Militants in Swat, in the northwestern frontier of Pakistan, have pulled a copy-cat of Taliban demolition of the Bamiyan Buddha in Afghanistan on the Swat Buddha:
From AsiaNews:
Despite the many requests for greater protection, the government has failed to intervene in any way to defend the 40 metre tall statue, the second only in importance to the already destroyed Bamiyan Buddha.The first attack, due to the extremists inexperience, had not caused irreparable damage, but this second one has destroyed the face, shoulders and feet of the sacred image. At the moment, the militants threaten a third and final assault.
Via All Things Pakistan.
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COMMENTS / 6 COMMENTS
NYkrinDC added these pithy words on 29 Nov 07 at 8:26 pmThis is sickening, but also troubling. If you guys recall after 9/11 many people surmised that the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan was either a signal to the AQ cell in the US, or militant elements around the world that the AQ attack on America was coming. Given the fact that we have not had an attack in almost 7 years, almost the same amount of time since the 1st WTC attack and the 2nd (on US soil), perhaps we should watch for increased chatter in coming weeks on a possible attempt here in the US.
Peter Pan added these pithy words on 30 Nov 07 at 2:55 amWell hopefully this should settle the debate about if we are at fault for being attacked or not; seems as though we’re not. Extremists are just that, extreme, and they attack anything that is different then themselves. We can now stop having the debate if doing something will upset the Taliban (they’re perpetually upset), and get back to focusing on the issue of doing what’s right at all times.
Sonagi added these pithy words on 08 Dec 07 at 6:05 pmIt is sad to see pointless destruction wrought by the ignorant and hateful, but the Buddha’s teachings stress the impermanence of life and attachment as the origin of suffering. This would be the perfect time of year to invite Islamist militants to a screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” but somehow I have a feeling the message that faith resides in people’s hearts, not in worldly objects, would be lost on them.
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