Dubai: All Community Meet Condemns Church Attacks in Mangalore
by Sujay Bendur
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE
Dubai, Sep 21: The solidarity show around the world against the unwanted violence in Karnataka continued as members for all communities in Dubai gathered together to condemn the attacks on Churches in India and Mangalore in particular at the Winny’s Restaurant at Karama at 7.30 pm, Sunday Sep 21.
The meeting was initiated by members of different communities of the coastal region.
Dayan Dsouza, Irshad Moodubidri and B G Mohandas
The main speakers were Dayan Dsouza, representing the Catholic community, B G Mohandas of the Hindu community and Irshad Moodubidri of the Muslim community.
A large number of office bearers of various associations and community leaders made a packed gathering at the Winny’s Restaurant hall to show solidarity with the people who suffered back home due to communal unrest earlier last week.
Dayan D'Souza, well known community leader and orator spoke first. He said, 'People of Tulunadu are peace loving, be it a Muslim, Hindu or Christian. Tulunadu cuisines are world famous . Tulunadu culture is so beautiful, but this unrest has happened in Tulu Nadu?. Christians in Tulunadu, though a minority , gained lot of respect from all communities . There was hardly any violence from Christian communities back home. Even Hindus are peace loving and friendly people. A true Hindu will not do such barbaric acts” he said.
'For the first time helpless women and nuns where beaten up by the police. Catholics were never accused of conversions. Why should this has happen all of sudden? What power is behind this? Let us not blame all Hindus, let us not put a question mark after the name of each Hindu. Instead , let the government find out the truth . Let us keep up the pressure on the government. We all here today to condemn the incidents that have happened back home' he said
Irshad Moodubidri, a well known Kannada author and journalist spoke from his heart. 'No religion teaches violence. But bad sects of every religion always create problems.” He said . “ Look at Islam where a majority of Muslims follow true Islam and live by the teachings of the Holy Quran. But a handful of them cross the border, forget their true religion and go against it by disturbing the national security with all kinds of violence."
'It is very sad that people who incite violence in the name of religion never bother about the development of the region or nation. Look at some of the pathetic conditions of the roads in Mangalore. These same fanatics can use their resources and time on repairing the roads or develop the city, instead of damaging public and religious places. The acts of attacking churches must be condemned in one voice' he said
B G Mohandas, former professor , thinker, writer and editor of gulfkannadiga.com a popular Kannada language website spoke on various issues related to the Mangalore communal violence. 'I cannot bear to see my home town so badly disturbed. We are Indians first and then Hindus, Muslims or Christians. We all hail from the coastal region and are united at this moment. Indians abroad are well educated and have respect for each other. They rise above religion when they meet fellow Indians here. I myself have studied in Catholic institutions and so also my children. I have great regard for catholic institutions. I do not understand why these 'unemployed' people should target Churches, priests and nuns . What has happened in the coastal district and other parts of Karnataka is sad, and it pains me a lot” . he said.
He went on to say that “ violence was politically motivated, and there is no gain for ordinary people.'
He urged all those fanatics who trouble others in the name of religion to go to the villages and serve the poor and maintain their religious faith and not by stoning and destroying sacred prayer centres and churches.
Other noted leaders, Ganesh Rai, Prabhakar Ambalthere, Arshad, Ronald Saby, Prakash Payyar, Herman Lewis also aired their views and offered their suggestions.
It was decided that a memorandum be sent to the President and Prime Minister of India and the Governor of Karnataka along with a signature campaign.
Alwyn Pinto, compered the event, welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
Members of association like Mangalore Konkans, SMKC, KCO ABu Dhabi, Emirates Paradela, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, DaijiDubai, Jebeli Ali (JAAKC), Karnataka NRI Forum, regional Associations like, Pamboor, Kanajar, Katapady Konkans, Karaval Milan, Pernal, Pangla, Udentichem Neketram, Ferar, Kemmannu Flowers, Omzoor, Bellevion, Belman, Mudarangady, Thottam, Konkan Yuva, SMKC, Konkani Cahrismatic, Puttur, Byndoor, Perampalli, Shirva, Udyavar, and others were present
Protest Against Church Attacks: