U Htay Lwin Oo
Bangkok, Thailand: Dr. Aye
Chan, a history Professor, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan had
repeated again and again “ Rohingya mean
Rakhine” and “Rohingya language is Rakhine language” at International seminar on Rakhine history
(Arakan), held at Mahidol University, Bangkok on March 9, according to U Ye
Lwin, former history lecturer who attend the seminar.
“Dr. Aye Chan, repeated
again and again while U Htay Lwin Oo - racially Rakhine but scholar- questioned
with references book - “A Comparative Vocabulary of Some of the Languages
Spoken in the Burma Empire in 1799 ″ by Francis Buchanan – which mentioned
Rohingya is the native of Arakan and their language with comparing others
languages. U Haty Lwin Oo pointed out the pronunciations – Sun, Mon and earth –
which is similar to recent Rohingya languages. He also appointed out with
report that Rohingya means Mohammedans (Islam religious). After seeing the
references book, Dr. Aye Chan said Rohingya mean Rakhine and after again seeing
languages he again said the Rohingya language is Rakhine Languages
(Arakanese).”
We received the information
of the International seminar on Rakhine history (Arakan), which will held in
Bangkok and hope that the organizers will invite some Rohingya leaders as it is
an international conference. But, we don’t get any information. So, We – I, U
Ye Lwin, U Tha Aye and Mohamed Khan- reached Bangkok on March 8 and tried to
contact the organizer, but we failed. At last, U Htay Lwin Oo tried by him
selves to get permission for at last 12 Rohingya leaders and actives where got
only four persons including U Htay Lwin Oo, said U Kyaw Min, former NDPHR MP.
Rohingya participants at International seminar on Rakhine history
(Arakan)
We are happy while the
participants greeted to us at last when I appointed out documents which were
published in the early periods and giving me the microphone to spoke to Dr. Aye
Chan in the seminar where the organizer only allowed the participants to write
questions on a paper which was also censored by first two monks and mediator.
It is not sure, the questions will answer by scholar or not. It is very
difficult to ask questions and challenge. I am very lucky, to able to speak and
challenge, said U Htay Lwin Oo.
“The aim of seminar is to
introduction of Rakhine history to the international community, to correct a
continued description of Rohingya by international media that is not recognized
by successive Myanmar governments, and to bring reliable references of Rakhine
history from international historians," said Kyaw Thaung, one of the
seminar's organizers.
But, Dr. Abid Bahar said,
“So far so good but a detailed understanding shows the seminar wanted to prove
that there were no Rohingya in Arakan. Rohingyas are being labelled as
"Bengalis" If Rohingyas are from Bangladesh why Bangladesh doesn't
want to accept them? Also why are there boat people in the sea? So the question
was not about Rohingya existence in Arakan but was to deny Rohingya existence
in Arakan. Surely the present seminar by the known sponsors was to comply with
the government's official policy of Rohingya genocide.This is a Rakhine
sponsored conference. Knowing it very well the Western speakers Jet Pilder,
Stephen van Galen were keeping their agenda in line with the sponsors and tried
to be more superficial to scratch on the surface of Arakan history.
Unfortunately however in the name of their participation their names were
cleverly abused by the Rakhine sponsors.
The Eleven Media Group
published, "History Professor Aye Chan of Kanda University of
International Studies, Japan, traced the increased cross-border settlement from
1826 to 1975 as Chittagong natives moved in to become the majority in Maungdaw
and Buthedaung townships. In his talk "From Rakhine cross-border
settlement to ethnic violence." History tells us otherwise. There were
waves of Rakhin Mogh and Rohingya influx into Chittagong as a result of
Bodapawa's invasion in 1784. Then the 1942 Rakhine killing of Rohingya led to
further influx that continued through the 50;s through 1978, 82-83 and till now
but Chan said the Bengali Muslim population increased from 58,255 in 1871 to
178,647 in 1911, when they represented 94 per cent of the population in
Maungdaw and 84 per cent in Buthedaun. He also explained Muslim rebels'
destruction of Rakhine villages."
What can you expect from Aye Chan who is a known xenophobe and
coauthored a book identifying Rohingyas as
“Viruses?" Dr. Abid
Bahar, pointed out the direction of Media group and seminar.
“The Eleven Media Group’s
published the identity of U Htay Lwin Oo as a Bengali activist which is not
true. He is a racially Rakhine but a scholar.”
Dr. Aye Chan said the name
Rohingya was officially coined from the 50's but he didn't say before which
they were known as "Muslims of Arakan" In doing this he also cleverly
ignored the fact to the people present that the name "Rakhine was also a
new term officially adapted during the 1920's before which they were identified
as the "Mogh," said Dr. Abid Bahar.
Thus, deliberately ignoring
historical facts, including a xenophobe among the speakers, the latter
particularly is likely to ignore the reliable references of Rakhine history.
While the hidden objective of the seminar was served, no doubt it provided
disservice to humanity, to the continued suffering of the Rohingya stateless
people, Dr. Abid Bahar remarked.
Source KPN: