Muslims gathered in mosques in unusual numbers across the country for special Friday prayers to prevent the shifting of a mosque in Dambulla. The Eastern province, which has a significant number of Muslims, virtually shut down, for the second day, protesting the desecration of the mosque in Dambulla, a town about 150 km north-east of Colombo.
Relocation
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne had ordered relocation of the mosque from Dambulla, as mobs and some people in the robes of Buddhist monks had launched a sudden protest against the mosque on April 20. They wanted the mosque demolished, because it was built in a place considered sacred by Buddhists.
“The prayers today were longer than usual,” said Asif, a company executive, who had come to the 150-year-old Shaikh Usman Waliyyullah Shrine and Masjid at Cinnamon Gardens. “There was a special dua [prayer] which basically implored the almighty to protect us, and the country from evil influences,” he added.
Soon after the prayer, those gathered displayed placards. One wanted both Sinhalas and Tamil Muslims to be treated equally; another read: “Gift for Muslims in Dambulla, who helped in Geneva.” The background is that many Muslim religious leaders had talked to their counterparts in West Asia and in Muslim majority countries in a bid to influence these countries to reject the United Nations Human Rights Council's March 22 resolution against Sri Lanka.
Asked about the protests in the Eastern province, Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan said there were no untoward incidents. Asked if the region was tense, he said these were mere rumours. “Shops were closed. There is no tension here,” he said over phone from the eastern headquarter town of Batticaloa.
Keywords: Sri Lankan Muslims, Mosque relocation, Mahinda Rajapaksa
Hundreds of Ganesha temples had been (and still are) destroyed in the island; ancient Hindu temples have been usurped by Buddhist monks. No one raised any objection --- not even Hidutva leaders. The Christians have been under siege for a long time. Senior military and government leaders often advise Hindus and Christians to embrace Buddhism. The minorities must unite. If they "don't hang together, they would be hung separately".
P.S. I am an agnostic and personally reject all organized religions. But I believe that all people have the right to enjoy freedom of worship --- follow any religion or none.
How can any place in SriLanka be sacred for Buddhism, when Lord Buddha
never set his feet on this island? Why is this folly of sacredness?
Indian newspapers are as usual very happy to blow out of proportion
anything that happens in Sri Lanka. Not at all conducive to fostering
peace and amity in the region.
Is hate an insult when greed drives me to occupy your land?
The invasive expansionism of the Muslims is quite apperent all over the world.
How come that all of Asians have been given a bad name by the presence of Muslims in the Western world?
Perhaps it's time the Muslims were controlled here in Asia first.
The majority population have over the years learnt to respect minority languages and religions in other parts of world, especially, western countries; hence there are laws to protect minorities ie: race discrimanation acts. You will hardly see religious leaders from one community marching into another one's place of worship for fear of being accused of racist and leading to prosecution under race relation act. There are no such fears in Ceylon and therefore all these ethini troubles & criminal acts againt another community, especially caused by Buddist monks, knowing that the state will protect trouble makers. Sri Lanka must learn a lot to be a peace loving country & learn to trust and share power with miniorities.
If India can demolish the Barbari Mosque why cannot we Buddhists demolish this Illegally built Mosque in the holiest place for the majority Sinhalese Buddhists. Dambulla was declared a holy place for the Buddhists. The Sri Lankan Govt. has already allocate a land to build a Large Mosque at Govt. expense which the Indian Govt. did not do.
Looks some what similar to Ayodhya situation.
How come the Buddhists took over half a century to find out that the Mosque was built on sacred grounds? Lord Buddah preached Maithri. I am surprised to see that the learned Monks take a stand against another religion. This is nothing but hatred. In time to come all lands in Sri Lanka would become sacred land and other religions will not have a place of worship. I am sure the learnered Sinhala scholars will come forward and bring mediation among the parties and let the Mosque conduct its normal duties as usual in the present place.
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