mandalay: Muslim-Buddhist Riots (r)

[ider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

"Divide et impera"
SLORC

On 19 Mar 1997 aliburma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> From: The Prince of Burma <aliburma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> With the recent events in Mandalay, I find myself in an awkward position
> against both the Buddhist Monks, and the Muslims leaders.  What exactly are
> the leaders of these communities doing?
> 
> If the allegations are true that a few Muslims raped a buddhist girl, then
> the Muslim leaders should be condoning these rapists and their horrific
> act.  Rape is punishible by death in strict Islamic Law, and likewise, any
> reason to justify those rapists' actions would be pathetic.  The Muslim
> communities, lead by their leaders, should have been quick at finding these
> rapists and condoning them.
> 
> However, I also find it sad that the Buddhist Monks have, in retaliation,
> lead protests that have resulted in the vandalizing of two mosques.  It
> would only seem proper that if they are angry about the rape, that they
> protest demanding the capture of these rapists, but to vandalize two
> religious sanctuaries to Muslims only makes matters worse.  I don't think
> it was really correct to label the rape as an attack on Buddhism just
> becuase the rapists were Muslim.  Likewise, if the rapists had been
> Buddhists and the victim a Muslim girl, vandalizing a Buddhist monastery
> would be ubsurd.
> 
> Religious wars are easy to get caught up into, especially with the history
> Burma has had with its religous minorities.  Sadly enough, it seems our
> religious leaders from all ends of each religion are not making matters
> better.  Perhaps our monks, imams, ministers, and priests should redirect
> their hostile battles to the government and not on silly religious battles.
> 
> 
>