the Buddha of Jehanabad and the 'Radio Malluh' - Buddha lost

[donsu]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IL20Df02.html


-snip-

Now there is only one such statue left - the Buddha of Jehanabad. A beacon of Gandhara heritage, the Buddha of Jehanabad is the only remaining Buddha of its size and quality carved into the rock in the area. Standing at 23 feet, the 7th-century statue is considered the most important carving of its kind. It is unique, the most complete and priceless remains of Gandhara.

Recently, the Buddha of Jehanabad come into conflict with another famous personality of the region: the cleric-turned-militant who has led the campaign in the Swat Valley, Maulana Fazlullah - the "Radio Mullah".

The Buddha of Jehanabad lost. The statue suffered two attacks by militants led by Maulana Fazlullah. The second attack succeeded in seriously defacing it after explosives were detonated on the Buddha's face.

-snip-

After the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005, TNSM began preaching that the earthquake was a warning from Allah. If believers failed to mend their ways, they said, they would face even more severe punishments. The rallying cry had begun again. Six months later, in May 2006, hundreds of people could be seen gathering and burning thousands of TV and music players along with CDs and cassettes in Matta and Kanju in the Swat Valley.

-snip-

Maulana Fazlullah established an illegal FM radio station at Imam Dheri. From here, the "Radio Mullah" delivered sermons and programs of Islamic teachings. He also called for attacks on things "un-Islamic". His broadcasts decried things ranging from modern Bollywood movies to the Buddha of Jehanabad. Girls were advised to only attend school wearing burkha (dress covering the entire body, including the face). Later girls' schools were closed altogether. He outlawed polio vaccinations, claiming they were a ploy by the West to render Muslims impotent.

-snip-

The outlook in Swat's main towns has now improved. Many militants have been captured, and others have fled to far-flung areas. Locals welcomed the army when they entered the area last week. Since then Musharraf has lifted the six-week long state of emergency. But the Radio Mullah remains at liberty and license, and the Buddha of Jehanabad remains irreparably damaged, a permanent scar of the Swat Valley's very recent history.
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the religiously insane are dangerous, especially for women and girls and Buddhas

don't be afraid of the religiously insane, weed them from your society, where ever in the world they are.

[BridgeTheGap]

1. Might I suggest a remote, uninhabited island in the Pacific? n/t

[donsu]

2. an island drowning from arctic/glacier melt

nt

[BridgeTheGap]

4. I guess the "laughing Buddha" isn't laughing any more!

Is this bad karma or what?

[soothsayer]

3. i'm still so sad and outraged about the Bamiyan Buddhas. Grrrr.

[Didereaux]

5. but,but,but.... ALL muslims are tolerant people, many have screamed that at me here on DU n/t