The new mosque in Grandpass is a warehouse.
Posted on August 12th, 2013
Leela
An authorization letter or the so-called permit for Grand pas mosque is dated 8th Aug 2013. But building of the mosque had been completed long before that date. That means building work for the mosque must have begun without authorization. We can assume from the date of the permit that its issuance may have done in hush hush and a rash manner. Why do we say that?
Local Buddhists say, the building in depute is located on Swarna Chaitya Road where an old mosque is also located. And its construction work had been started in 2010 not as a mosque but as a warehouse. When monks and local Buddhists realized the purported warehouse is a mosque, they not only objected to it but also have lodged many written complaints at the local police station.
With political push by Muslim politicians, work on the building was completed about one and a half months back. And the Wahhabi dominated ACJU got ready to open a mosque which they have been disguised as a warehouse all this time. But Maulovi in charge had no permit to use the building as a mosque even at that date.
Annoyed for being conned, local Buddhists backed by Sinhala Buddhist organizations protested strongly to the opening of the unauthorized mosque. When the police at Grandpass summoned them for an inquiry both parties have jointly agreed to close building until a legal remedy is found.
However, considering the on going Ramadan festival of Muslims, the Buddhist party is said to have agreed with Muslims for them to use the warehouse building for prayers until the 10th of August. In fact, a written agreement was prepared and signed by both parties with a senior police officer signing as a witness. And police guard had been provided to the temporary mosque to maintain peace and order in the area.
Needless to say, when two parties signed an agreement, both parties are expected to adhere to its terms. Buddhists who signed the agreement didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know that Muslims are thought by Muslim scholars to be truthful to each other but no need to be truthful with non believers. Buddhist should have known that Koran 2:225 says, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your heartsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ Although the context of this remark is marriage, when you read the Koran verse 16:106 that says, there are circumstances that can ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”compelƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ a Muslim to tell a lie, it is obvious that Muslims cannot be trusted on agreements. Events that followed the said agreement is a good example for this maxim.
Thereafter, strange events said to have taken place behind the backs of the Buddhist party that signed the agreement. Muslim politicians put their differences aside and started to work hard to organize a sting operation. As a result, the so-called permit sprang up from the Buddha Sasana and religious affairs ministry like a rabbit from a magicianƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s hat. I wonder whether the Prime Minister who is in charge of that ministry knew this latest conspiracy by Muslims against Sinhala Buddhists.
Anyway, On the agreed date for the closure of the mosque, Aug 10th, the police called on the relevant Moulavi and asked him to close mosque as otherwise it would be difficult to prevail peace in the area. It is said, the Moulavi had then produced the aforementioned permit and asserted to police that mosque need not be closed for they now have a permit. In effect Moulavi has made the agreement irrelevant.
When the temple received the so-called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”permit letterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ in the evening, monks rang the temple bells and congregated dayakaya and informed them of the latest situation. And the congregation said to have felt conned and decided to take law in to their own hands and demolish the mosque then and there. And the subsequent mayhem left several civilians and police injured. But there were no serious injuries let alone deaths.
During this Ramadan, we have learned that Muslim jihadis have killed several hundreds of Muslims of opposing sects the world over. Imagine the numbers that must have been maimed at those blasts. But for BBC, Al Jazeera and et al none of those deaths mattered. Even today, their interest lay in our mosque dispute that no deaths but few minor injuries. So is for Colombo Telegraph wrote more than ten separate write-ups.
Anyway, when the situation got boisterous between Buddhists and Muslims an official from permit issuing ministry came to the seen and withdrew the permit and people started to disperse and calm prevailed.
In the end, all parties agreed that Muslims should revert to their old mosque located at 166 along the same road for praying.
Now that the hullabaloo is amicably settled, we can expect that BBC and their partners are not happy. Lets see who and who are disappointed in Sri Lanka.
August 12th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
“During this Ramadan, we have learned that Muslim jihadis have killed several hundreds of Muslims of opposing sects the world over.”
Ramadan Bombathon
2013 Scorecard
In the name of
The Religion
of Peace
Terror Attacks…….. 310
Suicide Bombings…. 28
Dead Bodies……… 1651
Wounded…………. 3048
August 12th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Learning from Israel.
“anti-Israel propaganda by Irish Times reporter Frank McDonald, elicited the following friendly advice to Israelis:
stop committing genocide and people will stop criticizing you.”
Genocide?
“The Palestinian population in the West Bank increased from 462,000 in 1949 to more than 2.5 million today.
In Gaza, the population increased from 82,000 in 1949 to 1.7 million today.
As a point of reference, the Jewish population of Gaza and Palestinian controlled West Bank is practically ZERO while the Jewish population in the entire Arab Middle East has decreased from over 850,000 in 1949 to less than 5,000 today.”
-cifwatch.com
Arab families in Grandpass near the incident were 18 in 1987. Now it is 580. Soon the entire place will be Arabic only.
We don’t need anymore prayer houses, mosques, churches, kovils or temples. STOP giving them permits.
August 12th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Thank you Lela!………..These days even a legitimate concern expressed by Sinhalese, it is taken as a form of discrimination. our people have had enough of these PURE THAN PIOUS lot, who try to maintain their way of living without any regard to Sinhalese & Buddhits who practice their faith.
WHY it is necessary to have a MOSQUE in the same or closer to a Buddhist temple, when there are ample space elsewhare to build a mosque. The same rule applies to Buddhists who for some reason or other, feel that they also can act as they are a majority race & do things , which are small matters, eventually irks Muslims vice versa.
If we want to get along well ,PLEASE DO NOT CREATE situations that annoys or CHALLENGES the majority race. We have lived in Lanka, for many years & Muslims did not get involved in such STRONG actions which invariably will start an unnecesary conflict with the majority race. Buddhits too should NOT go out of their way to prove somehow as we are the majority, we can do anything & everything we want, which in turn annoy minority faiths.
It always better to have places of worship away from each religious faith folowers so that even the silghtest possibilty of a conflict can or maybee avoided.
To avoid any of these unnecessary problems GOVT: should NOT approve any new building closer to any of the oppposite religions places of worship. I am somewhat familiar from PRESS REPORTS, that Dambulla is an area full of Buddhist people & ancient budhist temples. WHY ON EARTH do Muslims want to come so close to a Buddhist ancient city, when they fully well know THERE WILL be conflicts.
Minorities, whether its Muslims or Christians must be very concious the fact that majority of Sri Lankans STILL have an inclination to get along BUT with small population of 7% or less THEN why demand so many concessions. When we came to Canada or to UK, in my case, I NEVER DID anything that would annoy British People & in Canada we did not anything that might anger Canadians.
As my mentor in England said on the first day I met him, he said ALWAYS BE & ACT as an ambassodor to UK from Sri Lnka. As long as that concept is in my mind it discourages even if I felt that I was fighting a lonely battle. It is good advic to many, when they arrive or be born to a foreign culture, IT IS BEST TO ASSIMILATE, ADAPT so that the HOST country & its people will feel secure & commend the newcomers for that.
Ecnomic conditions in Lanka, is also part to blame. People are finding so hard to live, cost of living is so high, and a small thing will end up as big CONFLICT ultiamtely everybody accuses other as religious discrimination.
Our leadres including Buddhit clergy should be careful NOT TO make matters worse, when they see a problem, try & contain or diffuse the situation for good of everybody. I know I am just stating from little I know BUT Sri lankans in the country may disagree with my assessment.
Thank you all……..specially in this Ramthan period try & be kind to others..LOT OF GOOD will come from those gestures. ..May the Noble Triple Gems GUIDE & PROTCCT our Motherland…….J
August 12th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
This confrontation has been reported in the Times of India. What is interesting is that the Times of India which is one of the world’s most recognized internet magazines, hardly if ever reported the events of the civil war. I know since I have been a subscriber and a commenter since the 1990’s. When the war ended in 2009 the Times of India suddenly started reporting events on Sri Lanka but only those that painted the majority Singhalese Buddhists in the worst light, including this article which can be found under the heading of “World news” and the sub heading of “South Asia”.
Even the geopolitical changing development of the deep water port of Colombo was relegated to the same heading of “World News” and under the sub heading of “China” but never made headline news like this confrontation did.
The Times of India is not only world renowned it is the “voice of New Delhi” and being that it never reports any of the advancements Sri Lanka has made including the launching of her first satellite by China. That did not even made a side line issue.
It is apparent that India is using her media to paint Sri Lanka as an unstable nation where minorities are routinely attacked and the “need” for the devolution of power is needed. This also includes Tamil Nadu’s version of the “ill” treatment of Indian fishermen meted by the Sri Lankan navy “who has entered Indian waters…” No Indian paper be it the Times of India or the Hindustan Times report anything that is positive of Sri Lanka including that minorities live a better life in Sri Lanka than in other nations in the Sub Continent or the advancements in space, infrastructure development.
Being a long time subscriber of the Times of India it is astonishing to me to see this well renowned magazine go from not reporting anything on Sri Lanka during the war to a steady reporting of Sri Lanka on any subject that showcases Sri Lanka as an irrational violent hateful nation. My only conclusion is that the “diplomatic war” to bifurcate Sri Lanka to create Eelam has permeated India’s media, and her diaspora.
August 12th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
What Leela says are partly correct. Yes. Muslims must think this is SL not Saudi Arabia. There is no need mosques upon mosques. Moulavis must pay attention whether muslims’ activities are in right direction. Moulavis themselves to lead a life of exemplary to others. Unfortunately Muslims do not have a Head to guide them. They go behind politicians whereas they themselves are in different opinion. These politicians only care about their bellies. ACJU also not recognized as a supreme guide for Muslims in the country. Recently we observed the differences in determine the day of Ramazan festival. ACJU chief Rizvi Mufthi cries for UNITY among Muslims – which always to be in dream. Finally, Muslims and the Muslim authorities must give the full right to the minorities within the Muslims. they block minority Muslims voices to be heard via electronic and printing media. God is there to look everything. As long as Muslims do not care about these facts – as long as they recognize the system of spiritual Head appointed by Allah, they will continuously suffer with problems upon problems.
Finally, Leela, Holy Qura’an never teach to tell lie
August 12th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
Local Muslims are more at risk from Wahabism and other aggressive forms of Islam spreading around the world financed by Saudi Arabia. Recent years’ petroleum price hike supported by sanctions on Iran, collapse of Libya, etc. and chaos in the Middle East have earned Saudi Arabia a fortune in petroleum sales. This is a big unexpected bonus which is channelled to spread Wahabism. Legendary Saudi king is on his last legs and it is his wish to see the entire Muslim society turning into Wahabism before he dies. After his demise there will not be a visionary leader like him for some time.
Violence against Muslims only pushes them to the open arms of Wahabis. A moratorium on the construction of places of religious worship is needed. What matters in this day and age is the quality of the practice of religion, not quantity. Legitimate grievances and concerns of BBS and other groups should be addressed, peacefully.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:42 am
This is how they islamise countries. Breed, breed, breed. Same time buy land, acquire towns, villages. set up mosque after mosque. Muslim only schools, so that they can fill them up to the rafters with the breeding output without getting noticed so much.
When they start new buildings in these muslims only schools, 4-5 stories high. So much OUTPUT. Then they get the poor President to open them. Seal of approval from the most powerful man on the land. Crafty mossies. Just like mosquitoes. Sucking life out of Sinhalese slowly but surely. We have to thank the UnPatriotic Party (UNP) for the mess we are in. They divide the Sinhalese and make mossies rule the country. Thanks to them mossies will take over the contry very very soon.
BREED, BREED, BREED. MENACE TO SRI LANKA. MENACE TO MANKIND.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:42 am
No way we can allow Muslims to construct Mosques in every corner of the country. We never heard these things before. I have so many Muslim friends and they never approve any sort of violance between any religion. Nowdays
All these new things were imported from Saudi Arabia.They are the ones who spent money and bring and teach new new things to our muslims. Those days we never saw Muslims acting this way.They were all peaceful and supporting the majority and the life was going smoothly. Now they cover from top to bottom and act same like they are from another country not Sri Lankans. They create mayhem in every country they go. We should be alert of their movements because of Jihadist all over the world. We should check the outside visitors coming from Pakistan,Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries. They come and poison our Muslims to create unneccessary problems among our population. Just see what Saudis doing in Syria,Egypt,Iraq and other muslim countries. They are putting millions on other countries to spread their type of religion.
Muslim kills muslims more than any other sect. They destroy their own worship places. They destroy their own quran by themselves. We cannot allow 10% of our population to destroy our religion or our culture. Most of the drug lords in our country are Muslims. We must be vigilant and alert of these Muslim fanatics who have started to create something to show the world that we Buddhist are the villans not them. BBC and Al Jazeera and other foreign papers are taking advantage of this situation and make a big hew and cry while many innocent die by the hands of Muslim extremists all over the world.
August 13th, 2013 at 3:39 am
“Plateau State, Nigeria (CNN) — Gunmen attacked a mosque in the Nigerian town of Konduga with automatic weapons, killing at least 44 people, a local police official said.
The mosque is in Konduga town, about 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s northern Borno state.
The Islamic militant group Boko Haram has carried out attacks in this area before, though police are still investigating this incident.
Nigeria’s Daily Trust newspaper quotes him as saying: “By Allah, we have come of age; we now have the capability to face the United States, not to talk of Nigeria.“”
August 13th, 2013 at 4:52 am
Very few seems to know the exact truth about the so called ‘mosque’ in a warehouse at Grandpass. Therefore , we should be thankful to Leela for exposing its background and history.
Samaraweera, Australia
August 13th, 2013 at 5:55 am
In Sri Lanka, we have religion coming out of our ears. There are enough places of worship for every religion. Parliament should pass law to stop building any more places of worship for all religions. Do we all practise even the basic tenets of the religion we belong to ?
Re Islam : Islam means “Peace”. Is Peace practised ?
At present, we have an overcrowded world of over 7 BILLION PEOPLE. We have to find/learn ways to live together in relative harmony. Or else we shall end up like the extinct Dinosaurs – another failed experiment on Planet Earth.
August 13th, 2013 at 6:00 am
In Christianity : Jesus said “the Kingdom of Heaven is within You”.
In Buddhism : The Buddha said “Truth is within You”.
Once again, Islam means “Peace”.
In Hinduism: The highest of all Yogas, Raj Yoga is Meditation (going Within Yourself).
So the real Temple, Church, Mosque is Within You.
August 14th, 2013 at 10:20 am
We agree with what Dilrook has written here. Re what ails Islam is mainly Wahabism. Wahabism is unfortunately tied to Saudi oil money. Those with great wealth must use it with great care for ALL human life. Then they will be respected and loved by all.
Here is a write up on the Saudi Family (from the internet). The Saudi king’s line of succession is clear from this write up.
“The House of Saud (Arabic: آل سعود Āl Suʻūd) is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. The family has thousands of members. It is composed of the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud and his brothers, though the ruling faction of the family is primarily led by the descendants of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud. The family advocates Salafi Islam and unification of Arabia.
The most influential member of the family is the King of Saudi Arabia. The throne was designed to pass from one son of King Abdulaziz to another. His deputies, Salman and Muqrin, are also from the ruling House of Saud, and the king-appointed cabinet includes more members of the royal family. While the monarchy is hereditary now, future Saudi kings will be chosen by a committee of Saudi princes, per a 2006 decree.
The family is estimated to be composed of 15,000 members, but the majority of the power and wealth is possessed by a group of only about 2,000.
The House of Saud has gone through three phases: the First Saudi State, the Second Saudi State, and the modern nation of Saudi Arabia. The First Saudi State marked the expansion of Wahhabi Islam. The Second Saudi State was marked with continuous infighting. Modern Saudi Arabia wields considerable influence in the Middle East. The family has had conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, the Sharif of Mecca, the Al Rashid family of Ha’il, and numerous Islamist groups both inside and outside Saudi Arabia”.