Kalon Tripa Greets Muslim Community on Eid
22 August 2012 (tibet.net) NEW DELHI: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay accompanied by Representative Tempa Tsering met Mr Syed Yahya Bukhari, President, Jama Masjid United Forum at the latter’s residence. During the hour-long discussion, Kalon Tripa conveyed his heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Eid to Mr Bukhari and the Muslim community. The meeting was attended by representatives of two main Urdu print media: Daily Sahafat and The Inquilab.
Kalon Tripa explained the historical background about Tibetan Muslims in Tibet and the establishment of mosques and special consideration given by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. Even today there are Tibetan Muslims in India, mostly in Kashmir Valley, who are culturally Tibetan but still follow Islam.
In regard to the recent creation of some misunderstanding between some Muslims about Tibetans, Kalon Tripa produced a copy of the 2010 Kyegudo earthquake photo which has been mistakenly or deliberately used by some websites thereby creating a perception that Tibetans were involved in the violence against the Muslims. This is in fact not the case, as the picture was actually of Tibetan monks performing a mass funeral to the earthquake victims in Tibet
He also explained that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was deeply saddened and remains very concerned with the violence inflicted on the Rohingya Muslims by the Burmese authorities; and wrote a letter to Ms Aung Sang Sui Kyi on the issue.
He further explained that His Holiness has directed Representative Mr Tempa Tsering to meet the Ambassador of Myanmar Embassy. Unfortunately the Embassy could not schedule the meeting as of today.
On the occasion of Eid, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi himself conveyed a message of peace and urged the hundreds and thousands of Muslims gathered not to be swayed by photographs of dubious sources and urged them to remain calm. Mr Bukhari shared that His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Jama Masjid in 2010 and that the Imam personally received Him and that he had a lot of respect for His Holiness.
Mr Bukhari appreciated the meeting and stated that such meetings should continue in future so as to boost the relationship between Tibetans and Muslims. Kalon Tripa agreed to reciprocate similar efforts.