Phyo Min Thei, the chief minister of Myanmar’s Yangon City, made a daring statement last week when he declared that the radical Buddhist nationalist group Ma-Ba-Tha (Association of Race and Religion Protection) is “no longer needed” since the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee of the government is already overseeing the country's Buddhist affairs.
Wirathu, the influential leader of Ma-Ba-Tha, has threatened to hold a nationwide protest if the government will not take action against Phyo Min Thein.
But Internet users have launched a campaign in support of the minister. (Courtesy of globalvoices.org)
July 12, 2016
Myanmar to deport Spanish tourist for Buddha tattoo
A Spanish tourist faces deportation from Myanmar over a Buddha leg tattoo that offended monks, police said Monday, in a country where the influence of religious hardliners is growing.
The man was initially detained in Bagan, an ancient town in central Myanmar where tourists flock to visit thousands of picturesque temples and pagodas.
"Monks in Bagan saw a Buddha tattoo on his right leg because he was wearing shorts. They informed us as it's not appropriate," a police officer in Bagan told AFP, requesting anonymity, adding that the Spaniard was promptly sent back to Rangoon. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
The man was initially detained in Bagan, an ancient town in central Myanmar where tourists flock to visit thousands of picturesque temples and pagodas.
"Monks in Bagan saw a Buddha tattoo on his right leg because he was wearing shorts. They informed us as it's not appropriate," a police officer in Bagan told AFP, requesting anonymity, adding that the Spaniard was promptly sent back to Rangoon. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Myanmar gov't to ignore nationalist' demand for apology
A leading member of Myanmar's ruling party has said it will not respond to a demand for an apology from a powerful nationalist organization at the center of anti-Muslim sentiment in the country, after a senior official publicly doubted the monk-led group's need to exist.
The Association for the Protection of Race and Religion -- better known as Ma Ba Tha -- has been demanding Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein apologize after he publicly questioned the need for Ma Ba Tha while in Singapore last week, underlining that Myanmar already has a government-sponsored State Sangha Mahayanaka Committee, which is tasked with regulating Buddhist orders. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
The Association for the Protection of Race and Religion -- better known as Ma Ba Tha -- has been demanding Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein apologize after he publicly questioned the need for Ma Ba Tha while in Singapore last week, underlining that Myanmar already has a government-sponsored State Sangha Mahayanaka Committee, which is tasked with regulating Buddhist orders. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
500 anti-Rohingya activists hold illegal protest in Yangon
“We do not want illegal Bengalis to be called any other names,” chanted around 500 people who held a protest on 10 July at Bahan Township, Yangon.
They gathered to protest the government’s use of the term ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’ and marched from Kyaythoon Pagoda in Bahan Township to Tamwe Township.
“We oppose the government’s decision to make a sweeping statement and use the term ‘Muslim Community in Rakhine State’ for the Bengalis. We are against the use of such a term. Rakhine will be called Rakhine; Bengali is Bengali. The truth should not be circumvented,” said Naung Taw Lay, one of the protest leaders. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
They gathered to protest the government’s use of the term ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’ and marched from Kyaythoon Pagoda in Bahan Township to Tamwe Township.
“We oppose the government’s decision to make a sweeping statement and use the term ‘Muslim Community in Rakhine State’ for the Bengalis. We are against the use of such a term. Rakhine will be called Rakhine; Bengali is Bengali. The truth should not be circumvented,” said Naung Taw Lay, one of the protest leaders. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
President of Myanmar to Attend Asia-Europe Meeting in Mongolia
President of Myanmar Htin kyaw will pay an official visit to Mongolia and also attend the 11th Asian Europe Meeting (ASEM), to be held here from next Friday, said public sources today.
The program of the meeting has scheduled a meeting with Mongolia President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who visited Myanmar last month, said the media. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
The program of the meeting has scheduled a meeting with Mongolia President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who visited Myanmar last month, said the media. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
Tolerance in the time of terror
In Bangladesh and so many other places, extremists want to destroy multi-cultural and multi-religious societies. Most of us do not want to live under those terms; our response, therefore, requires a cool head.
For many extremist groups, a preferred strategy is to sow panic, seeking to strangulate tolerant instincts and set different groups against each other. The violence seen across the border in Bangladesh is purposeful in its barbarity.
When foreign investors get nervous, when development projects fail, when the middle class flees abroad and when tourists stay away, the extremists have secured their short-term victory. Their long game is to completely pollute the relationship between religious communities, in this case Muslims and non-Muslims, hoping that eventually there will be no alternative to all-out religious war. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
For many extremist groups, a preferred strategy is to sow panic, seeking to strangulate tolerant instincts and set different groups against each other. The violence seen across the border in Bangladesh is purposeful in its barbarity.
When foreign investors get nervous, when development projects fail, when the middle class flees abroad and when tourists stay away, the extremists have secured their short-term victory. Their long game is to completely pollute the relationship between religious communities, in this case Muslims and non-Muslims, hoping that eventually there will be no alternative to all-out religious war. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
President will not attend Martyrs’ Day event in Yangon
Those expecting to see Myanmar’s new president attend the first Martyrs’ Day commemoration since he took office will find themselves disappointed this year, but State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi does plan to again join the main ceremony in Yangon on July 19.
U Zaw Htay, a spokesperson for his office, said President U Htin Kyaw will stay in Nay Pyi Taw, where he will donate food to monks in honour of the national heroes celebrated annually later this month.
U Zaw Htay said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – the government’s de facto leader – will attend the ceremony in both her capacity as a government official and as the daughter of one of the martyrs, Bogyoke Aung San. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
U Zaw Htay, a spokesperson for his office, said President U Htin Kyaw will stay in Nay Pyi Taw, where he will donate food to monks in honour of the national heroes celebrated annually later this month.
U Zaw Htay said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – the government’s de facto leader – will attend the ceremony in both her capacity as a government official and as the daughter of one of the martyrs, Bogyoke Aung San. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
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