Is the preservation of the Bamiyan Buddha statues more important than the preservation of human lives in Afghanistan? While the world rants at the tyrannical Taliban government for destroying lifeless statues, it overlooks millions of Afghans facing starvation as the country undergoes a severe famine.

I wonder if the Buddha was alive today, what would he think or say to those who desperately want his statues to be preserved? I feel that he would give priority to saving human lives. The fact is, idols never figured in his life or teachings at all.

Much of the present interest in the statues, is purely artistic, historical and cultural. There is no doubt, there were pilgrims who visited the Bamiyan valley until the fighting there made it dangerous.

As I understand it, the original Buddhists did not have idols nor did they hope in God, an extraneous force, person or thing. It was more of a do- it-yourself way of life which sought to reduce one's karma and escape from the cycle of rebirth, which eventually became a religion and one that evolved into different branches.

Some of which included idolatry in the sense that spiritual power is attributed to religious relics, not just the spiritual powers behind them. Viewed like this, it is not unlike certain non-Protestant Orthodox Christian sects which believe in religious icons, although Jesus did not approve of them.

Drug menace

The Islamic and world communities alike, should be more concerned that Afghanistan is a serious trafficker of heroin to a fellow Muslim country, Iran, (the drug problem in Iran is endemic as a recent ABC current affairs program revealed) and the rest of the world. The role of Afghanistan in the supply of heroin to the world may make the infamous Khun Sa's, Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia seem like a backyard plot compared to their vast poppy fields.

In the 70s, the hippie trail to India inevitably crossed Afghanistan and westerners got high on cheap hashish. (It is to Malaysia's credit that drugs are banned and traffickers are severely punished.)

It is obvious that in Afghanistan, religionists who should lead and serve the people have lost their way. If we replace the name Islamic government with say, Nazi government, their atrocities may be better understood. For I am sure, Islam does not condone the kind of cruelty and oppression which are attributed to the Taliban. People should not be allowed to get away with murder in the name of religion.

As much as we disapprove of the Taliban leaders for their harsh and ill treatment of their own people, some people think they are acting in conformity to Islam regarding idols. Idolatry is anathema to Islam, something Muslims inherited from their Judaeo-Christian roots. Some Muslim leaders have called for tolerance and claim Islam is intolerant of the worship of idols, not their presence, but the Taliban disagree.

It is not the first time the statues were threatened. In the late 90s, world pressure held the hand of the Taliban who threatened to bomb the Bamiyan statues after a local eagle statue built at great cost was destroyed.

Islam and Buddhism are opposed to each other in ideology. But in places of religious diversity, such as Malaysia, tolerance has prevented conflict. We should learn from the Afghan experience how not to destroy one's country by religious fanaticism.

In matters of religious faith, I have always believed it is not right for man to play God on earth. The cardinal principal must always be: To each his own until the 'Day', though each of us has beliefs he or she would like to share with others, without being a nuisance or a bully.

If I believe in God and others don't, who am I to physically hurt them or force them to conform to my notions of religious propriety? Naturally, people should believe in God for their own good, but true faith has nothing to do with coercion; it is willingness of the heart. That, I believe is the essence of Islam as well which teaches submission to God, involving a willing heart and mind.

People of true faith should be the most considerate and peaceful, not violent and cruel. I know some Muslims from the Middle East who think like that, also.

Taliban oppression

Afghanistan is a beautiful country with spectacular scenery and used to be a popular tourist spot. However, because of the harsh Islamic government more people flee the country than visit it today. Hundreds of thousands have fled the country just to survive. Many have committed suicide because they could not stand the oppressive conditions.

When Gestapo-style tactics are used to force people to conform to religious dogmas and customs, as in Afghanistan, then something is wrong. It reminds one of communism under Stalin or the late Mao's Red Guards in China. The forcing of faith upon people is an abrogation of human rights. A compassionate and merciful God does not oppress people; only evil people oppress others.

They, who kill and oppress others and think they are offering a service to God, are deceived, since God has said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."

We are to wait for God to act in the Afterlife, not usurp his authority and act unilaterally on earth. People need time to come to their senses, hopefully, in time before they die and religious leaders shouldn't try to play God in their lives.

Religion's nominal followers are often easily led astray and land themselves in wrong causes in the name of their religion. Sadly, the religious minorities in Afghanistan also live in constant harassment and oppression, as much as ordinary Afghans.

Perhaps, the handicap of idols is they can't speak or walk; they can do no one any good or harm and they can't protect themselves.

In this sense they are not much different from the oppressed and frightened Afghan citizens. I can't understand how the Taliban who are among the world's largest heroin producers and purveyors can claim they want the purest kind of Islam while hurting their own people and causing misery to untold millions of heroin addicts, many of whom are in Iran. It is such a contradiction and blindness.

We should not blindly believe and follow those who claim to speak for God but weigh their words and watch their actions. The acid test of whether something is from God or not is how it affects people. If it is true, just, righteous and liberates people from suffering it is good; but if it brings suffering upon people it can't be from God.

Shepherds become wolves

The Taliban know how to use religion or heroin as the opiate of the people, as it suits them. Some of the greatest criminals in history hide behind religious garbs, military uniforms or some other disguise. Their modus operandi is to break the people's spirit and rule by fear, according to their ideas, which are often wrong.

There is a difference between piety and fanaticism. True piety draws people to God and inspires them to serve society in whatever capacity, often in selfless and humble situations. Fanaticism makes people zealous for social and political dominance, often under the guise of a holy cause.

Both operate in the name of religion and God but the wise and discerning know the difference. When form takes over from substance, religion becomes cold and cruel, and shepherds become wolves, as we have seen in many countries where religion is wrongly used to control the populace.

What the world urgently needs to focus on in Afghanistan is the true plight of its people now that the statues have been destroyed. I hope Malaysians may initiate a fund to help the starving Afghans. You can be sure when everyone in Afghanistan has died of famine, the Taliban leaders will still be standing and looking for ghosts to haunt.

I am always wary of those who want to be political and religious leaders at the same time. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, as the saying goes. One needs to be near perfect to hold such great responsibilities and I am not optimistic that many qualify. The Taliban experience is a painful reminder to us all.

STEVE OH now lives in Australia and supports humanitarian aid to Afghanistan despite UN and US sanctions. He believes it is right to help those who are victims of oppression and injustice and that true religion serves people, not enslave them.