Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by vishal kundnani on Feb 17, 2007 06:42 PM Permalink | Hide replies

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

Forward | Report abuse

RE:Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by twister will on Feb 17, 2007 06:51 PM Permalink
Dont Compare a Government with Islam

Forward | Report abuse

RE:RE:Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by vishal kundnani on Feb 17, 2007 07:01 PM Permalink
Why do you condemn me, if you all are true followers of Allah and respect other religions, let me see you condemn these people.

AND READ THIS -

Kazakhstan Update

Dear All,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna!!

I am sorry for the lack of info that has been reported on the Kazakhstan

issue this last week.

In Delhi it was a slow week. We were trying to meet politicians prior to

thier running off to parliament.Despite the fact that many people are aware

of the issue, the Indian Government has not issued an official statement.

This is primarily due to the composition of the political alliances in the

present government.

In Kazakhstan representatives from the US, UK, and Dutch government met

with the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss our issue. Still,

the Kazakh Government is remaining intransient in it's position.

The Kazakh MFA reported that it has received the request of the OSCE, but

state that,"we have been unfortunately too busy to comply."

The devotees are bravely going out on sankirtan for the marathon.

In a letter from a devotee received yesterday it was said:

"Please do not worry about us. We live as before. Everyone is busy

doing his or her service, there is no time to become distracted. Nobody

even notice the ruins any longer. Whatever may come to us in our lives,

Krishna, the spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, and devotees remain with

us, as they were before and will always be in the future."

Thus, the situation has not improved. We are in need of your prayers and

ongoing support.

With affectionate regards,

Forward | Report abuse

RE:RE:Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by T a s i n on Feb 17, 2007 07:01 PM Permalink
Dont Compare a Government with Islam- correct

Forward | Report abuse

RE:RE:RE:Tolerance! A non-existant word in Islam
by vishal kundnani on Feb 17, 2007 07:13 PM Permalink
Read this para my friend

In Delhi it was a slow week. We were trying to meet politicians prior to

thier running off to parliament.Despite the fact that many people are aware

of the issue, the Indian Government has not issued an official statement.

This is primarily due to the composition of the political alliances in the

present government.

Forward | Report abuse