Video: Buddha statue taboo in Iran

18 February 2013 11:17 pm - 61 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Buddha statue has become a banned item in Iran and the Iranian authorities are confiscating Buddha statues from shops in Tehran, to stop the promotion of Buddhism in the country, foreign media reported quoting Iranian’s independent Arman daily.

Buddha statues have been labelled as symbols of “cultural invasion,” an official for the protection of Iran’s cultural heritage, Saeed Jaberi Ansari, was quoted in the independent Iran-based Arman daily as saying.

Meanwhile, Saeed Jaberi Ansari reportedly confirmed on Sunday that the “cleansing” would continue and authorities would not permit a specific belief to be promoted through such items. He did not say, however, how many Buddha statues had already been seized, Al Arabia reported.

Some Iranians buy Buddha statues to decorate their homes and cars. Most are made in China and come from Iranian free-trade zones in the Gulf, reports stated.

Under Iran’s constitution, Christian and Jewish beliefs as well as Zoroastrianism are recognized alongside Islam, the official religion. The law says that in general the rights of all non-Muslims should be observed.

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Comments - 61

Polo Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:53 AM

Only a paranoid government would take these silly actions. The Ayatollah's think you can turn back the clock when time marches on. The ONLY path for civilization is through education, not denial. Diversity exists and ALL societies have beneficial elements. Luckily Arab Spring is starred to overthrow these headless rulers.

Anyway, much prominence is given for this news item in US, UK and Indian news agencies who rarely report any positive moves by Arabs or Muslims, to fuel the rift between Buddhist and Muslims.

bigsam Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:03 AM

"Rest of the world"?? Calm down mate - its chaps like you who were in Maharagama last week making sure that our country will remain in the doldrums for another 30 years!

Lanke Banda Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:10 AM

The more aggression against Buddhism the More the Lord Buddha will shine through out the whole universe. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu to the Enlightened one.

jayantha silva Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:12 AM

To do that, nobody should try to enforce their belief's on others .The majority people of this country have been very tolerant for thousands of years . Lets not abuse that..

SL_EXPAT Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:17 AM

You are right, same time people who is behind this racism is getting the benefits.. finally poor Budhist/Muslim/Tamil men only will get battle..
One more thing need to add who ever it is born in Sri Lanka is a Sri Lankan, they earn/loss/war/peace it will effect for all sri lankans.. so why need to raise the racism?

dIREsTRAITS Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:40 AM

how ? please explain

dIREsTRAITS Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:47 AM

silence is golden!

Ninja Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:55 AM

Do not compare the Srilanka to Saudi, Iran or any other country where 100% population is Muslim. They don't have other Religious Citizens. Sri Lanka is a muti custural society.

HelloWorld Tuesday, 19 February 2013 09:14 AM

LOL ... Supper comment

l love my country Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

at such a situ in the country Media has a serious responsibility to protect the peace..why all this all of a sudden? via DM Android App

Acid Tuesday, 19 February 2013 10:03 AM

Strangely none of the Russian or Iranian media has reported this. Even the quoted newspaper is little more than a regional paper. I think the west is trying their best to drive a divide between Iran and the East, especially since the Indian oil deal and Sri Lanka's oil exceptions

Lucky Weeramantry Tuesday, 19 February 2013 10:48 AM

Be Silent And Patient. God Will Punish Whoever Is Wrong.

walaya Tuesday, 19 February 2013 11:19 AM

we had an great expreiance in Afghanistan that after the Kandahar demolish , same will here , i dont wish that but cant avoid the consequences

IHM Tuesday, 19 February 2013 11:49 AM

Agreed LK.
Don't compare middle east activities to Sri Lankan muslims, These are nothing to do with SL Muslims. Only racial thinkers benefits from these , rest of the people will be suffers.
Let the peace prevails in Sri Lanka.

Jihad Deen Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:42 AM

True mate - let's build our country to developed and peaceful country.

raviraj Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:06 PM

Enough and more here are doing harm to Buddhism by their actions and we are worried about statutes in Iran?

Grace Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:25 PM

Ann you are right . During 1983 violence the EXECUTIVE president was a Buddhist and also the prime minister was a Buddhist who had promised Dharmista rule.

Anver Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:46 PM

TRUE, UNTIL THEY FACED TRUTH AND TRUE GOD.

onlooker Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:02 PM

Where is this God hiding.

Censored Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:21 PM

Seems like most are clueless about the danger that islam brings to societies. Not radical or extremist but just islam. The ideology of islam is particularly evil in that it encourages war against the disbeliever, deceit, treason, submission, etc. islamic jihad or terrorism is a global epidemic and we need to learn from history. Read about mohamed. And read from impartial sources (non-muslims and ex-muslims).

Kishan Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:35 PM

You can't evade the teachings in Buddhism whether you are a Muslim or a christian. That's the truth

Maha Rajanani Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:44 PM

Nice to hear the west at least love Gautham Budu Statue . If someone able to understand the life of Gathama Budun, sure, all will love the statue including Iranians. Gauthama Budun was so harmless and father of AVIHINSA.

shiva Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:55 PM

Hindus we are against to muslims because they r like this....hindus we also worship lord budha.Hinduism and Buddhism r same..we are brothers

nimanta Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:59 PM

Can u show your real face? I feel you must be two Muslim hats at the same time. Remember that Buddha also was tolerative on Alawaka only three times. Thus Buddhism has nothing to do nuetrality when others come to destroy it. Buddhist also must use all the powers to crush other unnecessary "cultural invations" in every means. Now time has come to do that. We can remind how Muslim do respect to Buddha statues in Afgan. I am sure you must be blind and naked Muslim satan.

MagodisThuma Wednesday, 20 February 2013 01:38 AM

What about Halal Invasion ?

Ravi Wednesday, 20 February 2013 02:00 AM

Yes engrave one on your cheek. Very close and good advertisement.

Saman Wednesday, 20 February 2013 02:04 AM

Muslim is a Muslim. Tamil is a Tamil.

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Wednesday, 20 February 2013 10:58 AM

SL govt should stop buying Iranian oil and exporting tea to Iran and teach them a lesson.

anee Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

eka modayek kala paliyate apith karanna onada.. via DM Android App

concerned Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

with the current tense situation I call this irresponsible journalism via DM Android App

Saliya Wickremasuriya Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

I'm revisiting the pre-Islamic history of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran and Maldives. via DM Android App

Don Don Q Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

"Culture Invasion"....ouch! :) via DM Android App

Sapumal Bandara Tuesday, 19 February 2013 02:47 AM

This is what the rest of the world is doing to Buddhism. Do we remain silent??

KN Tuesday, 19 February 2013 02:59 AM

cultural invasion ? what's happaning in sri Lanka i think same
WE WANT OUR CULTURE BACK

singing fish Tuesday, 19 February 2013 03:59 AM

What about the cultural invation in Srilanka?

Gunarathne W Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:03 AM

Afraid of the truth

Salman Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:03 AM

Well as one might say I am not trying to go "Kade" for Iran but let me explain this in brief. Recently Iran banned Barbie dolls as it is a western culture, same as that, the statue of Buddha is considered as a artwork, Please forgive me but I do not mean no disrespect to Buddha but that is how the Buddha statue is viewed by the western world. Simply Iran does not wish any western culture into its country, I find it rather funny and dumb but please understand that this is NOT against Buddism and the religion as whole but an act in fact trying to go against the west by Iran. Period.

Madhatter Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:20 AM

very responsible reporting during these times....... well done

Amintha Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:02 AM

This is the freedom in IRAN. Can't we learn and adopt same in SRI LANKA.

LK Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:10 AM

I'm not a muslim nor a Buddhist. But due to current state of our country, this is piece of news not required to be published. Don't be a part of the giant shark as depicted in the DM cartoon today

dIREsTRAITS Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:23 AM

Why Amintha, is that what Buddha taught us ? Do the same mistakes others do?

chandrakumar Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:28 AM

MR should give his good friend, the Iranian president some lessons about tolarance to other religions. Show about srilanka and tell him about srilankan Muslims.

Maya Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:37 AM

Iran was a Buddhist country date back as 5th century till Mogul ruler Ghazan who banned practicing Buddhism in Iran.

stupid Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

why these muslims r like this? y cant they tolerate others when others r tolerting them? via DM Android App

Jaliya Senavirathne Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:47 AM

They are forgetting their history........ Aryans (Iranians) were the pure Buddhist centuries ago.

Musthafa Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:44 AM

WE CAN SEND POTHU PALA SENA TO IRAN , THAT COULD BE BETTER

Idiot Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:59 AM

Actually the reality is you cant tolerate others and other religions.
In your inner mind you feel happy.
We are sorry can't help you're not a free person.

namal999 Tuesday, 19 February 2013 06:10 AM

we also have a lot of cultural invasions from islam

Saradial Tuesday, 19 February 2013 06:41 AM

When Buddha's statue was used as decorative item we did protest. Now Iran has band using them as decorative items at home and cars. Now we are saying it is religious intolerance. what the hell is this?

Saradial Tuesday, 19 February 2013 06:50 AM

How do you see using a sacred items like Buddha's statue as decorative item? religious tolerance or dishonouring? Iran has band using statue as decorative item its all.

Rohan1 Tuesday, 19 February 2013 06:57 AM

Let's go and build more buddha status in North and East

Rohan1 Tuesday, 19 February 2013 06:58 AM

Or, even Mahinda make a phone call to his good friend in poert there.

Kudda Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:19 AM

Off the TV

HeshK Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:24 AM

We will never learn!

When the rest of the world says something about us we tell them to mind their own business! When other countries do something internal, we want to get involved!

We are calling ourselves Buddhists, but we act in a way that constantly shames Lord Buddha. Ask yourselves, would Lord Buddha be practising the same Buddhism that you are preaching?

Speaking as a Buddhist, the biggest threat to Buddhism are these "Boru Show" Buddhists who shame us all!

Gamarala Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:30 AM

Why? Iran is a Islamic theocracy and they would go to extremes of banning anything that id not Islamic. So is anyone surprised?

Anderezja Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:29 AM

You suggest we stoop to their level? Is that the Buddhism you were taught?

solo Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:34 AM

I wonder Buddha ever preached to have his statue or Did he ever had anybody else statue? Please, enlighten me.

Silva Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:36 AM

Srilankan Muslims are not same as Iranian Muslims. Iranians are Shias and Srilankans are Sunnis. They are different.

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Video: Buddha statue taboo in Iran

Comments - 61

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