Burma's Lost Kingdoms: Splendors Of Arakan by Pamela Gutman, A Book Reviews

Burma's Lost Kingdoms: Splendors Of Arakan by Pamela Gutman, A Book Reviews
By Habib Siddiqui
Al-Jazeerah, January 13, 2006

For centuries, before the current poisonous situation in which one community does not recognize another, Arakan was a place of harmony and mutual trust in which the two major religious communities (Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims) thrived side by side as sister communities. All this happened because of the first of the Mrauk-U kings who had sought and got help from the Muslim Sultan of Bengal in 1430 CE to restore his kingdom. In the centuries that were to follow, the minority Muslims became essentially the royal guards, generals, ministers and advisers.

But things changed beginning in 1784 when the Burman king Boddow Paya annexed the country and evicted most Arakanese - Buddhists and Muslims alike. Many fled to Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) and other adjoining territories. A reign of terror was established in the next four decades in which much of the Muslim architecture and culture would systematically be wiped out to make the country appear 100% Buddhist. With the British occupation in 1826 and subsequent Burman control of modern Burma (since its independence), various groups have been played mercilessly against each other so that the central authority could hold on to its reign of authority.

The Rohingya people have now become the worst victims of our modern time. They are essentially reduced to the forgotten people of our time (see this author’s article: - The Rohingya: the forgotten people of our time). Not only are their citizenship denied by the SPDC ruling junta in Myanmar, even their place in history, at least from the time of Mrauk-U dynasty, is now denied by many racially biased pseudo-historians with agendas of their own. The subject on Rohingya has become a taboo or a poison pill!

Pamela Gutman is an unbiased historian who has studied the ancient history of Arakan. In this book, she took a close look at recent archaeological research conducted in Mrauk-U. The fortified city of Mrauk-U was Arakan's capital for four centuries, and the impressive remnants of old Arakanese temples and pagodas still stand as a living reminder of the past. Unfortunately, as already hinted above, most of the Muslim sites, including the famous Sandikhan mosque now stand in ruins. A serious effort is needed at the behest of the UN to restore such sites for a better appreciation of this Mrauk-U (now lost) Kingdom, where it embodied the notions of pluralism and religious tolerance among the various groups.

Gutman’s book is a major contribution to our knowledge of Arakan. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in Southeast Asian history and architecture.

Dr. Habib SiddiquiPhiladelphia, USA(saeva@aol.com)

A Request to Contributors!!

From: Ko Ko Linn
Signed-By: yahoo.com Mailed-By: yahoo.com
To: APUF@yahoogroups.com, Misha Jilani , May Yu , BMG Burmese , Mubashir Jilani , Noor Mohd , BRG , Free Rohingya , Islam Org , kunyia , Rahmat Abdul Karim , Reza Uddin , Rohingya Net , Rohingya Youth , Tin Aung , WHOISROHINGYA , zin zin
Date: Oct 2, 2005 5:13 AM
Subject: Re: [APUF] A Request to Contributors!!

Dear Ko Arzarni Thwe,

All of the first, I'd like to beg your pardon for my lately response. As I am to much busy within these days and it is caused for my delay.As you write, if someone has argument about his genesis then the scientific test DNA is very helpful. One of our own poor literate people also asked me as why I am not dare to have DNA test.

It is not a question for dare or not; it is a question for the so called human dignity of an entire community. As I believed, still you have studied so many chronicles about Arakan and you must be found some Magh elites claimed as they are from Aryan and some others are mongoloid. Now so-called Moe Kyaw Tun claims himself as Indo-Mongoloid. As well I think you have better information on the genesis of the Burman that remains still unclear. Then why not ask them to have DNA test ? Why do only the Rohingya need to have? We the Araknese Rohingyas, who still neither claim the citizenship of other country nor give up living inside Arakan are utmost dare to give protection to our community from every sides. The Rohingyas who temporarily staying in abroad will also return to their motherland for carrying their duty on their community and religion. Rohingya who claimed foreign citizenship are also know their obligations to their faith and race. ",

Dear Ko Arzarni Thwe,

All of the first, I'd like to beg your pardon for my lately response. As I am to much busy within these days and it is caused for my delay.

As you write, if someone has argument about his genesis then the scientific test DNA is very helpful. One of our own poor literate people also asked me as why I am not dare to have DNA test. It is not a question for dare or not; it is a question for the so called human dignity of an entire community.

As I believed, still you have studied so many chronicles about Arakan and you must be found some Magh elites claimed as they are from Aryan and some others are mongoloid. Now so-called Moe Kyaw Tun claims himself as Indo-Mongoloid. As well I think you have better information on the genesis of the Burman that remains still unclear. Then why not ask them to have DNA test ? Why do only the Rohingya need to have?

We the Araknese Rohingyas, who still neither claim the citizenship of other country nor give up living inside Arakan are utmost dare to give protection to our community from every sides. The Rohingyas who temporarily staying in abroad will also return to their motherland for carrying their duty on their community and religion. Rohingya who claimed foreign citizenship are also know their obligations to their faith and race.
All Rohingya intellectuals are realizing now as what is the solution for having a peaceful future of next generations. If you are seeking humanitarian assistances on bringing democracy and human rights inside Burma then you must be pay understanding about each and everyone regardless of race, color and faith. We oppose to all those who does not show the mutual respects according to the parameter of human dignities. We will fight them all those Xenophobia and neo-Nazis who discriminately denying the constitutional rights of the Rohingya community in Burma as well as in Arakan. Personally we have nothing problem with your community and other communities of Burma.
All Rohingya intellectuals are realizing now as what is the solution for having a peaceful future of next generations.

If you are seeking humanitarian assistances on bringing democracy and human rights inside Burma then you must be pay understanding about each and everyone regardless of race, color and faith.

We oppose to all those who does not show the mutual respects according to the parameter of human dignities.

We will fight them all those Xenophobia and neo-Nazis who discriminately denying the constitutional rights of the Rohingya community in Burma as well as in Arakan.

Personally we have nothing problem with your community and other communities of Burma.
We invite all those who justly called for DNA test to all communities for having unclear of their origins. I hope you realize now as what is behind the DNA test. With best regards!!

Ko Ko Linn (YU)

Free Rohingya Campaign (International)

Arzar Ni Thwe <arzarni_thwe@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear (Ko) Ko Ko Lin,

I believe you have my idea wrong. I am not an Arakan and have no intention to rebuff Rohingyas. All I rasied was a fact that can support the historical facts.

If your historical facts are right, the scientific researches will support it. What I said was that we can support the historical facts with the help of science. That's all. There was no color and no other intentions on the issue. The mail was quite short and I would urge you to re-read it again.However, when you over-react the fact that science can help proof history, people would think otherwise.I completely understand the fact that it is quite insensitive to undertake such kind of research to a comunity, any comunity will feel sad and insulted.

I have mentioned it in my original mail. I understand your feeling. But if I were you and if my historical facts produced were right, then I will proudly welcome such kind of researches and make the wrongs into right. No one will ever say that Rohingyas are not national brothers again anymore, if DNA supports you. You have to understand such test will not reject rohingyas unless rohingya's claims are wrong! If Rohingyas are truely Arab decendents came to Arakan land 500 - 800 years ago, then that\'s it! Rohingyas will have a proud place as a national ethnic!We can seek any other scientific researches, not only DNA, which would support the identity of Rohingya. When you are arguing Dr Aye Chan said this and Ko Zaw Min Htut said this, we (other national brothers) get more confuse and there was not solid conclusion.

I hope you understand my point. And I agree with your point "Only Rohingya needs a DNA test for claiming as Burmese."? I think this issue goes out of Rohingyas. Recently there are a lot of illegal immigrations from China to our country especially to Yangon and Mandalay. This is also an issue of concern. SPDC has no concern over the immigration on that side of the country.

Anyway, please do not take my previous mail as an insult. I am just suggesting a possible solution, effective and fast in stead of arguing over some articles - new and old. If soft methods such as historical articles cannot solve, hard methods in the labs might solve it.

If your historical facts are right, the scientific researches will support it. What I said was that we can support the historical facts with the help of science. That's all. There was no color and no other intentions on the issue. The mail was quite short and I would urge you to re-read it again.

However, when you over-react the fact that science can help proof history, people would think otherwise.

I completely understand the fact that it is quite insensitive to undertake such kind of research to a comunity, any comunity will feel sad and insulted. I have mentioned it in my original mail. I understand your feeling. But if I were you and if my historical facts produced were right, then I will proudly welcome such kind of researches and make the wrongs into right. No one will ever say that Rohingyas are not national brothers again anymore, if DNA supports you. You have to understand such test will not reject rohingyas unless rohingya's claims are wrong! If Rohingyas are truely Arab decendents came to Arakan land 500 - 800 years ago, then that's it! Rohingyas will have a proud place as a national ethnic!

We can seek any other scientific researches, not only DNA, which would support the identity of Rohingya.

When you are arguing Dr Aye Chan said this and Ko Zaw Min Htut said this, we (other national brothers) get more confuse and there was not solid conclusion.

I hope you understand my point. And I agree with your point "Only Rohingya needs a DNA test for claiming as Burmese."? I think this issue goes out of Rohingyas. Recently there are a lot of illegal immigrations from China to our country especially to Yangon and Mandalay. This is also an issue of concern. SPDC has no concern over the immigration on that side of the country.

Anyway, please do not take my previous mail as an insult. I am just suggesting a possible solution, effective and fast in stead of arguing over some articles - new and old. If soft methods such as historical articles cannot solve, hard methods in the labs might solve it.
Regards

AZNT

Ko Ko Linn <ko_linn_yu@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Contributors,

Salaam Alaikum!

Regarding the message from Ko Azarni Thwe and continuous attacks by well-known Magh elites, it is indicated that the Rohingya seriously needs a high and sufficient protection from genocide in future. If 97 percent of the total population of a nation will target to a 3 percent community by claiming as:-

1. The only Rohingya needs a DNA test for claiming as Burmese.
2. Rohingyas are illegal migrants of Bengali origins during the colonial periods.
3. Rohingya needs to find third places for their permanent settlement because they are not allowed on the land of Buddhism. The first idea is originated from a Neo-Nazi, Xenophobia, so-called Moe Kyaw Tun who is suggested a SPDC agent and appointed to live and work in Singapore. He has the right to say or write a few word against the SPDC occasionally if it is necessary. Anyway, we have to suggest as all the SPDC and self-claim democracy activists are nothing difference to us. At the final stage his ideology became a supportive to Ko Azarni Thwe and to be suggested as later to everyone of them. I am feeling very proud to say that we, Rohingyas have still no problem with any community of Burma. After knowing everyone as Rohingyas are peace loving, why do they are unaccepted? Are the figure of Rohingyas unacceptable?

3. Rohingya needs to find third places for their permanent settlement because they are not allowed on the land of Buddhism.

The first idea is originated from a Neo-Nazi, Xenophobia, so-called Moe Kyaw Tun who is suggested a SPDC agent and appointed to live and work in Singapore. He has the right to say or write a few word against the SPDC occasionally if it is necessary. Anyway, we have to suggest as all the SPDC and self-claim democracy activists are nothing difference to us.

At the final stage his ideology became a supportive to Ko Azarni Thwe and to be suggested as later to everyone of them.

I am feeling very proud to say that we, Rohingyas have still no problem with any community of Burma. After knowing everyone as Rohingyas are peace loving, why do they are unaccepted?

Are the figure of Rohingyas unacceptable?

The only thing they are denied is their religion. Yes, the Islam is unacceptable. If Rohingya confess their faith into Buddhism then everything will be OK with them.

Now, Rohingya elites have to choice the better way for the safety of their community. If they choice the way to confess their religion into Buddhism, all the inhuman treatments will be removed. It is very easy way. As well, living in silence or only talking for unity without activities will make indeed the illiterate people of the community will choice their way.

If Rohingyas deny the way to confess the religion, then they must be followed after what is the obligation in Islam to them.For the second accusation, while each and everyone trying to bring democracy and human rights in Burma, the only Maghs are extremely serious on the anti Rohingya propagandas by using their webs, medias and other many ways. Every organizations, individuals and intellectuals show a deep concern on the word Rohingya. "

The only thing they are denied is their religion. Yes, the Islam is unacceptable. If Rohingya confess their faith into Buddhism then everything will be OK with them.

Now, Rohingya elites have to choice the better way for the safety of their community.

- If they choice the way to confess their religion into Buddhism, all the inhuman treatments will be removed. It is very easy way. As well, living in silence or only talking for unity without activities will make indeed the illiterate people of the community will choice their way.
- If Rohingyas deny the way to confess the religion, then they must be followed after what is the obligation in Islam to them.

For the second accusation, while each and everyone trying to bring democracy and human rights in Burma, the only Maghs are extremely serious on the anti Rohingya propagandas by using their webs, medias and other many ways. Every organizations, individuals and intellectuals show a deep concern on the word Rohingya.

Why does the word Rohingya make harmful to them? It is considerable. They said as they never oppose to being Islam or Muslims in Arakan. Also they claim as they accept the people by calling them Bengali. So far the word Rohingya is only the problem for them. Why?If the Maghs have the right to claim themselves as Rakhine, the Pyus have the right to claim as Bhama and so on, then why not us? Anyway, we should follow them. We should accept and convey our heartfelt thanks to all those anti Rohingya Magh for giving us a new idea for our own future. We need to survive our community by thinking such of a new method. The recent call of Azarni Thwe for DNA test shows us they ignored or denied all the historical back ground of Rohingya in Arakan which were written by others. They like to say the former democratic leaders used the a tactic by recognizing us as Rohingya and ethnic minority of Burma.

Why does the word Rohingya make harmful to them? It is considerable. They said as they never oppose to being Islam or Muslims in Arakan. Also they claim as they accept the people by calling them Bengali. So far the word Rohingya is only the problem for them. Why?

If the Maghs have the right to claim themselves as Rakhine, the Pyus have the right to claim as Bhama and so on, then why not us?

Anyway, we should follow them. We should accept and convey our heartfelt thanks to all those anti Rohingya Magh for giving us a new idea for our own future. We need to survive our community by thinking such of a new method.

The recent call of Azarni Thwe for DNA test shows us they ignored or denied all the historical back ground of Rohingya in Arakan which were written by others. They like to say the former democratic leaders used the a tactic by recognizing us as Rohingya and ethnic minority of Burma.

So that, we should better keep the history for past.As now, we have to consider as who will be the best for us. We have two big communities around us. The Magh and Bengali. We need to choice any of one by considering as who will be beneficial in our national survive process. For the Magh, we have got a firm resolution on what is their interest to us and what they are going to do with us along the history. Although the Maghs are unworthy to make an internal change inside Burma. So far their cooperation will not make beneficial to us.When the Magh urged us to find another territory for settlement, we have to think solemnly on this matter. The region where we are given birth and living for centuries is denying our existence. So that we have to choice the ways as:- to protect the territory where we are born and descended; So that, we should better keep the history for past.

As now, we have to consider as who will be the best for us. We have two big communities around us. The Magh and Bengali. We need to choice any of one by considering as who will be beneficial in our national survive process.

For the Magh, we have got a firm resolution on what is their interest to us and what they are going to do with us along the history. Although the Maghs are unworthy to make an internal change inside Burma. So far their cooperation will not make beneficial to us.

When the Magh urged us to find another territory for settlement, we have to think solemnly on this matter. The region where we are given birth and living for centuries is denying our existence. So that we have to choice the ways as:-

- to protect the territory where we are born and descended; or
- to abandon the living by finding a new region. For the first case, we need to struggle in every sides. No one can deny our struggling till we get our constitutional rights.If we like to avoid this tragedy then we have to choice the second method by finding a new territory for settlement. I find a new territory inside Bangladesh that is known as the Bandarban district. Ranghamatti is the best one for us. In this purpose we need to approach Bengalis for assistances. Cooperation with Bengalis will make us beneficial. We should try to get their assistances on driving out the all Maghs from that region to Burma and in new settlement of our community over there. In the history, Bengal is helpful to Arakan for many years. We also need their sympathies to solve our issue. Before we abandon, the Maghs need to prove that they are original inhabitants of Arakan. According to the Magh chronicles Arakan is an Aryan and Dravidian stock. Some Maghs claim as they are from Aryan and sometime other are from Mongoloid. It must be proved that the Maghs are Aryan. Therefore they need to have DNA test first. If they are failed then their migration into Arakan is later

- to abandon the living by finding a new region.

For the first case, we need to struggle in every sides. No one can deny our struggling till we get our constitutional rights.

If we like to avoid this tragedy then we have to choice the second method by finding a new territory for settlement.

I find a new territory inside Bangladesh that is known as the Bandarban district. Ranghamatti is the best one for us. In this purpose we need to approach Bengalis for assistances. Cooperation with Bengalis will make us beneficial. We should try to get their assistances on driving out the all Maghs from that region to Burma and in new settlement of our community over there.

In the history, Bengal is helpful to Arakan for many years. We also need their sympathies to solve our issue. Before we abandon, the Maghs need to prove that they are original inhabitants of Arakan. According to the Magh chronicles Arakan is an Aryan and Dravidian stock. Some Maghs claim as they are from Aryan and sometime other are from Mongoloid. It must be proved that the Maghs are Aryan. Therefore they need to have DNA test first. If they are failed then their migration into Arakan is later 10
th century because the Mongoloid arrived later 10th century AD. When they prove as they are Aryan, we should leave to Bangladesh and all the Maghs now settling inside Bangladesh must be moved into Burma. nI therefore like to urge all our highly educated contributors for working hard to reach our goal rather then wasting times in so-called democracy and human rights in Burma. As for me and our supporters, we are too much emotionally going to start soon the activities according to Magh and burman nepotism. Due to the situation, I like to send my comment on coming Asia forum as "it is another tragedy put off our vein internationally in front our sympathizers and supporters". If my comment is unacceptable, please study well on who are taking a part in this forum from Magh\'s side. In addition, we welcome all non Arakanese Rohingya for only their assistances in our crisis if they wish to have or if they understand what their obligation are, but reject their attempts of leadership to us. Every organization that were formed by the Rohingyas who are foreign citizens or permanent residence of a foreign country and that intended for leading us are invalid. They have no right to use the name of any legal organization that were used or are using by Arakanese Rohingya for their necessaries. ",1]

th century because the Mongoloid arrived later 10th century AD.

When they prove as they are Aryan, we should leave to Bangladesh and all the Maghs now settling inside Bangladesh must be moved into Burma.

I therefore like to urge all our highly educated contributors for working hard to reach our goal rather then wasting times in so-called democracy and human rights in Burma.

As for me and our supporters, we are too much emotionally going to start soon the activities according to Magh and burman nepotism.

Due to the situation, I like to send my comment on coming Asia forum as "it is another tragedy put off our vein internationally in front our sympathizers and supporters". If my comment is unacceptable, please study well on who are taking a part in this forum from Magh's side.

In addition, we welcome all non Arakanese Rohingya for only their assistances in our crisis if they wish to have or if they understand what their obligation are, but reject their attempts of leadership to us. Every organization that were formed by the Rohingyas who are foreign citizens or permanent residence of a foreign country and that intended for leading us are invalid. They have no right to use the name of any legal organization that were used or are using by Arakanese Rohingya for their necessaries.

Finally, I'd like to urge all our valuable contributors to send me comments on my proposal and humbly request for haven't any response to any anti-Rohingya postings. Our goal is to build a peace future for our community and not to make any quarrel with them.


With keen respect,


Ko Ko Linn (YU)

Contributor,
Free Rohingya Campaign (International

True History Discussion.

Dear Dr. Aye Chan,

Thank you very much your earliest reponse . Dear Dr Aye Chan , I repect you and please respect my voice. I am not written my own word. Please don't try like bubble. Please don't attack personally . I do hope all answer will be referenced by paper not by own. I do hope I will discuss you one by one so that we reach without any disagreement to gether.Please don't mind me I am not Historian but I am resercher.
Sincerly ,

Maung Susan

From: AYE CHAN <kzrhwee@yahoo.com>To: Maung Susan <>

Dear Maung Susan:

I am sure all the points you raised had been clear. Actually, we don't need to argue any more. I will write a paper on the "Phrases of Early Arakan. " Will you wait till then. I am very busy now. You have very little knowledge in the sources materials on Ancient Arakan and historical research methodology. There will be examinations to be held at my university in the first and second weeks of January. I have to read 12 graduation theses. I do not have time to answer all your questions this time. Mail me in the middle of January ,2006. I will respond.

Surely, the claim for the Rohingya Ethnicity is only a bubble. You can use it as political jargon for Rohingya human rights. The NGOs, UNHCR and other organizations will support you to be granted asylum in a third country.

Sincerely, Aye Chan

maungsusan@hotmail.com>, ko_linn_yu@yahoo.com, WHOISROHINGYA@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: True History DiscussionDate: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:16:10 -0800 (PST)

Dear Maung Susan:
I am sure all the points you raised had been clear. Actually, we don't need to argue any more. I will write a paper on the "Phrases of Early Arakan. " Will you wait till then. I am very busy now. You have very little knowledge in the sources materials on Ancient Arakan and historical research methodology. There will be examinations to be held at my university in the first and second weeks of January. I have to read 12 graduation theses. I do not have time to answer all your questions this time.

Mail me in the middle of January ,2006. I will respond. Surely, the claim for the Rohingya Ethnicity is only a bubble. You can use it as political jargon for Rohingya human rights. The NGOs, UNHCR and other organizations will support you to be granted asylum in a third country.

Sincerely, Aye Chan

Maung Susan <maungsusan@hotmail.com> wrote:
Dear Dr.Aye Chan,May I discuss some History of ancient Arakan . I am from Arakan . My name is Maung Susan. I studied some History like researcher. I don't want dispute true history .Here some topic of "Arakan"The word Arakan is definitely of Arabic or Persian origin having the same meaning in both these languages. It is the corruption of the word Arkan plural of the word Al-Rukun. There exists some controversy about the origin of the name of ‘Arakan’ on which traditional and legendary sources differ. In fact, the name of Arakan is of much antiquity. In Ptolemy’s Geografia (150 AD) it was named ‘Argyre’. Early Buddhist missionaries called Arakan as ‘Rekkha Pura’. In the Ananda Chandra stone pillar of Chandra dynasty (8th \r\nCentury) at Shitthaung Pagoda in Mrauk-U the name of Arakan was engraved as “Arakades’s”. In a Latin Geography (1597 AD) by\r\nPeta Vino, the country was referred to as ‘Aracan’. Friar Manrique (1628-43 AD) mentions the country as ‘Aracan’ .Ref: : Amanullah, The Etymology of Arakan, THE ARAKAN, Vol.10, Issue 2, July 1997, P.4.Discussion(1) “Arakan “ is the word originally coming from Muslim . Today Rakhine people called their self “Rakhine derived from “Arakan”(2) If the History is true “ why Arakan people saying that Arakan is coming from Pali. Is that true?(3) Some Historian written that liked a legend untrue story , some people called “Beeloo” that stand for Pali word “Rakkah” . So what is Beeloo word ? Is that true ?. History is not legend.Thanks & Best Regards,MaungsusanExpress yourself ;

of the name of ‘Arakan’ on which traditional and legendary sources differ. In fact, the name of Arakan is of much antiquity. In Ptolemy’s Geografia (150 AD) it was named ‘Argyre’. Early Buddhist missionaries called Arakan as ‘Rekkha Pura’. In the Ananda Chandra stone pillar of Chandra dynasty (8th Century) at Shitthaung Pagoda in Mrauk-U the name of Arakan was engraved as “Arakades’s”. In a Latin Geography (1597 AD) by
Peta Vino, the country was referred to as ‘Aracan’. Friar Manrique (1628-43 AD) mentions the country as ‘Aracan’ .Ref: : Amanullah, The Etymology of Arakan, THE ARAKAN, Vol.10, Issue 2, July 1997, P.4.Discussion(1) “Arakan “ is the word originally coming from Muslim . Today Rakhine people called their self “Rakhine derived from “Arakan”(2) If the History is true “ why Arakan people saying that Arakan is coming from Pali. Is that true?(3) Some Historian written that liked a legend untrue story , some people called “Beeloo” that stand for Pali word “Rakkah” . So what is Beeloo word ? Is that true ?. History is not legend.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Maungsusan

My response

Dear Ko Ko Linn:

I don't know what you studied at YU. If you studied linguistics, anthropology, and history you may understand how the consonant syllables and vowel sounds are interchangeable when two or more different languages interact in the context of cultural collisions.

I explained to Kyaw Htoo Aung that the name "Roshang" was only the Bengali corruption for "Rakhine." If you study Burmese stone inscriptions the Karen people were called by the Burmese in different names, such as "Sakraw" "Zaying," and at last "Kayin". Even if the Rakhine were called "Roshang" by Bengalis in the AD sixteenth and seventeenth century it does not become an evidence that the so-called Rohingya had lived in Arakan since then. Please read "The Maghs" by Abdul Mabud Khan, a Bengali historian, Dhaka, University Press, 1999. He clearly pointed out that the Rohingyas are the Bengalis living in Arakan who like to be call by that old name "Roshang."
Aye Chan



Ko Ko Linn <ko_linn_yu@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Dr. Chan, I have learned at YU exactly what you teach there. Don’t you remember what teach at YU?OK, let me explain like you on what I wrote in my letter. I wrote all the term that you used in your letter is refer to Arakanese. The term Rohingya is also used for Arakanese which is related to Roshang. It is not a problem for me that who used the term, but it is sure that the term Rohang is related with Roshang.

You effort is to misguide the history under the topic of a historian. Please don’t try to mix us with migrated Bengalis during the colonial period. May be our forefathers were confessed Buddhism or Hinduism on that time and later became Muslims. Not only Bengalis but also everyone surrounded Arakan use the term Magh to refer you. If you are Magh came from Magadda of India then you can claim as Rakhine or Arakanes or Roshangya or Rohingya.
We have only problem with those Mongoloid tribes who are claiming themselves as Rakhine or Arakanese. As for us, we are Aryan. Now only need to prove that who are you? Aryan? Dravidian? Or Mongoloid?

Truly! Ko Ko Linn (YU)

AYE CHAN To: Ko Ko Linn , May Yu , Free Rohingya , APUF Cc: BRG , BMG Burmese , DFB Burma , Democracy Burma , NLDmembrsnSupportersofCRPPnNLDnDASSK Date: Nov 28, 2005 6:52 AM

Subject: Re: My response

Dear Ko Ko Linn:

You wrote, "The term Rohingya is also used for Arakanese which is related to Roshang. It is not a problem for me that who used the term, but it is sure that the term Rohang is related with Roshang.h Surely it is related to Arakan and specically it refers to "Rakhine." I have explained you that it is a Bengli corruption. I don't mix up it with the Bengali emigrants in colonial period, presently the inhabitants of Buthidaung and Maungdaw. Read my paper. I classified four groups of Muslims in Arakan State.

I separate the matter of the Bengalis from former Mayu Frontier Area who want themselves to be called Rohingya. This term is nothing to do with their historical background. I refer my paper again. OK! If you studied history at YU, h ave you read Burmese chronicles? All the chronicles, Mahayazawingyi, Hmannan, Monyway Yazawin all claims that the founders of Tagaung Dynasty came from Maghda. That is because of the Indian cultural influence, they attempted to trace the Burmese kings to the Sakkya family of Buddha. It is a common phenomenon in the historiography of Theravada Southeast Asia. Who was your Southeast Asian History teacher.

Hope it is not me. The English people called them English because they believe that they descended from the Angels who came to visit the earth from haven. The French call them Anglettre. Dou you believe that legend? Mr. Ko KO Linn! Professor Qanungo who wrote the History of Chittagong is still alive and teaching at Chittagong University. Ask him. Even the Islamization of Chittagong began after the Moghal conquest of the City in AD1666. It had been a tribal area before that. You know that the peoples from Chittagong Hill Tracts, Tripura State of India, late Assam and Manipur had been inhabited by the Mongoloid peoples. Although you are not an academic, I am ready to explain you if you want to know about that problem. But Don't get exited. Don't swear me. You studied logic. Please draw a conclusion after giving valid reasonings.

Sincerely, Aye Chan

Re: BRG | 4th Anniversary | Salute for the Rohingyas who demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur!!!

Dear friends,


Don’t forget that the term Rohingya is somehow acknowledged by CRPP that comprised of NLD and U Aye Tha Aung, the secretary and prominent Rakhine leader; in a way by accepting U Kyaw Min as a member who is an MP and Rohingya. I’m dead sure it is just the matter of time to openly recognize Rohingya because they, not like us, do not have freedom.

But I do notice the century old out-dated scare tactic is still used and worked by some extreme Rakhine brothers even we are living in free world.

They are;

If anyone sympathizes or recognizes Rohingya, it is messing the Rakhine internal affair;

The Rohingya case must be left at the mercy of Rakhine alone and others are suggested not to see or hear of it, like what happended in Balkan;

If others do not comply with their demand, they would threaten to abandon the fight for freedom and democracy and give the suggestion to join the SPDC, just to crush Rohingya.


Look at the latest case in a statement issued by Arakan Youth Network Group, on Dec. 13, 2005.

A leader named Khaing Du Wan was expelled with no consideration from the central committee. Why?

The crime;

He recognizes the Rohingya.

Juatification;

Recognizing the Rohingya is flip-flopping and dismissing the glorious history of Rakhine.
It is inexcusable and traitorous crime.
He committed the big crime against the Rakhine, as a whole.

So, think about where some Rakhine still are going.

And is it justifiable for us to ignore the plight of Rohingya constantly crushed by SPDC and threatened by some Rakhine?

I don’t know the Rohingya is ethnic or not, but, I do know they have an equal right like others.

People must have a place to live with dignity. The Rohingya is the people recognized by SPDC, Bangladesh, UN and internationally.

It is quite stunning to learn that the Rohingya is not accepted by NCUB or NCUGB even though they are accepted by SPDC.


Aung Tin, Toronto

Ko Ko Linn wrote:
Dear A-A Comrade Day (or) drlawd,

Thank you very much for encouragement. It is not only a question of discrimination on religion and race but lack of support and cooperation by also all our Burmese related groups. If some of the prominent parties like NCGUB, NCUB, NLD etc. like to have a few activity by joining us then we can draw many attentions from Islamic countries including Middle-east. One we (Free Rohingya Campaign International) invited Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win to pay an officail visit to Middle-East and we also claimed responsible for every arrangement but the NCGUB never taken a consideration on it. If such kind of cooperation we can get, then we can get more supportives from Middle-east.

Regards!!

Ko Ko Linn (YU)
Free Rohingya Campaign International

drlawd wrote:
Dear Friends,I am puzzled. In the subsequent reports of this demonstration in the publications such as Khit Thit (New Era), and in Tayza's Burma Digest, the same demonstration has been credited to Burmese, to Mon, to Arakanese, and NO mention was made about Rohingya.It will be a good idea to check out the major published reports again to verify this.If indeed, Rohingyas have been left out of the report, then it is a HUGE injustice especially since those who are in Malaysian prisons face a very uncertain and terrible future. They risked they lives and should be remembered in history as heroes.The terrible pictures of POLICE BRUTALITY of the young man with long hair and black clothes being choked by the Malay Paleik has tremendous value when you make an enlargement picture and distribute it in pamphlets throughout India and Bengla and in the middle east.IS this how a Muslim Nation like Malaysia should treat a fellow Muslim brother, a Rohingya? If the Muslim world condemns America everytime an Iraqi Muslim is mistreated, THEN, the Muslim World should condemn Malaysia AND Burma for the horrible way Rohingyas are treated. I can understand why the spdc Burmese and the Arakanese Margs hate the Rohingya, ,,,,,But I cannot understand the lack of support from the Muslim World for the suffering of the Rohingya and the lack of help. A-A!Comrade Day---

In Rohingya@yahoogroups.com,

"kunyia" wrote:>> We, the Free Rohingya Campaign (International) would like to convey our > heartfelt thanks to your support .">kunyia@g...> wrote:>> We, the Free Rohingya Campaign (International) would like to convey our > heartfelt thanks to your support .

Truly,> Kunyia>

Free Rohingya Campaign (International)>

info@f...>

http://www.freerohingyacampaign.com> >

----- Original Message ----- >

From: "drlawd" ">drlawd@y...>

To: ">Rohingya@yahoogroups.com>

Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 6:08 PM>

Subject: BRG 4th Anniversary Salute for the Rohingyas who demonstrated > in Kuala Lumpur!!!> > > >

Dear Comrades of this Rohingya Group,> > On the D4B yahoo group, I posted this short letter which follows> > below. It is to honor and salute the demonstrators in Kuala Lumpur.> >> > for a long time, I feel sad for the Rohingyas that again and again,> > the cruel spdc enemy has attacked them by robbing, torturing,> > imprisoning, killing etc. In addition, some in the Arakan community> > continue to attack the Rohingya by insulting their culture,> > questioning their history, etc.> > The recent demonstration in Malaysia is proof that the Rohingyas> > are brave enough to fight for the right. I pray that this will earn> > them the respect that they very much deserve, with the acceptance and> > alliance from all other anti-spdc groups.> >> > Ayaydawboan Aungyamyi (AA!)> > Comrade Day> >> > Comrades,> > Let us SALUTE the brave Rohingyas and their Malaysian Opposition> > friends who demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.> > Rohingyas have proved time and again that they are brave and willing> > to fight against the enemy.> > Let us welcome them as allies and condemn those who only seek to> > denigrate them.> > Remember, the enemy of our enemy is Our Friend!!!!> >> > AA,> > CD> >> > --- In Democracy_forBurma@y..., "Henry Soe-Win"> > wrote:> >> FYI:> >>> >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: ThaungN@a...> >> To: undisclosed-recipients:> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 10:49 PM> >> Subject: Check out AOL News - Malaysian police squash human rights> > rally at East Asia> >>> >>> >> Malaysian police squash human rights rally at East Asia Summit> > venue, detain 19> >> By EILEEN NG, AP> >>> >> KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian police squashed a> > demonstration Wednesday near the venue of the East Asia Summit,> > detaining 19 activists protesting human rights abuses at home as well> > as in Myanmar and Thailand.

Salute for the Rohingyas who demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur!!!

----- Original Message -----
From: "drlawd" <drlawd@yahoo.com>
To: <Rohingya@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 9:08 PM
Subject: BRG 4th Anniversary Salute for the Rohingyas who demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur!!!

Dear Comrades of this Rohingya Group,

On the D4B yahoo group, I posted this short letter which follows below. It is to honor and salute the demonstrators in Kuala Lumpur.

for a long time, I feel sad for the Rohingyas that again and again, the cruel spdc enemy has attacked them by robbing, torturing, imprisoning, killing etc. In addition, some in the Arakan community continue to attack the Rohingya by insulting their culture, questioning their history, etc.

The recent demonstration in Malaysia is proof that the Rohingyas are brave enough to fight for the right. I pray that this will earn them the respect that they very much deserve, with the acceptance and alliance from all other anti-spdc groups. Ayaydawboan Aungyamyi (AA!) Comrade Day Comrades, Let us SALUTE the brave Rohingyas and their Malaysian Opposition friends who demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Rohingyas have proved time and again that they are brave and willing to fight against the enemy. Let us welcome them as allies and condemn those who only seek to denigrate them. Remember, the enemy of our enemy is Our Friend!!!!

AA, CD


--- In Democracy_forBurma@yahoogroups.com.au, "Henry Soe-Win" > <arqhy11@a...> wrote:>> FYI:>> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: ThaungN@a... >> To: undisclosed-recipients: >> Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 10:49 PM>> Subject: Check out AOL News - Malaysian police squash human rights > rally at East Asia >> >> >> Malaysian police squash human rights rally at East Asia Summit > venue, detain 19>> By EILEEN NG, AP>> >> KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian police squashed a > demonstration Wednesday near the venue of the East Asia Summit, > detaining 19 activists protesting human rights abuses at home as well > as in Myanmar and Thailand.>> > >

A Rohingya Refugee Woman Gang Raped by Goons

Teknaf, December 27:

An unregistered Rohingya refugee widow was gangs raped by local goons while she was carrying firewood from nearby hill in southern Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, said Hussain, a refugee from the camp.

The victim was identified as Toyuba Khatun, 42, of Dum Dum Mia makeshift camp of Teknaf union, under the Cox's Bazar district. Her husband was dead two years ago after getting serious illness, he further said.
At about 10:00 am, on 18th December, the widow Toyouba Khatun went to nearby hill to collect firewood together with three refugee boys of under ten. She always goes to nearby hill to collect firewood and maintains herself by selling it, he more added.

On that day, in the evening, after collecting firewood, while on her way back accompanied by refugee boys, suddenly a group of local goons came with lethal weapons and forcibly chased all of them to nearby forest. Fastening all the boys to a tree with a rope, the local goons forcibly raped her in routine in front of the refugee boys, said one of the boys.

The victim and the refugee boys were released after for a while, but her earring was taken away by the goons. One of the boys ran to the makeshift camp to inform the incident to the camp.

On hearing the news, some refugees immediately went to the spot and saw the victim was lying on the ground in unconscious state. But the mob of the refugees didn't find the culprits as they had already run away from the spot, said another refugee named Abdul Malik.

At present, Toyouba Khatun is living at her shanty hut without having any aid of medical treatment from any quarter. Some concerned local authorities were apprised of this event by some refugee elders, but they take no action against the culprits till writing this report, he more added.

About 10,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees are living in the shabby and unhealthy shacks on the bank of Naf River in Teknaf without getting any help from outsides in subhuman condition. They crossed Burma-Bangladesh border following religious and political persecutions by present military ruler in Arakan State, Burma.

Source: Kaladanpress Network, December 27, 2005.

link:http://www.kaladanpress.org/kpn/2005/December/news_dec_17.htm

A Rohingya Female Prisoner Died in Jail of Burma

Kaladan News

Dated: Friday, December 23, 2005

A Rohingya Female Prisoner Died in Jail of Burma

Maungdaw, December 23: A Rohingya female prisoner died on 16th December 2005 in “Lawadak Jail,” which is situated about 2.5 miles in the west of Buthidaung Town, Arakan State, Burma, said a close relative of her from Maungdaw Town.

The dead prisoner was identified as Jubaida Khatoon, 70, wife of Eman Sharif and mother of Khobir, (a business man, who was also arrested in Sittwe ( Akyab), the capital of Arakan State and was sentenced to 7 years jail) of Shikdar Para (village) of Maungdaw Township, the relative further said.

She accompanied by her family members transferred to Rangoon from her native town Maungdaw 20 years ago. But, due to the persecution policy towards Rohingya community, after the Prime Minister Khin Nyunt’s sack, the whole members were arrested by police at Rangoon accusing them ---they are illegal immigrants as they don’t have a form called “Phong Zang Thasay( Form-10),” which is provided by immigration to the person who wants to transfer from native town to another town---,”said another relative from her village.

The arrested family members are: Jubaida Khatoon, her two sons Abdul Majid, 45, Hamid Hussain, 32, her daughter-in- law, 30, (wife of Abdul Majid) and two children of Abdul Majid. They all were sentenced to a 7-year jail term per each at Rangoon in last February 2005, said a trader who is close relation with her.

After 3 months in jail in Rangoon, all the convicts were brought to aforesaid Buthidaung jail from Rangoon. After seven months in Buthidaung Jail, Jubaida Khatoon passed away in jail on 16th December 2005, as inadequate food and medical treatment, the trader more added.

The dead body of Jubaida Khatoon was handed over to her relatives to immediate burial. It is very strange to the people that two officials from the jail came with dead body and stayed until the dead body’s funeral was completed. The officials also took pictures of the dead body of process of the funeral. However, she was buried at the cemetery of Shikdar Para on 17th December, a village elder said.

Jubaida Khatoon left behind her sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, many grand children and other relatives to mourn her death. ##

Situation Report on the Rohingya People in Arakan State of Burma

By Dr. Habib Siddqui


There are over three million Rohingya people, living both inside and outside Myanmar (Burma). Due to widespread persecution, prejudice and ethnic cleansing inside Myanmar, nearly a half of the population (over 1.5 million) have been compelled to live in exile, particularly in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Malaysia, and Thailand.

Rejection of Citizenship:

The Burmese military regime has declared the Rohingya non-nationals or non-citizens. The Burma Citizenship Law of 1982, which violates several fundamental principles of the customary international law, has reduced them to the status of “Stateless.”

Colonization of the Rohingya Homeland:

There is a systemic program by the ruling Myanmar regime to alter the demography of Rohingya homeland of North Arakan. This includes extermination of the Rohingya population, confiscation and demolition of Rohingya properties, and construction of Pagodas, monasteries and Government buildings on the sites of demolished mosques and Muslim shrines, and confiscated Rohingya properties. As if these measures are not enough to obliterate Muslim identity, new non-Rohingya settlements with Pagodas and Buddhist monasteries are being built at every nook and corner of the North Arakan, Rohingyas are compelled by Government officials to ‘contribute’ money, food, material, or free labor to state-sponsored projects of colonization and de-Muslimization of Arakan.

In the name of setting up “model villages” Rohingya properties are being handed out to outsiders while the original Rohingya owners are forcibly displaced.

There is also a concerted effort to rename Muslim towns and places with Buddhist names so that Muslim or Islamic heritage of these places is lost forever to future generations.

De-Muslimization:

Of particular concern is the fact that as of 2004, Rohingya villagers are forced to practice Buddhism and take part in various Buddhist festivities. As has been confirmed lately by the US State Department Report on Religious Freedom Report, November 8, 2005, there is a Burmese Government campaign to convert or “Burmanize” ethnic minority regions through coercion or otherwise. The campaign has coincided with increased military presence in the region. The SPDC troops have intensified their attacks on the Rohingya and Islam. In particular, they target the Rohingya Ulema (religious leaders), women and youngsters. Last year, in Maungdaw Township, after a Rohingya girl was reaped by Buddhists, when Rohingya religious leaders condemned the matter, they were arrested. Subsequently, one of the religious teachers was tortured to death in detention. Most of the Rohingya-community leaders are now serving long prison times on false charges, related to citizenship. Others are forced to opt for a life of uncertainty as refugees outside.

Mosques and Muslim holy shrines have been demolished all over Arakan. All these crimes are done so as to efface Islamic heritage and Muslim identity of the Arakan.

To expedite this criminal objective, often times Buddhist-Muslim riots are engineered that invariably result in heavy losses to Muslim lives and properties. Anti-Muslim propagandas are routinely fed in the government controlled media. As of February 2003, books and taped speeches, insulting Islam and Muslims, have become quite common and are being openly sold and distributed.

Even Muslim cemeteries are not immune from desecration and abuses of the government. Buddhist dead bodies are now routinely buried at Muslim cemeteries, while the Rohingya are forced to pay the funeral fees.

Lack of Religious Freedom

The SPDC restricts most Islamic religious services and has frequently abused the right to religious freedom. Muslim students attending state-run elementary schools are required to recite Buddhist prayer daily. Authorities often refuse requests for gatherings to celebrate traditional Muslim holidays and restrict the number of Muslims that can gather in one place.

In 2002, local authorities scheduled demolition of nearly 40 mosques and religious community centers in Arakan. Thirteen mosques were destroyed before the authorities desisted at the request of the UNHCR. The Government subsequently gave permission to repair existing mosques in some area. However, to ensure that destroyed mosques were not rebuilt, they were replaced with government-owned buildings, monasteries, and Buddhist temples.

Rohingyas are not allowed to construct new places of worship. They experience tremendous difficulties in obtaining permission to repair existing mosques. They cannot import religious literature into the country. Muslim religious leaders are routinely arrested or harassed. All these are done meticulously so that within a few years the Rohingya will lose touch with their Islamic heritage.

Depopulation:

The SPDC authorities have been making efforts to ‘dilute’ Rohingya population by practicing what may more appropriately be called genocidal campaigns to ‘ethnically cleanse’ the Rohingyas from their ancestral lands. Frequently, they launch drive operation, create communal riots, and make forced relocation to sweep off the Muslim population. They force Buddhist-Burmans to relocate into Muslim territories. Certain townships, such as Thandwe, Gwa, and Taung-gut, have been declared ‘Muslim-free-zones’ by government decree in 1983. There are still original-resident Muslims living in Thandwe, but new Muslims are not allowed to buy property or reside in the township. Muslims are no longer permitted to reside in Taung-gut and Gwa.

In January of 2005, Government authorities led Buddhist monks to attack Rohingyas in Kyauk Pyu just before the Muslim Eid holidays. Two Muslims were killed and Muslim homes and properties were destroyed. In May 2004, local Buddhist villagers in Kyun Su Township attacked and destroyed properties of 14 Muslim families. Despite a complaint from Muslim leaders, the Government did not take any action to stop the violence.

Many immoral and deplorable measures (like denying rights to or delaying marriage) are also routinely applied by the Government agencies against the Rohingya population to reduce and control their birth rates.

But more appalling is the fact that rape of Rohingya women by Buddhists (civilians and military alike), committed in public or in detention camps or training centers, is encouraged and included as an official military strategy to depopulate Rohingyas from their ancestral homes. Because of the devastating effect rape has on the Rohingya community, rape is becoming an effective weapon to terrorize the Rohingya community and convince them to flee or leave Burma. It is the most horrendous and degrading way of “Ethnic Cleansing.” Unfortunately, without any international agency to monitor and take effective measures to stop this crime against humanity, this method of ‘ethnic cleansing’ is succeeding.

Confiscation of land:

Large tracts of Rohingya farmlands, including Waqf (Endowed) properties, have been confiscated. The Rohingya villagers are frequently uprooted and relocated from their ancestral land. Hundreds and thousands of confiscated lands belonging to the Rohingya have been distributed among the Buddhist settlers who are invited from both inside and outside the Arakan, including nearby Bangladesh. Some of the confiscated lands are used for military establishments. These atrocious measures have forced the Rohingya to become increasingly landless, internally displaced and to eventually starve - forcing them out to cross the border into nearby Bangladesh for life and shelter.

Militarization:

The North Arakan has turned into a militarized zone with increased violations of human rights. Forced labor still exists despite increasing pressure from ILO. The armed forces routinely confiscate property, cash and crop from the Rohingya.

The Rohingya people are exploited as forced laborers into building military establishment, roads, bridges, embankments, pagodas, schools dispensaries and ponds without earning any wage. They are not only forced to “Contribute” their farmlands, agricultural tools, cattle, house-building materials and funds to the new settlers but also forced to pay for Buddhist festivals held every so often. The forced labor situation has become so excruciating that the Rohingya have been rendered jobless and shelter-less.

Restriction of Movement:

There is restriction on movement of the Rohingya inside Myanmar. They cannot go outside the Arakan, nor are they allowed freedom of movement within Arakan from one place to another without permission from the local authority. This humiliating restriction has further been tightened by the regime. No Rohingya is permitted to travel to Rangoon or Myanmar (Burma) proper even on serious medical ground. This inhuman measure has forcibly divided many Rohingya families. It has seriously affected them in all their national activities—social, cultural, religious and educational.

Deprivation of Rights to Education:

Since promulgation of the new Burma Citizenship Law in 1982, the Rohingya students are denied their basic rights to education. The Government reserves secondary education for citizens only. The Rohingya do not have access to state-run schools beyond primary education. They cannot pursue higher studies while professional courses are also barred to them. It is important to point out that all professional institutes are situated outside Arakan. Thus, the Rohingya students are unable to study there because of such travel prohibition. Rohingya students, who passed the selection tests and got formal admission into various institutions of learning, located in Rangoon and Burma proper, are unable to pursue their studies as they are disallowed to travel.

The Rohingya are restricted from even religious learning. Many local Imams (religious leaders) have been arrested for conducting group classes or prayers.

In recent years, the Rohingya students are prohibited from even going to Akyab (Sittwe), the capital of Arakan, to attend Sittwe University for their studies. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya students face uncertainty with their future studies. These draconian measures, barring the Rohingyas from attending university and professional institutes, are marginalizing them as the most illiterate section within the Myanmar population. They cannot find jobs in civil service, military and most professional areas requiring higher education, and are, therefore, forced to embrace a very bleak future.

Restriction on Marriage of Rohingya:

Since 1988, the Government has permitted only 3 marriages per year per village in the primary Rohingya townships of Buthidaung and Maungdaw in northern Arakan State. Later the Government extended this edict to other townships of the Arakan. In today’s Myanmar, imposition of restriction on marriage between Rohingya couples has further intensified resulting in human rights violations. For example, not a single marriage contract was allowed in May 2005. Without huge sums of bribe money, unbearable for most Rohingyas to pay, even an ordinary permission to get married is impossible to obtain. Yet, after such payments, thousands of applications for the permission to get married remain pending in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships.

But, today, the condition of marriage is terrifying. The SPDC Government requires that every Rohingya be registered before they marry. The women applicants are then required to attend a government-sponsored training program in camps and centers that can last for 3 or more days, away from their family members. It is in these camps and centers, that Rohingya women are raped by people affiliated with the camps and centers. These camps have, in essence, become the slave camps with the only difference that women are then returned to their families. This practice is done in order to humiliate and terrorize these women and their family, and force them to leave Burma and migrate to Bangladesh.

Arbitrary Taxation:

Traditionally, Rohingyas are a farming community that depends on agricultural produce and breeding of cattle and fowls as domestic livestock. They are taxed heavily on food grains, including their main staple food – rice, and various agricultural produce. Recently the authorities have imposed a new taxation that included taxes levied on everything that a Rohingya may possess from shrimp, vegetable, tree, animal or bird (for cow, buffalos, goats, and fowl) to roof and house. Even for a minor repair of their homes, they are forced to pay tax. They are required to report birth and death of a livestock to the authority while paying a fee.

The Rohingya have to pay taxes on everything, from cutting bamboos or woods in the jungle to fishing in the rivers and breeding of animas at homesteads.

Other forms of Human Rights Abuses:

Widespread violations of human rights against the ethnic “Rohingya” continue unabated even in places not out of the sight of the UNHCR. In fact, there is no security of life, property, honor and dignity of the Rohingya. Extra-judicial killing and summery executions, humiliating movement restriction, rape of women, arrest and torture, forced labor, forced relocation, confiscation of moveable and immoveable properties, religious sacrileges, etc., are regular occurrences in Arakan.

As a result, severe poverty, unemployment, lack of education and official discrimination are negatively affecting every Rohingya, especially its youths and workforces. The future of the community remains bleak and exodus into Bangladesh has become a recurrent theme.

Forced Eviction and Refugee Exodus:

Forced eviction of the Rohingya villagers is launched occasionally throughout the year. Many centuries-old Rohingya settlements have already been uprooted throughout the North Arakan.

The exodus of the Rohingya into Bangladesh constitutes human rights violations. They are merely branded as “economic migrants” without realizing their unbearable plights. The new arrivals often face arrests and/or “pushback” from the Bangladesh security forces. Due to poor condition within the refugee camps, sometimes tense situation has surfaced between camp authorities and the refugees, resulting in the detention, arrest and punishment of many refugees.

Refugees in Bangladesh:

In Bangladesh today there are approximately 20,000 “documented” Rohingya refugees, out of a quarter million that had arrived in 1991-2, escaping military persecution in Burma. They live in two camps of Kutupalong and Nayapara. Most of the original refugees were forcibly repatriated into the lawless country of Burma, where they continue to face all sorts of human rights abuse in the hands of Myanmar authority. The remaining refugees have refused to return because they fear human rights abuses, including religious persecution.

Unfortunately, the condition within those two refugee camps is not great and lack adequate facilities for a healthy living. Children are deprived of their basic education and healthcare.

Besides, hundreds of thousands of “undocumented” Rohingya are living outside these two camps in sub-human condition with all their uncertainty. Many refugees are camped at a roadside facility at Teknaf, a border town in south-east end of Bangladesh under unpleasant conditions. Unfortunately, there is no help from any quarter for these refugees.

These refugees are also blocked from nominal opportunities of re-settlement in a third country or settlement within Bangladesh.

The NGOs, international human rights and humanitarian bodies are not allowed to visit the areas of undocumented refugees.

Situation in other countries:

There is no international agency to look after the interest of the stateless Rohingya. Because of their lack of legal identity, they are not allowed to work or hold work permit by any name. An estimated 15-20,000 Rohingyas work as illegal workers in Thailand. Their children are deprived of basic human rights. In other parts of the world the situation is not much better because of lack of their citizenship.

Final Words:
There is a very systemic, organized, concerted and criminal design by the SPDC authorities, which can appropriately be termed as ethnic cleansing, genocide and socio-cultural degradation of the Rohingya people in Arakan state of Myanmar. If the process of marginalization and gross violations of human rights against the Rohingya people are allowed to continue there won’t be a single Rohingya left in Arakan within the next fifty years. They will be an extinct community, much like the fate of the native population of Tasmania.

Since 1999, the USA has designated Burma as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act for particularly severe violations of religious freedom. It is high time that the world body take appropriate measures so that the basic human rights of the Rohingya people are protected and guaranteed under the UN supervision.

Date: December 20, 2005

___________________________________________________

Dr. Habib Siddiqui (saeva@aol.com) is an anti-war activist.
His essays appear in a number of websites and newspapers. He has written six books.
His book on “Islamic Wisdom” is now available in the United States and Canada.
________________________________________

Rohingya sentenced for not concluding lectre in time

19-12-2005
Maungdaw, Kaladan News: A Rohingya elite was arrested and sentenced to a 10-month jail term with rigorous works in Arakan State for not concluding a religious lecture within fixed time, said a relative.

The victim is identified as Oli Ahmed, 55, son of Sayedur Rhaman of Ukilpara (Auk Rwa) of Maungdaw Town in Arakan State. He is also a former immigration staff of Maungdaw Township, he further added. On 10th November 2005, the aforementioned Oli Ahmed held a religious lecture by inviting some religious teachers taking permission from the Township Peace and Development Council Chairman (TPDC) of Maungdaw Township, he more said. The Chairman allowed the applicant to hold the religious lecture nearby house till 10:00 pm.

However, the lecture was ended a few minutes lately on that day, said another man of the locality. However, some days later, on 26th November 2005, the police of Maungdaw Town went to the home of Oli Ahmed by the order of the TPDC Chairman of Maungdaw Township and arrested him for not concluding the lecture within the fixed time, the local man more added. Two days later, on 29th November 2005, the victim was produced before the trial court No.1 of Maungdaw Township, which sentenced to him a 10-month jail term with rigorous work for concluding a religious lecture delaying a few minutes as fixed by concerned authority implicating him under police Act No.49, Raki 932/05, said a lawyer from Maungdaw Town.

After the issue, the Azan (call to prayer) was banned with loud speakers from mosques in the Township of Maungdaw. Previously, the Azan was not forbidden by the authorities concerned, said an Imam (the leader of the prayers) from Maungdaw. A relative of Oli Ahmed said, "A man was sentenced to 10- month jailed with rigorous work for only 10 minutes lateness of ending of a religious lecture is a deliberate action against the Rohingya community."

According to a Sarapa, a new military intelligence group after the Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt sack said, "We come to Arakan State to cripple the whole economic bases of the Rohingya people and to drive them into slave labors without leaving any things for their possessions. We are also projecting that the Rohingya youths to be illiterate," said a university student who recently fled his motherland for his security reason.

Please check it out http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10336

Rohingya sentenced for not concluding lectre in time

19-12-2005
Maungdaw, Kaladan News: A Rohingya elite was arrested and sentenced to a 10-month jail term with rigorous works in Arakan State for not concluding a religious lecture within fixed time, said a relative.

The victim is identified as Oli Ahmed, 55, son of Sayedur Rhaman of Ukilpara (Auk Rwa) of Maungdaw Town in Arakan State. He is also a former immigration staff of Maungdaw Township, he further added. On 10th November 2005, the aforementioned Oli Ahmed held a religious lecture by inviting some religious teachers taking permission from the Township Peace and Development Council Chairman (TPDC) of Maungdaw Township, he more said. The Chairman allowed the applicant to hold the religious lecture nearby house till 10:00 pm.

However, the lecture was ended a few minutes lately on that day, said another man of the locality. However, some days later, on 26th November 2005, the police of Maungdaw Town went to the home of Oli Ahmed by the order of the TPDC Chairman of Maungdaw Township and arrested him for not concluding the lecture within the fixed time, the local man more added. Two days later, on 29th November 2005, the victim was produced before the trial court No.1 of Maungdaw Township, which sentenced to him a 10-month jail term with rigorous work for concluding a religious lecture delaying a few minutes as fixed by concerned authority implicating him under police Act No.49, Raki 932/05, said a lawyer from Maungdaw Town.

After the issue, the Azan (call to prayer) was banned with loud speakers from mosques in the Township of Maungdaw. Previously, the Azan was not forbidden by the authorities concerned, said an Imam (the leader of the prayers) from Maungdaw. A relative of Oli Ahmed said, "A man was sentenced to 10- month jailed with rigorous work for only 10 minutes lateness of ending of a religious lecture is a deliberate action against the Rohingya community."

According to a Sarapa, a new military intelligence group after the Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt sack said, "We come to Arakan State to cripple the whole economic bases of the Rohingya people and to drive them into slave labors without leaving any things for their possessions. We are also projecting that the Rohingya youths to be illiterate," said a university student who recently fled his motherland for his security reason.

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