Myanmar

[Basy Lys]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southea.../EJ21Ae01.html

Myanmar's Muslim sideshow

By Cem Ozturk

As the world continues to glare at Myanmar's ruling junta for its ongoing oppression of the country's popular democracy movement, it is hardly by coincidence that tensions between Buddhists and Muslims, in the past instigated by Yangon in times of political crisis, are on the rise again.

Some in Myanmar point the finger at alleged new "terrorists" among the Muslim minority. Do these allegations represent a heightened Islamist presence in Myanmar, or is this just the inner grumblings of a regime hoping to use the "war on terror" for desperately needed international support?

With red robes, a freshly shaven head and a look of serene indifference across his face, the seated monk was a near perfect emulation of the gold image of Buddha placed against the far wall. His words, however, were far from tranquil.

"We have a problem in Myanmar; we have a problem here in Mandalay. The problem is called Islam. There are many new Muslims in Mandalay from Pakistan [and Bangladesh]. These people are thieves and terrorists. They do not respect our religion and our women. We are Buddhist, and we are peaceful, but we must protect ourselves."

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This perceived threat is nothing less than the largest religious minority in Myanmar. Numbering approximately 2 million people, Myanmar's Muslims comprise at least 4 percent of the overwhelmingly Theravada Buddhist state - a percentage as large as neighboring Thailand's.
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