The Irrawaddy Magazine

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Mob Attacks Mosque Near Bagan After Allegations of Buddhist Maid’s Abuse Posted: 21 Sep 2014 09:56 AM PDT Security forces in riot gear line up in Mandalay on July 5, following the outbreak of communal violence there on July 1. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) MANDALAY — A mob of about 100 people damaged a house, shop and mosque on Saturday in Myit Chay, a small town near the popular tourism destination of Bagan, after rumors spread that a Muslim man had beaten his Buddhist maid in the latest case of communal violence to hit Burma. Heavy security has been deployed and the situation was reportedly calm as of Sunday night, with no injuries or deaths resulting from the incident. Myit Chay sits just across the Irrawaddy River from Bagan, a tourism hot spot known for the thousands of Buddhist temples that dot its plains. According to witnesses in Myit Chay, an angry mob gathered and attacked the town's mosque on Saturday evening, after word spread that a Muslim man named Moe Win had beaten his Buddhist maid after she asked him for her salary. "The news that the Buddhist girl was beaten and chased away by the dog of the Muslim man, and was later admitted to the hospital, was spreading since Saturday evening. The mob gathered and threw stones at their house and shop," said an eyewitness who asked for anonymity, fearing reprisals. A duty officer from the Myit Chay police later refuted the rumors that the girl had been hospitalized. "Actually, the girl is not hospitalized. But she said she was beaten up and had some pain in her arms and chest. We are trying to take action against those who caused the mayhem," he said. Residents of Myit Chay said Moe Win's house and a construction shop owned by his brother were attacked, as was the town mosque. Police estimated the damages at 400,000 kyats (US$400). "Elders from the town are urging the people to go back home and are controlling the situation and trying to preventing the violence from spreading," said a resident. According to police sources, Moe Win and his wife were arrested on Sunday, and are facing four charges under Burma's Penal Code in connection with the alleged abuse of the maid. The chief minister of Magwe Division, Phone Maw Shwe, paid a visit to Myit Chay on Sunday, asking residents to do their part to prevent the spread of violence beyond the town. The situation is currently under control, with the security presence in the town bolstered by the Pakokku District police. Pakokku is located about 20 miles east of Myit Chay. According to the district police office, security forces have been deployed in Myit Chay, and Pakokku as well, to prevent the potential spread of clashes. Saturday's mob attack was just the latest incident of communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma, which has seen similar cases play out in nearly a dozen towns in Burma over the last two years. Most recently, Mandalay was the scene of three days of rioting after rumors—later found to be false—that a Muslim man had raped his Buddhist maid spread largely via social media. The post Mob Attacks Mosque Near Bagan After Allegations of Buddhist Maid's Abuse appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

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Democratic Voice of Burma

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Anti-Muslim anthem heightens tension in Sandoway Posted: 20 Sep 2014 10:33 PM PDT Local authorities in the Arakanese town of Sandoway have failed to take action against a bus station owner who has been playing anti-Muslim anthems on the terminal's tannoy system. A high-ranking member of the town's Religious Protection group who spoke to DVB on condition of anonymity, said the bus station owner, a Buddhist, has continually played the song “Construct the fence with bones”, which contains lyrics calling for a boycott of Muslim businesses, every day since 11 September. "The song includes lines such as: 'We will be faithful to our race, language and religion. We will buy goods only from the shops of our own creed'," he told DVB. "I don’t know the name of the singer, but this song is well known. The bus station owner is a member of the ma bat tha [a Buddhist nationalist group affiliated to 969]. He was arrested last year after mobs burned the villages of Thabyuchaing and Than. While he and his ilk were in detention, the town was quiet. Now that they have been released, the problems have returned." Another local, who also asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that the loud blare from the bus station loudspeakers would be heard at the local police station nearby, as well as the township administration office and education department. But no one had taken action, he said. At the same time, he said, rumors have been circulating that Arakanese Buddhist extremists were planning to drive all Muslims from Sandoway, officially known as Thandwe. DVB could not reach the Sandoway chapter of ma bat tha for comment, however police officials said that they had tightened security in view of the heightened tensions. Related Stories The key issue for us is citizenship, says UN deputy chief Burmese Muslims reject 'morally repugnant' Al-Qaeda Arakan officials snub OIC offers of help "Currently, the situation is stable. But many rumours have been spreading, so we have beefed up security," said an officer by telephone. He said that neither he nor his colleagues have heard anti-Muslim anthems being played. A village elder said that several cars and trishaws were also playing anti-Muslim songs in the streets of the town. A local teacher and former political prisoner, Maung Myint, said, “Human history has generally developed over the years, but this type of action is a reversal of human nature. I view the persons who are conducting these destructive policies as enemy of the country.” Sandoway has been a peaceful multicultural city for centuries and has a sizeable Kaman [often written Kamein] Muslim population. However, following waves of mob violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Arakan State beginning in June 2012, the town was hit by three days of communal riots beginning on 29 September 2013 which left five people dead and five others injured. State media reported that 114 houses, three religious buildings and one gasoline warehouse were burned down, while 482 people were left homeless.

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National News

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Government seeks funds for school meals Posted: 21 Sep 2014 03:41 AM PDT Child welfare officials have asked for more money to feed pre-school children amid concerns that Myanmar children are smaller and thinner than children in other countries.

Chinese civilian team withdraws from Kachin rescue effort Posted: 19 Sep 2014 04:33 AM PDT A Chinese team that had offered to help find two missing climbers in northern Kachin State has abandoned the search from the Myanmar side after rescue coordinators told them they would prefer to work with a Japanese climbing team in the area.

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