RE: [world-vedic] Afghanistan's Taliban orders destruction of statues

[Guest guest]

Doesnt really help, I tried to strongly protest the destruction of the babri

masjid by those barbarians but I did not even get a polite reply back. The

other thing is, the Taliban regime is just recognized by UAE, Pakistan and

Saudi Arabia, all countries who are really going to send in the arab legion to

kick out the taliban, NOT. So, writing to the Rabbani embassies may not be

really effective

Frank Morales

[fmorale1 (AT) students (DOT) wisc.edu]26 February 2001 21:50To:

vedicultureSubject: [world-vedic] Afghanistan's Taliban orders

destruction of statues Hare Krsna. I urge everyone on the Vedic Culture

list to immediately contact the Afghan embassies in your respective countries

and protest this demonic act of destroying sacred Buddha images (The Buddha is

recognized by all Vaisnavas and Hindus as an avatara of Narayana). Thank

you.Afghanistan's Taliban orders destruction of statuesFebruary 26, 2001Web

posted at: 10:45 AM EST (1545 GMT)KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan's Taliban

rulers have ordered the destruction of all the country's statues, including the

world's tallest standing Buddha. The order came from the Taliban's supreme

leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who issued an edict declaring statues -- including

ancient pre-Islamic figures -- an insult to Islam. "Because God is one God and

these statues are there to be worshipped and that is wrong. They should be

destroyed so that they are not worshipped now or in the future," Omar said in

his edict, published by the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency. The edict comes as

an international delegation is in Kabul meeting with Taliban leaders to try to

preserve Afghanistan's heritage. Among the delegation are the Italian and Greek

ambassadors to neighboring Pakistan. There was no immediate comment from the

delegation to the Taliban leader's newest order, nor was it immediately clear

what prompted the edict. Home to world's tallest BuddhaAfghanistan's ancient

Buddhas are located in Bamiyan, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) west of the

Afghan capital of Kabul. One Buddha statue, measuring 53 meters (175 feet), is

the world's tallest standing Buddha. A smaller one stands beside it at 37

meters (120 feet). The two statues, which have been damaged in fighting in the

area, were carved out of the Afghan mountainside in the fifth century. In

addition to the giant Buddhas, a treasure trove of pre-Islam artifacts are

contained in Afghanistan's museum. Much of the museum was destroyed in the

bitter fighting between rival Islamic factions, including Rabbanis, between

1992 and 1996, when the Taliban took control. Many of the artifacts were stolen

and sold on the open market. Some have appeared in museums around the world.

Harsh brand of Islamic lawThe tallest of the two giant Buddhas has already been

damaged by zealous Taliban soldiers who fired rocket propelled grenades at it.

There have been reports that the faces of the Buddhas have been disfigured.

Representations of faces are forbidden in Islam, according to the Taliban. The

Taliban espouse a harsh brand of Islamic law that bans most forms of light

entertainment and all photography, and requires men to wear beards in keeping

with the fashion of Islam's prophet Mohammed. The Taliban also require everyone

to pray five times a day, as required in the Muslim holy book the Koran. Many of

the Taliban's edicts are directed against women, who are required to wear

all-enveloping clothing and to travel with a male relative. Women are not

allowed to work and schooling for girls beyond eight years old is not allowed,

although the Taliban say they will allow it when fighting ends. The Taliban

rule roughly 95 percent of the country and the opposition, led by ousted

President Burhanuddin Rabbani, holds the remaining five percent.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

------------------

Frank Morales, M.A.

Languages and Cultures of Asia

University of Wisconsin-Madison

fmorale1 (AT) students (DOT) wisc.edu

Home (608) 288-0266

Dharma Central: www.dharmacentral.comThis is an information resource and

discussion group for people interested in the World's Ancient Vedic Culture,

with a focus on its historical, archeological and scientific aspects. Also

topics about India, Hinduism, God, and other aspects of World Culture are

welcome.