28th, April 2017
M-Media
 |
| hundreds of nationalists including Buddhists monks gathered at Anarwmar Quarter and threatened to demolish the premises and other buildings such as shops and homes owned by Muslim residents |
– At least two
Islamic religious schools were sealed off by Buddhist nationalist extremists in
Tharkayta Township of commercial capital Yangon following a week-long
anti-Muslim rhetoric concerning holding services in these places.
Since this
afternoon, hundreds of nationalists including Buddhists monks gathered at
Anarwmar Quarter, where decades-long four Islamic schools are used to teach
religious courses to Muslim children, and threatened to demolish the premises
and other buildings such as shops and homes owned by Muslim residents.
Country’s 2008
Constitution grants freedom of worship for all religious minorities including
Islam but police failed to hold the rights of Muslim citizens and allowed
nationalists to do what they wanted to do in their sight.
Some nationalist
proudly post many photos and videos of their lawless act and even broadcast
live stream on Facebook.
Last week, following
the anti-Muslim incitements by nationalist extremists concerning the use of the
religious schools for fulfilling daily religious duties, administrative
officials from Tharkayta Township urged Muslims to stop holding services in
those places warning that they have no power to halt nationalists if something
happens.
Journalist
beaten
According to the
witnesses who have shared their experience on the Facebook, some journalists
were confronted by angry extremists and told not to cover the situation.
AP correspondent Min
Kyi Thein was beaten by some extremists after trying to report this lawless
activity.
In November 2015,
representatives from eights Muslim religious schools in the area were forced by
nationalists and local officials to sign an unofficial paper stated that
holding religious services in these places are illegal.
Since the
establishment of Tharkayta Township, local Muslims have used those Mandarasas
to fulfill their daily religious duties for not having a permit to build a
Mosque.
Although country’s
2008 Constitution grants freedom of worship for all religious minorities
including Islam, Muslims in Myanmar are being targeted, abused and even
assaulted in some cases by Buddhist Nationalists who are active after the
democratic change in 2011.