Muslims in Burma - 2015 Perils and Promise Strangers in Their Motherland Presented to Pakistan American Cultural Center

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).

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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)

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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???

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Status of Rakhine (Arakan) State
Border
(North)
Muslim
Majority
Buddhist Majority(South)
Poor, Isolated, PolarizedMountain Range
Size = 14,200 sqmi - about Maryland or ½ 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!!!

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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).

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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

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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 ????

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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.

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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!

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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 !!!

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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
+

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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.

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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).

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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.