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bismi-lLahi-rRahmani-rRahiem
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
=== News Update ===
Tamil Extremists Target Muslims
by Nasir Rifai <<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
- May 30, 2008
"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce
ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the
herd." -- Bertrand Russell
The Tamil attack on Muslim civilians that took place in Kattankudy
recently is utterly uncalled for and deserves condemnation not only
from all Sri Lankans, but the world at large. The densely populated
eastern town has been the setting for previous bloody massacres of
Muslims by Tamil Hindu extremists and that legacy has been brought
back to life in an orgy of violence and terror.
Angered at the death of two of their members who were shot dead in
the town, suspected Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TVMP) cadres
from Arayampathy stormed the town and shot dead three Muslim
civilians. Many others were terrorised, including women and
children. Young boys were beaten for being Muslim, and at least one
mosque was stoned. Several shops belonging to Muslims were torched
and three wheelers and lorries were destroyed. The motive for the
attacks seem to have been two-fold; exact revenge for the death of
Tamil militants and strike at the economic heart of the community.
Muslims Blamed
The TVMP was quick to lay the blame for the death of their cadres on
the Muslims, even though the community has always stayed clear of the
internecine war that continues between the LTTE and the
Karuna/Pillayan group. The TVMP has many enemies in the region, the
foremost being the LTTE. Recent hit and run attacks on the Security
Forces in the Ampara District clearly indicate that there is an
active LTTE presence in the area.
The latest attack in Kattankudy is just one example of a long history
of violence against Muslims that have been spearheaded by Tamil Hindu
nationalist groups. Their aim is to strike fear into the Muslim
population, subjugate them, and ultimately ethnically cleanse them
from the East in similar fashion to what was done in the North. In
October 1990, more than 75 000 Muslims were expelled from the North
and continue to languish in refugee camps.
The latest attack demonstrates what is in store for the Muslim
community in the East with power being centred in the hands of Tamil
extremists. What is clear is that whether from the Vanni faction or
the TVMP, the Tamil nationalist agenda to control and oppress the
Muslim community remains unchanged.
The Muslims of Sri Lanka have steadfastly refused to take part in the
violent campaign waged by Tamils to create a separate state, and have
long committed themselves to democracy, pluralism and non-violence,
placing their trust in the government of Sri Lanka and various Muslim
politicial parties to take care of their interests.
Hate Attacks
The hate campaign being directed at the Muslim community by Tamil
Hindu extremists needs to be tackled at the highest level of
government, as it is the government that has some leeway over the
TVMP. Failure to do so will lead to a loss of confidence among the
Muslim community, not only in the east, but in other parts of the
country as well. The Tamil nationalist campaign to deny a unique
identity to Sri Lankan Muslims and subsume them under the label of
"Tamil speaking people" continues unabated, and the latest bout of
violence points to further moves to marginalise and ride roughshod
over the community.
It needs to be made clear to Tamil nationalists in no uncertain
terms, that any act of violence or hate against the Muslim community
will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Further, the rights of
Muslims to live without fear and the threat of terrorism must be
respected. The government must ensure that justice is served to all
communities in the East, especially to those who are unarmed and have
placed their faith in democracy.
Any moves to placate Tamil Hindu extremism at the expense of the
welfare of the Muslim community will likely result in an increasingly
worried population in the east. That certainly will not be conducive
towards peace and harmony which are essential pre-requisites for the
development of the Eastern Province after more than 25 years of war.
source --
<http://www.montrealmuslimnews.net>www.montrealmuslimnews.net
===
-muslim voice-
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BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW
