XPost: alt.religion, alt.politics.religion, alt.religion.christian.episcopal XPost: alt.religion.christianity, alt.christnet.religion

Religious tensions rise in Sri Lanka

by HATTIE WILLIAMS 17 MAY 2019

Churches reopen but Christians attack Muslims in riots


ANTI-MUSLIM riots broke out in several Sri Lankan towns this week, as
Roman Catholic churches in the country reopened for worship for the
first time since the Easter Day bombings.

The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, had announced the
closures amid security fears shortly after Islamic extremists carried
out a series of deadly suicide bombings in churches and hotels in the
country. More than 250 people were killed and hundreds injured.

Cardinal Ranjith has been conducting a private mass each week,
broadcast live on national television. On Sunday, the RC churches that
reopened were surrounded by armed guards, and anyone who entered was
searched.

Tensions between religious groups have been running high since the
attacks. Reports have emerged of mosques, and buildings and businesses
owned by Muslims, being vandalised by Christians after perceived
threats on social media. A Muslim man was reportedly killed by a gang
in one such attack.

Sri Lanka has blocked Whatsapp and other social media for a second
time to reduce the tensions and prevent further outbreaks of violence.
Police have arrested 23 people, and the country was on curfew for two
nights.

The Anglican Bishop of Colombo, the Rt Revd Dhiloraj Canagasabey,
called for an end to the demonisation of the Muslim population. He
said on Tuesday: “I appeal to the authorities, the politicians, the
media, and all our people: for goodness’ sake, please do not demonise
the entire Muslim community for the sins of a few warped minds.

PAThe remains of a house damaged during violent clashes in North
Western Province, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday

“While the full force of the law must be applied on all those who
planned, aided, and carried out this unbelievable act of terror, the
Muslim community must be treated with respect and understanding. This
is how mature, generous, and hospitable people like ours must react.”

He spoke of his own experience of persecution as a Tamil Christian.
“As a Tamil, having gone through the period of war when there was a
tendency to look upon every Tamil as a potential terrorist, I
empathise with the traumatised Muslim community living with fear and
living in shame.”

Bishop Canagasabey urged all religious, civic, and youth leaders “to
mobilise the people to rebuild our dear, shattered motherland”. His
message came as pictures were praised on social media of the Grand
Mufti of Ghana, Sheikh Dr Osman Sharubutu, attending Christ the King
RC Church in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, on Easter Day, as part of
his 100th-birthday celebrations.

Last week, when asked what the Church of England was offering the
Christian community in Sri Lanka, the Second Church Estates
Commissioner, Dame Caroline Spelman MP, said: “These were appalling
and despicable attacks, and those affected were in the prayers of
millions right around the world on Easter Sunday.

“They were clearly directed at the Christian community in Sri Lanka,
not just in their churches but in secular environments such as hotels,
where they were having Easter Sunday lunch. The Anglican Church in Sri
Lanka is small but active, and it is working closely with the Anglican Communion to build its capacity in the local community and to better
protect itself.”

Source: https://t.co/lrpIsshA43


--
Steve Hayes
http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
http://khanya.wordpress.com

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)