Around the world

Afghanistan's Taliban Destroys Ancient Buddhist Statues

Afghanistan's Taliban, which strictly enforces an Islamic theocracy in the Middle Eastern nation, drew the ire of the international community when soldiers began destroying historic Buddhist statues.

Two ancient statues carved into a mountainside in Kabul stood 175 feet and 120 feet, respectively, and dated back to the 5th century. The larger of two was believed to be the world's largest standing Buddha. The Taliban, which interprets Islam to forbid idolatry of any kind, used anti-aircraft weapons, tanks and rocket launchers to obliterate the ancient statues. The military also demolished Kabul's main museum because it contained smaller Buddhist statues and artwork.

Pleas came from around the world to save the Buddhist figures, including a direct request from United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. In an 11th-hour appeal, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and other Muslim nations in the region joined the effort. They were ignored.

"All the statues in the country should be destroyed because these statues have been used as idols and deities by the nonbelievers before," the Taliban's official decree said. "They are respected now and may be turned into idols in the future, too."

By March 12, the destruction of the statues was complete.

Copyright Americans United for Separation of Church and State Apr 2001
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved