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| Wednesday, 5 November 2003 |
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Letters | |
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The recent advertisements in the TV and newspapers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock promoting eating of chicken and other kinds of meat are most disgusting and putrid. When the whole world is advocating vegetarianism and discouraging eating meat, especially the medical profession, it is with great suspicion that one would view these advertisements as being manipulated by vested interests. The most disgusting part of it is that the promotion campaign is being done by a government ministry. One advertisement stated that, "chicken is good for heart patients", another one stated that "eating chicken is good for health". The most recent one stated that "eating meat is good for health". The advertisements appeared in Sinhala and the above translations are mine. It is well-known that chicken skin is extremely bad as it contains large amounts of cholesterol. Chicken served in all the fast food restaurants and other hotels are with the skin because it adds to the quantity. I am certain that all byproducts of chicken like chicken meatballs etc. contain chicken skin. Only very few homes cook chicken without the skin. Further, it is well-known that broiler chicken is fed with hormones to make it grow fat in a short time. I know personally that doctors have advised parents to avoid giving certain chicken products to their children. One has to accept without doubt that red meat is bad for the health of persons over forty. Contrary to all this, one wonders why a government ministry is promoting eating of meat, especially when it is not the beneficiary. The Government is quite aware that most Buddhists and Hindus do not eat meat as it indirectly encourages killing of animals. One wonders whether this is an insidious campaign by some vicious individuals to undermine the religious beliefs of majority of the people in order to promote their religious beliefs by subtle means. Or, has some of the individuals of the Ministry been bought over by butchers and multi-national companies to promote their products. There is no doubt that this is a contract job. One would expect the Ministry to promote consumption of vegetables, other agricultural products and milk, as production of meat is in the hands of the private sector. The million dollar question is, who is behind this vicious campaign? Why is the donkey undertaking the dog's job. Douglas Premaratne, Dehiwela Religious and other conversions Religious conversion is a subject that is being discussed widely today. Some propose to introduce an "anti conversion bill" to prevent "unethical conversions". Although the term "unethical conversion" is ambiguous and not straight forward, this term has been used by many writers (to newspapers) to describe the conversions said to be for money, other material benefits or forceful conversions etc. However there was a report (in foreign press) that an "anti conversion bill" would be introduced in Sri Lanka, making conversion a crime. (No mention about "unethical conversions"). Therefore the scope of the intended legislation is not clear and this is where the doubts arise as to what the exact motive of such legislation is. Is it to stop the so-called "unethical conversions" or to curtail activities of some religions. The conversions are not limited to religions only. Conversions take place in many spheres of the society. Take for e.g. "political conversions". Today politics play a more important role in the society than religions play. Conversions that take place in political sphere are not free from allegations; often allegations are made that politicians cross over due to monetary considerations. We have heard of the allegation, "bought over". These "conversions" have far-reaching effects; even to the extent of defeating governments within a very short period of being elected. Every election campaign is for "conversion". Can we honestly say, inducements (monetary or otherwise), promises and allurements are not involved in those campaigns? In such a situation isn't it ironic that politicians want to bring legislation to stop religious conversions? Changing of belief, ideologies, convictions, religions, party affiliations etc. by people, are common in daily life. Change can take place as a result of reading, understanding, or listening to what others say or due to some personal reasons or experience. Various philosophies and ideologies are taught to people not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world; for e.g. Marxism. Sri Lankan Marxist leaders learnt Marxism in the West and in turn taught here and people embraced Marxism. Even JVP conducted 'classes' to convert people to their party. Some philosophies are anti-religious. Are we going to bring legislation to stop such (anti-religious) teachings if any? Or are we saying 'it is OK to change your religion and stay as a person without a religion but don't embrace any other religion'? Similarly why can't anybody preach or teach his religion? Though there may be a few who preach with ulterior motives, mainstream churches do preaching as part of their religious obligations. As a result, if a person converts what's wrong in that? Main religions in Sri Lanka came from other countries. They were not in existence from the time immemorial. Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka and people embraced it after listening to sermons. Religious leaders have preached their religions. The Buddha preached Buddhism. (Whether Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy is another issue). Jesus Christ did the same thing. Don't Buddhists do propaganda work in other countries and convert people to Buddhism? It is not out of place to ask whether there is a severe reduction of Buddhist population or Hindu population of this country as a result of conversion. Can any one give the population of each religion over the past, say, 50 years? Is there any analysis of the reasons for reduction if any. Perhaps the number lost as a result of '71 and 88/89 insurrections, and ethnic conflict must be more than the numbers lost due to conversions. W.S., via e-mail Allah has called the month of Ramadhan, the month of blessings. This is the month when the revelation of the Holy Quran started which is the consolidated book of Law and Shariah for the Muslims. This is the book, following which man can attain nearness to God Almighty. Allah says: "The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination" (Holy Quran: 2 - 186). The Holy Prophet has said that in the month of Ramadhan the gates of heaven are opened and the doors of hell are bolted and satans restrained (Bukhari - Kithab al Saum). Thus we can realize how wonderful is this month for all of us. This is the month in which one gets the opportunity to worship God extensively, spend lavishly in charities, do Remembrance of Allah (Zikr-I-Ilahi) and perform other acts of virtue which become the source of taking him to paradise. When one tries to become virtuous and abandons all vices, it means that satans have been restrained from him. By acting on virtuous deeds, a mu'min enjoys the bliss of paradise. About fasting Allah says in the Holy Quaran: "O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those who before you so that you may become righteous" (Holy Quran: 2 - 184). We can win the Divine pleasure by treading on the ways prescribed by Allah Himself. Fasting shows the path that leads to Allah by protecting him from social, moral and spiritual flaws and weaknesses. This means that fasting is the source to take us to the elevated state of righteousness (taqwa). The Holy Quran has stressed in the following words: "O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those who before you so that you may become righteous" (Holy Quran: 2 - 184). This is true that one earns love of God and His pleasure by acting on His commandments. Fasting shows the way of earning the pleasure of God by protecting the mu'min (believers) from moral, social and spiritual shortcomings. This means that fasting is the source of leading one to the lofty status of Taqwa. By fasting one becomes used to bear physical hardships which develops strength and power of tolerance. Frugal eating keeps one healthy and active. Remembrance of Allah, sadaqa, charity and remaining hungry solely for the sake of Allah and also to restrain from sexual desires develop sentiments of gratefulness, good morals, chastity, sympathy, patience, perseverance and sacrifice. In fasting there is no show off, therefore, he who fasts earns the pleasure of God. His day long tough condition is liked by Allah and this is quite clear from the following Hadith (sayings of the Holy Prophet) when God says: "Whatever a man does, is for himself except fasting and I am its reward and fasting is like a shield against the evils that bring my wrath". Thus, Ramadhan is the month in which a mu'min (believer) advances in moral and spiritual field which is due to precaution and self-accountability. He tries to do all good deeds and avoids every sinful action. By leading such life, he earns peace of mind and wins the pleasure of God also. If he continues such pious deeds during the whole year they will keep him steadfast on taqwa till next Ramadhan of the following year arrives. Thus Ramadhan is the month of piety, virtue and taqwa which we should cherish throughout our lives. A. ABDUL AZIZ, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Sri Lanka. The National Savings Bank (NSB) is one of the oldest if not the oldest savings banks in Sri Lanka and has over the years built confidence among the public as a safe and secure place to deposit their money. However, it is sad to note that the NSB has not kept pace with the technological developments in the banking sector. For example even though the accounts of customers are computerised the branches are not linked with the Head Office via computers. In February this year I deposited a sum of money at the City Branch of the NSB to be credited to my account at their Head Office which is about 1.5 kilometers away. The officer informed me that the money would not be credited immediately. I expected the money to be credited the next day. Several visits to the head office branch revealed that it took 4 working days for the money to be credited. In contrast a sum deposited by me at a Private Bank (Seylan Bank) in Wellawatte was credited to an account in Kekirawa a remote village in the NCP which is nearly 200 kilometers from Colombo immediately which was a surprise to me. The NSB should upgrade its computer technology rather than spend millions of rupees on giving its head office building a new facelift which is of no benefit to the customers. T. D. FERNANDO, Colombo 6 The indiscretion on the part of the organisers of the SLFP rally on Deepavali Day, 24th October, has left a bad taste. The President in her reply to the requests made by various leaders of the Tamil Hindu Community to postpone the rally has tied up the issue with the non-payment of compensation to the Tamil victims of July 1983, with emphasis to the recommendations of the Commission appointed by her. The recommendations of a previous Commission of Inquiry appointed by William Gopallawa, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sri Lanka on the 9th day of November, 1977 has made the strongest possible recommendation for payment of compensation to the victims, 'who suffered damages arising out of the incidents which occurred during the period 13th August, 1977 to 15th September, 1977'. That recommendation has been emphasised, with reference to a passage from (Crime and Justice in America, by Professor L. Harold de Wolf (1975) page 195) which reads: "There should be framed as part of the effort to do justice, when a crime has occurred as a symptom and social disunity and a further disruption of the social order. "If we are to regard justice after a crime as social restoration, victims should be compensated. "When a community has been wounded by a crime, the community has not been made whole while its living members who have most grievously suffered for the crime are uncompensated." (Refer page 262 Sri Lanka Sessional Papers 1980 - No. VII). The Tamil community in general and the upcountry Tamils in particular in the Central Province and plantation sector, large numbers of whom were victims of the communal disturbances of 1977 remain uncompensated. To any reasonable person who took the trouble to study the detailed report, the recommendations, the observations, the measures to be taken to rehabilitate the victims, to ensure the safety of the public and to prevent the recurrence of the incidents, it would be abundantly clear that indiscretionate actions, of the like of holding an Opposition rally on Deepavali Day hurting the feelings of the Hindus, were the beginnings which snow-balled into major communal violence of an extreme nature and widespread in August-September 1977. The report also clearly emphasises the fact that utterances by politicians, raising religious, racial and communal feelings was the chief cause for the communal upheaval. The President and the Prime Minister have both agreed on the payment of compensation to political victims since 1977. What is the definition of political victim? Can the victims of 1977 and 1983 communal disturbances be considered - non-political? An authoritative statement on this aspect will be of great help. S. THAMBYRAJAH, Colombo 3 |
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