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ARAKAN

Monthly

News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

Outrageous Conviction

Volume 1, Issue 8
AUGUST 2009
www.ro-
www.rohingya.org
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

Editorial: Outrageous Con-


In this Issue viction

I
njustice has already done to democratic
Editorial: Outrageous Convic- icon Aung San Suu Kyi by awarding out-
tion 2 rageous conviction of 18 months house
arrest by the cruel SPDC ignoring the call
A heinous crime of the Burmese
by International Community including UNO,
army against the Rohingyas USA, EU etc and the will of the people of
3 Burma. It is indeed an outrageous act done
Press Release: ARNO Condemns by the impudent, insolent, arrogant and re-
luctant regime who even refused UN SG Ban
Monstrous Conviction of Daw
Ki-moon to meet with her. We joint with the
Aung San Suu Kyi 4 people of Burma in condemning the junta’s
THE PLIGHT OF ROHINGYA IN ARA- inhuman act. We urge international commu-
KAN, BURMA 4 nity, especially UN, USA, EU to take dras-
tic and effective action against the junta of
Islam in Burma 7 Burma instead of mere condemnations.
Why Dr. Aye Chan of Arakan, Bur- International Community has limited lever-
ma should be barred from at- age over Burma because of the ruling junta’s
tending Academic Conferences close links with powerful neighbors China,
8 India and Thailand. China urged Interna-
tional community to respect Burma’s judi-
Statement of ARNO on 8888 10 cial sovereignty. But Asean Secretary Gen-
Response to the statements of eral, Surin Pitsuwan, said that Burma would
Arakanese Rakhine (Maghs) on be expelled from Asean if Burma’s nuclear
plant is fond true.
Seminar (7.8.09) 11
Oregon Rohingya Society, USA Meanwhile the Malaysian Foreign Minister
Statement on Dr. Aye Chan and asked for an Asean foreign ministers sum-
Mr. Khin Maung Saw being Pro- mit to meet for the verdict of Aung San Suu
kyi while the foreign ministers of Indonesia
spective Speakers on Arakanese and the Philippine protested the verdict.
History and Religious Seminar The junta needed an excuse to bar her from
12 the election to be held in 2010. One of the
preconditions of the free and fair election
Statement of the BROUK on Dr.
is to create the right political atmosphere.
Aye Chan’s visit to the UK 13 It seems it is not being done in Burma while
Going to police in Maungdaw over 2,000 political prisoners are languish-
leads to extortion 13 ing in the jails. She was sentenced to three
years imprisonment by the presiding judge.
Arrested for repairing mosque Moments after the verdict was passed, how-
in Maungdaw 14 ever, home minister Maung Oo came in and
announced that the junta’s chief reduced the
Matriculation students in sentence to 18 months house arrest. Maung
Maungdaw harassed 15 Oo`s intervention appeared at odds with the
junta’s repeated statements that its judicia-
ry is independent.

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his wife and her 12-year old his nose and ripped off his
Obama called for Suu Kyi’s sister. eyebrows. Finally a soldier
‘immediate, unconditional thrust a bayonet into his
release’ and for the release
of more than 2000 other po-
litical prisoners held in Bur-
ma. Ban Ki-moon said he
was `deeply disappointed’
by the Suu Kyi’s verdict.”
Unjust’ sentence against Suu
Kyi would never be able to
stamp out the desire of peo-
ple of Burma, said president
Obama. But the people are
groaning for 47 years under
the iron heels of the Burmese
army, the world has done lit-
tle to rescue them, because
the international commu-
nity is afraid of confronting
the great dragon backing
Burma. Who cares others af-
fairs? Who will Risk for oth- According to an advertise- chest and mercifully Husse-
ers? Only they can strongly ment published by the inter- in died. Amnesty reported.
condemn and write beautiful national human rights body
articles on the Lady, Suu Kyi, in the British press. The
Hussein’s wife Zohra Begum
democracy, Burma’s nuclear gruesome story began when
was at home seven miles
assistance by North Korea Burmese soldiers entered
away when news of the trag-
etc. Imamuddin Para village in
edy reached her. She ran all
Arakan province on Nov.30
the way and found the body
A REFLECTION FROM 1992 last year (1991). still nailed to the tree. Hard-
A heinous crime of ly knowing what she was do-
Having burst open the door ing Zohra in a daze of horror
the Burmese army
of the village grocery store, and grief started back for
against the Ro- they seized the shopkeep- help. Almost on the doorstep
hingyas er, Hussein and placing a of her house she came face
heavy box of ammunition on to face with the same bunch

T
he gang-rape of Zohra his shoulders asked him to of wicked soldiers who had
and her 12-year-old march on as yet another por- inflicted the tragedy on the
sister ter for the army. poor family.

London. March16-1992: The When Hussein could not car- As would have been expect-
Amnesty International has ry it further after a few miles ed of them they showed their
published some appalling the soldiers first gave him pity for the sobbing woman
details of a ghastly drama a savage beating and then by gang raping her. A week
enacted in a Burmese vil- nailed him to a tree with his later the same soldiers took
lage by the troops of the mili- arms outstretched. They cut away Zhora and her 12-year
tary junta when they killed a off his organ and put it into old sister to the Lawadong
shopkeeper and gang-raped his mouth. They severed army camp and locked them

AUGUST 
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

in a room with about 40 planned sham election in 2010, without Daw Suu and politi-
other female captives. Sol- cal prisoners, with a view to establishing military rule for
diers would enter the room decades to come.
choose a woman and repeat-
edly rape her in front of all Human rights are universal and violations of human rights
the others.” After five days cannot be termed domestic affairs of a country. The regime
my sister’s little heart could clearly violates ASEAN Charter, which requires its member
take it no more. She went state to protect and promote human rights and to respect
into convulsions and died. international law. The ASEAN should take tougher action
When the soldiers saw that I against the SPDC.
too could take no more they
freed me”, Amnesty quoted SPDC also violates the Charter of the United Nations and
Zohra as saying. it has become a threat to regional as well as international
peace and security. We reiterate that UN may form a com-
What is more depressing mission of inquiry to collect evidences of the crimes against
about the incident, Amnesty humanity committed by the military regime across the coun-
says, is the fact that it is not try for prosecution.
an isolated case. Such events
unfortunately have been tak- Contact:
ing place with a tragic fre-
quency under the military Nurul Islam, Phone: +44-7947 854 652
rule which does not allow AFK Jilani, Phone: + 880-1674 811 079
entry to human rights orga- Email: info_arno@yahoo.com ,www.rohingya.org
nizations and newsmen.

THE PLIGHT OF ROHINGYA IN ARAKAN, BUR-


Press Release: MA
ARNO Condemns By SU Ahamed
Monstrous Convic-

I
tion of Daw Aung ntroduction
The Union of Burma, which was born on January 4, 1948,
San Suu Kyi
is a country with an area of about 261,610 square miles
12th August 2009
and a population of more than 50 million. It is home to nu-
merous ethnic groups and about 60% of the area is inhab-
Arakan Rohingya National
ited by nearly 140 ethnic races. It has borders with India,
Organisation (ARNO) strong-
Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. The Muslims are
ly condemns the SPDC mili-
second largest community in Burma forming 15% of the to-
tary regime for monstrous
tal population. Of the Muslims population of about 8 million
conviction of Daw Aung San
nearly half is concentrated in Arakan. They are ethnically
Suu Kyi, who has been sen-
known as “Rohingya”
tenced to a further 18 months
of house arrest.
Arakan: Location
Arakan, formerly called Rohang, covering an area of about
This is a cowardly act of the
20,000 square miles, lies on the north-western part of Burma.
SPDC military clique to sup-
It has strategic importance with more than 360 miles coastal
press the political aspira-
belt from the Bay of Bengal. It borders 176 miles with Ban-
tion of the people of Burma
gladesh, 48 miles of which is covered by river Naf, which
for democracy and human
demarcates Arakan-Bangladesh border. While serving as
rights. It is also to hold its
gateway to Southeast Asia, it is completely separated from

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the rest of Burma by the long people distributed among during the reign of Maha-Ta-
mountain range of Arakan ethnic Dynet, Mramagyi, ing Tsandaya (788-810 A.D).
Yoma running from north to Mro, Khanwe etc. About 1.5 Thus, early Muslims settle-
south. million Rohingyas have been ment in Arakan dates back
expelled from the country to 7th century AD.
Arakan: Natural resources since 1942.
Economically Arakan is rich Through out the history Ara-
with unexplored natural re- The Rohingya have rich his- kan maintained a very close
sources¬¬¬— including oil, torical heritage and glorious socio-economic, political,
natural gas, coal, lime, ironpast. They are descendant of cultural, trade and commer-
ore, surplus agricultural Arabs, Moors, Persians, Mo- cial ties with Muslim Ben-
products, timber and forest guls, Turks, Pathans, Bengal- gal. Under different period
products, and inexhaustible ee and some Indo-Mongol- of history Arakan had been
marine wealth. Soil of Ara- oid people. Rohingya speak an independent sovereign
kan is very fertile and cli- a dialect almost similar to monarchy ruled by the Hin-
mate is ideal for rice cultiva-
that of Chittagonian but with dus, Buddhists and Muslims.
tion. Arakan was once called little more admixture of Per- Muslim influence and rule in
Dhanavedi—granary of
sian, Urdu and Rakhine. Ra- Arakan lasted for more than
rice—having arable land of khine trace their origin to 350 years until it was invad-
944,000 acres approximately. Magada, Bihar in India and ed and occupied by Burmans
Even traditional process of Tibeto-Burman and speak a in 1784 A.D.
cultivation in 1940 had givendialect having a Burmese ac-
a record yield of 450,000 tons
cent with admixture of Pali It may be mentioned that
of surplus rice when bulk of and Sanskrit. during 16th century, from
arable land remained un- about 1580 till 1666 A.D.
used due to thin population, The Spread of Islam and nearly a century Chittagong
Arakan also produces abun- Muslim Influence in Arakan was under almost uninter-
dant citrus fruits, sugar cane,
Various historians and rupted Arakanese rule. Col.
chilly, tobacco, coconuts, be-
scholars have recorded that Ba Shin, the then Chair-
tel nut, salts etc. The Sine-Islam began to spread from man of the Burma Histori-
din natural waterfall, under the eastern bank of Meghna cal Commission, stated that
Buthidaung Township, can river (in Bangladesh) to Ara- Arakan was virtually ruled
be projected as one of the kan since eighth and ninth by the Muslims from 1430
largest hydro-electric plantscenturies, that is long before to 1531. The Quranic verse
which will generate surplus the establishment of Muslim “Aqimuddin” (establishment
energy for export after meet-kingdom in this frontier re- of God’s rule over the earth)
ing the entire domestic con- gion. Since then the Muslim was the state emblem of Ara-
sumption of whole Arakan. influence in Arakan grew kan. Even Buddhist women
fast and was consolidated of those days practised “Pur-
Arakan: People fully by 17th century. This dah” (veil system). During
The ‘Rohingya’ are one of extensive Muslim influence this more than 100 years of
the two major communities on the Arakanese society Muslim rule large numbers
of Arakan. The other major was not an outcome of some of Muslims particularly from
community is Rakhine and sudden occurrences. But it Chittagong migrated and set-
are Buddhist. The present was a result of an age-long tled in Arakan. Henceforth
population of Arakan, both intercourse between Arakan the Arakanese administra-
inside and outside Arakan, and Muslim countries that tion continued to bear defi-
is more than 5 million in- dated back to the period of nite Islamic stamp.
cluding about 200,000 tribal Arab contacts with Arakan According to Dr.Than Tun,

AUGUST 
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

the rector of Mandalay Uni- tations with the people of gee camps in Bangladesh
versity and professor of his- Arakan. The people of Ara- remarks, ‘Rohingyas are
tory “the king of Arakan had kan have been trampled par- one of the ten world popula-
Muslim titles. The Muslim ticularly under the boots of tions in danger of existence
kings mentioned in the Ky- the Burman civil and mili- and survival’. The Rohing-
aukza (stone plates or stone tary dictatorship who are yas are not only annihilated
tablets inscriptions) of 1442 forcing their fabricated, arti- en-masse in Arakan but also
might be Rohingyas from the ficial ‘Burmese’ nationhood those who left the country
Mayu valley of the eastern upon the Arakanese people, to escape persecution have
Naf river (and the western who are determined to keep become unwanted burden in
Kaladan river) who claimed their own identities, cultural the countries of their refuge
over thousand years of their and political freedom. They on account of their large nu-
existence might be from the are treating Arakan as a col- merical numbers. Generally
time of 1202 CE when the ony, at gunpoint, under their their problems are:
Muslim conquered Bengal inherited “divide and rule
that is 800 years ago. It was policy”, and the relationship (1) Ethnic-cleansing, geno-
written in the Kyaukza of between the Burmans and cidal campaign
1442 that there were some the conquered people of Ara- (2 Rejection of Citizenship
Muslim kings of Arakan who kan is such that the Burmans (3) Cultural Problem, Mar-
were very friendly with the are masters and the Ara- riage restriction
kings of Ava”. kanese are slaves who must (4) Forced labour, Confisca-
do whatever the masters or- tion of land and property
Colonization of Arakan der them to do. Unlike com- (5) Arbitrary taxation
mon people in Burma who (6) Forced Relocation
Arakan had been a free and have been suffering due to (7) Restriction on Movement
sovereign independent king- military autocratic rule, the and Restriction on Educa-
dom since time immemorial. unprecedented suffering of tion
Burma was the first foreign the Rohingya is a deep-root- (8) Unresolved Rohingya
power to invade and oc- ed conspiracy against them Refugee Issue
cupy Arakan in 1784. Then based on historical animos- (9) Other grave human rights
the British imperialist colo- ity, geopolitical situation, ra- violations
nised it in 1824. But the peo- cial prejudice and religious (10) Natala Village (So-called
ple of Arakan resisted and bigotry. Model Village)
had laid down their lives in (11) Extra judicial killings
their bloodiest and colonial Problems and arbitrary arrest
war against foreign aggres-
sion defending their Sover- The problems of the Rohing- The Attitude of the Burmese
eign State. During Second yas are the result of the well- Military regime and Opposi-
World War, like many colo- planned conspiracy to rid tions towards Rohingya
nial territories of the world, Arakan of the Muslim popu-
the Arakanese people tried lation. Their problems are Attention may be drawn to
to regain their lost indepen- extremely grave and deep- the hypocritical attitude of
dence. But, in 1948, the Brit- rooted and they are today in the Burmese military regime
ish imperialist without their sub-human condition. Medi- in dealing with Bangladesh
“rights” transferred their cine Sans Frontiers (MSF), concerning Rohingyas. In
non-existent “sovereignty” the Nobel Peace prizewin- spite of bilateral agreement
over Arakan to Burman with- ner humanitarian organi- or commitment to work for a
out plebiscite or any kind of sation that operates long comprehensive and perma-
properly conducted consul- time in the Rohingya refu- nent solution of the Rohing-

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ya problem, the Burmese military has stepped up violation of human rights causing con-
stant exodus into Bangladesh. Since 1978, bilateral repatriation agreements have ended
in failure to recur Rohingya refugee problem again and again and Bangladesh being an
immediate neighbour has to bear the brunt of the problem until Arakan is totally rid of the
Muslims population.

Still the Burmese junta is accusing the Rohingya of illegal Bengali immigrants declaring
them a people fit to be expelled from the country in utter disregard of their millennia-old
settlement and establishment, history and glorious past with their Sultanate in Arakan.
In fact, the Burmese are foreign people to us, who have been ruling Arakan as a colony
by force of arms while putting the two major peoples of Rohingya (Muslims) and Rakh-
ine (Buddhists) at loggerhead under their ‘divide and rule’ stratagem. On the other hand,
the Burmese oppositions are deliberately blind and their attitudes towards the Rohingya
are full of ambiguities and ambivalence and are found not accommodating the Rohingya
people.

Conclusion

.Rohingyas have long been persecuted and exterminated from their historical homeland
in a systematic and planned way in order to rid Arakan of the Muslim population. About
1, 5 million of them had already been expelled and those still at home are counting their
days in fear and frustration. The Rohingyas have long tried to identify with the Burmese
and to redress their grievances. But they have always been rejected. They have been re-
duced to a status “stateless”. On the other hand, the Burmese oppositions are ambivalent
towards Rohingyas and are not accommodating. Under the circumstance, the only option
left to protect their legitimate interest and rights and freedom is to exercise “the right of
self-determination.

Islam in Burma
(Based on SLORC Publication)
(Thasana Yongwa Htoonzepho’ pages 65 to 73)
By AFK Jilani

T
he early advent of Islam:
Muslims arrived and settled in Burma in ones, twos or groups since last 1000 years.
According to history, Islam came to Burma through sea-borne Sufis and merchants.
Historical documents for the advent of Islam in Burma are as follows:
Arab traders arrived at Myeik (Mergui) in 14th century through Sumatra, Java and Malay
Peninsula (Khin Maung Gyi’s Burmese translation of Morris Collis’ “Into Hidden Burma”
P.211).
From 700 AD to 1500 AD. the Arab, Persian and Roman traders reached Burmese and Chi-
nese coasts with their ships for trades. Many Arab ships were wrecked near Rambree Island
while Arakan was ruled by the king Mahataing Sanda (788-810) and the crews and traders
of those ships were Muslims and they were sent to Arakan proper and settled in villages.
The same accidents of shipwreck were also prevalent in other ports of Burma, such as
Kyaukpru, Bassein, Syriam, Muttama, Myeik in the earlier time. The stories of the Muslim
soldiers, traders and sailors can also be found in some religious histories of Mon and Bur-
mese.
The Dargahs (shrines) which are dotted at the long coast of Burma witness to these facts.

AUGUST 
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

(Saya Po Chay’s “The biogra- the Kamans. He deported tion too small because of its
phy of early Muslim written them to Rambree and Thara- racist policy. Their motto is
in reference to the British- gon village of Akyab. There to swallow the entire Muslim
Burma Gazetteers of 1879”, are also indigenous Ara- community in big signboards
Page 16). kanese, who profess Islam are displayed in every office
In the 8th Century at the around Akyab, Kyaukpru and of the Immigration and Man-
time of Pikthon, the king of Sandoway in addition to the power department, reading,
Pagan, Arab traders used to Kaman Muslims. (The junta “Nation could not disappear
visit Thaton and Muttama intentionally omitted the when the earth swallows it,
in their journey to and from Muslims of north Arakan). but could disappear when
East Indies Islands, Mada- The Muslim captives of the the people swallow it” (that
gasaka and China (U Kyi Tabinshwethi’s campaign is to swallow minorities by
B.A.(Hons)(Hist.) ‘The es- to Pegu (A.D. 1539), king of the majority).
sential of Burmese History Taungu’s campaign to Pegu
p.156-157). (A.D 1599), Tabinshwethi’s Why Dr. Aye Chan
campaign to Mrohaung (A.D.
of Arakan, Burma
While Tabinshwehti fought 1547), Sanay Min’s officer’s
Hanthawaddy in 1535 A.D. campaign to Sandoway (A.D. should be barred
the Pathi and Panthay Mus- 1707), Anackfalon Min’s cam- from attending
lims fought against him paign to Syrian in 1613, were Academic Confer-
(“Glass-Palace Chronicles sent and settled at Myedu of ences
vol-2 p.186). The written Shwebo dist. Pinya and Kam- By Abid Bahar, Ph.D
historical documents of the balu of Saigine Dist, Lakpan
historical compilers also in- of Kyaukse and Yindaw of Dr.Aye Chan a racist Rakh-
dicate that the settlement Ramethin Dist. ine
of Muslims began since last In the stone inscription, writ-
1200 years. ten by Bo Minhla Kyawhtin The infamous Aye Chan be-
Between 8th and 15th cen- (1801), at the time of King Bo- came news again; this time
tury, the Arabs and Persian daw, it is stated that ‘the mi- when he is attending a con-
trading ships controlled the grated Muslims from Arakan ference in London organized
whole seaways of eastern numbering over 3000 at the by the Arakanese of UK.
countries. The Arab and the time of Ava Sanay Min (1698- Many in the democracy move-
Persian traders settled in all 1714) were sent and settled ment leadership of Burma
business centres of Burma. at the following places: and in UK are voicing their
In 1660 Shah Shuja took ref- concern against Aye Chan’s
uge in Arakan at the time (1) Taungu (2) Ramethin (3) invitation as a speaker at
of Sanda Thudama (1652- Nyunyan (4) Yindaw (5) Mei- the conference. They are not
1684). Some misunderstand- ktila (6) Pintalay (7) Tafah- only voicing their concerns
ing arose between the Magh swe (8) Bawdi (9) Thazi for a documented xeno-
Raja and the Mughal Prince (10) Maydu (11) Seputtara phobe attending the confer-
and as a result the king (12) Deparan. ence but also his entry into
massacred Shah Shuja, his the soil of Britain. Why? He
family members and many There are 171 mosques in has written a book entitled
Muslims. Some remaining Rangoon alone and all togeth- “Influx Viruses.” In the book
Muslim archers and Kaman er 2266 mosques, 759 Islamic he branded the Burma’s Ro-
became the king makers of religious schools throughout hingya population as being
Arakan. Burma. The junta shows the viruses. The book suggests
Sanda Wizaya (1710-1731) figures of the Muslim popula- that “Rohingya people” are
succeeded in suppressing

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like Viruses to the the human Rakhines and the Bur-


mese. He implies that they should be exterminated.
This is what is exactly happening to the Rohingya
people who continue to be exterminated from their
place of birth. In this deadly campaign Aye Chan is
not alone, there is the xenophobe trio, Aye Chan,
Aye Kyaw and Ashin Nayaka all three from Arakan
are actively engaged in propagating the extermina-
tion of the Rohingya population from Arakan. Aye
Kyaw,”THE BURMA WE LOVE”
http://www.arakanland.com/index_4.htmlkuny-
ia@freerohingyacampaign.orgwao -global@ya-
hoogroups.comwao -global-team@yahoogroups.
com7, truly shows Aye Kyaw version of racism; (See
Abid Bahar’s reply to Aye Kyaw,
kaladanpress.org/index.php?searchword=abid+bah
ar&...&Itemid=) Ashin
Nayaka, in U Shwe Zan and Aye Chan’s Influx Virus-
es, The Illegal Muslims in Arakan, ((New York, Ara-
kanese in United States, Planetarium Station 2005),
Forward p. vii) is his version of xenophobia.

Aye Chan is popular among the hooligans in Arakan engaged in the gradual extermination
of the Rohingya minority from Arakan. In this he seems to be working as if the Dr. of death
and genocide in Arakan.
In my “Global Voice” encounter with Dr, Chan he denied that he actually had written the
book” Influx Viruses.” Then I had suggested him to make a declaration that he had no
business with the book. But till today he didn’t do it. Dr. Aye Chan’s article, “The Develop-
ment of a Muslim Enclave in Arakan (Rakhine) State of Burma (Myanmar),”2005 is more
subtle about his position but a careful reading shows that he is a xenophobe at the core.
(See. Abid Bahar, “Aye Chan’s Enclave revisited”
http://www.kaladanpress.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1065&Itemid=38
Abid Bahar, “Xenophobic Burmese Literary works and the problem of Democratic Development
in Burma”
http://www.rohingya.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=43&Itemid=72
http://www.rohingya.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=182&Itemid=70

How the xenophobe Dr. Aye Chan’s mind works is more clear in his article “Who are the
Rohingyas,” written in reaction to a Rohingya accepted as a convention refugee in Ja-

AUGUST 
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

pan. Aye Chan teaches in a ers by inviting Michael Charney and Stephen Van Galen and
University in Japan. Here in inviting only Aye Chan from the Rakhine community to de-
his work he explains in more humanize the entire Rohingya people must be taking advan-
untidily why Rohingyas are tage of the presence of some distinguished scholars and it is
foreigners in Burma. In his as if selling milk with poison; a dangerous mix indeed. This
present scheduled London is a very untimely call for a seminar intended to propagate
presentation his paper is chauvanism and hatred when Burmese leader Nurul Islam
entitled “Rohingya from a in UK and Aung Tin in Toronto, Canada are trying to bring
political rhetoric to a South the two Arakanese communities together in their attempt to
East Asian branch of Islamic bring racial harmony.
Militancy.” It appears that
due to the fact that no serious My review of most of the Arakanese xenophobic works shows
measures were taken against in my book (Abid Bahar, Burma’s Missing Dots, Flapwing
him at the international lev- Publishers, 2008,) that Aye Chan is the Burmese version of
el, the xenophobe is increas- Julius Streicher of Nazi Germany. (Also see Dr. Habib Sid-
ingly becoming louder to the diqui, Julius Streicher and his relevance in today’s Burma,
point of a comedian to his www.kaladanpress.org/v3/?option=com_content&task=vie
xenophobe fan club. We won- w&id=798&Itemid=27) It is important that the university
der this time in his presenta- authority should be informed of Aye Chan’s presence in the
tion if Aye Chan will demon- campus and Aye Chan should be barred from attending aca-
strate more the nature of the demic conferences because in the name of academic exer-
“Rohingya viruses.” In the cise his works on record proven that he is working against
event that he sincerely at- the democracy movement and pretending himself to be an
tends the seminar, I suggest academician only promoting racism and in the process aug-
that his presentation should menting the human suffering at its most.
be changed to call “Aye Chan
London Influx Viruses show”
Unfortunately though in the Statement of ARNO on 8888
seminar, the organizers also (Press Release)
have invited some respect- 8th August 2009
able academicians such as

T
Michael Charney and Ste- wenty-one years ago, on this day of 8th August 1988,
phen Van Galen. In the pres- millions of Burmese people took to the streets across
ence of the two distinguished the country demanding an end to long military rule,
people, Aye Chan must feel restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma. But
as if an odd couple to talk the military started brutal crackdowns and killed an esti-
with his racially prejudiced mated 3000 peaceful demonstrators nationwide. Till to-
rhetoric. When completed, day there have been no independent inquiries conducted
the seminar with Aye Chan’s against the military about this massacre.
presence surely will be seen
as an insult to the honorable The ruling military SPDC goes on to hijack the legitimate
guest academicians. But we aspiration of the Burmese people, and it continues to defy
will wait to see the outcome the calls of the international community for national recon-
of Aye Chan’s show whether it ciliation and democratic reforms while creating great po-
promises to deal with history litical and humanitarian crises in the country.
or help to promote chauvin-
ism. From my reading of the The regime commits crimes against humanity of rape, mur-
seminar flyer, it seems clear der, destructions, extermination and other in human acts
that the Arakanese organiz- across the country, particularly in ethnic areas. All these

10 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8


www.rohingya.org

push factors also cause con- read of their propagandas


stant refugees’ flights into For contact: and naked lies against Ro-
neighbouring countries pos- hingya people.
ing a threat to regional and Nurul Islam, Phone: + 44- Moreover, they have previ-
international peace and 7947 854 652, ously taken stages to openly
security. The Rohingya of AFK Jilani, Phone: + 880- disseminate their clandes-
Arakan have been living in 1674 811 079 tine agenda which is to deny
sub-human condition facing Email: info_arno@yahoo. the historical presence of
slow-burning genocide with com Rohingyas and their root to
no rights of man. www.rohigngya.org Arakan. Therefore, it is not
surprising to assume their
Burma’s military regime has Response to the rubbish propaganda against
just completed a new consti- statements of Ara- our people either with his-
tution that guarantees mili- torical distortion or political
kanese Rakhine
tary rule for decades to come misinformation through link-
through sham election to (Maghs) on Seminar ing international terrorism.
be held in 2010. In a shame- (7.8.09) Furthermore we immensely
less attempt the regime has distrust Dr. Aye Chan’ motive

W
put leader of the democracy e Oregon Rohing- as he will likely discuss on
movement Daw Aung San ya Society, United topic of Rohingya by linking
Suu Kyi in notorious Insein States again ex- international militancy that
Jail under false and fabricat- press our gratitude for the he will deliberately fashion
ed charges in utter disregard forthcoming seminar under bad image of Rohingyas in-
of UN and international pub- the name of “Arakanese His- ternationally.
lic opinion. tory and Religious Seminar” We therefore reasonably
in London, United Kingdom. protest their unilateral invi-
It is a crucial time. The unity We reiterate that our voice tation to Rakhine racist his-
and solidarity of all peoples is not against the seminar torians without historian(s)
of the country is vital. It de- but speakers namely Dr. Aye from Rohingya side as Ara-
mands sincere efforts, high Chan and Mr. Khin Maung kan is not a land of Rakh-
spirit and sacrifice to bring Saw. ine (Magh) only whereas
the military rule to an end. We further state that we are Rohingyas have been facing
It is high time for the UN very thankful for the par- historical distortion, cultur-
to form a commission of en- ticipation of Dr. Micheal W. al inheritance and physical
quiry to compile evidence of Charney and Dr. Stephan Ga- extinction in their ancestral
crimes against humanity for len being impartial speakers land for decades. It is to be
prosecution. We thank South in the seminar who do not noted that Rohingyas were
African Nobel Peace Prize bear any malice and animos- people of Arakan, Rohingyas
recipient Desmond Tutu for ity against Arakanese Mus- are people of Arakan and
calling for specific measures lim (Rohingyas). Regrettably, Rohingyas will be people of
by the UN Security Council. those local historians belong Arakan within union of Bur-
to Burma were highly par- ma.
We call on the UN and the tial, controversial and ques- Rohingyas are not the people
international community to tionable as they have been who invented invent will in-
put more pressure on the overtly and internationally vent false history but Rakh-
SPDC to release Daw Aung engaged in Rohingya Ex- ines are the people who are
San Suu Kyi and all politi- termination Policy with the counterfeiting about Rohing-
cal prisoners and to start na- mask of academy and schol- yas. The real and old history
tional reconciliation. ar. Their papers are well of Arakan has already been

AUGUST 11
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

revealed to the world. However, the history historical complexities whereas Rohingyas
of a new Arakan scripting by xenophobic Ra- have been institutionalized and systematic
khine historians yet to be out because it is victims of historical distortion and extinc-
still under development process with pre- tion. Their historical presence has been
meditated addition and deletion to uproot denied by xenophobic Rakhines and fascist
Rohingyas from Arakan. Burmese although they have been living in
Arakan for generations. As such, it is under-
We finally urge all our Rohingya activists standable that Rohingyas are racially preju-
and politicians to be more active and par- diced and gradually exterminated from their
ticipative in this regard as our heritage and ancestral homeland.
inheritance are diametrically under threat Both Rakhine speakers mentioned above
as our sister community Rakhine (Magh) have been pioneers in designing “Rohingya
are in high attempt to continue materialize Elimination Policy” with the intent to cre-
the co-policy of Burmese successive regime ate a new Arakan as a Rohingya Free Land.
adapted by late Ne Win to thoroughly stamp Their policy against Rohingya is alike with
out Rohingyas once and for all. Rohingyas Burmese successive regime as same anes-
are today facing militarism and will encoun- thesiatic drug with different coating. Dr.
ter Nazism tomorrow if Dr. Aye Chan and Mr. Aye Chan has written many papers that pro-
Khing Maung Saw are to continue their ra- mote racism and racial intolerance against
cial propaganda. Rohingyas. His ostracized paper “Influx Vi-
rus” is a living evidence of how much abhor-
Faithfully, rence for Rohingya he has accumulated in
Information & Communication Department his heart and cultivated in the entire Rakh-
ine community.
Oregon Rohingya Society, USA In addition, Mr. Khing Maung Saw is another
Statement on Dr. Aye Chan chauvinist who presented many papers with
the purpose of total extinction of entire Ro-
and Mr. Khin Maung Saw be-
hingya and denial of their birth rights as a
ing Prospective Speakers on people of Arakan. His every presentation on
Arakanese History and Reli- Rohingya is full of misrepresentation and
gious Seminar fabrication. Furthermore, it promotes rac-
ism among two sister communities who have

W
e express our numerous thanks for long been coexisting in Arakan for hundreds
holding a seminar on “Arakanese of years.
History and Seminar” at School of Upon the pretext, we strongly protest their
Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Lon- participation as speakers in upcoming semi-
don on 09 August, 2009. However, we are nar. We are certain that they will deliberate-
extremely disappointed upon selection of ly use this academic platform to promulgate
Dr. Aye Chan and Mr. Khin Maung Saw to be their hidden agenda and calculated propa-
speakers from Rakhine community. ganda against Rohingya. Besides, we hon-
Arakan is a land of multi-ethnicities with estly believed that your venue should not be
allowed to promote misinformation by link-
ing Rohingyas with international militancy
or terrorism under the name of eminent
historian and scholar because it is against
www.rohingya.org the values of an institution and a nation that
largely practice democracy.
Rohingyas strongly strive for peaceful coex-
istence with sister communities in Arakan

12 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8


www.rohingya.org

within the union of Burma. This kind of one- for integration and equality in Burma with
sided seminar organized by anti-Rohingya so-called international Islamic militancy
racist Rakhines will categorically present with intent to create an atmosphere of Islam
half-truth of Arakan history and hamper the phobia, in the current atmosphere of grow-
united movement of democracy to depose ing hostility against Muslims, in order to
the military government in Burma. To en- further intimidate and terrorize the Muslim
lighten the true history of Arakan, historian population of the country. This is absolutely
or scholar from Rohingya side should be in- unbecoming of an honest intellectual. He is
vited and involved in the seminar or Dr. Aye neither striving for analysis that are based
Chan and Mr. Khin Maung Saw should not on facts and figures nor is he promoting fair-
be allowed to carry on their ultra-motives ness in judgment.
against Rohingyas on your floor.
We therefore urge University of London au- In his book titled: “INFLUX VIRUSES – The
thority to review the seminar and its con- illegal Muslims in Arakan”, he has called the
tents as it may be misused against a people Rohingya “enclave” inside the Arakan as
who have been inhabitants of Arakan for outsider “Influx Viruses”. In 2007, he had or-
centuries by racially prejudiced historians ganized an anti-Rohingya seminar in Tokyo,
Dr. Aye Chan and Mr. Khin Maung Saw. Japan, spreading lies, disinformation and
A R Arakani hatred against Rohingya. His present visit
Oregon Rohingya Society, to the UK is a part of his global campaign
Oregon, USA, 503-799-0997 against the Rohingya people. He should not
be allowed to preach further xenophobia
Statement of the BROUK on and hatred, on the soil of the UK, against an
Dr. Aye Chan’s visit to the UK endangered Rohingya minority community.

W
e heartily welcome the holding of On the other hand, it is a shameful attempt
“Arakanese History and Religion to divide the Burma democracy movement
Seminar”, by the Rakhaing/Ara- when the unity is crucial in the last days
kanese Community UK, on 9th August 2009 of the hated SPDC regime, and it ought to
at School of Oriental and African Studies be censured by all democratic forces of the
(SOAS), London. We believe, the unity and country.
‘peaceful co-existence’ between the two sis-
ter communities of Rohingya and Rakhaing We, therefore, call upon the Government
is imperative to ensure their future within of the UK, including the authorities at the
the Union of Burma. SOAS, whose space is going to be used for
such a seminar, to take appropriate mea-
sures on this matter of serious concern.
We are dismayed to learn that Dr. Aye Chan
has been invited to speak on a hate topic(s): For Contact:
“Rohingya” from a Political Rhetoric to a
Southeast Asian Branch of International Is- Maung Tun Khin
lamic Militancy” and/or “Rohingya” More Mobile: + 447888714866
a Political Rhetoric Than an Ethnic Iden- Email: tunkhin80@gmail.com
tity” to preach lies, xenophobia and hatred 2/8/2009
against persecuted Rohingya Arakanese
people.
Going to police in Maungdaw
The topic shows that Aye Chan is trying to leads to extortion
link up Rohingya people’s legitimate call News - Kaladan Press

AUGUST 13
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

THURSDAY, 30 JULY 2009 extorted Kyat 120,000, said 8 of Maungdaw Township, he


15:30 a villager who was arrested added.
with Buzuruk.

M
aungdaw, Arakan The two Rohingya are among
State: Reporting to In Maungdaw, Anwar a shop- 13 people, who repaired the
the police station keeper, who went to report mosque in 2007. The au-
in Maungdaw is a difficult about harassment by a local thorities filed a case against
proposition, said a local el- Rakhine goon, was arrested them. Six persons were given
der. Recently, the police and kept for a day in custo- jail terms of five years each
force in Maungdaw police dy. He was released after he while another five persons
station arrested people, who paid Kyat 200,000 demanded fled to Bangladesh to evade
went to the police station to by the police, said a shop- arrest. The other two were
report cases, he said. keeper in Maungdaw Mar-
ket.
Buzuruk Meah from Maung-
nama village of Maungdaw “If the law enforcement de- WOULD YOU
was arrested by the police partment is troubling the
yesterday when he went to public, where will the peo- LIKE TO HELP
report that his three year old
son, Syed Ahmed had fallen
ple go for justice,” asked a
student in Maungdaw.When
THE ROHINGYAS.

YES?
into a roadside pond and asked about the accident an
died, said a village authority elder from Maungdaw said,
member of Maungnama. “We complained to the con-
cerned authorities, but no
The accident occurred when action was taken”.
some village children were
playing on the road. Both Arrested for re- SEND US
sides of the road were filled pairing mosque in
with rain water. Syed sud-
Maungdaw
AN EMAIL
denly fell into the water. His
Kaladan Press
friends screamed for help INFO@ROHINGYA.ORG
MONDAY, 31 AUGUST 2009
and the villagers rushed to
14:55
the spot but found Syed had
~ (------) ~
M
died, he said.
aungdaw, Arakan
State: The Burmese
When the father went to the
police station with the vil-
border security PLEASE SEND US
force (Nasaka) in the wee
YOUR
lage authority member and
hours of yesterday arrested
other village elders, the po-
two Rohingya for repairing
lice arrested him and other
the inside of a mosque, said FEEDBACK
villagers except the village
authority member. The po-
a village elder. COMMENTS
lice interrogated the village
The arrested are - Shafique AND
authority member about the
Ahamed (50), son of Md. Ka- SUGGESTIONS
accident.
sim and Nurual Islam (60), AT
son of Lal Meah from Thinn- INFO@ROHINGYA.ORG
The police released all the
bawgwe (Koloon) village tract
villagers except Buzuruk.
under Nasaka sector number
He was freed after the police

14 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8


www.rohingya.org

hiding in the village till they were arrested yesterday, said an aide of Nasaka.

The Nasaka called the village head to the camp for further interrogation.
At the detention centre of the Nasaka out post, the two Rohingya were physically and men-
tally tortured. No one knows what will happen to them, said a member of the village au-
thority.

Matriculation students in Maungdaw harassed


News - Kaladan Press
MONDAY, 10 AUGUST 2009 13:16

M
aungdaw, Arakan State: Matriculation students in the State High School of Ngakhu-
ra (Ngar khuya) are facing difficulties in attending school as two class teachers have
been collecting tuition fees separately, said a father of a student from Ngakhura.

The class teacher Daw Khin Ying Ngwe who teaches English and the Burmese teacher Daw
Hla Hla Zan are collecting Kyat 10,000 per student per month as tuition fees, he added.
“There are 87 students in the class and most of the students are poor, belonging to farmer’s
families,” he added.

The two teachers do not care for the headmaster, the students’ parents or the teachers as-
sociation. The two teachers are members of the government backed Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA), said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

As students, whose families are very poor, were unable


to pay the fee, the teachers dismissed students from
“I hoped I would the class and the school authority is unable to take ac-
give my kids higher tion, the teacher added.
education, but now I
believe I can’t give my “Eleven students left the classroom and may be more
children any more edu- will leave soon because the tuition fee is very high,”
cation as the state run said a matriculation student from the school.
school collects such
high fees for tuition,” The school is situated under the Burmese border se-
curity force (Nasaka’s) sector number five and is ten
miles from Maungdaw North, and can be reached by
water way and motor way.

“It is a state owned school, which runs on the government system. Why are the teachers
collecting tuition fees from students, who are unable to pay and were dismissed from the
school? It is like private tuitions by these two teachers of the USDA, said a farmer who has
two children in the lower class.

“I hoped I would give my kids higher education, but now I believe I can’t give my children
any more education as the state run school collects such high fees for tuition,” he said.

AUGUST 15
News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

Dear Reader,
We hope “ARAKAN” with its new
look and rich content will be able
to keep you informed about Ara-
kan and Rohingyas.

We welcome you to be part of this


magazine by providing us with
your valuable writings, comments,
information and suggestions.

If you are an artist, please do send


us your cartoons.

Would you like to advertise or sup-


port this magazine, please contact
us at: The Burmese soldiers and officers must be told of their tarnished
info_arno@yahoo.com prestige and the harm done to their country by a few decrepit
info@rohingya.org and corrupt generals who are involved in mass murder and the
Please get an online version of the plundering of their country.
magazine at: Jose Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor
www. rohingya.org Irrawaddy 21.8.09

16 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8


www.rohingya.org

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