I also wholeheartedly disagree with the destruction of these historic items. It makes it all the worse when you realise that Bhuddism, as far as I know, is the only major religion in the world never to have a war fought or persecution generated in its name.

Couple of other points I would like to make.

To whoever said it is 2001 - It aint necessarily so! That is the Christian timeline. In terms of Islam we are still in the 14th century (Islam year 0 was Christian year 622AD I think). The Christian (Catholic) inquisitions started in the 13th century and were only officialy ended in the 19th! The Spanish inquisition that we all talk of started in 1478. The Taliban, and all Muslims, are not up to there yet so things could get worse yet if they mirror Christian history.

Another very interesting item came up when I was searching for this information -

In his final sermon Muhammad summarised the heart of Islam:

Belief in One God without images or symbols;
Equality of all the Believers without distinction of race or class, the superiority of individuals being based solely on piety;
Sanctity of life, property and honour;
Abolition of interest, and of vendettas and private justice;
Better treatment of women;
Obligatory inheritance and distribution of the property of deceased persons among near relatives of both sexes, and removal of the possibility of the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few."

I find all the points excelent, relevant today and useable in many walks of life. 1 and 3 are particularly relevant to this discussion though and wonder how the two are reconciled in Afganistan. Perhaps their Mullahs got bored after point 1...?

Again, perhaps all these teachings should be displayed prominently in Churches, Synaqogues and Temples of all faiths but points 3 and 5 should be carved in letters 10 feet tall on the walls of all Mosques in Kabul!

Good will to people of all faiths and, as Dave Allen used to say, may your God go with you.

Dave the Gnome