By Rifai Naleemi –
Rifai Naleemi
I really appreciate the critiques of my writing. I always welcome the constructive criticism. But such criticism should be an objective one not a subjective one. Of course my objective approach might be a subjective to you. This occurs according to different perceptions of your understating. But yet, we should all try to understand issues and problems in comprehensive ways. We should substantiate our arguments with evidence and logical reasoning.
The criticism that provokes our thought and stimulate our creating thinking should be recognised. But all these should be done objectively without any prejudice and discrimination within the etiquette of academic writing: it is not my objective to make any communal division or social disharmony rather to enhance of comparative religious understanding. Please do not take my writing out of contexts; I have been calling for communal harmony and religious dialogues between different communities. It is not my aim to hurt feeling of any religious community rather I make staunch criticism of BBS group for its apparent bias and racial remakes.
I know well that Sinhalese race is one of the best races in the world: They are kind, compassionate and polite people. I do not say that but history itself testifies this. What happening now within the BBS group is totally a different matter? I’m telling this because BBS has been expressing communal resentment and religious jealousy in its recent public talks and speeches. The entire world knows that. It is self-evident from their talks and speeches. It is self evident from their behaviours, actions and mentalities as well. Any sound person would agree with such statement. We know well that the majorities of Sinhalese people deplore the actions and behaviours of BBS. I repeatedly re-iterate here that my aim is to expose the hatred of BBS rather than hurting feeling of people.
I never and ever generalise this issue with Sinhalese people. I single out some policy statements of BBS for its bias approaches and attitudes. I do not think that BBS represent the majority of Singhalese people. The majority of people do not subscribe to BBS view points. They do not endorse their ideologies, policies and perceptions. The majority of venerable Buddhist monks do not endorse the radicalism and extremism in any form. One could notice the clear disparity in the speeches of Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero of BBS and its President Venerable Kirama Wimalajothi Thero. While the venerable Kirama Wimalajothi Thero speaks with politeness and logic we notice the venerable Gnanasara Thero speaks with aggression and violence. His speeches are self evident for hared. Please listen to some of speeches and talks to see how much aggressive are his talks and speeches. Is this Buddhist way of addressing issues and concerns? Of course not at all and majority of Buddhist people deplore these attitudes.
Of course, some concerns and worries of BBS are genuine and real. They should address these concerns in proper and professional ways. They should address these concerns in democratic ways rather creating communal disharmony and pandemonium. They should address their concerns and their worries with the ministry of Buddha Sasena. They should address these concerns with the high ranking Buddhist religious authorities in the country. They should address their concern with the administration of the temples in the countries to find some of ways and methods to enhance their religious concepts.
They should not take the laws in their hands to address their concerns. They should not become a religious police to dictate what they want to the entire Sri-Lankan communities. A claim such as Sri-Lanka belongs only to Sinhalese is an unwanted provocation. This could take this country into one more communal conflict between Sinhalese and minorities communities. Just we come out of 30 years of wars. Do we need such a provocative statement once again?
Of course we could agree with BBS in some of their concerns and worries. But those concerns and worries should be national concerns and national interests rather than communal concerns. If they are fighting for the rights of poor, needy and vulnerable in the communities these concerns and worries are genuine and real. The entire nation should support such a struggle, if they are fighting against all form of corruptions and social injustices we all should support such a good course. If they are fighting against all form of social illness such as drug addition and fraud we all should support them in this good work, if they are fighting against alcoholism and crimes we all should work hand in hand with them in these particular issues.
Our country faces many challenges today than ever before. It may be true that the war with LTTE is already over and yet, the country faces many economic and social challenges. A large proportion of people suffer from abject poverty. People in the villages are struggling to make end meets in the life. People are struggling to meet basic necessities of daily life. A large percentage of school drop outs do not get job opportunities and career prospectus. These are clearly apparent in rural villages in some districts in Sri Lanka. We should go to some remote villages to see the pathetic conditions of people in rural areas. For instance look at the conditions of Plantation Tamils in Estates. They have been dedicating for the economy of Sri Lanka for the last 6 decades and yet see the conditions they are living in today. In the same ways farmers of Sri Lanka are backbones of Sri-Lankan agricultural sector and yet, look at the conditions they are living in today. Rather than addressing these fundamental problems BBS is engaging in communal racism. Ironically it is in the name of Buddhism and Buddhism has nothing to do with racism.
Any foreseeable danger comes toSri Lanka today not from Sri Lankan Tamil community or Muslim community in Sri Lanka rather it could come from Tamil Nadu in long run. With its 65 millions Tamil populations it could become a threat in a long run if Sri Lanka fails to establish good diplomatic and social ties with Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka has so far managed to build up good diplomatic relations with India and yet, our relation with Tamil Nadu has been not that good in recent time. No Tamil Nadu high ranking politician visited Sri Lanka and our presidents and PM are not yet, been invited into Tamil Nadu. This widening diplomatic gap should be worrying BBS and its cohorts rather than creating more communal disharmony between communities.
BBS is a real threat to national unity today. They create division between communities today. They spread hared among communities today. They spread lies and fabrications without any evidence. The racial discrimination and racial prejudice of BBS can not be tolerated. BBS should be dismantled in the greater interest of this nation. It would be a social and communal suicidal to go on this path of discrimination and hatred. We all know that happened to our venerable monks in South India. Undoubtedly, it was reactionary violence of some Tamil Nadu people against what was going on in Sri Lanka on those days. The behaviours of some of these BBS people could put communal relation in jeopardy in Sri Lanka.
Radicalism is radicalism and extremism is extremism, whether it comes from Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Buddhists, whether it comes from religious groups or political groups or from any groups, whether it comes from al-Qaeda or Taliban, whether it come from BBS or for that matter from any religious groups. The radicals and extremists have done more damages and more harm to Islam and Muslims today than any one else. In the same way all forms of radicalism that come from BBS should be rejected.
Sri Lanka is blessed with the existence of four major world religions. The different cultural and religious heritage beautifies Sri Lankan Multi-Cultural history. It should not lead to communal and religious conflicts at all. It should enhance our mutual intercultural understanding. Unfortunately, this intercultural understanding is lacking in Sri Lanka today. Our children have to learn all four major religions today. Our children should know each other’s religious faith and practices. This is not to indoctrinate one another with others faith rather to enhance mutual understanding between different faith groups. Today we live in a borderless virtual world. Therefore, we should understand each others faith and way of life. We should also appreciate other people’s way of life. In this way we could avoid social and communal conflict in Sri Lanka. Our schools, institutions and universities have no such systems to learn and teach comparative religions. It is really a pathetic condition of our educational system. I shall give some examples of this cultural conflict to illustrate this point in my next week writing if God willing.
JimSofty / May 27, 2013
RifaI Naleemi:
You are talking only part of the issue because that helps you to achieve your goals.
First Sinhala people are not a race. It is only an ethnic group. You say Sinhala people are kind and compassionate people. I hope you understand why.
Sinhala people had a buddhist civilization and they allowed muslims to come, settle and marry sinhala women ( am leaving the Muslim traders marrying tamil women). So, some how your religious group is considerable group. You know how respected sinhala-buddhist culture by opposing the Kandy perahera. You know how Kuragala, an ancient buddhist monastry now has become a Muslim holy site.
You know how and hwat muslims have done when they had the upper hand, Greater India (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan) and Maldive Islands are some of the example. You know how majority muslims countries treat other religions.
You know how the Quran talk about other religions and non-theistic religions and different sects of muslims sects.
that is only a part of the story.
I am pretty sure, after all explaining you would still emphasize your point because that your way to go to your ALMIGHTY and probably to get SEVENTY TWO VIRGINs. Because, muslims must convert others. So, they fight for it with what all they have.
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Yehiya / May 27, 2013
I would like to bring one example most of 100% Arab Muslims citizen countries having churches (Qatar,UAE oman, Bahrain,) how can say Muslims are not respected other communities. we are citizen of Sri lanka. In the same time any community political leader is not the symbol of their religion.Buddhisam & Mr. Mahinda is two different path.As Arab leader also same as.
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DODU / May 27, 2013
Jim Softy, I hope you are not Leela or Lester hiding behind this name. People like Jim Softy, when writing their comments, forget the fact that Buddhism is 2500 years old and Buddha himself is a Hindu. they also forget. That Buddha learned under Buddhist and Jain teachers and the Buddhists at that time were converted from Hinduism or Jainism to Buddhism including Buddha. It was during. Jim Softy, Ashoka’s ( who ruled most part of India of that time including Afganistan,Pakistan and Bangladesh) rule used his influence to convert Hindus and Jains in to Buddhism. Jainism was more popular and Jains Show their anger by drawing pictures of Buddha bowing at the feet of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Once Ashoka killed over 18,000 followers of Ajivika sect just for a person of the same sect was drawing this picture. So, WHAT BUDDHISTS DID TO OTHER RELIGIONS WHEN THEY HAD UPER HAND IN GREATER INDIA WAS VERY CLEAR AS CRISTAL!When Ashoka sent his son Mahinda to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka , Hinduism and Jainism were already in practice here. it was Hindus, Jains and Vedda’s who allowed Buddhism to come and settle here. So Buddhism was spread her at the expense of other religion.
The disappearance of Buddhism from India was mainly due to Brahminical revival. Buddha’s fight agains Brahkins won him many enemies from among the Brahmins. brakmins were looking for their turn to take revenge from Buddhists for their defeat. After ASHOKA’S death they started their conspiracy to destroy Buddhism from their Land! They said a person who touches a Buddhist shall purify himself by having a bath. They made Buddha an Avatar of Vishnu to show that he is just among one of the over countless Avatars! They said whoever goes to Haramba, the place where Buddha breathed last, will go to Hell or reborn as ass! Sasanka, the Shaivite Brahmin King of Bengal, murdered the last Buddhist empower Rajyavardhana in 605 Ad and then marched on to Bodhi Gaya, where he destroyed the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. He forcibly removed the Buddha’s image from the Bodhi Vihara near tree and installed on of Shiva in its place. He said to have slaughtered all the Buddhists monk in the area. It is said to have that another such Shavite king Mihirkula was completely destroyed over 1500 Buddhist shrines. The Mahabodi Vihara at Bodhi Gaya was forcibly converted into Shaivite temple and the controversy lingers on till this day!
The Buddhist were finally obsorbed into cast system, mainly as Untouchables (Dalits) and with that Buddhist presence was completely destroyed from its birth place, GREATER INDIA! “The history of India is nothing but a history of a moral conflict between Buddhism and Brahmanism” said Dr. B.R Ambadekar. In addition to Brahmanism, corruption in the Buddhist sangha or priesthood ( like in Sri Lanka) also precipitated Buddhism’s ultimate decline.
“Nowhere can one find evidence to say that some Greater Indian Buddhist army or some Buddhist Organisation fought with the Muslim invaders any battle worth the name” V.D.Savarkar. I would like to remind you that Savaskar is an anti Muslim. So, it is an argument of an illiterate to say that Islam was the reason for the destruction of Buddhism from Grater India. Islam was brought to this world by Prophet almost after 1000 years of Buddhism. In fact Buddhist were welcoming Muslims to India to save themselves from getting slaughtered by Brahmins. That is why Savasker said: at the news of the fall so King Dahir and the victory of Mulims, these Buddhists Bergen to ring bells in their viharas to greet the Muslim conquerors.
All most In all Mulims countries minorities are treated well. Please do not consider Migrant Workers as minorities except one or two countries. Burma is a Buddhist country and you know how minorities are treated there. Just taking Burma as an Example we cannot ash you the same question. Sri Lanka also same. Thailand another Buddhist country it is same there agai.
Finally, it is worse to re-born as an animal or a man again in this world as per your
philosophy. If some one re- born as a MAN YOU WILL KILL HIM, BUT NOT EAT. AT THE SAME TIME IF HE RE-BORN AS A CATTLE YOU WILL NOT KILL HIM BUT EAT. Therefore, It is better to be in Haven with 72 or more vergins. . If one religion on of their God has over 16,000 what is wrong in we having 72 or more in haven.
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Hade Sheriff / May 27, 2013
Good reply to Jim Softy let him eat humble pie now.
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American Mama / May 27, 2013
Very childish reasoning with a lot of false information.
What a waste of time
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DODU / May 27, 2013
What I wrote is the true history. Without knowing your own history you fools are finding faults on others Iust lookig at internet. American Mama the truth is hurting you.. The fast is your Buddhism cannot cope with the development of the human mind. It is getting erazed from the modern world. Your monks are doing their part for it. Wait and see.
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Roy Rogers / May 30, 2013
on the spot, I totally concur with you, you have absolutely have clear idea of what history is. Lets all read this and understand.
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Amarasiri / May 27, 2013
Refai Nallemi,
You say:
“We know well that the majorities of Sinhalese people deplore the actions and behaviours of BBS. I repeatedly re-iterate here that my aim is to expose the hatred of BBS rather than hurting feeling of people.”
In many societies, a small fraction, between 1 and 15% are extremists and deviants. When these deviants,contested a public election, they got between 1 and 15% of the votes, for the most successful deviants.
This was the case with the Pakistan extremists, US Christian fundamentalist extremists, and with the extremists in Sri Lanka JHU and even with BBS. Both JHU and BBS are trying to use Nationalism, Racism and religion to get adherents. The Sinhala Buddhists are wiser. The numbers in Sri Lanka are probably around 5% of the Buddhists, and must have gone down with the BBS recent activities, as the True Buddhists, 95%, know they BBS are destroying Buddhism.
A “Buddhist” monk burned himself with petrol provided by the state media correspondent,against cattle slaughter, who was ready with cameras. He will NOT attain the Pali Nibbana. He was a member of JHU and Sinhala Ravya, the Sinhala Buddhist Racist organizations.
Given below are the worldwide cattle slaughter statistics.
India, Hindu and Birthplace of Lord Buddha, and “Buddhist” China, are the leading cattle slaughter Nations.
Ironically, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the lowest. It appears that after the CIA installed Shah left, The Islamic Republic stopped Cattle Slaughter.
The number of cattle slaughtered worldwide.
http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?commodity=cattle&graph=total-slaughter
Rank Country Total Slaughter (1000 HEAD)
1 India 42,100.00 (Country of Buddha;s Birth, Hindu)
2 China 40,900.00 (“Buddhist” Country)
3 Brazil 40,300.00
4 United States 32,612.00
5 EU-27 27,300.00
6 Argentina 12,400.00
7 Australia 8,100.00
8 Russian Federation 6,800.00
9 Mexico 6,300.00
10 Colombia 4,300.00
11 New Zealand 4,146.00
12 Canada 2,985.00
13 Ukraine 2,390.00
14 Uruguay 2,230.00
15 Venezuela 1,550.00
16 Egypt 1,340.00 ( Muslim)
17 Belarus 1,205.00
18 Japan 1,155.00 (“Buddhist”)
19 Korea, Republic Of 938.00
Year of Estimate: 2013
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
See also: Commodity prices
See also: Commodities market
Iran
http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?country=ir&commodity=cattle&graph=total-slaughter
Saudi Arabia
http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?country=sa&commodity=cattle&graph=total-slaughter
-Amarasiri
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Yehiya / May 27, 2013
Very productive report.India is the 2nd largest exporter of beef to world market.90% killed according to Islamic rights.Islam granted some sort of animal for food.Most of the people not know the human physiology for consumption of food & digest system.According to my knowledge Buddhist not to kill even mosquitoes & same time antibiotic also prohibited.Why they stand only for cattle is the question.Buddhist scholars are very silent & not clear the animal slaughtering,but the Hindu’s(Bramins) are avoiding all animals including fish.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
You should expect what is fair and what what is just only in such a society.
DO muslims have a such a history or present ?
Muslims have been always aggressive and what their prophet wanted was conversion and holding onto faith by force.
Muslims women cannot express freely. Muslims cannot move to other religions.
You come here and try to preach to buddhists.
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DODU / May 27, 2013
Buddhist monks are more violent then Buddhist lay men! See Sri Lanka and Burma! No one in Islam is holding any one in force. You think that you fellows are holding Buddhists by force in Buddhism they also do it. We can see how you fellows and monks are struggling to keep Buddhists in Buddhism, is is a religion in it we have everything. Buddhism is just only a Philodophy, it is not a religion at all. At is very difficult to follow a Philosophy. Islam has produced much better Philosophers then Buddha. Buddhism is an outdated Philodophy which could not cope with the development of Human knowledge. That is why it is getting chased by Buddhists itself. Look at Korea and Taiwan Buddhistsare changing to other religions. See Vietnam and North Korea, there buddhists are becoming as atheists. So, it is natural you fellows getting exited.
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Roy Rogers / May 30, 2013
Dear Jimsoftly, mark my word, BBS will do more harm to real Buddhism and will distroy its existense in the long run if it continues its terror tactics. Tru beleivers will shun BBS totally. read history , you will understand what i am saying. for a shorter political gain BBS is harming Buddhism.
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Sunil Dahanayake / May 27, 2013
Dear Dr. Naleemi,
My answers and comments to your following request are given below.
“BBS is a real threat to national unity today. They create division between communities today. They spread hared among communities today. They spread lies and fabrications without any evidence. The racial discrimination and racial prejudice of BBS can not be tolerated. BBS should be dismantled in the greater interest of this nation. It would be a social and communal suicidal to go on this path of discrimination and hatred. We all know that happened to our venerable monks in South India. Undoubtedly, it was reactionary violence of some Tamil Nadu people against what was going on in Sri Lanka on those days. The behaviours of some of these BBS people could put communal relation in jeopardy in Sri Lanka.”
1. Why we need to ban the BBS. Before that there are many other political parties and organizations that were organized based on the religious affiliations should be banned. Examples are some Sri Lanka Muslim and Tamil Parties. They have purely organised to promote the interests of their community. Then what is wrong with having political or religious organizations to promote the interests of the Sinhala Buddhists.
2. I am not a supporter of the BBS. But BBS has done many good things and they are exposing the real truth and facts on some actions carried out by some of the racial and religious organizations that are against the long term social harmony of the Sri Lankan society. The good things done by the BBS are listed below.
3. BBS campaigned against the Halal certified goods for non-halal consumers (90% of the population of Sri Lanka is Non-Halal). This halal certification is a complete fraud carried out as an indirect tax imposed on consumers in Sri Lanka to collect money from business organisations to promote the Islam religion in Sri Lanka. This indirect tax was collected for 10 years and BBS exposed it.
4. BBS campaigned for the encroaching and destruction of Buddhist historical archaeological sites by other religious organizations. This act should be commended and Kuragala is a one example. This was an archaeological site encroached by one particular religion. Now the Archaeological Department has taken over the site and all un-authorised structures have been removed.
5. I objectively evaluated what the BBS has done and their speeches. They have exposed what is really taking place against the Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka. They exposed and truth and reality. That truth and reality is bitter for some communities.
6. Instead of putting the blame on BBS or any other organisation, the Sri Lanka Muslim Community need to understand that there are many issues exposed by the BBS. The Sri Lankan Muslim community need to address those issues before they request to ban the BBS.
7. Sri Lanka should be Sri Lanka and it should not be places like Palestine or Afghanistan any other nation that is ravaged by sectarian violence.
8. The Tamil People of Tamil Nadu is a never threat to Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu is a place full of culture and other valuable things. The Tamils are our brothers and sisters. They are also our sons and daughters. They share our religion and many other cultural values. For example Lord Buddha is one of the Hindu gods. The Tamils keep Lord Buddha in their temples. We keep Hindu gods in our temples. The Tamils did not destroy our temples. Therefore the people of Tamil Nadu are never threat to Sri Lanka in the long run.
9. The Sri Lankan should ban the sectarian laws imposed by the imperial British administration system such as “Thesawalame”, Muslim Law and Upcountry Law and there should be only one legal system in Sri Lanka. The polygamy should be completely banned in Sri Lanka practiced by one community of Sri Lanka.
10. All three community members should be able to live in Sri Lanka without any problem in any region of Sri Lanka. The Tamil Man from Jaffna should be able to buy a piece of land from Matara and a Sinhala man from Matara should be able to purchase a house and live in Kankasnthurai or Kalmunai or Pulmudai.
11. BBS emerged as a result of the cultural and religious encroachments done by various communities and religious groups that are not conducive for the long term interests of the Sri Lanka as a whole. The Sri Lankan government need to take actions on those matters highlighted by the BBS.
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Leela / May 27, 2013
Sunil Dahanayake,
I fully endorse every word you have written here.
Leela
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DODU / May 28, 2013
May be (?) Leela You would have endorsed your own comments.
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ahmad / May 28, 2013
Sunil,
Because the removal of this ‘indirect tax’ did the prices of goods go down? Do you remember what the chamber of commerce chairman said about the not even factoring this in their cost of production as it was Soo negligible? This is just evidence of the deliberate lies of the BBS as it is not that they are incapable of understanding this before they make an accusation.
There is nothing wrong in working towards the betterment of the community and even exposing immoral acts of other communities. However, they way BBS are going about it (modus operandi of lies and hate speech) proves that their underlying motive is not Buddhism but Racism.
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Mama Gona / May 30, 2013
Dear Sunil,
You are like me ne; accepting everything that people write. This is why I am in trouble.
You see, there are more intelligent people on this earth than you and me and happily some of them are on CT as well.
Then there are people who will deliberately tell lies because they don’t have t show their faces here. They can be racist and extremist and be downright foolish and unhappily some of them are on CT as well.
So what to do we have to learn to think before we say anything.
Being a Gona, I could easily see that you think like me.
Thank you for keeping me company
Mama Gona
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Safa / May 27, 2013
Inciting racism and religous hatred is as much a crime as those who get aroused and perform those acts. This is evident in the barbaric killing of soldier in the UK. The UK allows hate speech from extremist whether they are the EDL or the Muslims extremist as freedom of expression but the consequences of such speeches goes beyond the pall of the law. Similarly the BBS, JHU, SR, RB and similar groups may be free to say what they want but the consequences are disastrous for the country, both locally and internationally.
So these groups should be reigned in and strict laws passed against hate speech as in Singapore. The authorities should get the situation under control before it gets out of hand. The supplying of fuel and videoing of the self immolation of the monk is a despicable act and cannot be justified under Buddhism. Such types of third rate journalism and political opportunism must also be condemned by all sections of society.
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Senguttuvan / May 27, 2013
” ….Look at the conditions of the Plantation Tamils in Estates. They have been dedicating for the economy (sic) of Sri Lanka for the last 6 decades…” says this Writer?? Indian workers were brought here for a period far longer than 60 years. The CWC was founded well over the period although it was initially called the Ceylon Indian Congress. And the wages and living conditions of the workers, including modern housing, have greatly improved in the past few years is fundamental wisdom to the average reader.
Senguttuvan
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MNZ / May 27, 2013
Rifai Naleemi
We all know that the BBS is a fringe extremist group propagating fundamental Buddhism, just like the Wahabis in Saudi Arabia and Taliban in Afghanistan.
We live in a Democracy where all voices (both subjective and objective) good, bad and ugly are entitled to their space.
On the flip side, thanks to BBS, non-muslims are now taking an interest in trying to understand Islamic beliefs and practices, bigots being the exception.
Your present pathetic attempt at belatedly patronising the Sinhalese is not lost on those who criticised your previous pieces, wherein you were provoking not only the BBS but also Buddhists in general, by your not-so-subtle Islamic proselytizing.
It is also common knowledge that the BBS is a proxy of the regime, and being used as part of its survival strategy. No more, no less.
It would appear that the BBS has been asked to stop Muslim-bashing after the Organisation of Muslim Countries (OIC) letter of concern addressed to the President, as well as subsequent to the recent meeting Muslim ambassadors to Sri Lanka had with His Excellency.
So the BBS is now threatening Wesak miscreants, and targeting the Mannar Bishop, Norther Provinicial Council elections, 13th Amendment etc. etc. This lunatic fringe group can only survive in the limelight, hence these forays.
Rifai Naleemi, I told you once and exhorting you again, your inane pieces in CT are not helping the cause because you keep projecting this minor nuisance as a major calamity. Once the regime has no use of the BBS, or when these misguided monks run out of windmills to tilt at, they will fade away.
Meantime, please shut up, or better still join that other idiot Azath Salley in your anti-BBS crusade.
I am sure CT readers can do without commentaries from pseudo-intellectuals.
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Zamindar / May 27, 2013
Very appropriate advice from MNZ. Rabble-rousing is not what the Muslim community needs now. Sanity and a sense of level-headedness in the face of extremist outbursts is what is needed. Articles by pseudo-intellects of this sort can only inflame passions among extremist elements on both sides of the divide. This is evident by the response of many JimSofty types who are wittingly or otherwise provided the opportunity to spew more hatred and venom against their bete-noir than warranted. So, lets curtail our private desires to be community heroes and all-knowing pundits in the interests of peace and sanity.
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J K Wijedasa / May 27, 2013
Well said Jif Softy…
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J K Wijedasa / May 27, 2013
Correction…
Well said JimSofty…
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nandana / May 27, 2013
What u need to understand is that WE DO NOT WANT ARAB CULTURE in Sri Lanka pretending it is Islam
Arab culture is not islam… and it is soon you realize this.
Muslims need to break away from being stupid to fall for the trap of wearing niqab and hijab because that is not what Prophet Mohamed asked Muslims to wear.
Hijab and Nikab are an Arabic thing – nothing to do with Prophet Mohamed…
Unless Muslims want to follow another type of Islam in which case we need to relook
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PEACELOVER.. / May 27, 2013
THERE WERE MANY BUDHAS CAME …AND ONE IS TO COME ………SEE THIS VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sizL7fN3ugQ
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PEACELOVER.. / May 27, 2013
HI BUDHIST FRENDS,,,NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APE VEERAYOS OF BODU BALU SENA …WATCH THIS…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZto2Y4z-6k
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Plain truth / May 27, 2013
JimSofty. Please tell us the difference between the race and ethnicity? What is fuss about race? You have been talking same thing again and again for many days? Are you running out of ideas? Are you copying some one? Follow the ethics of journalism? Tell the truth as it is do not twist facts and words
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Reeza Ismail / May 27, 2013
Rifai Naleemi,
Each time you open your mouth, you seem to be putting your foot into it. And together with it, you seem to be dragging the entire Muslim community into unnecessery controvery. This is not a time to display your bountiful and fathomless measure of knowledge in self-glorification. Education in a man just shows without the need for any cheap display in the print or vocal form. So please keep your opinions to yourself and give us that much needed respite and believe me, the community will collectively thank you for it as this is not the need of the hour.
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Sammy / May 27, 2013
This article of Rifai’s is like a breath of fresh air and most welcome. It is quite contrary to his first one. It is these types of wholesome writings by all communities that would go a long way in bridging differences. Well done and keep up the good work, in the same fashion.
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K.A Sumanasekera / May 27, 2013
BBS is only a side show , which the anti Govt fronts are trying to drag on to the center stage.
Main Event is what our capable Defence Sec clearly laid out to the Press on Thursday.
Norwegian Kroners and Call Girls can create more side shows going forward.
Our Vellalas in the North never liked the Estate Tamils although one of their Leaders is frimly embedded with the Vellala Party now.
They are not going to embrace the Naduans in a hurry, unless they are forced to by the likes of BTF, as a pay back to Nadu pollies who have mutated in to Tigers.
Our inhabitants need not worry about Nadu Tamils coming over in the near term.
Even in the long term , Telugy, Malayali and Karnesi Leaders of the Nadu Tamils will be hard pressed to get Mrs Gandhi to moblize the Jawan Aiirforce, when the LTTE proxies who are going to take the North, Lock Stock and Barrel are yet to say “sorry” to her.
Instead of wasting too much energy on BBS, Mr Ni laami, should write about what these Human Rightists of the Diaspora IC are doing to his fellow Muslims in Iraq, Libya, Afganistan, Syria and now laying the foundation for a demolition job on the HezIbolla and obliterate them to clear a path to Ayatollah Land which is the last frontier.
Our Muslim Brethren, the great majority of whom are rural poor , like our Sinahal Buddhists aren’t interested in Regime change.
They know that the current leadership which saved the country from three decades of Terrorism is not going to allow any Thero to upset social harmony and allow Srilanka to become a “Syria”.
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chinthaka kulatunga / May 27, 2013
Jim Softy,
You must read before you jump into conclusions. Please read Hugh Kennedy’s book- ‘Great Arab Conquests’. He is a oxford scholar on history. It shows that Muslims conquered land but never forced the inhabitants to convert. They imposed high taxes on the inhabitants but never forced them to convert.
Then google William Dalrymple. There are some youtube clips of his. It shows the Western imperialists have always suppressed the history of the Arab empire. With the decline of the Roman empire it was the time of the Arabs to take over. They established an empire which was 3 times the size of the Roman empire. It spanned from Iraq to Samarkand and onto Spain which remained part of the Arab empire for 8 centuries. There was no forced conversions. Read Hugh Kennedy. You will know.
William Dalrymple says that this history should be included in the curriculum at schools. This has deliberately been obliterated.
Mahathma Gandhi too said that you cannot convert people to convert by force. That will not last. He went onto say that this was one of the most fantastic myths created.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
Chintaka Kulatunga:
I think you have read a bit, and you applies that to every where.
See what and how muslims did in Greater India (Mahabharatha). How they killed when they can not convert. How they usurped women. Even to date muslims trick and usurp hindu women in Pakistan.
Why did they killed thousands of buddhist monks in Nalanda university and why did they burn down the Nalanda University.
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DODU / May 30, 2013
Jomsofty, You are writing your lies again and again! It is Buddhist who killed Brahmins and Jains when they refused to follow Buddhism.
Asoka was the Buddhist when he killed 18,000 followers of Ajivika sect. Just for drawing (a person of the same sect) picture showing Buddha bowing at the feet of Mahaveera, founder of Jainism! This is the first Buddhist Jihad in the history!
He killed another follower of the same sect putting him in fire with his entire family ( like what your Buddhist did in Sri Lanka and are doing in Burma) for drawing the same picture again! This is the first burn to death punishment in the history of world for blasphemy! Read Ashokawardena you will learn more about this type of non- violence.
You are uttering lies of bags. What do you know about Mahabaratha. In fact Mahabaratha was written well before Islam (over 1000 years) and how can it say about muslims. you fool you are eating a ship load of Shit for nothing!
Mahabaratha! Have you read it! or at leat seen it! MAHABARATHA was full of insult to Buddhism. The purpose of Mahabaratha is to insult Buddha and Buddhism. The popular devotion to the Buddha was sought to be replaced by devotion to Hindu Gods Rama and Krishna. The existing version of Mahabaratha was written in the period in which the decline of Buddhism was already begun. And it was specially meant for the Buddhist Sutras, most of whom are Buddhist sutras and to compensate them for this discrimination, the Mahabaratha incorporated some of the humanistic elements of Buddhism to win over the sutras, but, overall, played its role of bolstering the Brahmanical hegemony rather well.
Shame what a lie you are telling to the readers and try to mislead them. Mahabaratha, it its present form, was written over 1000 years ago and you are telling the readers it tells about ISLAM AND MUSLIM?
READERS AND CT BEWARE! This is how this fellow Softy, Leela, Lester, Mamow…. all are eating shit. Not simply shit, A SHIP LOAD OF SHIT. VERY SOON PIGS WILL DIE OF malnutrition!
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
What were the Muslim Conquests. did they kill people or not ?
Don’t mix Christian Crusades with Muslim conquests.
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DODU / May 30, 2013
Jimsofty, is trying to say Greater India means Mahabartha. He should know that Greater India means Indian Subcontinent. it is not Mahabaratha! India, Barath, Hindutan are other names for India. MAHABARATH IS AN EPIC! Without knowing this simple fact he is writing pages.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
C. KULATUNGA:
This is how muslims had done in the past.
IF you say, it is not, then it becomes your word against my word.
[All Standard reference books agree that the name ‘Hindu Kush’ of the mountain range in Eastern Afganistan means ‘Hindu Slaughter’ or ‘Hindu Killer’. History also reveals that until 1000 A.D. the area of Hindu Kush was a full part of Hindu cradle. More likely, the mountain range was deliberately named as ‘Hindu Slaughter’ by the Moslem conquerors, as a lesson to the future generations of Indians. However Indians in general, and Hindus in particular are completely oblivious to this tragic genocide. This article also looks into the reasons behind this ignorance.]
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DODU / May 30, 2013
Do not believe this bugger, Jimsofty, I think, Jimsofty is another name for Leela, He does not know about Mahabaratha! MAHABARATHA in its present form was written over1000 years ago Isalm and he says it tells him about Mulims in India.
Fact is Buddhist killed Hindus and in return Hindus- Brahmins destroyed Buddhists. Mulims were greeted by Buddhist to India, because Hidus wee slaughtering them. Hindus destroyed Brahmin and Jain Temples! Brahmins finished Buddhist viharas. This is not my version! This is what Dr. Ambedkar, a Buddhist, said., and this is what Savaskar, an anti Muslim said? This is the history. Do not try to write another Mahabaratha to justify your lies with Leela Or Leater
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haid / May 27, 2013
Why waste precious time in critising people who ever they are. Instead lets see how all of us per se srilankans sans focusing on religions, caste and creed get together to improve our motherland’s economy.
This will divest us from indulging in evil thoughts, practices and eventually help us to lead a healthy and united future.
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Maghribi / May 27, 2013
Thanks chinthaka kulatunga for the reference books.
HISTORY MAKES IT CLEAR HOWEVER, THAT THE LEGEND OF FANATICAL MUSLIMS SWEEPING THROUGH THE WORLD AND FORCING ISLAM AT THE POINT OF THE SWORD UPON CONQUERED RACES IS ONE OF THE MOST FANTASTICALLY ABSURD MYTHS THAT HISTORIANS HAVE EVER REPEATED.
DE LACY O’LEARY, ISLAM AT THE CROSSROADS, LONDON, 1923 P.8.
SENSE OF JUSTICE IS ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL IDEALS OF ISLAM, BECAUSE AS I READ IN THE QUR’AN I FIND THOSE DYNAMIC PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, NOT MYSTIC BUT PRACTICAL ETHICS FOR THE DAILY CONDUCT OF LIFE SUITED TO THE WHOLE WORLD.
SARONJINI NAIDU, LECTURES ON “THE IDEALS OF ISLAM” SEE SPEECHES AND WRITINGS OF SAROJINI NAIDU, MADRAS, 1918, P. 167.
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Muliyawaikkal / May 27, 2013
I kindly request you to watch world news. Particularly on Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Dagestan, Palestine, UK, etc. That is real violence. By whom I wonder!
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DODU / May 27, 2013
See Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka. There is also real violence! By whom?
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Cell4n / May 27, 2013
Watch news about Burma, china, Sri Lanka,
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American Mama / May 27, 2013
To decide whether a religion or ideology is “genuine or not” we must study the conduct and life of the teacher/prophet/philosopher.
If the prophet did NOT practice what he preached then the whole ideology is questionable.
The Buddha practiced what he preached by being non-violent his whole life. He did not practice violence even in so called “SELF DEFENSE”.
Therefore Buddhism is genuinely an ideology of PEACE. Same goes for Jesus.
What the followers of these religions (Buddhism and Christianity )do should not reflect on the religion itself.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
Rifai Naleemi:
Buddhists go to war in order to protect what is theirs. but, they never go to war grab what is others.
Muslims go to war, in the name of religion and to grab what is others.
So, stop crying about BBS.
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DODU / May 27, 2013
Ashoka Grabed whatever possible in this earth and Brah的ins Grabed it back from Buddhists. It is called Karma in Buddhism! You better join with BBS and grab together. Karma will be behind you.
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DODU / May 27, 2013
Read as …and Brahmins Grabed it…
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kp / May 28, 2013
“Buddhists go to war”.
If you cannot comprehend why that phrase is wrong in itself, then no amount of ‘defending Buddhism’ on your part will be enough- you will never be a true Buddhist for as long as you believe in that.
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Ruwani / May 27, 2013
i am truly shocked by all your comments. we are all human beings and we all have the right to believe in our faith. Every religion condemns hatred or intolerance toward other religions. We are all suppose to respect each and every ones faiths. Why is it that we are fighting over these petty things now? for centuries Muslims and Buddhists have lived in harmony so why now.
I am a Buddhist living in the UAE. And i must say we are blessed to live in a country like this where every religion is recognized. There are churches, temples and kovils here. and for every poya day a priest comes to the sri lankan embassy for religious ceremonies. This too is a muslim country and they have been very tolerant with other religions.
It s high time we realize that by hating other religions we are totally going against our religion. Buddhism is all about peace.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
Ruwani:
did you try Saudi Arabia too ?
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DODU / May 28, 2013
Softy, She should also try BBS, BURMA,THAILAND….
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I am no Muslim / May 28, 2013
I am not surprised, as a Buddhist, you have logic of an egalitarian. But I am surprised you have no knowledge of Muslims and their religion Islam even though you live in the UAE.
Islam do not condemn hatred or intolerance toward other religions. Look at these Opinion Poles:
1. Daily mail reported on Center for Social Cohesion finding that ‘One Third of British Muslim students support killing for Islam’;
2. CNS new reported on Pew Global finding that:
68% of Palestinian Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
43% of Nigerian Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
38% of Lebanese Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
15% of Egyptian Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
13% of Indonesian Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
12% of Jordanian Muslims say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
7% of Muslim Israelis say suicide attacks against civilians in defense of Islam are justified.
3. The Jakarta Post reported 40% of Indonesians approve of violence in defence of Islam;
4. cbs new reported NOP Research finding that: 78% of British Muslims support punishing the publishers of Muhammad cartoons;
5. Pew Global reported as findind of Pew Research (2010)that : 84% of Egyptian Muslims support the death penalty for leaving Islam
The List can go on and on to prove Muslims in general are hate mongers and Islam is contrary to what you say. I think Ruwani, you are trying bury your head in the sand to cower the truth for some reason. We do not hate Muslims. We hate Islam ideology. We let those who are ignorant know the truth about Koran teaching and Muslim thinking.
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Maghribi / May 28, 2013
Thankfully, Intoxicated with propaganda.
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kp / May 28, 2013
of course palestinian muslims would say that, seeing as how israel keeps killing their civilians for a period of 50 odd years! What you’ve done is to take a bunch of statistics, strip them of all context, and then attempt to use it for your own twisted goals.
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Maghribi / May 28, 2013
Ruwani – Thanks for appreciating the Host country. A rare gesture now. Patriotic Lankans can learn a lot from the Arabian Emirates development methodology and as residents we know the opportunities for development could be applied in Sri Lanka as well; only if people there can respect each others faith/belief through social harmony between all communities. Though the Emirates is far from perfection, the efforts made by our leaders to set forth their sights in the direction of being Number One in the world in inspiring to all of us personally. Latest initiative with m-government; officials failing to adopt would be invited to a grand farewell party at the end of two years. If we were to compare the two nations since Lanka’s independence in 1948 trust me the living conditions in the UAE were extremely challenging while Ceylon was the envy of Singapore. If all Sri Lankan overseas expats (excluding Racists) pool their knowledge resources, Lanka can once again be the most sort out place to live and prosper. With the values of Buddhism on the decline and politicians driving the economy towards big time debt rather than resource based; the future is left in the hands of it’s people or would end up Paradise Lost Forever.
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Plain truth / May 27, 2013
Dear Ruwani. I really agree with you. We should not fight or get agrey for this. It should be an intellectual debate. I love to see people argeuing but with logic and rationale. with wisdom and respect each other. As long as this is taken violence or abusive debate I love to see my country men and ladies enhancing views: please note that we should be thankful to ColombonTelegraph. This debate is a good opportunity to enhance our creative writing. We could learn a lot from this forum sometime what university students can not learn from their teachers:
I have seen some hgh calibe writing and solid arguments: i like to See Srilankans come out of nowrrow mindness : although i do not agree with many I like their counter arguments: believe me if you keep writing for two to three years in is forum you could enhance your writing skills. Let us use forum for good and benefit of our nation.
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Plain truth / May 27, 2013
As long as it is not taken abusive or violence
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Leela / May 27, 2013
Whenever we hear Muslims chant “Allah O Akbar”, usually it is after Muslim terrorists have committed jihadi terrorism. Of late, we heard “Allah O Akbar” after the brutal hacking to death of a British soldier by two fearless jihadis. And there after another Jihadis this time a coward one stabbed a French soldier in the neck again shouting “Allah O Akbar”. Few weeks before those two terrorist attacks, two Jihadis brothers bombed the Boston Marathon and when they were about to be apprehended they also shouted “Allah O Akbar” and started shooting. In between, hundreds of Muslim youth have rampaged through parts of the Swedish capital of Stockholm, torching cars and buses, setting fires, and hurling rocks at police shouting “Allah O Akbar”. They all talked about a Muslim United States, a Muslim UK, a Muslim France, a Muslim Sweden and Muslim etc.
The whole world is talking about those terrorist and their acts and their motives and what is to come next from you Muslims. We Sinhala Buddhists in this country too read such Jihadis ‘achievement’ with anxiety visualizing what is to come from you. And here you are, completely ignoring all those violent Jihadis acts, you strted preaching “my aim is to expose the hatred of BBS” as if BBS has been committing Jihadis acts on Muslims. BBS had not killed one single Muslim todate or promoted violence on them. They only educate Sinhalas just like you and I do here.
Sihalas know Jihad is the Motto of Muslims. We know that armed jihad launched against the infidels were promoted by the 20th-century writings by famous Islamists such as Syed Qutb and Hassan al-Banna of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the late Syed Maudoodi of Jamaat-e-Islami of Indo-Pakistan. In his book ‘Towards Understanding Islam’, Syed Maudoodi exhorts ordinary Muslims to launch jihad, as in armed struggle, against non-Muslims. “Jihad is part of this overall defence of Islam,” he wrote. In case the reader is left with any doubt about the meaning of the word “jihad,” Maudoodi clarifies the divine law as “In the language of the Divine Law, this word (jihad) is used specifically for the war that is waged solely in the name of God against those who perpetrate oppression as enemies of Islam. This supreme sacrifice is the responsibility of all Muslims.” Maudoodi goes on to label Muslims who refuse the call to armed jihad as apostates: “Jihad is as much a primary duty as are daily prayers or fasting. One who avoids it is a sinner. His every claim to being a Muslim is doubtful. He is plainly a hypocrite who fails in the test of sincerity and all his acts of worship are a sham, a worthless, hollow show of deception.”
So, no point making pep talks Mr. Rifai Naleemi for most Sinhala Buddhists are aware of the true nature of Muslims. Without writing rubbish defend Jihad if you can. No point telling Sinhalas that they are “the best races in the world: They are kind, compassionate and polite people.” You cannot fool them. You cannot put Gnanasara Thero against Venerable Kirama Wimalajothi by praising one and degrading the other. We are not blind; we read what Muslims think of Sinhala Buddhists from what many a Muslim commentator writes about them here.
Leela
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DODU / May 30, 2013
Another Lie from another LIER who said Buddhism preaches non- voilence. Buddhism preaches violence in its Holy Text and Buddhist are practicing it by killing in all over the world! Do not go so far. Take Sri Lanka a Buddhist country, here, they killed Tamils, Burma they are killing Mulims. They say Sadu, Sadu and kill.
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JimSofty / May 27, 2013
Now for a, for centuries muslims and o/christians are busy converting Sri Lanka.
Now some buddhists are fighting back ,here, muslims and even Christians are scared.
Check and see what Mannar Bishop Joseph Rayappu had said.
They both want free passage for their work without any barriers.
I understand, As a Muslim, Rifai Naleemi’s only objective should be to make the whole world muslim. So, in that context, any thing that hinders their effort is not acceptable.
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DODU / May 28, 2013
Buddhism is getting eliminated from the world! It is not the fault of any other religion. It is the fault of people like you and monks like BBS? Further Buddhism is an out dated Philosophy which your own buddhists find difficult to practice. It is getting rejected in Korea (North and South) Vietnam, Taiwan. Buddhists in other countries also fear same will happen there. There is no point in blaming others for your own fault.
Ask your monks to practice the True Buddhism with the five main principles: Aviod killing ( including Humans, animals and close all meat shops including fish, chicken and egg) close all liquor shops and Kasippu dens, bring strict laws to prevent rape and child abuse including by monks, close all casinos and gambling joints and finally reject bribery and corruption. Jim Softy, I challanged you, at least ask your Buddhist countries to follow one of this. They can’t and they will never. So, what is the point in blaming Christions and Muslims? If there is a religion/philosophy, basic principles of which are REJECTED by its own followers, do you think it can survive? It cannot be served not even by BBS, GOTA or even by LOARD BUDDHA!
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Maghribi / May 28, 2013
JimSofty/Leela aka Scums of Sri Lanka – After reading all the comments in this forum with different pseudonyms, one can come to the conclusion that people of this sort are a disgrace to Humanity, Peace and Prosperity to a country. These people are part of the problem. They take huge self gratification in degrading the Islamic way of life without proper scholarship in the classical Arabic Language. Moral and spiritual values are possible only to those who are above the competitive battle for existence; and only those who are rich on creative thoughts are free from the degrading influences of racism.
A superior person lives from their deepest core of faith, fearlessly giving their time and effort to a better world. When a person is willing to embrace truth and give everything they have got, they will penetrate the world from the core of their being a leader to their people.
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JimSofty / May 28, 2013
Magrhibi:
You talk like a Typical Jihadi – extremist.
Muslims are not allowed to think freely. They can not think any thing outside Quran.
So, they become lunatics.
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Maghribi / May 28, 2013
Jihadi – extremist is someone who takes extreme steps and strives to express a very high degree of intelligence in desiring to understand the laws of Islamic Sharriah.
Why should a disbelievers bother with what a Muslim thinks?
Say: O disbelievers! I do not worship that which you worship; Nor you worship that which I worship. Unto you is your religion, and unto me is my religion. The likeness of those who disbelieve is as the likeness of one who calls unto that which hears nothing except a shout and cry. Deaf, dumb, blind, therefore they have no sense.
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DODU / May 30, 2013
Do not believe this Jimsofty all lies and fake. Just to win he is telling lies!
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Plain truth / May 28, 2013
Dear JimSofty. You got wrong. Mr Rifai does say like that. Your understanding is wrong : how could you say that his objective is to concert every one: it is against divine scheme: it is God’ s plan to have many religion otherwise God could have made one religion to solve all your problems so that every one could be following one path: but he gave a choice : you have a choice to follow either ways : to follow evil way or right path:,what you seed you will get back: your Loard Buddha may kind and compassionate ? But what is the point to bow down to human being like Buddha but fail to bow down to the creator of Buddha : who is a great Load Budhha or who created Him: logics says that all should worship the creator / maintainer/ sustainer of this universe not created matter:
I really like Mr JimSofty because you are very close to know the real truth and get divine guidance.
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Ahmed Nadvi / May 28, 2013
Dear Leela and JimSofty,
I think both of you have time to read a lot of rubbish and do not have time to think over it.
If we take what Leela said about the (meaning of )jihad, for an argument’s shake, then she would not have had chance to write this comment. She would have gone long ago. (Thank God they are still living and I wish them live long with good health, Insha Allah )
Therefore the conclusion we can arrive at that either Islam is not encouraging Muslims to go on killing everyone other than Muslims, or the Sri Lankan Muslims do not care what they are supposed to do according to Qur-An as per Leela and Jim . In both ways it is proven that Sri lankans Muslims are not as Leela and JimSofty try hard to portray.
Alternatively, If Islam preaches hatred there is no way BBS can justifies its crime against fellow Muslim citizens of the country. If Qur-An teaches hatred and killings and Muslims follow it they are right, but BBS, Leela and JimSofty are wrong because Buddhism teaches non-violence still they advocate and practice entirely different things.
So Leela and JimSofty take some break and take a vow to behave as good Buddhists (if your religious belief is Buddhism) from today two days after Buddha’s birthday. live and let live.
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Leela / May 28, 2013
Ahmed Nadvi,
Many Muslims say, I am Quoting the Koran without scholarship and you wrote here that “Sri lankans Muslims are not as Leela and JimSofty try hard to portray.”
We are not talking for argument sake here but facts. I have quoted earlier here what a famous Islamist Syed Maudoodi of Jamaat-e-Islami wrote in his book ‘Towards Understanding Islam’. Syed Maudoodi wrote, “Jihad is part of this overall defence of Islam.” Maudoodi clarifies “jihad,” as “In the language of the Divine Law, this word (jihad) is used specifically for the war that is waged solely in the name of God against those who perpetrate oppression as enemies of Islam. This supreme sacrifice is the responsibility of all Muslims.” More importantly, Maudoodi goes on to label Muslims who refuse the call to armed jihad as apostates: “Jihad is as much a primary duty as are daily prayers or fasting. One who avoids it is a sinner. His every claim to being a Muslim is doubtful. He is plainly a hypocrite who fails in the test of sincerity and all his acts of worship are a sham, a worthless, hollow show of deception.”
Now how can Sri Lanka Muslims be different to other Muslims all over the world for they read the same Koran and writings of same Islamic Scholars. If Sri Lanka Muslims are different, Mr Ahmed, they should have accepted violent trait in Islam and introduced new commandments like the founder of Ahmadi Muslims did.
The founder of Ahmadi Muslims, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad had the wisdom to declare in the nineteenth century and mingle with other religions peacefully. He said: “I have brought a commandment for you people; it is that henceforth ‘jihad by sword’ [armed jihad] is forbidden … Now jihad for the sake of religion is prohibited.” I am sure you know what had happened to Ahamdi founder. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was declared an apostate by the orthodoxy in Islam, the same school of thought (Wahhabis) that provides intellectual sustenance to the Muslim establishment in Sri Lanka and the world over today.
Sri Lanka Muslims acted against their own kind just like the orthodoxy Muslims acted against the founder of Ahamdis. Wahhabis of ACJU declared a fatwa on a Sufi named Abdullah who opened a Meditation Centre at Kattankudy in 1996. Wahhabis made an arson attack on his building on May 29 the same year. Abdullah died on Dec 6th 2006. On 15th the same month a Wahhabi mob invaded the Meditation Centre, knocked down the minaret and removed the body of Abdullah’s body and burned it. They also destroyed 117 Sufis houses by setting them on fire. Many Sufis fled the district, two were injured, and one lost an arm. Peace loving people, eh.
Wahhabis portrayed what they are capable of doing to Sinhala Buddhists to expand their religion. As for live and let live, Mr. Ahamed, first drop your violent trait and then introduced new commandments like the founder of Ahmadi Muslims did then everything will be peaceful the world over. Muslims can then discuss with BBS on how to coexist peacefully with Sinhla Buddhists. That’s the way forward Mr Ahamed.
You said we must behave as good Buddhists. I must say, Eelamist and their NGOs too said that war is not fitting for Buddhists during their end game. You need not mention of Buddha’s non-violent teaching to Sinhala Buddhists for most Monks remind them of it as well as their 2500 year old heritage at most bana. In case you do not know let me mention here that Monks gave up the robe to fight at DutuGemunus-Elara war. Monks had also taken the lead role to face up the Christian expansionism and their harangues at colonial times in the middle of the nineteenth century. So, reminding Buddhist tenets will not make Buddhist apathetic of their duty at this juncture.
Leela
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Ahmed Nadvi / May 28, 2013
Dear Nandana,
Prophet Muhammad was an Arab. He was aware of Arab culture, because he was part of it. Islam and Muhammad are inseparable, thus Arab culture is part and parcel of Muslims. It’s like the Theros robs. Can I ask the Theros or normal Buddhists who like to wear their religious dress as they wish to take off them wear trousers or sarongs?
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