If the decision taken by the Taliban Government to destroy all Buddha statues in Afghanistan is true, it is an outrageous action on Buddhist art and statues and the most inhuman, foul, disgraceful and criminal act on all religions, Deputy President of the World Muslim Congress and Sri Lanka Islamic Centre Chairman M. H. Mohamed said.
He said:
"As deputy President of the World Muslim Congress and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Islamic Center, I was deeply shocked, saddened and perturbed of the news item over the radio and the media regarding the outrageous order supposed to have been ordered by the Taliban Government to destroy all Buddhist statues in Afghanistan.
"A similar incident to demolish the same statues was reported sometime in 1997 and action was taken by me to have this matter investigated and verified by Senator Raja Muhamed Zafaara ul Haq of Pakistan, who is the Secretary General of the World Muslim Congress (Motamar Al Islamic). It was then established that there was absolutely no truth in such a thing as demolition of such religious/historic sites and the Taliban Ambassador in Islamabad at that time totally denied this canard.
"I am initiating action immediately to have this news items verified from the World Muslim Congress in Islamabad, Pakistan and I only hope and pray that this disturbing news is incorrect. If this is true, we too strongly condemn this outrageous action on Buddhist art and statues as a most heinous, foul, disgraceful and a criminal act on all religions and on all humanity.
"Islam is a religion of tolerance and encourages everyone to live in peace, harmony, amity, brotherhood, and freedom of worship. As Muslims of Sri Lanka it is important to maintain peace, harmony and goodwill among all communities living together in the country.
All the Muslim countries in the world including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan are members of the World Muslim Congress.