Buddhists` perceptions of Islam and Muslims in Sri Lanka :an empirical study in the context of da`wah

Abstract

This study discusses Buddhists’ perceptions of Islam and Muslims in Sri Lanka, a multiracial, multi-religious and multilingual country in which Buddhists are the majority. Muslims are the second largest minority, following the Hindus. Muslims and Buddhists lived for more than thousand years in peaceful coexistence and ethnic harmony, but a few decades back this situation seems to have changed. Ethnic conflict began to simmer; some books and articles were published against Islam and Muslims. Some Buddhist individuals and groups work to propagate extreme thoughts against Muslims. But the question has been to what extent this anti-Islam and anti-Muslim attitude have affected the whole Buddhist society. Does represent commonly held views or are they restricted to a few individuals? To find out proper answers to those questions, an empirical study has been much needed in order to know what actions to take to preserve peaceful coexistence. A peaceful environment and ethnic harmony are essential in order for any society to survive or develop. Field research on this topic was done from January to June, 2007. 1200 questionnaires were distributed among Sri Lankan Buddhists in seven provinces. Of that amount, fifty percent were returned back. 25 individuals were interviewed. Some anti-Muslim literature was also collected. Analysis and result of this field study shows that the majority of the Buddhist community still has a favorable opinion of Islam and Muslims. It is mostly an elite group of intellectuals which has negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims. Muslims’ un-Islamic behaviour, their opportunistic politics, their isolation from the mainstream, the misrepresentation and misunderstanding of Islam, and Muslims’ failure to convey the true Islamic message are some key factors shaping the Buddhists’ perceptions of Islam and Muslims.