In a multi-religious, multicultural society, it behooves everyone to respect all religions and belief systems.  Respect for all religions is a necessity, a MUST, to live harmoniously in the world.

The act that took place in a world-famous Lahore Museum in Pakistan is not only ignorant and shameful but smacks of state-sponsored enmity to religions that are not Muslim.  Here, presumably a Muslim, is seen hitting and slapping the Lord Buddha Rupa (or statue) that is in the Lahore Museum for safe-keeping and preservation.   The Lord Buddha statues and other Buddhist artifacts of worship are housed in the Lahore Museum to allow future generations to appreciate the grandeur that once characterized the Gandhara Civilization.  They are not there, so the lowest of the low of society can abuse them at will.

Instead of preservation and display, the video explicitly displays the apathy and hatred with which the Government, Local Administration, and the Populace – all tied to violent and terrorist inclinations – are treating the Buddha Rupa (statue) in a most reprehensible manner.  Bear in mind that Lord Buddha and his rupa (statue) are revered by more than 400 million Buddhists and over 1 billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world.

We urge the Government of Pakistan, the Punjab State Government, and the Lahore City Government to enforce the laws against such individuals and prosecute them to the maximum extent of the law.  Do not allow such inhuman actions to sacred things to incite hatred in your country and around the world.

If Lord Buddha (rupa) statues are of no value to the people of your country, please hand them over to the Buddhist countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand, where not only will they be honored and worshipped, but also preserved and protected for all time.

Since these ancient sacred artifacts are world heritage, we respectfully request the United Nations and its various agencies tasked with preserving the World Heritage to take immediate note of this matter and take steps to preserve, protect, and relocate them out of the country, by force if necessary.

We also respectfully request the USCIRF to place Pakistan on the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for its apathy towards and active neglect of Minority Interests and Concerns.