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Not Just a Minority Community in Sri Lanka
Posted by: Raashid Riza
Tags: China,muslims,sri lanka,United Nations,world Posted date:
April 23, 2012 |
35 Comments
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Recent events call into question the political position of the Muslim community within Sri Lanka, and the historical context which put them there
Last Friday a mob of about 2000 Sinhalese, led by a group of Buddhist monks, stormed into a mosque in the historical city of Dambulla. They caused disturbances so severe that Friday prayers had to be cancelled. Reports suggest that the mosque had been hurled at with petrol bombs the night before, causing minor damage, and security forces were deployed to control the situation. The targeting of the Muslim community was instigated by a group of racist Sinhalese individuals, consisting largely of hooligans, who were motivated by the uproar and attention such an act would create, rather than by any identifiable ideology.
The Sinhalese group that attacked the mosque claimed that it was an illegal structure, although reports have suggested that the mosque is more than 50 years old. This claim is further validated by the local parliamentarian for the Dambulla district, incidentally, a Sinhalese, who is reported to have stated that the mosque has existed in its current location even before he, himself, was born.
Assuming that the mosque is an illegal structure or is tainted by legal controversy (which, indeed, it is not), due process has to be adhered to and there are legal procedures that need to be observed in order to remove the building or evict its inhabitants.
Social media sources are running amok with reports of increased Sinhala-Muslim tensions. There is however, a far deeper context in which these need to be seen.
This history of Muslims in Sri Lanka is not just another story of a minority community. Sadly and very inaccurately, the term ‘minority’ is used to describe Sri Lankan Muslims, in the same vein as European Muslims are described as minorities.
The Muslims in Europe or the US, in addition to being a numerical minority, do not have a history that spans more than a few centuries, and are largely insulated by other cultural distinctions different to the country they live in. Terms like ‘of Asian origin’, for instance, reinforce this notion. This history of Muslims in Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is as old as Islam itself.
Geographically, Sri Lanka previously held a central location in ancient trade routes, and was the traditional resting spot of sailors and merchants who were travelling from the east to the west. Therefore, Arab merchants had been frequenting Sri Lanka long before the advent of Islam in Arabia. With the ideological transformation of Arabia, the same Arabs coming to Sri Lanka were now Muslims, and in addition to marrying local Sinhalese and Tamil women, helped create the Sri Lankan Muslim population on the island.
Furthermore, unlike their other Muslim ‘minority’ counterparts, the Sri Lankan Muslims bear the exact same physical resemblance to the rest of the Sri Lankan communities and speak the same local tongue. Traditionally, Muslims in Sri Lanka have had the best of relationships with the two other communities in Sri Lanka – the Sinhalese and the Tamils – and have a history spanning well over a millennium.
There are several dimensions to this particular incident that took place. The Sinhalese that attacked the mosque are a part of an extremely small lunatic fringe, and are neither a reflection of the vast majority of the peaceful Sinhalese who have always been good neighbours to the Muslims, nor a reflection of an anti-Muslim agenda of the Sri Lankan state.
This is an extremely delicate situation. There are numerous instances in modern political history where the motivation to foster and nurture extremism is not purely a local construct, but facilitated through the hidden arm of an alien force. Am I insinuating that this incident is a verse in a larger conspiratorial event? No – but I will not rule out the possibility.
In the US sponsored motion against Sri Lanka at the UN Security Council last month, all the Muslim countries voted in support of Sri Lanka, or abstained from voting, thereby sending clear signals of solidarity with the country.
I rarely come out in support of the current Sri Lankan government; indeed, President Rajapaksa and his cabinet have serious questions to answer on human rights violations and corruption. However, as he is a proud Sinhalese Buddhist, and probably the first modern non-Muslim head of state to open a mosque in Sri Lanka – confirmed by this report and these images – such actions need to be recognised. Further reinforcing this notion is the fact that Mahinda Rajapaksa was the founder President of the Sri Lankan Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinians for well over four decades, a role he passed over when he became President of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is stuck in a cold war of sorts, with the West and the US trying to get a firm geo-political hold of Sri Lanka, alongside an Eastern alliance led by China trying to do the same. Currently, this incumbent regime is towing an anti-US and an anti-Western political line that works well in favour of China and other Asian counterparts. India, which otherwise had a firm political grip on Sri Lankan affairs, has seen its grip slightly diluted by the dual emphasis of the radicalism of the Sri Lankan state, and the increased influence of China. This works in favour of other Muslim countries, and there is no foreseeable risk in the relationship between Sri Lanka and the Muslim world. Indeed, there never has been an instance when Sri Lanka has ever had a diplomatic row with any Muslim country. The Sinhalese and Muslim leadership is well aware of the fact that such incidents as these do not work in the good interests of the Sinhalese or the Muslims, or indeed the country at large.
Media portrayals, so often extremely anti-Muslim, have now portrayed the Sinhalese at large as being racist. This works well in the interests of those who seek to benefit in rupturing the Sinhalese – Muslim relationship. In casting general accusations against the Sinhalese community, Muslims are being emotionally coaxed into responding.
I have seen Facebook and Twitter updates of Muslims visibly upset, as they should be. But the actions of the Muslims should be based on rational thought, accountability and logic, otherwise they will play into the ploys of those who seek to have them driven by their emotions. These communities should be patient and understand that, despite the odds, their interests will be best served in acting within the confines of ethics, morality and legal jurisdiction.
Muslim politicians have to realise these matters and work with the government and the opposition in consolidating their status as a community that has always acted in the best interests of the Sri Lankan state, and continue to enjoy their status as fully integrated Sri Lankan citizens bar none.
Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davestamboulis/6932590909/
About the author
Raashid Riza
Raashid Riza is the Politics & Society Editor of The Platform. He blogs here and tweets on @aufidius.
Raashid Riza is the Politics & Society Editor of The Platform. He blogs here and tweets on @aufidius.
35 Comments
Antony
Anwar,
The Islamic News Agency in Jeddah reports it as SRI LANKAN ISLAMOPHOBIA.
Islamophobia was underground during the Tamil insurgency.
Bala
Hooligans attacking anyone anywhere is common all over the world. But the religious leaders instigating and leading the mob is despicable. Lord Buddha preached non violence even against animals. The monks are not supposed to even harm an ant. In this incident, an old Buddhist monk, the leader, was leading the violent group and in fact he himself was violent. The language he used against the Muslim women was very foul. Unlike English language, Sinhalese language has very polite terms and gutter terms with the same meaning, the monk used the latter. Even if the Police do not take action against this monk, the Sanga should take drastic action to stop this sort of behavior by the monks
Walter
This is not an attack against Muslims by so called Buddhists. It is an attack against teachings of Buddha. Coming on top of accusations against the chief priest of the London Vihara, does not do any favours to the great teachings of Buddha. True Buddhists have to stand up against such violations.
Mia
Forgive me for being ignorant, but I’m not aware if Sri Lanka does have any laws that hold perpertrators responsoble for using hate language and for instigating hate crime because then if the Sri Lankan constitution is just and fair, these perpertrators can and should be called to account for their hateful speech and action, whether they are clad in holy garb or not. It is also the responsibility of responsible media to not forward violence or simply report a piece of news just for the sake of reporting, and indeed condone it and all times, but leave a piece of reflection and a path to cosciousness-raising for an otherwise vulnerable people which is the Sri Lankan population, irrespective of their diversities, so soon after the war – in the name of nation building, community building and peace building.
Srivan
Are there anti-hate laws: NONE. Sri Lanka is wallowing in hate and in a state of absolute denial. That is why the PTA is there to protect the hooligans and mobsters as law and order is non-existent. It would appear that military elements are themselves involved in abductions and ransom collections using white vans!
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[…] noted by Raashid Riza, the Multimedia Editor of The Platform, Last Friday a mob of about 2,000 Sinhalese, led by a group […]
ken
Raashid Riza, you need a bit more knowledge about local politics before you start blogging about Lanka. Please read this and go to the link to read the rest:
“minister told us that although the President tries to portray a public image that he liked the Muslim community, in reality he did not like them at all”.
Reza
An exceptionally comprehensive logical display of truth! Thank you for putting into words which I believe is the core sentiments and perception of majority of the Sri Lankans, across all faiths. As you said it right, if one examine, it is always an extremely small group of lunatic fringe who steers up tension among communities for nothing but to achieve their own lustful criminal agendas at the expense of the ignorant. To fight this menace, I know it is not enough just to write comments like this and forget… but this is the least thing every rational thinking citizen can do, and must do to inform those criminals of their isolation and our rejection of their callousness!
Antony
With due respect, it is neither a small group nor a short period.
Hate-mongering is part of the Sri Lankan political system from the inception.
One does not need to open a newspaper from the archives to know this.
Lanka Muslim, UK
The immediate incident under discussion might be an act by few unruly elements, but it must not be forgotten that it was not led by an ordinary layman. It mob was led by the Chief Monk who is supposed to be quite intelligent. Again this is not the first of similar incidents. Only a few months ago a Muslim place of worship in Anuradhapura was forcibly demolished in the same manner just before the eyes of several policemen. No action yet has been taken by the Govt. Do not the attitude of the Govt. in these show that the Govt. too is culpable in these offences as a part of its secret communal agenda to make Sri Lanka a Sinhala-Buddhist only state. His participating in the event of the Nuwara Eliya Mosque is different. When he is invited he responds and uses the occasion to trumpet his political agenda. There too by his statement “that Muslims have always supported the majority communigy” is an attempt to drive a wedge between the Muslims and Tamils when immediately after the defeat of the LTTE he said “There are no minorities in this county …. and so on. His objective is divide the people into various factions, attack the factions whom he feels do not fit into his communal agenda and carry on his communal, corrupt, familial rule.
observer
In Jan 2012 I had visited Sri Lanka, and had an opportunity to speak with Muslims in various places in Central, West, and South. I was surprised by the fact that just a few years after the war, the Muslims were already complaining that the government was creating an atmosphere making it hard for Muslims to do business. Even Muslims who were glad that the War was over, are now thinking that the War situation in the country was in one way good for them. The reason for this change is that the Muslims feel that when the government was focussed on the war, they were not targeted. But once the war had come to an end, the Muslims think that they might be the next target. Although the Muslims go about their daily business trying to be optimistic about the post-war situation/development opportunities of Sri Lanka, they can’t get rid of the feeling that they could be the next victims of the Sinhala-Buddhist Chauvinists. The sad part is that many Muslims feel the need to show solidarity with the same chauvinists against the Tamils to avoid being branded as anti-nationalists, even though the majority of them don’t really harbour hate against the other communities (especially after the war, there is a lot of sympathy for the Tamils undergoing hardships in the North).
pakse
Really…!!!??
Muslims having sympathy for Tamils !!!???
When your next door was on Fire , you were watching TV ( infact SL muslims were pouring the OIL on the fire and activly helping those setting the fire) , and now the same fire has come on to your DOOR step ( That is inveitable isn’t it?) and NOW you are crying for help and justice !!!
May God bless you!!!
SJ
Mr Pakse, Are you insane. do you have any idea about the Srilankan history at all. Don’t just type something bcoz you can. You ignorant. Muslims helped Tamils to establish and you know what they did in return. Muslims are victims of abuse by both So called Tamils and Buddhists. But I like to call them as extremists misuse the religion or race to benefit their own agendas. Shame on them all and including the people just type bcoz they can without knowing the history…!!!
Jay
Raashid, I think you got it wrong mate, it has nothing to do with Sinhala-Muslim race relations, it’s to do with a bunch of narrow minded idiots who think they are superior. They are using Buddhism Philosophy (which they know nothing of) as a platform to get government and mindless peoples support.
Dee
Agree… you do use the word repeatedly as “group of Sinhalese” etc… Sinhalese is a race with catholics, christians, buddhists, hindus and even muslims. This may be irrelevant but just to point out that its just a ‘group’ with different agendas .. my only concern is the people in robes (i call them such because real buddhist monks would not, i believe, resort to such uncouthness) who are instigating this.
As a Sinhalese-Buddhist (if you MUST label) I would like to know the history behind this conflict and on what basis the mosque was decided to move upon and why. Unfortunately, we NEVER get to know the full story minus the rumors.
maru
. This is something comes out of paranoid minds, that is corrupted in belief of God. Who has declared that there is sacred place just for Buddhist, while there is no sacred place for other minorities? The human being seeks a place to worship for pleasing God. In other word, it is something a psychological counseling process seeking by a human being for inner peace. Such places are considered as sacred no matter what religion being practiced. Such places forbid any wrong doing inside and allow people to seek peace. These people should be looked sympathetically and encouraged to worship. Without knowing such a fundamental fact, some animal only will behave in such a manner.
Amin
Nice piece but did you forget to mention the Malays of Sri Lanka – who are overwhelmingly Muslim? They unlike the ‘Moors’ of British Ceylon, do not speak Tamil at home nor look South Asian in appearance, but as their name suggests speak Malay at home and look Malay…
Interesting how (Muslim) Sri Lankans refer to “Muslim” as their ethnicity and intermix readily with each other – but not mix with Malays, who also stay apart… don’t really understand that. Is it because of their slave ancestory?
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Raashid Riza
I will try and respond to some of your comments. It is indeed heartwarming to see videos such as this of the local Sinhalese of the area speaking fondly of the Muslims and criticizing the Chief Priest who led the protest. The Sinhalese man apologises on behalf of the ignorant Sinhalese who are NOT from the area but were brought in by the monk to bolster the crowd.
The man claims that the Monk wants to usurp lands of the residents in the vicinity (Sinhalese and Muslim lands) and getting the mosque to close down was one of the faster ways of achieving this.
He acknowledges the fact that the timings of this incident is most suspect and fears the work of hidden hands. Apologies for those of you who can’t understand Sinhalese or Tamil. He urges ministers present to explain to the President the true nature of the incident.
Lionel
Video shows that these folks do not even speak proper language?
That too in Dambulla!!!!
Lanka Liar
I think it is a very good religious lesson for the Muslim community. You should know who your best friends are. Well Muslims dont bevel in Karma so they have to get what they saw in the same life.
Dias
This is a litmus test for president Rajapaksa to demonstrate his statesmanship and prove to the world how Sri Lanka can evolve home grown solutions towards reconciliation, national integration and social justice – without the interference of the US/West.
My advice to the president: make a televised speech strongly denouncing the actions of the head prelate and the Sinhalese mob; announce to the whole world that you are committed to bringing the full weight of the law over those who vandalized the property, threatened others, and furthermore order the immediate arrest of the head pre-late, other Buddhist monks and those civilians who were part of the mob; make sure to file action against the Buddhist priest who exposed himself in a gesture of disrespect to the mosque. For once, please, be a statesman like the late American president John F. Kennedy – who sent out the federal marshals to arrest the then Governor of the state of Georgia, George Wallace who broke federal law by threatening black students from attending class at the University of Alabama. Mr. President, remember this is not 1958, the year in which the priest of the main Hindu temple in the town of Panadura was burned alive by similar Sinhalese mobs. Then the ethno-religious conflict was a local secret known only to the victims and their perpetrators. After three decades of war the intolerance of the supposedly tolerant Sinhalese Buddhists – especially that of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy – is being exposed to the whole world within minutes thanks to modern technology. Take serious note Mr. President: The entire world is watching closely as to how you handle this situation. Dambulla is your Alabama. I hope you will rise up to the occasion – A Sinhalese Buddhist American.
Leela
“This history of Muslims in Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is as old as Islam itself.” As a mtter of interest, can you please show us some proof to that effect with artifacts and monuments let alone historical records. Thank you.
Leela
Raashid Riza
Read ‘The Muslims of Sri Lanka, a thousand years of ethnic harmony’ by Lorna Dewaraja. I would expect you to know the author for you to ask such a question, but here is her profile anyway – http://www.viator-publications.com/pp.php?ipp=13
krishna
raaashid, there has always been issues in sri lanka, tamils not marry singalese and singalese not marry tamil, racism has always been there. not new issue. the same happens in gujarat, in many countries where there is a minority, they are bound to be taunted and attacked. sri lanka will need a financial revolution for it to be better, as when poverty is not an issue, you have less of these racial attacks. http://www.ccsd.ca/perception/244/racism.htm
mahesh
millions of budhist in arabian gulf, have singale tempale in theare?
krishna
its down to poverty, they need to get to working and get better education, then they will be able to build tempale there, very big tempale. not only singale, many will bay built theare.
Subashi
Whole Middle East was Buddhist civilizaion before. But Muslims attacked Buddhists robbed the lands. Now no room for Buddhist there. Have you forgotten that great Bamiam giant Buddha statues were distroyed by Muslims in Afgan?who built those statues? Muslims?. Buddhists were living there with utmost faith. But Buddhist docrine is not defensive and Muslims used this as a weekness to attack Buddhists.
You talk about building temples ah? My foot! Even an image of Buddha is not allowed there, do they cost any.
Raashid Riza
Prove all this that you say to me with academic evidence and I will engage. Failure to do so will naturally nullify your comment above.
Rohan
Buddhism cannot be fostered at the expense of other religions and faiths.
A mosque is also a sacred place, as are kovil and church.
The proposition has been advanced that it is only a minority within the majority community who have been responsible for the ignominous incident. True. But the majority has condoned their actions by remaining silent and making excuses.
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Raashid Riza is absolutely right that the Muslim countries stayed in solidarity at the UN resolution though Sri Lankan situation is much worse and longer strugle than of Kosovo, syria or Libya. The muslim community in Sri Lanka was spared due to the Tamil insurgency and the larger minority perspective. Otherwise, the consecutive governments have been elected by the majority population on racist policy
from burning Jaffna library to expulsion of 161 Islamic clerics are the same