[Buddha-l] Insight into Anti-Muslim Violence in Sri Lanka

[Jo]

I daresay nobody is agonizing or wringing hands over this conflict. Most of
us should understand by now, based on what I've posted here if not anything
else they read somewhere, that this conflict has to do with Buddhism
involved in nationalist politics and identity, as much as with Muslim habits
that are repulsive to Buddhists (e.g., the way they kill animals for meat). 
Don't forget that a lot of Europeans are also ticked off by the tendency of
Muslims to produce a lot more children these days than Christians do, or
Buddhists in Burma or Sri Lanka do.  I think we can  also notice the fact
that Tibetan Buddhists don't seem to have big conflicts with Muslims in
their regions of the earth.    

Joanna K.

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Dan Lusthaus
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 12:42 AM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Insight into Anti-Muslim Violence in Sri Lanka

As folks wring their hands and agonize over Buddhists hardening attitudes
toward Muslims, here's a reminder of (1) what they are reacting against, and
(2) the difference between how "protest" is carried out on the Muslim side
(remember that the recent riots in Burma got violent *after* a Buddhist monk
was killed, a sequence of events often glossed over in media coverage).

Note the target and method. This is not unusual -- it is unfortunately
typical.

Dan

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/09/10/world/asia/10reuters-thailand-scho
ol.html?hp

September 10, 2013
School Bomb Attack Kills Two in Southern Thailand By REUTERS

BANGKOK - A bomb attack by suspected Muslim rebels on a school in southern
Thailand killed two soldiers on Tuesday, part of a patrol sent there to
protect the teachers, police said.

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist and resistance to central government rule
in the Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat has existed
for decades, resurfacing violently in 2004.

Teachers are seen as representatives of the government.

The attack in Yala came as peace talks between the government and rebels
have stalled in recent weeks.

"The explosion occurred inside the compound of a school in Yala province
this morning where children were playing. The bomb was planted by local
rebels," police said. "At least one child was injured."

(Reporting by Surapan Boonthanom; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by
Nick Macfie)

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