ROHINGYA, MYANMAR

Population: 475,000
World Popl: 2,075,400
Total Countries: 9
Main Language: Rohingya
Main Religion: Islam
Status: Unreached
Evangelicals: 0.00%

Flag:

Introduction / History
In historical perspective Arakan is more a frontier province of Eastern India than a province of Burma (now Myanmar).
From the very early days till the arrival of the Mongolians and Tibeto-Burmans in the 10th century, Arakan was an Indian
land with a population similar to Bengal, belonging to Aryan stock. The spread of Islam in Arakan during those early times
and the impact of Islamic civilization on Arakan particularly after Bengal became Muslim in 1203 A.D is well known.

According to history, Islam reached Arakan in the late 8th century AD and attracted the local people to come to Islam en
masse. Since then Islam played an important role towards the advancement of civilization in Arakan. From 1430 to 1638,
for more than two hundred years Arakan was ruled by the Muslims. The system of government (Muslim Sultanates) was
common in those days. It was an independent Muslim kingdom in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Where Are they Located?

Arakan, once a sovereign and independent state, is now one of the states of the Union of Burma (now Myanmar). The
Arakan State comprises a strip of land along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal from the Naf River to Cape Negaris,
and stretches north and south touching Bangladesh on the northwest. The river Naf separates it from Chittagong region of
Bangladesh.

Arakan is blessed with geographical diversity. These are high mountains in the far north, lush green forest in the east with
many kinds of flora and fauna, giant rivers, large natural waterfalls, a long coast line with unspoiled beaches and
archipelagos and the majestic Bay of Bengal in the west. It is bounded in the Northwest by Bangladesh with maritime and
land boundary and in the north by Chin Hills and India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the elderly Rohingya grow beards and the women wear hijab. All Rohingya houses are surrounded by high
bamboo walls. There is still in existence of a social bond in every village called "Samaj". All social welfare activities like
Adhahi meat distribution, helping the poor, widows, orphans and needy, marriage and funereal functions are done
collectively by the Samaj. The Ulema play a very prominent role particularly in matters relating to personal laws, like family
affairs of the Rohingyas. Unfortunately, today the cultural problem becomes one of the most important problems of the
Rohingyas in Burma. The Muslims have to encounter strong pressure of the Buddhist culture. Particularly the Rohingyas
have to confront ideological assault from all directions. The Rohingyas are considered practicing the foreign way of life
having no origin in Burma. According to the ruling military the Rohingyas are to adopt and entertain no ideas but those of
Burmese race and culture and Buddhism.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Rohingya’s are staunch followers of Islam. There are mosques and Madrassahs (religious schools) in every quarter and
village. The men pray in congregation, whereas the female pray at home.
Spiritual Conditions – face systematic abuses that amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid, persecution, and
deprivation of liberty. They are confined to camps and villages without freedom of movement, cut off from access to
adequate food, health care, education, and livelihoods.

Prayer Points
-Pray that the Lord uses even the tragic persecution of the Rohingya by the Myanmar government to bring many of this
Muslim people to Christ.
-Pray the Lord sends Christian aid and workers to help the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have had to leave
Myanmar.

Pictures