Title: Destruction of Buddha Statues in Afghanistan Question: What is the Islamic verdict concerning the Taliban's decision to destroy statues of the Buddha in Afghanistan. Was it right to do so? Many Muslims are trying to justify this action by comparing it to the Prophets(saw) conquest of Mecca and the subsequent destruction of idols in the Ka`bah . However, this has no similarity since the Prophet (pbuh) was simply purifying the Ka`bah of idols and returning it to its original purpose when built by Prophet Abraham. Also the Buddha statues are not worshipped as God, but built in his remembrance. If statues are not allowed then is it suggesting we cannot co-exist or are intolerant to other faiths that use idols and statues as part of remembrance or worship? Bear in mind that Buddhism arrived in Afghanistan long before Islam, so when we take over a new land, do we have religious sanction to destroy their statues? Wassalam Answer: I fully agree with you that the Prophet's cleansing of the Ka`bah should not be made an example for a general destruction of idols. At the most what could be derived from the action of the Prophet (pbuh) is that if ever a mosque made for the worship of the One God is defiled with the presence of idols, it should then be cleansed, if Muslims are morally and legally in a position to do so. The desecration of the venerated personalities, concepts or places of those ascribing to other religions is strictly against the teachings of Islam. It should be kept in mind that although Islam clearly considered the various gods of the Arabs to be false, yet it strictly prohibited the Muslims to use abusive language toward these false deities, as it may incite those who hold these false deities in veneration to use abusive language toward the One True God. I really do not understand how any sensible and God fearing Muslim ruler can desecrate the venerated personalities and concepts of those ascribing to other religions and then protest against the oppression of Muslims in states of Muslim minority. Why, after all, should the Hindus have any respect for the Babri Masjid , if the Muslims are not prepared to give any respect to their places of worship? General destruction and desecration through the state machinery clearly amounts to religious persecution. The Muslims should, indeed, be the first ones to protest against this persecution. May the Almighty guide us to the path of eternal bliss. I hope this helps. March 4, 2001