Transcript of Muslims in Burma(2015) - Perils & Promise: Strangers in Their Motherland
- 1. 1 Muslims in Burma Perils & Promise Strangers In Their
Motherland Ahmed Vanya 2015
- 2. 2 Burma (Myanmar) Golden land at a glance: Area 680K sq km
(Pakistan: 800K sq km). (85%) Population 50+ mill. (Pakistan ~ 200
mill). (25%) Climate Tropical Monsoon (Pakistan: Mostly Dry). Major
Religion Buddhism (Pakistan: Islam). Literacy 93% (Pakistan: 58%).
Powerful Military (Pakistan: Nuclear Power). Challenges: Military,
Extremism, Rights of Minorities. Size: State of Texas
- 3. 3 People Ethnic Groups (135 officially recognized):
(Unrecognized ethnic groups are Anglo-Burmese, Sino-Burmese,
Panthay, Indo-Burmese, Gurkhas, the Rohingyas etc.) Burman
(Mongoloid) 68%. Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian
2%, Mon 2%, other 5%. Religious Groups: Buddhist (80 - 90)%
(Pakistan: Muslim 96%). Christian 4%, Muslim (4- 10)%, Animist 1%,
other 2%.
- 4. 4 Geography of Burma Rohingya Major Crisis !!! Rest of the
Muslims More assimilated Also in trouble Now!!! Muslims in
Rakhine(Arakan) Borderr
- 5. 5 Culture Indo-Buddhist-Chinese. Thai-Cambodian-Laos. New
Year April (Water Festival). Dress: Longyis (men & women). Rice
& curry; also noodles(Khauk Swe).
- 6. 6 Politics Part I Kingdom to British Colony: three wars -
(1824, 1852,1885). Japanese Occupation (1942-45) WW II. Gen. Aung
San's agreement for federalism with ethnic leaders Panlong
Agreement (1947). Assassination of Gen. Aung San, U Razak etc.
(1947). Independence from UK (1948) Weak young nation, rebellions.
Military Coup (1962) Pretext - Political bickering, Ethnic
Disunity. Repressive military regime of Gen. Ne
Win(1962-1988).
- 7. 7 Politics Part II Civil Unrest: Spearheaded by Students
& Monks (1988). Election won by NLD & Aung San Su Kyi -
Voided (1990). Daw Aung San Su Kyi(DASSK) in house arrest for many
years. Elections boycotted by NLD, won by military(2010). Military
gov. under Thein Sein initiated reforms(2011). DASSK joined
parliament(2012). New elections in Nov. of (2015).
- 8. 8 Religion: Theravada Buddhism (The Way of Elders) Five
Basic Precepts (Five Pillars - Islam) Refrain from harming living
beings. Refrain from stealing. Refrain from sexual misconduct.
Refrain from lying, malicious gossip. Refrain from intoxicating
drinks and drugs.
- 9. 9 Theravada Buddhism Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and
Burma. The Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama was a man who became Buddha,
the Awakened One(Supreme Teacher). God: Omnipotent creator Neither
denied nor affirmed. The Path to Enlightenment: Thru Practice &
Meditation to attain Nirvana by cessation of reincarnation Eight
Fold Way. Monks(~500,000): strong activism, and nuns(~75,000).
Close support from laypersons. No formal religious hierarchy. Not
strict vegetarians. Folk religion: worship idols,
spirits(Nats).
- 10. 10 Burmese Muslim: Demographics Gov. figure: 4%, Muslims:
(8 12)%. Indian Muslims: Rangoon & big cities. Indo-Burmese
Muslims: Descendents of mixed marriages. Small groups: Burman,
Chinese, Malay-Muslims etc. Muslims in Rakhine: Rohingyas + others
in Rakhine State.
- 11. 11 Muslims in Burma Neither Islam nor Buddhism are native
religions. Arab traders & sailors arrived >1000 years ago.
Served under various kings in many capacities. Indian Muslims
Immigrated during British colonial era. Struggled & gave lives
for independence. Also served in the cabinet of democratic
government. Marginalized by military regime under Ne Win.
- 12. 12 Family History by a Burmese Muslim The Invisible Patriot
Bilal Raschid (Elder son of MA Raschid) M.A. Raschid - Student
Leader. - Close friend of Aung San & U Nu. - Cabinet Minister
after independence. Gen. Aung San Life in: - Colonial Burma - WWII
India - Studies in England - Independent Burma - Pakistan - USA By
Iqbal's Concept of God By Salman Raschid Younger Son of MA
Raschid
- 13. 13 Roots of Mistrust British brought Indians as
administrators, business men (Marwaris), money lenders(Chetiyars),
fighters (Gurkhas). No border enforcement in Rakhine, free flow of
humans. Burmese resent the dominance of Indians: Burma for
Burmese!. Rohingya(Mujahid) Insurgency(1947-1961): To join East
Pakistan. Further Agitation(1971-1988): To join Bangladesh. Some
contacts with Taliban & Al Qaeda - 1988 2011. Refugee Flights:
Recent history: 1940s, Operation Dragon King (Army under Ne Win in
the 70s), again in 1991-92. Widespread arrest, destruction of
mosques and villages, rape and seizure of property. Each time some
200,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh.
- 14. 14 Gen. Ne Win's Evil Legacy Destroyed promise of
federalism (1962 Coup). Suppressed & assimilated ethnic &
other cultures of the minorities (Indo-Burmese, Sino-Burmese).
Xenophobic + Isolationist policy. Nationalized businesses. Promoted
Bamar supremacism in education, bureaucracy, the army (though being
a Sino-Burmese himself). For about 40 years: Taught Bamars to hate
people who are different. Implemented the 1982 Citizenship Law
based on ethnicity. Killed, imprisoned students, monks, civilians:
kept all in a pressure cooker. 1962 - 1988
- 15. 15 Fanning Hate & Resentment Muslims(Kalars): Too many,
too rich, too different. Uninvited, ungrateful, overstaying
visitors. Rise of Buddhist Nationalist 969 Group (Muslims
=>786). Rise of Ma Ba Tha Buddhist Religion Protection
Association. Monks giving: Hate speech, Sermons. Mass media, CDs,
Facebook. Wirathu(Burmese Bin Laden/007): Calling bitch & whore
to UN rep. Govt. officials colluding or NOT providing adequate
protection. National Race and Religious Protection Bills(Targeting
Muslims): - Approval required: Interfaith Marriage, Religious
Conversion. - Monogamy Bill, Pop. Control Bill (3yrs between
pregnancies). Reform Era (2011 - Present)
- 16. 16 Islamic Threat: Fact or Fiction? Historical Expansion.
Using violence to establish Islamic State. Worldwide Pop.: 1.6
bill.; When: (Weak=Timid), (Strong=Aggressive). Terrible record of
treating minorities, destroyed Buddha statues. Large majorities of
Muslims want strict Sharia laws in homelands. Rise of Islamists:
Salafi, Wahhabi, Ikhwan, Deobandi, Tablighi. Apostasy &
Blasphemy laws; Polygamy, Divorce, Inheritance Laws. Conflicts:
Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Philippines etc. etc. Animal
sacrifice(method), Eid-ul-Adha. Many Hijabs & Beards. Some
Muslims are peaceful, what about Islamic Doctrine???
- 17. 17 Status of Rakhine (Arakan) State Border (North) Muslim
Majority Buddhist Majority(South) Poor, Isolated, PolarizedMountain
Range Size = 14,200 sqmi - about Maryland or of
Khyberpakhtunkwa(PKP) Pop: 3.3mill (est)(Great mutual
Mistrust)
- 18. 18 Rakhine (Arakan) State Pop: 3.3 million, 2
mill.(Buddhists), 1mill. Muslims + Others. Poor, Isolated,
Oppressed. Dominated by Bengal then Burmans. N. border with
Bangladesh: Muslim majority, South: Buddhists. Muslims in Rakhine:
Early settlers + Late comers(after 1824). Muslims: Want full
citizenship + life, liberty, happiness. Buddhists Fear:
(Demographic, cultural, economic) threat. Periodic conflicts
historically, increasing segregation, mistrust. Now: States gain
more power + rise of Buddhist Nationalism + worldwide rise of
Islamism; MORE COMBUSTIBLE!!!
- 19. 19 The Trigger & the Fire June 2012 -Rape and murder of
a young Buddhist woman in Rakhine. - Sparked series of riots which
spread in the state of Rakhine. - Hundreds dead & displaced
thousands. March 2013 - Argument in a gold shop in Meiktila in
central Myanmar. - Violence between Buddhists and Muslims 40 people
dead and entire neighborhoods razed. August 2013 - Rioters burnt
Muslim-owned houses and shops in the central town of
Kanbalu(Accusation of rape by Muslim). January 2014 40 Rohingya
killed (Accusation of police killing) . June 2014 -Two people
killed and five hurt in Mandalay(Rape rumor).
- 20. 20 Status of Political Reforms & People of Good Will
Reforms started in 2011: Released political prisoners, Human Rights
Comm., relaxation of censorship, talk with ethnic groups. Do not
prohibit free speech BUT discourage hateful discourse.
Burma:totally a different country now back sliding(work in
progress). Need greater responsibility, less military, more
freedoms. Buddhist Nationalism must be understood, channeled
peacefully. There are many good lay people & monks: Need to
speak out more. Whenever I hear the grievances of my ethnic
friends, I feel guilty and ashamed. As long as we cannot prove that
the Bamar are a civilized, rights-respecting people, I will not be
proud of myself as a Bamar. - Wai Yan Hpone
- 21. 21 Aung San Suu Kyi Daughter of founding father Gen. Aung
San. Married to a Britisher, two sons & settled in England.
1988: Civil Unrest, visiting mother => political leader. 1990:
Won elections Denied power by the military. House Arrest: off/on
many years; won Nobel + Prizes. 2012: Elected to parliament. Not
forceful enough on the Rohingya Issue. Nov. 2015 Elections: Cannot
run for President. - Reason: spouse & sons are foreigners
(Constitution). Age 70: Best chance for Burma ????
- 22. 22 Suu Kyi's Dilemma Many ethnic conflicts in Burma.
Corruption + widespread jockeying for power. She is serving at the
pleasure of the powerful military. This is probably the only chance
for her. Mistrust against Muslims is rampant at this time. Her
role: Activist + Political Negotiator & Leader. Being accused
of having sympathy for Muslims. Focus is on gaining power to reform
Burma. Supports Rule of Law BUT cannot change BAD law. Ultimate
Test: NLD winning elections in 2015.
- 23. 23 Status of Rohingyas Desperate Situation Minority within
minority BUT substantial in Rakhine/Arakan state. Gov. does not
recognize the term, calling them Bengalis. Language: Related to
Chittagonian. Religion: Islam. Dark in feature, looks Indian not
Mongoloid. About 1 million in Myanmar living in camps, barbed wire,
guards. No jobs, no educ. facility. Population, movement, marriage
controlled. Disease-ridden, sick and hungry. Sanitary conditions
are very basic. Stateless, periodically driven out, lack proper
records. Fleeing horrible conditions from Myanmar & Bangladesh.
About 1 million living abroad, many in temporary camps.
- 24. 24 Quest for Citizenship 1982 Citizenship Law violates
human rights & international law, used by successive military
govts . Only 135 ethnic nationalities get FULL citizenship. Govt:
No recognition for Rohingya; call them Bengalis! Rohingyas want
inclusion, FULL citizenship, security + peace . Rakhine Buddhist:
Fear competition(Pop, Economic, Cultural). People should be able to
self-identify freely(as Rohingya etc.) Descendants of people who
came since 1824 are denied citizenship rights, not foreigners but
stateless! UN, Human Rights Watch: Burma should amend the 1982
law!
- 25. 25 Nature of the Conflicts Started as: Criminal Conducts,
Civil Disputes, Rumors. Leading to: Spontaneous Communal Riots by
both sides. Escalated to: Organized, Systematic, Widespread,
Targeted: Violence. By: thugs, mobs, monks, political parties,
state personnel. Sidelining & silencing: Moderate &
Peaceful Voices. Resulting In: Killings, Displacements,
Segregation, Restrictions. - Intolerable living conditions. - Mass
Flights or Exodus => risking lives. Resulting in: Ethnic
Cleansing !!!
- 26. 26 Hard Choices Right Decisions Rohingyas - What to do???:
Poor, Stateless, Many without records, Desperate: 1st :
responsibility: (Govt. + People) of Burma. 2nd : responsibility:
Bangladesh(some come from there). 3rd: International Community: Has
limits (internal issue). Nationalism vs. Human Rights. No Peace
& Prosperity without observing Human Rights. Lesser Evil
Principle: Good people do BAD things out of Fear. Nationalism Human
Rights Religious Supremacism +
- 27. 27 What should be Done: Internationally Upcoming elections
are crucial: Muslims worried; Monitor for fairness. Hope is for a
democratically elected govt. with a strong mandate to take actions:
Human rights, Constitutional amendments(1982 Law etc) Investigate
& punish abusers; provide access Inter. Org.(Aid +Monitor) Make
the next govt. verify the citizenship status of Rohingyas fairly
& quickly with full transparency; make re-integration a
priority. Neighbors, ASEAN, OIC, wealthy nations should absorb
remaining stateless migrants. Make sure new govt. discourages hate
speech & violence and promotes dialogue & integration
between all. Make sure role of military in politics is reduced,
democracy, freedoms and human rights are promoted overtime. Give
aid (Humanitarian + Development) both Muslims & Buddhists.
Withhold aid and foreign investment for non-compliance.
- 28. 28 What should be Done Advice for Muslims Prayers &
charity; raise awareness. Lobby governments and organizations.
Avoid demonizing whole groups: What goes around comes around. Build
trusts, join hand with people with good hearts from all religious
and ethnic groups. Don't be strangers! No parallel societies!!!
Admit weaknesses and shortcomings truthfully. Change attitude:
Others need to better understand us. Work on, believable &
effective, internal reforms(islah) and renewal(tajdid).
- 29. 29 Conclusion No one is perfect: Jews, Hindus, Christians,
Muslims, Buddhists.. All are born as humans & humanity is ONE
big family. Equality under the LAW & respect rights of
everyone. Teach love(Muhaba/Metta), tolerance, dialogue, NOT
hatred. No one has the monopoly on TRUTH(Haqq). We are all
imperfect seekers; learn from each other. Often TRUTH is layered,
try to see from various angles. Do not worship false idols: Money,
Glory, Power, Ideology. Have Compassion(Rahma/Karuna) on all living
beings.