Bangladhesh anti-Buddhist violence 'planned'

News > Asia

Bangladhesh anti-Buddhist violence 'planned'

Published: 30 Sep 2012 at 21.18
Online news: Asia

Thousands of rioters torched Buddhist temples and homes in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday over a photo posted on Facebook deemed offensive to Islam, in a rare attack against the community.

A temple burnt by Muslims in Cox's Bazaar on Sunday. (AFP photo)

Officials said the mob comprising some 25,000 people set fire to at least five Buddhist temples and dozens of homes in Ramu town and its adjoining villages, some 350 kilometres (216 miles) from the capital Dhaka.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

spiceman
Post : 3,566
Send message

Discussion 60 : 08 Oct 2012 at 04.5760
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Brother Ershadmz #59, I think as long as we stay out of theology, and let everyone practice any religions as one sees it, it should be fine. Coming out from Hinduism, Buddhism doesn't describe to Abrahamic theology of the Creation's accounts of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible/Koran. As a result, Buddhism and Islam, along with Christianity, are so far apart as they have absolutely nothing in common. So, in my humble opinion, as long as we extend our grace and consideration to all the people of different faiths, we should be able to live together in peace and harmony.

God bless...
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
ershadmz
Post : 4
Send message

Discussion 59 : 07 Oct 2012 at 21.3059
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Brother Nick, I share your feeling.People around the world are divided. Some are black, some are white and some are brown. Some are poor and some are rich. Some are muslim,Christians,Jews, Hindu and Buddists. May be there more sects. Human kind is from one man and one woman with same blood.Tell me,why such divisions are there? Who created such divisions? We have one planet, one human kind, one blood. Think about it and tell me.
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
ershadmz
Post : 4
Send message

Discussion 58 : 07 Oct 2012 at 11.2658
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Sister Somnamna,thanks a lot for your kind response. Global interactions and conversations needed between communities and religion to built a better world. We must know each other better. We are from one man and one woman.Human being is one community, one blood but divided in thousand pieces. Understanding is very less, antagonism,anger and hate are very high. Why world is like this can you tell me. Just think and think,I am sure you will get the answer.
Bangladesh is secular country with muslim majority. Ramu incident was created by some vested interest group to benefit in politics. It has nothing to with religion. Some poor young boys were hired with money to do this unthinkable inhuman job. Once again I say, I beg apology to world community. We are sorry,we are sad. Forgive us.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
somnamna
Post : 171
Send message

Discussion 57 : 06 Oct 2012 at 23.0957
Post this to my Facebook
D#52 Brother Ershadmz: I respect your input here, thank you very much, this incident was totally irresponsible in means of coexistence with your fellow Bengali citizen who practice a different believe than the majority but I believe those who cause that are more of confrontational type of Muslims who believe there is a competition between Islamic world and others, What I really don't understand what were the politics motivation behind that and why do they have to do such thing? It looks like revenge to me as I live in a secular Muslim country but never understand those kind of actions by other Muslims? And for what?
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
spiceman
Post : 3,566
Send message

Discussion 56 : 06 Oct 2012 at 14.1956
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Brother Ershadmz #55, I can only hope that all of the people of all faiths in the world, especially, Muslims, will become like you one day, you know, gracious and thoughtful!

God bless...
Like dislike 12 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
ershadmz
Post : 4
Send message

Discussion 55 : 06 Oct 2012 at 10.3155
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Brother Spiceman,thanks a lot for your kind response. No, we do not have any constitutional sharia law. Our constitution is secular. We have more than 10 per cent religious minorities,they follow their religious law in case of family issues.Even muslims follow their religious law in family matters. Our constitution has been evolved from British law and system. Our courts are run by British law and mixed. Parliament is on British system. Since muslims are majority they dominate the politics. In a democracy numbers are important than value and quality.Quality people do not come to politics.
I guess,RAMU incident is a political game to tarnish the image of Bangladesh. Our buddists brothers are unthinkably peaceful. They do not involve in politics. Once again I beg apology to world community.
Like dislike 12 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
spiceman
Post : 3,566
Send message

Discussion 54 : 06 Oct 2012 at 01.5054
Post this to my Facebook
Khun Ershedmz #52, I appreciate your heartfelt apology and explanation of the recent violence against Buddhist minority in your country. Bangladesh has always been a peaceful country until this recent violent incident, so it seems to me that violent islamic radicalism has finally arrived in Bangladesh. May I ask you a question whether your country has a secular Constitution or islamic Sharia Law as the Law of the Land? By the way, your country's parliamentary building is one of the most beautiful architectural marvels of the world, despite of the low price tag when it was built. God bless...
Like dislike 12 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
nick2243
Post : 9
Send message

Discussion 53 : 06 Oct 2012 at 00.5353
Post this to my Facebook
I do sympathize for the many good muslims in the world. However, acts of these nature just solidify why the stereotypes will continue. Why the aggression on one of the most peaceful people around? Buddhists (in the asian region) have more fights with NATURE than with PEOPLE.

By doing this, do they qualify for their 72 virgins?
Like dislike 3 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
ershadmz
Post : 4
Send message

Discussion 52 : 05 Oct 2012 at 22.1852
Post this to my Facebook
Ramu incident against Buddists has been condemned by all in Bangladesh. Those who did this shmaless job are poor. We saw them. But we have not seen them who instigated the poor boys. Almost all medias of Bangladesh accused that law enforcing agencies were inactive and did not respond to the call of the people. Government of Bangladesh can not shrug its responsibilities to bring the culprits invisible under law and justice.It was a clear cut game to turnish the image of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is always a very peaceful country. I am poet journalist from Bangladesh. I beg apology to world community for the Ramu incident. Oh GOD punish the sinner and save the innocents.
Like dislike 10 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
faceless
Post : 234
Send message

Discussion 51 : 02 Oct 2012 at 05.3151
Post this to my Facebook
When the history dilettantes have had their fun there is still the present issue of thousands of people being incited to murder, pillage and arson.

Sorry, but all your fancy footwork doesn't avoid this.
Like dislike 10 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Last

Bangladhesh anti-Buddhist violence 'planned' | Bangkok Post: news