The recent destruction in Iraq by IS of historical artefacts, ancients statues and burning of thousands of manuscripts and books some of which might have been copies of the Holy Quran is not only most insensitive, but is nothing short of wanton vandalism. They represent Iraq’s history and heritage for many thousands of years. To destroy them is to deny the very existence of Iraq itself. This is not the only act of vandalism that Islamists have perpetrated in their history. They did the same thing to Bamyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan.
In India Kutubuddin Ibak destroyed 27 Hindu temples to build the mosque Kutub Masjid adjacent to Kutub Minar near Delhi. From the year 997 to 1030 Sultan Mahmud, king of what is now Afghanistan, invaded India 17 times killing thousands of Hindus and each time damaged, desecrated and looted the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. In Pakistan they have damaged and desecrated Hindu Temples, mosques of Sufi, Ismailia and Ahmedia Muslims and Sikh Gurduaras.
In historical terms this is an endless story. Today the Islamists complain of destruction of the so-called Muslim lands by the West. The way forward is to study Islamic history impartially and objectively. If they abandon destructive and inhuman actions things will naturally settle down for the good everyone in the world.
Dr Jatindra Saha
By email
