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Defence Secretary orders rebuilding of demolished Muslim shrine

Monday, 19 September 2011 16:25
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Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the rebuilding of a Muslim shrine demolished by a group led by monks.

The decision comes after talks Sri Lanka Muslim Council held with the Defence Secretary today.

The monks who were behind the demolition claimed that the shrine was built on land given to Buddhists 2,000 years ago while the Muslims claim the shrine was more than 150 years old.

Although some Muslims abhor glorifying shrines, many saw it as an affront to the Muslim community and a threat to co-existence in the post-war peace-building period, one Muslim community leader said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Muslim Council, NM Ameen told BBC that Muslims and Sinhalese Buddhists lived peacefully together, but that "unknown groups" had been trying to create problems between them.
He said the defence secretary gave other directives on behalf of Muslims, including a guarantee that there would be no interference in a Muslim ritual of animal sacrifice due to take place at a forthcoming festival.

Comments  

 
#12 Wanige 2011-09-29 20:50
Why the hell do the Muslims want a mosque at the center of Buddhist culture, Anuradhapura? This is to attack Buddhism.
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#11 Francis 2011-09-26 18:49
No Sinhalese will accept this mosque.
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#10 Francis 2011-09-26 18:48
There are 2,500 mosques in Sri Lanka. Number of temples in Islamic countries is nil. Still they want a mosque near Dakkina Vihara. This is a recipe for disaster.
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#9 Shahid 2011-09-26 11:12
Nishantha (Kandy):"Shame on those people who broke the shrine. Muslims have equal rights as anybody else in this country. Just because we are the majority, we don't have any rights over them."
Well said bro, we are one nation right. You know, I don't have that many Muslim friends. Most of my friends are Buddhists and Christians. We always do things together. We organise dansals for Vesak & Poson, we never separate people, that he is Buddhist, so why should we help him like that. Why can't we live like brothers and sisters. Really, like your comment bro, May Allah bless you and your family.
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#8 rahula 2011-09-21 01:20
Muslims - Mecca
Anuradhapura - Buddhists

If Gotabhaya built a mosque near Ruwanvaliseya, he will be ashamed of his actions.
This could be the Achilles heel of this govt. I used to like him a lot. Not anymore.
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#7 saman 2011-09-20 17:42
2,500-year-old Anuradhapura Buddhist civilisation coming to an end.
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#6 panbatta 2011-09-20 12:28
We have reliable information that Dutugemunu built the Ruwanwali Seya at the site of an ancient Muslim mosque by!!!
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#5 Rev. Varuni 2011-09-20 10:51
Terror everywhere.
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#4 ramijhon 2011-09-20 01:59
Sri Lanka belongs to the Veddahs. God bless you Mr Gotabhaya
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#3 Nishantha - Kandy 2011-09-20 00:23
Shame on those people who broke the shrine. Muslims have equal rights as anybody else in this country. Just because we are the majority, we don't have any rights over them.
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