(Xinhua) COLOMBO:ย Sri Lankanย Muslims on Sunday called for the protection of an ancient and historical Buddhist site in Borobudur, Indonesia after Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremists threatened to attack it.
In a letter to President of Indonesia,ย Susilo Bambangย Yudhoyono, a copy of which was released to theย local media, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said that it was with great shock and disbelief that the Sri Lankan Muslim community receivedย newsย on reports of the threat posed by ISIS to Borobudur. โThe architectural wonder of Borobudur is not only the largest Buddhist Temple in the world, but is aptly declared a UNESCO heritage site for its architectural, cultural and religious value. Its religious and historical significance for Buddhists around the world is unparalleled. The threat posed by the ISIS with the sole intention of targeting places of religious significance is to create turmoil across the world in the name of Islam. This is against the Holy Quran and the teachings of our beloved prophet Muhammad,โ the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has called on the president of Indonesia to ensure the safety and security of the Borobudur Temple and other Buddhist sites in Indonesia, and protect these places of religious significance and historical and cultural value from any harm.
Theย Muslim Councilย noted that Islam is aย religion of peaceย and there is no space for terrorism or violence in Islam. It added that entities with political interests have continued to arm some Muslims and create violence in a number of countries across the world, which is causing chaos in Muslim countries and threatening peace in the world.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress