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Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by vishal kundnani on Feb 17, 2007 06:42 PM
Congressional Record
Please find the original Congressional Record:
Congressional Record:
United States of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109th CONGRESS, 2nd SESSION
Vol. 152 Washington, Thursday, December 7, 2006 No. 134
House of Representatives
Religious Community Bulldozed in KazaKhstan
HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
OF NEW JERSEY
Today I express my deep concern about the destruction of thirteen homes in a Hare Krishna commune outside
of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is a saddening development considering that Kazakhstan is a participating State in the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and has been vigorously pursuing a bid to chair the OSCE in
2009. I am greatly troubled by the actions taken against this peaceful religious community, which is reminiscent
of the %u201Cbad old days.%u201D
On November 21, 13 Hare Krishna homes were destroyed in the Sri Vrindavan Dham commune in the village of
Seleksia, 25 miles from Almaty. Orders to bulldoze the homes reportedly came from the Karasai District Court,
giving the residents only 24-hours notice to gather all their possessions. When the bulldozers arrived, they came
under the escort and supervision of riot police. The belongings of some who refused to leave were thrown out in
the snow, and their furniture and larger household items taken away to be destroyed. Families were left without
a home and many others left without water and electricity in the cold of winter.
More damage could still be done %u2013 53 more homes (one of which houses a temple) could be demolished and their
116-acre communal farm could be seized. Making this outrage all the more disturbing, the Karasai District Court
reportedly announced that it will charge the community for the demolition expenses! I appreciate the strong
statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Astana urging Karasai district authorities to %u201Crefrain from any further
aggressive actions.%u201D
The conflict over the commune has steadily intensified since a regional court ruled in March to confiscate the farm
without compensation. A special government commission was established in response to international criticism to
negotiate with the Hare Krishnas, but this process was short-circuited when the bulldozers revved up. Authorities
justify these heartless actions by citing legal problems with the purchase of the farm by Hare Krishna%u2019s in 1999,
but most observers believe this is nothing more than a land grab dressed up as a legal proceeding.
Despite Kazakhstan%u2019s positive reputation for religious tolerance, I
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