Township administration officer issues new order not to pray in mosques

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Maungdaw Township Administration Officer – TAO - issued an official writing order not to pray Namaz (five time prayers) in mosques on January 26, according to a religious leader from Maungdaw Town.

“The official order with letterhead was issued to all Local Village Administration Officers – VAOs - in Maungdaw –kept on the wall of building.”

“Earlier, after violence in June 2012, the concerned authorities of Maungdaw Township barred not to pray five time prayers in mosques nearby Maungdaw Town and Maungdaw south, but, in Maungdaw north, the authority gave permission verbally to pray five times prayer in mosques with less than five people. The authorities concerned also barred not to call Azan (prayer call) by loud speaker.”

Besides, the TAO also ordered to all VAOs in Maungdaw Township to close Basic Arabic schools (Mogtab) for young children said another religious leader from Maungdaw south.

The Rohingya villagers are very disappointed hearing the news. Villagers believe that situation will become stable slowly after the recently clashes between two sister communities. Why the concerned authorities compress the situation of the Rohingya people? , asked abusiness man from Maungdaw town.

“Earlier, the present quasi-civilian government declared that Burma is a religious free country. But, on the other hand, the authorities encourage Buddhism by building Buddhist monasteries and pagodas across the country. They especially press and oppress the Muslim and Christianity. Where is the religious freedom?”

In twenty first century, the world becomes a big village, at this moment; Burmese government is still trying to oppress the minorities who are different from Buddhism, said a local elder from Maungdaw north.

Source KPN:

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