings, which is expected to get underway on July 9.

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    Take the example from the old game of Chess – which represents the then
    struggle for political power in the Kingdoms. Plato’s thoughts on Republicanism 2 millenium ago and the Age of Enlightenment combined convinced the Europeans religion must be kept out of governance. And there, it remains. Democracy developed with both the State and Church living side by side not entering the area of the other. The marriage between State and Religion usually results in the birth of bloody mindless children. We have chosen to forget that important lesson of 1956. Post-Independence India fortunately escaped that fate while Pakistan, a theocratic State based on religion, has all but collapsed.

    Senguttuvan

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    Correction – In Chess together with King, Queen and Knight there is also a Bishop – in the fray.

    Senguttuvan

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    Rajapakses will be history Pretty soon with the Economic collapse and they know it very well.

    Playing “Desha Premi” card or “Sinhala Buddhist” card will take them no where.

    I have a feeling that Basil may be going to discuss about 13 +++…with additional bonus.

    Anything is possible in Rajapakse’s Miracle of Asia.

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    ‘Whenever religion marries politics, darkness descends, countries regress and people suffer.’ This is correct. However every rule has its exceptions.

    What a INSINSERE argument by TG is the above. Vatican is the remnant of the Roman empire.

    forget the past. There is no country in the world which operates without the influence of Religion. All the western developed countries govern with the heavy religious influence. Anglican church is headed by the Queen.

    Even the fight among USA presidential election was fought between Mormons and other Christian sects.

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    Or that the world’s greatest symbol of romantic love was built by an Islamic emperor in memory of his dead wife.

    “Shah Jahan, was so grief-stricken when his third wife Mumtaz Mahal died that he had the Taj Mahal built. But not, apparently, so grief stricken he didn’t manage to add a few more to his harem. I have read that he had 7 wives and – get this – after she carked it he married her sister. Nothing says eternal and undying devotion like shagging your wife’s sister does it?”

    http://www.oculusmundi.com/1/post/2012/11/love-story-or-horror-story-the-truth-about-the-taj-mahal.html

    Well, that must be the Islamic version of “romance.” :)

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    “Today most Sri Lankan school children are taught Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim.”

    What is this muslim ?

    Arabic language ?

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    Do insults persuade the Public?

    Ms T, the Leader of the pack,perhaps not only think so but seems convinced.

    The great majority of the inhabitants population,are Sinhala Budhists who happen to contribute over seventy five percent to the inhabitant population.

    The great majority among them are simple ,poor rural folk, who have great respect fot their religion, their rituals and the custodians of their religion

    They are ever greatful to the current Prez, for liberating them from the scourge of Terrorism.

    They are living a peaceful and harmonious life since Manthikadal.

    Aren’t these the voters who will and must decide what is good for them, if they are to follow the ” Westminister Model”?.

    Would this poster heading this yet another bashing increase any chances of turning this vote base to tick the Elephant and the House ( or is it going to be the same as PM Rudra’s Mascot ) in the Ballot pper?.

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      Looks like Journalists and Politikkas are two sides of the same coin.

      Both could be bought for money and both are looking ways to make money.

      Also the same Politikkas who talk about Lord buddha and King Dutugemunu are the ones who tie people to trees and make Teachers to kneel down.

      Politics is the most easiest job to dupe Villege uneducated masses while ruining the economy.

      From bringing rice from moon upto giving eta paha, upto 13+++ are few of the political jokes.

      But now even the villege masses could not be duped anymore as we see many villege protests are taking place daily.

      Both Politikkas and the reporters should either put up or shut up when it comes to Constructive Criticism. After all they are been well looked after and well taken care of by the masters for absorbing them.

      Therefore it is part of po…li…ti…kakas profession.

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      K.A Sumanasekera

      “They are ever greatful to the current Prez, for liberating them from the scourge of Terrorism.”

      To be precise they may be grateful to the current ruling clan for liberating them from the scourge of Tamil Terrorism.

      Were the same rural folks grateful to the Mahinda for saving/defending JVP’s Sinhala/Buddhist Terrorism when as human rights champion he fought for Sinhala/Buddhists at UNHRC, one of Sudda controlled councils?

      As usual I find hypocrisy and double standard in your typing.

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    @ Le(U)ster …. YOU PROVED YOU ARE A ANTAGONIST OF ISLAM.. And always writing here having KASIPPU without knowing truths…..anyway , read the NEWS …

    Swiss antagonist of minarets embraces Islam

    RENOWNED Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame for his campaign against minarets of mosques, has embraced Islam.
    A member of the Swiss Peoples Party (SVP) and a well-known politician, Daniel Streich was the first man who had launched a drive for imposition of ban on mosques minarets, and to lock the mosques in Switzerland. The proclamation of Streichs conversion to Islam has created furore in Swiss politics, besides causing a tremor for those who supported ban on construction of mosques minarets.
    Streich propagated his anti-Islamic movement far and wide in the country, sowed seeds of indignation and scorn for Islam among the people, and paved way for public opinion against pulpits and minarets of mosques.
    But now Streich has become a soldier of Islam. His anti-Islam thoughts finally brought him so close to this religion that he embraced Islam. He is ashamed of his doings now and desires to construct the most beautiful mosque of Europe in Switzerland.
    The most interesting thing in this regard is that at present there are four mosques in Switzerland and Streich wants to lay the foundation for the fifth one. He wishes to seek absolution of his sin of proliferating venom against Islam. He is thinking of a movement contrary to his previous one to promote religious tolerance and peaceful cooperative living, in spite of the fact that ban on mosques minarets has gained a legal status.
    This is the greatest quality of Islam that it comes up with even greater vigour, when it is faced with confrontation.
    Abdul Majeed Aldai, the president of OPI, an NGO, working for the welfare of Muslims, says that Europeans have a great desire to know about Islam. Some of them want to know about the relationship between Islam and terrorism; same was the case with Streich.
    During his confrontation, Streich studied the Holy Quran and started understanding Islam.
    He wished to be hard to Islam, but the outcome was otherwise. Aldai further says.
    Recently the question of ban on minarets was put to voting in Switzerland, wherein the Swiss nationals gave the issue a legal status.
    As per voting results 42.5 per cent people voted in favour of the minarets and 57.5 per cent supported the ban, while the Muslim population in Switzerland is only 6 per cent. The most wondrous thing in this regard, therefore, is the support of 42.5 per cent of population for only six per cent Muslims.
    The analysts claim that ban on minarets and Islamic rituals has attracted the people towards Islam.
    Streich was an important member of the Swiss Peoples Party (SVP). His importance could be estimated from his influence on partys policy making, in which he always had a prominent role. His movement against minarets was aimed at gaining political attention and interest. He won the slot of military instructor in the Swiss Army due to his popularity.
    Born in a Christian family, Streich had a comprehensive study of Islam merely to malign and confront, but Islamic teachings had a deep impact on him. Eventually he de-linked himself from political activities and he embraced Islam. Streich has termed the SVO activities against the Muslims as satanic.
    He says that he used to read the Bible and often went to chapel, but now he recites the Holy Quran and offers his prayers five times a day. He further says that he cancelled his party membership and made public his conversion. Streich says that he has found the truth of life in Islam, which he could not find in Christianity.
    On the other hand the Swiss military authorities have feared that Streich, who was once a military instructor, might reveal army secrets to the Muslims.
    An SVP National Council member says that Streich as military instructor could be dangerous.
    However, a spokesman of Swiss Army while rejecting this impression said that the performance of our military was more important than that who instructed it.
    However, from within their own ranks, a man is now working for the promotion of Islam and its teachings. The law of a country can ban minarets but not minds and hearts. ( THE NATION – Desk News. )

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      Thanks to the Anti-Muslim campaigners in Sri Lanka too, more Buddhists have taken an interest to know about Islam and the demand for Sinhala and English translations of the Holy Quran and Islamic literature keeps increasing. I have helped some Buddhist friends in this. Alhamdulillah – It is all Allah’s work.

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        … and I won’t be surprised if our King and his brother Goata, the ring leaders of Balu Bala Sena, embrace Islam???

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      Abdul Majeed Aldai, the president of OPI, an NGO, working for the welfare of Muslims, says that Europeans have a great desire to know about Islam.

      LOL, I have never met a European who is interested in Islam. Islam is nothing more than a perverted version of Christianity and Judaism. Islam has 14th century values, such as hijab, holy war, and no women’s rights. Europeans will never go for Islam; they enjoy their nude beaches, beer, and bratwurst (sausage) way too much. :) See here:

      http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q2LaIfccNQ/T7qbeCHXBQI/AAAAAAAAAAo/2NaVXgkeKwk/s640/swiss-nazis.jpeg

      Centuries of difference between the two groups of women.

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        The Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame as a result of his opposition to mosques in his homeland, has now embraced the faith he reviled.

        Daniel Streich was a member of then Swiss People’s Party (SVP) in Switzerland. A well-known politician, Streich led the calls for a ban on minarets across Switzerland. He was active in building anti-Muslim sentiments throughout Switzerland. This sustained campaign led to him being given a high ranking position in the Swiss Army.

        SVP Witch Hunt

        Streich left the SVP in November 2009 calling his party’s campaign against Islam as a ‘witch hunt.’ The date coincided with the second anniversary of Streich’s conversion which he had kept secret from the party.

        With the party’s campaign to ban minarets leading to a referendum, Streich said the situation had become unbearable for him.

        Switzerland Minaret Ban and Daniel Streich

        In the lead up to the ban Streich said “If the initiative passes, it will be an absolute deep blow for me. I would have to ask myself, why I applied myself professionally and politically for over 30 years for this political system. It is not worthy of Switzerland to force Muslims to practice their faith in back alleys.”

        Streich is a military instructor in the Swiss army and was said to be a committed Christian reading the Bible and attending Church regularly.

        He was also committed to his party (SVP) and stood as a local politician in the commune of Bulle.

        Daniel Streich Conversion to Islam

        Streich attempted to understand the Qur’an and Islamic teachings in order to argue against Muslims on tenets of their faith. In the course of his efforts the ex-Christian began to agree with and acknowledge the proclamations of the Qur’an.

        “Islam offers me logical answers to important life questions, which, in the end, I never found in Christianity,” says Streich. He is now a committed Muslim, who attends the mosque, recites the Qur’an and prays five times a day.

        Post-Conversion Life for Daniel Streich

        Streich has now focused his intentions on participating in the building of the new Conservative Democratic Party in the canton of Freiburg. Freich’s new movement is in contrast to his previous one and he aims to promote religious tolerance and peaceful cooperative living, in spite of the fact that ban on mosques minarets has gained a legal status.

        He is vehemently opposed to the Minaret ban and is hoping to establish Switzerland’s fifth mosque and the most beautiful in Europe.
        Source: http://worldobserveronline.com/2012/10/04/daniel-streich-embraces-islam/

        Perhaps Allah will put, between you and those to whom you have been enemies among them, affection. And Allah is competent, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Surah Al-Mumtahina [60:7]

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          Muslims are very hypocrit. they dont want people to live in happy. they need all to be depressed under their so-called moral values. hate Islam

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            The dogs keep barking but the caravan moves on…..

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          Jamal

          “The Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame as a result of his opposition to mosques in his homeland, has now embraced the faith he reviled.”

          Is Daniel Streich now working from within to destroy Mosques and Islam by being part of his perceived enemies?

          If this strategy does work, I suggest the Muslims who oppose BBS should join BBS and work from within.

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            Native, thanks for the thought! Muslims returning from the pilgrimage come with their heads shaved! The Ihram they wear is like the SIUVRA, only that it is clean white. No problem can be dirtied or dyed to get the Gnanassara colour.

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          More than one Muslim reader has commented here on Swiss politician Daniel Streich’s conversion to Islam. Streich – a Swiss Army man – is called by the media as unstable. He was born a Protestant and later converted to Catholicism. He began his political life in the Swiss Peoples Party and then switched to the Conservative Democratic Party. From what one gathers from the Swiss press, the man is known for his inconsistency and tendency to do the sensational to get into the news.

          Senguttuvan

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          More than one reader in these pages have referred to the Swiss politician Daniel Streich and his latest conversion to Islam.
          Streich – a Swiss Army man- born Protestant and reported to have converted to Catholicism. He appears to have came to politics from the Swiss People’s Party and then switched to Conservative Democratic Party. The media there calls him unstable and inconsistent and given to sensationalism to get into the news.

          Senguttuvan

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            It is amazing that when he was in the forefront of the movement to ban ‘minarets’ nobody considered him unstable, especially the media. After his conversion, Lo and Behold, the media starts blowing the horns – Streich is unstable. Of course how can he be stable if he gives us what was thought conventionally to be correct? Not surprising, not surprising at all

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              Nice to know Jamal has been quoting a mental case as the image of Islamic converts. :)

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              As I stated Daniel Streich happens to be a mental case only after his conversion. The vast majority of readers in this forum already have accredited you with it. So we do not take a nut case seriously when he refers to another as one! At least he has not been accused of financial fraud!

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              Streich was never against Islam.

              “Streich had in fact never campaigned against mosques or Islam, and has also never revealed any intention of building a mosque.”

              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Streich

              Of course he is still a lunatic for converting.

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              That’s what one source says. However there are plenty of other sources confirming and in support of the source I quoted. As for “Of course he is still a lunatic for converting”. look who is talking? With your logic all of us are mad and you are the only sane person talking and possibly from ANGODA I.e if you are in SL

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        Lester, just respond to Jamal’s comments.

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        Islam is the improved version of Judaism and Christianity, and is the final religion sent to man by the Almighty. Perhaps it is your isolation from society that you have never me an European who is interested in Islam. Search for information and you will come across thousands who talk and appreciate Islam and hundreds who have reverted to Islam.

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    Lester,

    how about our saudi days , seems you really mad at saudi and muslims as you lost your job in saudi. belive in you man, it seems you still not get the right job as a result you so furious about muslims. what we can do, we have collected some money to help in those days. it looks your marriage as well gone to hell, is it? may the creator looks at your actions and reward you soon.

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      Lester – the most known Rajapakshe appologist hates entire muslim world.

      All these have lot to do with his job history rather than anything else.

      Regardless of the topic that the readers here are involved in, he always comes with hatred views against muslims and sharia law, i am not sure, whether even beheaded Rizanas lovely ones would have such a hatred as Lester has.
      Either Lester is mental case or malice person by all nature. Sadly these kind of people let things become even worst for the general public, since false information cause all mental disharmonies on this platform mostly.

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      @ Champuke:

      Is it true that Prophet Muhammed was an orphan? That means his mother could have been a Jew or even a Sinhala Buddhist. :) Same for the father. That is why you people always try to hide Prophet’s true history (child marriage, 11 wives, slaves, small anatomy, etc.).

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        Lester, what a pervert you are. Do you know that the holy prophet is mentioned in almost all world major religious books. It appears that you have no idea at all about prophet and islam. You have been writing to this forum even without knowing the life of prophet. What a shame !

        Alphonse de La Martaine wrote in ‘Historie de la Turquie’:
        “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws, and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples, dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls. Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs… The founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire — that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?”

        The British philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, who won the Nobel Prize for his book ‘The Heroes’ wrote:
        “It is a great shame for any one to listen to the accusation that Islam is a lie and that Muhammad was a fabricator and a deceiver. We saw that he remained steadfast upon his principles, with firm determination; kind and generous, compassionate, pious, virtuous, with real manhood, hardworking and sincere. Besides all these qualities, he was lenient with others, tolerant, kind, cheerful and praiseworthy and perhaps he would joke and tease his companions. He was just, truthful, smart, pure, magnanimous and present-minded; his face was radiant as if he had lights within him to illuminate the darkest of nights; he was a great man by nature who was not educated in a school nor nurtured by a teacher as he was not in need of any of this.”

        Lester, you have a bad disease in your mind. Please go to the correct (religious)doctor before spitting your filthy venom against islam and its prophet to this forum.

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          You have still not addressed my main point, which is that Muhammed’s parents were not Muslims. It is you who is afraid of the truth about Muhammed, that is why you forbid even his image. Learn the truth: he was no prophet, only a psychopath.

          Ibn Kathir commentary of the verse in his Tafsir is as follows:

          Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized.[2]
          [Ibn Kathir, on Quran 33:26]

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Banu_Qurayza

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            Lester, you are a real hypocrite. Why muslims want to hide the identity of the prophet. It will be disadvantageous to them and Islam. In fact it is the opposite thing. He has very clear history from his birth till his death. Every moment is recorded by his companions. Images of the prophet purposely avoided for the reason that people will start to worship his image as God reincarnation, as it happened to Christians, Hindus, Buddhists etc.

            By the way, what difference it will make if the parents of the prophet are muslims or non-muslims? What was the religion of Gautama Budda’s parents ? Do you know in Buddhist religious texts, the name of prophet of Islam is mentioned ?

            It is in Chakkavatti Sinhnad Suttanta D. III, 176:

            “There will arise in the world a Buddha named Maitreya (the benevolent one) a holy one, a superme one, an enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe:

            “What he has realized by his own supernatural knowledge he will publish to this universe. He will preach his religion, glorious in its religion, glorious at its climax, glorious at the goal, in the spirit and the latter. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and thoroughly pure; even as I now preach my religion. HE WILL KEEP UP THE SOCIETY OF MONKS NUMBERING MANY THOUSANDS, EVEN AS NOW I KEEP UP A SOCIETY OF MONKS NUMBERING MANY HUNDREDS.”

            Prophet Muhammad is ONLY Prophet in history who had thousands of disciples.

            According to Sacred Books of the East Volume 35 page 225:

            “It is said that I am not an only Buddha upon whom the leadership and order is dependent. After me another Buddha MAITERAYA of such and such virtues will come. I AM NOW THE LEADER OF HUNDREADS , HE WILL BE THE LEADER OF THOUSANDS.”

            This is none but Muhammad(Pbuh) because He is the only man who had thousands of disciples.

            You have complete ignorance about Islam and it’s prophet. You have taken a battle field situation out of context. Learn about the subject before write on that to a public forum.

            I am sure you and Jimsofty are coming from the same clan, and need spiritual surgery to brain.

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              A Buddha is someone who gives up all wordly desires and attachments. Muhammed was enjoying women and wealth till the day he died. You cannot call Muhammed a Buddha.

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    haha..
    interesting statistical analysis as inaccurate and lame it may seem..
    maybe you haven’t notices the centre of gravity of the trade has shifted towards the muslims unless you live on this particular planet earth where the Sri Lanka we live in is situated..
    ha ha ha..

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    “There is no country in the world which operates without the influence of Religion” True – to a large extent. But the point is the uncalled for and undue excess influence of religion in the affairs of Govt to disfigure the democratic nature and functioning of modern states. In Sri Lanka, arguably, from the mid-1950s, we have suffered undue levels of influence and deleterious interference from one religion resulting in racial and religion mayhem from then till now. One scheming young cricketer, with politics in his mind when he wore the pads, shamed religion by
    misleading Cricket administration to bless the national cricket team at the airport everytime they took wings – something that must be one more 1st in the world for us. He is well ensconced in politics but the game and its administration are in turmoil. The sooner this bad example is done away with it is good both for the game and the country. The controversies of governance, our relations with the minorities and our non-diplomacy with the region that raise tension this very day are those that spring from this struggle between these subversive forces that have gained direct access to the higher seats of the State and the elected government. Strong religious but sinister faceless forces and the religious hierarchy back one section of the Govt while the legitimately formed Govt, that came to power on publicly declared policies in their Manifestoes, appear to be on the back foot. The next fortnight will be one of the most crucial in the life of the Mahinda Rajapakse regime as a result of this continuing conflict.

    Senguttuvan

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    after reading all comments… i can conclude

    ” it is true that islam is a cancer to the world “

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      Rebeka …

      HOW CAN BE A CANCER – PATIENT COMMENT TO OTHERS AS CANCER ??……….. ARE YOU ON THE EDGE OF THE LAST BREATH ??

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        First learn English. no one can understand what you wanna say. A typical ignorent, uneducated, savage muslim I guess.

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          I can’t stop laughing @ PEACELOVER.

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      @ Rebeka:

      ” it is true that islam is a cancer to the world “

      Really, cancer is an understatement. Islam ruined India,North Africa, Iran, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia and many other places. The only progressive Muslim nations are Shia Iran and Shia Syria.

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        Is that why know ISLAMAPHOBES like Daniel Streich (of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) in Switzerland. A well-known politician, Streich led the calls for a ban on minarets across Switzerland. He was active in building anti-Muslim sentiments throughout Switzerland.) and Arnoud van Doorn (a member of Wilders’ right-wing Freedom Party until the end of 2011,a sworn islamaphobe.) have apologized for their misinformation, misunderstanding and their earlier hatred towards Islam?

        Perhaps Allah will put, between you and those to whom you have been enemies among them, affection. And Allah is competent, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Surah Al-Mumtahina [60:7]

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    Islam ruined where it goes.. such a petty, hypocrit religion. I simply hate it and dont even like to see a muslim.

    1) they smell bad
    2) they look ugly
    3) they are ignorant and stupid
    4) they are like animals
    5) they have blind faith but no logic
    6) they are the real danger to the world.

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      The dogs keep barking but the caravan moves on…..

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      YES JAMAL LET THE DOGS KEEP BARKING ,THE CARAVAN WILL MOVE ON .
      ISLAM WILL MOVE ON FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH IN SPITE OF THE DOGS BARKING.

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        Very funny that Islam does not like dogs. Dogs can sense whether a person is good or bad. Dogs are very loyal to the master, and will save his life when in danger. That is dogs are affectionately called “man’s best friend.” Again, interesting that the Islam cult does not like dogs…

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          *That is why

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