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Revision as of 11:17, 15 April 2007
History
Forefathers
The first Muslims had landed in Myanmar (Burma’s) Ayeyarwady River delta, Tanintharyi coast and Rakhine as seamen in ninth century, prior to the establishment of the the first Myanmar (Burmese) empire in 1055 AD by King Anawrahta of Bagan or Pagan. The dawn of the Muslim settlements and the propagation of Islam was widely documented by the Arab, Persian, European and Chinese travelers of Ninth century. The current population of Myanmar Muslims are the descendants of Arabs, Persians, Turks, Moors, Indian-Muslims, sheikhs, Pakistanis, Pathans, Bengalis, Chinese Muslims and Malays who settled and intermarried with local Burmese and many ethnic Myanmar groups such as, Rakhine, Shan, Karen, Mon etc.
Muslim diaspora
The population of the Muslims increased during the British rule of Burma because of new waves of Indian Muslim Immigration. This sharply declined in the years following 1941 as a result of the Indo-Burman Immigration agreement,and was officially stopped following Burma's (Myanmar) independence on 4th January, 1948.
Muslims arrived in Burma as travelers, adventurers, pioneers, sailors, traders,Military Personals (voluntary and mercenary), and a number of them as prisoners of wars. Some were reported to have taken refuge from wars, Monsoon storms and weather, shipwreck and for a number of other circumstances. Some are victims of forced slavery but many of them are professionals and skilled personals such as advisors to the kings and at various ranks of administration whilst others are port-authorities and mayors and traditional medicine men.
Pathi and Panthays
Persian Muslims traveled over land, in search of China, and arrived northern Burma at Yunnan (China) border. Their colonies were recorded in Chronicles of China in 860 AD. Myanmar Muslims were sometimes called Pathi, and Chinese Muslims are called Panthay. It is widely believed that those names derived from Persi (Persian). Bago Pegu), Dala, Thanlyin (Syriam), Taninthayi (Tenasserim), Mottama (Martaban), Myeik (Mergui) and Pathein (Bassein) were full of Burmese Muslim settlers and they outnumbered the local Burmese by many times. In one record, Pathein was said to be populated with Pathis. Perhaps Pathein comes from Pathi. And coincidentally, Pathein is still famous for Pathein halawa, a traditional Myanmar Muslim food inherited from northern Indian Muslims. In Kawzar 583 (13th Century), Bassein or Pathein was known as Pathi town under the three Indian Muslim Kings. Arab merchants arrived Martaban, Margue. Arab settlement in the present Meik’s mid-western quarters.
Panthay
During Bagan King, Narathihapate, 1255-1286, in the first Sino Burman war, Kublaikhan’s Muslim Tatars attacked and occupied up to Nga Saung Chan. Mongols under Kublai Khan invaded the Pagan Kingdom. During this first Sino Burman war in 1283, Colonel Nasruddin’s Turks occupied up to Bamaw. (Kaungsin) (Tarek)Turk were called, Mongol, Manchuria, Mahamaden or Panthays. The Chinese General Mah Tu Tu managed the building of a mosque donated by the Yunnanese Muslim king, Sultan Sulaiman, in nineteen century in central Mandalay. The mosque is still maintained in a very good condition. Most of the Myanmar Chinese Muslims are staying around the mosque and it is well known as Panthay Mosque. That area is called Panthay Dan (Panthay Quarters).
Muslims in Bagan (Pagan) Period
Byat Wi and Byat Ta
The first evidence of Muslim landing in Burma’s chronicle was recorded in the era of the first Burmese Empire of Pagan (Bagan) 1044 AD. Two Arab Muslim sailors of BYAT family, Byat Wi and Byat Ta, arrived Burmese shores, near Thaton. (There are people in Iraq, Arabia and some Surthi Northern Indian Muslims with the same sir name even at present. See Byat and Bayt) After their ship wrecked, they managed to use a plank to swim to the shores. They took refuge and stayed at the monastery of the monk in Thaton. They were said to be tall, fair, swift, brave and very strong. According to a chronicle of Burma related to the Byat brothers, they were said to have strength of the full-grown elephant after eating the magical meat of a mythical being (Zaw Gyi), a meal originally prepared for the monk who saved them. As a consequence, Thaton king became afraid of them and killed the elder brother while he was sleeping in his wife’s house. The younger brother managed to escape to Bagan and took refuge to king Anawratha. He was kept near the king. He had to fetch flowers, ten times a day, from the Mont Popa, few dozens of miles away from Bagan. He married a girl from Popa and got two sons, Shwe Byin brothers.
Shwe Byin brothers
Later they also served the king as worriers, even as the special agents to infiltrate the enemy’s inner circle. They were famous after they successfully infiltrated the Chinese King Utibua’s bodyguards and drawn three lines with white lime on the Utibua’s body and also wrote the threatening message on the wall. Because of that event, the mighty powerful Chinese army and the king himself were scared, frightened, alarmed and signed a peace agreement with the Burmese.
Though successful in the Bagan's affair with Utibua, they were finally put to death. It is generally assumed that they refused to contribute in the building of a pagoda at Taung Byone, just north of Mandalay, possibly because of their religious believes. The brothers’ enemies left vacant the spaces for the two bricks so that the king could notice. After a brief inquiry the king ordered to punish the brothers for disobedience but instead of any punishment, they were killed.
The royal raft could not move after that, may be the silent protest against the killing by the friends who were not happy with the execution. The royal sailors at that time were mostly known to be Muslims. The witty, white and black Indian Brahmans, royal consultants interpreted that, the two brothers were loyal faithful servants but unjustly punished, became Nat (spirit) and they pulled the rudder of the royal boat to show their displeasure. Then only, Anawratha ordered the building of the spirit-palace at Taung Byone and ordered the people to worship the two brothers.This was the clever Royal trick used to be played by the Burmese kings to execute the powerful rivals and posthumously elevated them to the level of Nats or powerful Spirits or local gods, just to please their followers or the people who love the executed heroes.
For five days each year Taung Byone village becomes a fairground. Taung Byone, 14 km north of Mandalay, has about 7,000 nat shrines, nearly 2,000 of them elaborate ones dedicated to the village’s famous sons—the brothers Shwe Byin Gyi and Shwe Byin Lay. Up to the present, the followers or believers worship the shrine and those two brothers. Although all those worshippers are all gays, they all abstain from eating pork till now It is even taboo to allow anyone to carry pork on the buses or cars, while going to that spirit festival still celebrating annually and attended by followers all over Burma. We can still see the vacant slot for the two pieces of brick allegedly triggered that tragic prosecution. So they became the first Muslims persecuted in Burma, possibly because of their religious belief.
King Anawratha 1044-1077 AD also had Myanmar Muslim army units and body guards. When King Anawrahta attacked Martaban, capital of Mon (Talaing) King, Mingyi Swa Saw Kae’, two Muslim officers’ army unit fiercely defended against his attack.
Nga Yaman Kan
The King Anawrahta appointed a Muslim Arab as a Royal teacher for his son, Prince Sawlu. That teacher’s son later became the Governor of Bago (Pegu) known as Ussa City. His name was Raman Khan. (Known as Nga Yaman Kan in Burmese. Nga was usually put in front of all commoners i.e. not from the Royal family). King Sawlu himself had given the town to his childhood friend, also an adopted brother because they were fed from the same breast as Raman Khan’s mother was the wet nurse of Prince Sawlu.
Once Raman Khan won the game of dice, jumped with joy and clapped the elbows. The loser king Sawlu was angry and challenged Rahman Khan to rebel against him with the Bago province, if he was a real man. Raman Khan accepted the challenge, went back to Bago and marched back to Bagan with his army of soldiers on horses and elephants. Rahman and army camped at Pyi Daw Thar Island. He was clever and witty with tactics, even knew the geography and landscape near the enemy’s home ground and successfully used them for his advantage. He successfully trapped the famous Kyansittha, King Sawlu and his mighty large Bagan Burmese army in swamps. The whole Bagan army fled. Sawlu was later found and arrested.
Kyanzittha tried to rescue but Sawlu refused to be rescued. His last fatal miscalculation led him to be killed by Raman Khan. Rahman Khan himself was ambushed by the sniper bow-shot of Nga Sin the hunter and died. Later Kyanzittha became the third king of Bagan Dynasty. While expending the empire he brought back many Indian-Muslim captives. They were settled in central Burma.
Muslim sailors and traders
In the chronicles of Malaysia, during the first Melacca Empire of Parameswara in the early fifteenth century, it was recorded the Burmese (Muslims) sailors and traders were regularly arriving there. Those Bago (Pegu) seamen, likely to be Muslims, were also recorded by the Arab Historians of tenth century. During fifteen to seventeen centuries, there were a lot of records of Burmese Muslim traders, sailors and settlers on the whole coast of Burma. That was from Arakan coast (Rakhine), Ayeyarwady delta and Tanintharyi coast (Including all the islands along the whole coast). During Peik Thaung Min (early Bagan dynasty, 652-660 AD), Arab travelers from Madagascar to China through East Indian Islands, visited Thaton and Martaban ports. It was recorded in Arab chronicles in 800 AD.
Because Burma was located at the center of the shipping and trading route starting from Arabia and India, heading towards Thailand, Malay, Indonesia, Korea, Japan and China, the whole of the coast of Burma developed rapidly. Dela, Yangon and Thanlyin (Syriam) became shipyards, depots of goods and markets for exchange of goods. The Muslims dominated all the seaports in Burma and Thailand, at that time.
In seventeenth century, those Muslims controlled the business and became so powerful because of their wealth. They were even appointed as Governor of Mergui, the Viceroy of the Province of Tenasserim, Port Authorities, Port Governors and Shah-bandars (senior port officials). Muslim sailors built many mosques, but those should be more appropriately called Temples as they were equally holy to Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Chinese. They were called Buddermokan,The so called Buddermokan on Sittway island is claimed by believers of different faiths. ... ‘Buddermokan’ in memory to Badral-Din Awliya, a saint. They are found in Akyab, Sandoway and on a small island off Mergyi.
Sa Nay Min Gyi King (King Sane) had two flotillas of Steam-ships, named Alarhee and Selamat, both are Arabic Islamic names. In 1711, Myanmar Missionary was sent to Mogul King Shah Alam. They used the Alarhee Ship and the captain was an Arab.
Muslim prisoners of war
When Tabinshwehti, TaungooKing 1530-50 AD attacked Hanthawaddy, Muslim soldiers were helping Mons with artillery.
Nat Shin Naung, Taungoo King 1605-82, rebelled against Anaukpetlun, who had founded a new dynasty at Ava in 1613. He retreated to Thanlyin or Syriam, under the rule of Portuguese mercenary Philip de Brito, Anaukpetlun captured the city in 1613 following a long siege where he crucified Nat Shin Naung and de Brito. He enslaved the Indian mercenaries including the Muslims and five battle ships. The Muslim prisoners of wars were settled at the north of Shwebo.
King Thalun (1629-1648)., the successor of Anaukpetlun settled those Muslims at Shwebo, Sagaing and Kyaukse. Muslim prisoners of war were settled in upper Myanmar by successive Burmese kings. Myae Du near Shwebo was one of the sites. Muslim prisoners from Bago during 1539-1599 AD were the first settlers.Tabinshwehti brought back the Muslim prisoners, after attacking Arakan in 1546 and 1549 AD.King Anaukpetlun conquered Syriam in 1613 AD and brought back Muslim soldiers and sailors as prisoners of war. They were settled in Myedu, Sagaing, Yamethin and Kyaukse. King Sane brought back several thousand Muslim prisoners of war from Sandoway and settled in Myedu in 1707 AD. Next year few thousands more were settled in those places and Taungoo.
King Alaungpaya attacked Assam and Manipur of India and brought back more Muslims to settle in Burma.These Muslims later assimilated to form core of Burmese Muslims. Earlier they were called Myedu Kala or Kala Pyo.(Kala = foreigner; Pyo = young.)3000 Muslims from Arakan took refuge under Sa Nay Min Gyi King 1698-1714. They were divided and settled in Taungoo, Yamethin , Nyaung Yan, Yin Taw, Meiktila, Pin Tale, Tabet Swe, Bawdi, Syi Tha, Syi Puttra, Myae du and Depayin. This Royal decree was copied from the Amarapura Royal Library in 1801 by Kyauk Ta Lone Bo. During King Bagyidaw 1819-37 rule, Maha Bandula conquered Assam and brought back 40,000 prisoners of war. About half of them were likely to be Muslims. Maha Bandula and Burmese Army’s war at Ramu and Pan War were famous. Burmese captured one big cannon, 200 firearms, mixed Sepoy Indian 200. Muslims amongst them were relocated at the south of Amarapura that is Myittha river’s south.
Royal Muslim-soldiers
When the famous Raza Dirit attacked and conquered Dagon (Yangon), Muslim soldiers defended from the Burmese side.
Muslim artillerymen and riflemen served regularly in Burmese army and sometimes even as royal bodyguards because the Burmese kings never trust their own race. This is understandable because there was the custom that time that he who kills the king becomes a king. And in Burmese history sometimes the son killed his own father and brothers killed each other to become a king. Even the first Burmese King, Anawrahta had killed his half-brother, King Sokkate. Sokkate had also forced and dethroned his own father King Kunhsaw. The army of King Anawratha (eleven century) already boasted Indian units and bodyguards, Muslms apparently among them. When Tabinshwehti attacked Martaban in 1541 AD, many Muslims resisted strongly. When Bayintnaung successfully conquered Ayuthaya (Thailand) in 1568-1569 AD he use the help of Muslim artillerymen. King Alaungpaya 1752-1760 AD conquered Syrim. Muslim prisoners of war were forced to serve in his army. Pagan Min 1846-1853 AD appointed U Shwe Oh , a Burmese Muslim, as the Governor of the Capital city, Amarapura. His personal secretary U Paing (also a Burmese Muslim) donated a two- mile long bride, made of teakwood across the Taung Tha Man Lake. It is still useful and now became a scenic area attracting picnickers and tourists. In 1850, the Governor of Bagan was also said to be a Muslim.Burmese kings employed a lot of Muslims in his inner circle: Royal bodyguards, eunuchs, couriers, interpreters and advisers.
Muslims in Konbaung Dynasty
Muslims in Amarapura
Muslims in Amarapura were about 20,000 families, at the time of Innwa (Ava) kingdom (1855 AD). Most of them were Sunni Muslims. The first mosque in Yangon was built in 1826 AD, at the end of first Anglo-Burmese Wars. It was destroyed in 1852 AD when the British attacked Yangon again.
During the Konbaung dynasty Alaungpaya’s attack of Mons near Pyay, Mon warrior Talapan was assisted by Muslim soldiers. Because of their artillery fire, a lot of Burmese soldiers were wounded and died.
In 1755 Alaungpaya conquered Dagon and renamed it Yangon (meaning 'The End of Strife'). Mon soldiers surrendered and four Muslim rich men also surrendered with the expensive presents, ammunitions and four warships. Although conquered Yangon there are more battles to fight with Mons. So Alaungpaya rearranged the army. Pyre Mamet was one of the “Thwe Thauk Gyi” assigned to serve as the Royal Bodyguard. Alaungpaya attacked Thanlyin or Syriam, and many Muslim artillary men were captured. Alaungpaya captured four warships and Muslim soldiers. They were later allowed to serve him. On the page 203 of the Twin Thin Teik Win’s Cronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles, it was recorded as only three warships.
After Alaungpaya captured Pegu, and at the parade, those Pathi Muslim soldiers were allowed to march with their traditional uniforms. Four hundred Pathi Indian soldiers participated in the Royal Salute March. King Bodawpaya Bodaw U Wine (Padon Mayor, Padon Min) (1781-1819) of the Konbaung Dynasty founded Amarapura as his new capital in 1783. He was the first Burmese King who recognized his Muslim subjects officially by the following Royal decree. He appointed Abid Shah Hussaini and assistants, Nga Shwe Lu and Nga Shwe Aye to decide and give judgment regarding the conflicts and problems amongst his Burmese Muslim subjects. Abid Shah Hussaini burial place was well known as a shrine in Amarapura Lin Zin Gone Darga. Before Ramu and Pan War battles, Burmese army had a march. Among the Burmese army, Captain Nay Myo Gone Narrat Khan Sab Bo’s 70 Cavalry (horse) Regiment, was watched by Maha Bandula. Burmese Muslim Horsemen were famous in that Khan Sab Bo’s 70 Cavalry (horse) Regiment. Khan Sab Bo’s name was Abdul Karim Khan and was the father of the Captain Wali Khan, famous Wali Khan Cavalry Regiment during King Mindon and King Thibaw. Khan Sab Bo was sent as an Ambassador to Indo China by Bagyidaw. During Bagyidaw’s reign, in 1824, Gaw Taut Pallin battle was famous. British used 10,000 soldiers but defeated. During that battle Khan Sab Bo’s 100 horsemen fought vigorously and bravely. More than 1300 loyal brave Kala Pyo Muslims (means young Indian soldiers) were awarded with colourful velvety uniforms.
When Konbaung Dynasty’s 8th. Tharrawaddy Min (King) marched Okkalapa, more than 100 Pathi Muslim Indian Cannoners took part. There are also a lot of Muslim soldiers in other parts of the Tharrawaddy Min ’s army.
But during the Konbaung Dynasty’s 9th. Pagan Min 1846-52 there was a blemish in Muslim’s history. Royal Capital Amarapura’s Mayor Bai Sab and his clerk U Pain were arrested and sentenced to death. U Pain was the one who constructed and donated the Taunthaman bridge with more than 1000 teak piles and is still in good condition. Although the real background or aim of building the bridge was not known, before the bridge was built, British Ambassador Arthur Fair’s ship could sailed right up to the Amarapura city wall but the bridge actually obstruct the direct access by British.
King Mindon
During Pagan Min reign, Mindon Prince and brother Ka Naung Prince run away with their servants to Shwe Bo and started a rebellion. U Bo and U Yuet were the two Muslims who accompanied the princes. Some Kala Pyo Burmese Muslim artillery soldiers followed them. U Boe later built and donated the June Mosque, which is still maintained in 27th. street, Mandalay. U Yuet became the Royal Chief Chef.
Regent Prince Ka Naung sent scholars to study abroad. Malar Mon @ U Pwint was a Burmese Muslim sent to study the explosives. He became the Yan Chet won or Minister of explosives.
In the Royal Defence Army, many Cannoners were Kindar Kala Pyos and Myedu Muslims. In 1853 King Mindon held a donation ceremony. He ordered to prepare halal food for his Muslim soldiers from, Akbart Horse Cavalry, Wali Khan Horse Cavalry, Manipur Horse Cavalry and Sar Tho Horse Cavalry altogether about 700 of them.
U Soe was the Royal tailor of King Mindon .
Kabul Maulavi was appointed an Islamic Judge by King Mindon to decide according to the Islamic rules and customs on Muslim affairs.
Captain Min Htin Min Yazar’s 400 Muslims participated to clear the land for building a new Mandalay city.
Burmese Muslms were given specific quarters to settle in the new city of Mandalay
- Sigaing dan
- Kone Yoe dan
- Taung Balu
- Oh Bo
- Setkyer Ngwezin
- June Amoke Tan
- Wali Khan Quarter
- Taik Tan Qr
- Koyandaw Qr (Royal Bodyguards’ Qr)
- Ah Choke Tan
- Kala Pyo Qr
- Panthay dan for the Burmese Chinese Muslims.
In those quarters, lands for 20 Mosques were allocated out side the Palace wall.
- Sigaing dan Mosque
- Kone Yoe Mosque
- Taung Balu Mosque
- June Mosque
- Koyandaw Mosque
- Wali Khan Mosque
- Kala Pyo Mosque
- Seven lots of lands for Setkyer Ngwezin
- King Mindon donated his palace teak pillars to build a mosque at North Obo in central Mandalay. (The pillars which failed to place properly at the exact time given by astrologers.)
10.The broadminded King Mindon also permitted a mosque to be built on the granted site for the Panthays (Burmese Chinese Muslims. Photos of Mandalay Panthay mosque.
Inside the Palace wall, for the Royal Body Guards, King Mindon himself donated and started the building of the Mosque by laying the Gold foundation at the South-eastern part of the Palace located near the present Independent Monument. This Mosque was called the Shwe Pannet Mosque. That mosque was destroyed by the British to build the Polo playground.
King Mindon (1853-78) donated the rest house in Mecca for his Muslim subjects performing Hajj. Nay Myo Gonna Khalifa U Pho Mya and Haji U Swe Baw were ordered to supervise the building. The Kind donated the balance needed to complete the building which was started with the donations from the Burmese Muslims. This was recorded in the Myaedu Mosque Imam U Shwe Taung’s poems.
During King Thibaw’s reign, Muslim soldiers who participated in the Royal Parade were;
- Captain Bo Min Htin Kyaw and his 350 Kindar Kala Pyo artillery soldiers.
- Setkyer Cannon Regiment Captain Hashim and 113 Cannoners
- Mingalar Cannon Regiment Captain U Kye and 113 Cannoners
- Mingalar Amyoke Sulay Kone Captain U Maung and 113 Cannoners
- Mingalar Amyoke Bone Oh Captain U Yauk and 113 Cannoners.
After King Thibaw’s declaration of war on the British, Burmese Army formed three groups to descend and defend the British attack. One of those, Taung Twingyi defence chief was, Akhbat Horse Calvery Chief, Mayor of Pin Lae Town, Minister Maha Min Htin Yar Zar. His name was U Chone when he was the Chief Clerk of Kala Pyo Army. During the Myin Kun Myin Khone Tain revolt, he carried the Chief queen of Mindon on his back to safety. So he was rewarded with the Mayor position of Pin Lae Myo which was located 12 miles south of Myittha.
Under Maha Min Htin Yar Zar there were 1629 soldiers:
- Kindar Captain Bo Min Hla Min Htin Kyaw Thu’s 335 Kindar soldiers two cannon and Sein let Yae 3 regiments
- Shwe Pyi Captain Bo Min Hla Min Htin Thamain Than Like and Shwe Pyi 100 soldiers, one cannon and Sein let Yae 2 regiments
- Wali Khan’s 990 Akhbat Horse Calvery and Sein let Yae 20 regiments
- Specially trained 200 soldiers.
On 28 November 1885, after the British took over the administration, the British revamp the new administration with, Kin Won Min Gyi, Tai Tar Min Gyi, the Minister Maha Min Htin Yar Zar U Chone was included as the representative of the Parliament.
Muslim Mogul Emperor of India
The last Muslim Mogul Emperor of India, Abu Za’far Saraj al-Din Bahadur Shah and his family members and some followers were exiled to Yangon, Myanmar. He died in Yangon and was buried on 7.11.1862.
After the British took over the whole Burma all sub groups of Burmese-Muslims formed numerous organizations, active in social welfare and religious affairs.
Assimilation process
Mixed marriages, intermarriages and assimilation process of throwing away of almost all their foreign languages, foreign dresses and foreign culture slowly shaped them in to ethnic Myanmar Muslim group of today.
However, they had drawn a line in the ongoing process of assimilation. That line of limit is their religion, Islam. As practicing Muslims, they could not go beyond the limit of tolerance of Islamic principles.
Therefore, Myanmar Muslims threw away Urdu, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi and all other foreign languages. Even Arabic is learned just to read the Qu'ran and for prayers. Myanmar Muslims speak Burmese as their mother tongue, wear Myanmar dress and even have an official Myanmar name as well as Islamic Arabic name. Because they could not compromise, their faith in Islam in matters such as: only eating halal foods and drinks, marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other customs which heavily depend on Islam (e.g. circumcision, funeral and burial rituals etc.).
Therefore, Myanmar Muslims could not assimilate homogeneously as Chinese, Hindus and others, except for those who convert or renounced Islam. Complete assimilation of a minority group always need a compromise of their tradition, their culture and some of their rights.
Demographics
Various groups of Myanmar Muslims
- Muslims are spread across the country in small communities. The Indian-descended Muslims live mainly in Rangoon. See Burmese Indian Muslims.
- Another notable Muslim group are the Arakan-based Rohingya people, classified as "Bengali Muslims" due to their ancestral connection with Bengal.
- Panthay Burmese Chinese Muslims.
- Pashu or Moken
Religion and society
Political issues and persecution
"... today's human rights violations are the causes of tomorrow's conflicts."
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. On the Fiftieth Anniversary of this Declaration UN Security General Kofi Annan said: “Human Rights are foreign to no culture and native to all Nations. It is a mirror that at once flatters us and shame us, that bears witness to a record of progress for parts of humanity while revealing a history and reality of horrors for others.” "It was never the people who complained of the universality of human rights, nor did the people consider human rights as a Western or Northern imposition. It was often their leaders who did so."
General Aung San’s promise
General Aung San’s promise to Indians and Muslims before Independence of Burma at the Indian Chambers of Commerce_
“I want to address the Indians and Chinese residing in this country. We have no bitterness, no ill will for them, or for that matter for any race and nationality in the world. If they choose to join us, we will welcome them as our own brethren. The welfare of all people of this country irrespective of race or religion has always been the one purpose that I have set out to fulfill. In fact it is my life's mission. Race, religion, and language are thus by themselves not primary factors which go to the making of a nation but the historic necessity of having to lead common life together that is the pivotal principle of nationality and nationalism. Nowadays, with the increasing mutual intercourse of nations, there is such a provision in many of the constitutions of the world for naturalization of foreigners."
Chief Justice U Chan Htoon
Genal Aung San's promises were later legally and officially confirmed on 2.10.1947 by U Chan Htoon, Advisor on constitutional affairs to the Constituent Assembly, who later became Chief Justice.
“Muslims born in Burma, raised and educated in Burma, whose Burmese citizenship, according to paragraphs # 11 (ii) and # (iii) of the parents, or at least one of them, were Burmese, automatically had constitution. As citizens, they would enjoy the same status, rights and privileges as all other citizens of Burma."
Paragraph 13 of the Constitution guaranteed that all the citizens of Burma, (without regard to origin, religion, race, or sex) should be equal before the law.
Paragraph 14 guaranteed equal opportunity to all citizens in matters of public service and in employment in any post, professional or business whatsoever. They also were entitled to all the other privileges of the citizen mentioned in the constitution, even the right to candidacy for the election to the post of President of the State and to the membership in the two Houses of Parliament.”
General Ne Win’s Military Government arrested the Chief Justice U Chan Htoon on 2.3.1962, threw away the Constitution and ignored the rights of all the minorities including Myanmar Muslims.
The Supreme Court of Rangoon
The Lordship of the Supreme Court of Rangoon remarked: “... Today, in the various parts of Burma, there are people who, because of the origin and the isolated way of life, are totally unlike the Burmese in appearance of speak of events which had occurred outside the limits of their habitation. They are nevertheless statutory citizens under the Union (of Burma) Citizenship Act..... Thus mere race or appearance of a person or whether he has a knowledge of any language of the Union is not the test as to whether he is a citizen of the Union”.
Opposition leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi said that she had a great respect for other religions. She believed that no one has the right to look down on anybody's religion.
PMs U Nu and U Ba Shwe
The Prime Minister of Burma U Nu, in a speech over Radio Rangoon at 8.00 PM on 25th. September 1954 stated that_
“The Rakhine State is situated towards the south-west of the Union of Burma. The Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships are included in Sittwe Division of the Rakhine State. These two townships are bordering East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The majority of the people in these two townships are Rohingya, who profess the Islamic faith.”
U Ba Shwe
Again the Burmese Defence Minister and the Prime Minister U Ba Shwe, at the mass rallies for the people of Buthidaung and Maungdaw on the 3rd. and 4th. November 1959 said_
“The Rohingyas are equal in every way with other minority races like Shan, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, Mon and Rakhine. They have lived in Myanmar (Naing Ngan = country) according to the historical facts. They are of the Islamic faith. There is historical evidence that they have lived faithfully and harmoniously with the other races of the Union of Burma”.
Even the Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) carried out the Rohingya Language Programme, twice a week, regularly from 15th. May 1961 to 11th. October 1965. (
History of Muslim Persecution
The first Muslim killing
The first Muslim killing documented in Burmese history (recorded in Hmannan Yazawin or Glass Palace Chronicle) was killing of Byat Wi by Mon, Thaton King.(It was at about 1050 AD).
Shwe Byin brothers Martyred
The second two persons killed later were his nephews. The two sons of his brother Byat Ta, known as Shwe Byin brothers. They were executed because of their alcoholic.
Assassination of Nga Yaman Kan
Rahman Khan (Nga Yaman Kan) was another Muslim killed for political reason. Although it was during wartime, the famous national hero, King Kyansittha sent a hunter as a sniper to assassinate him.
Muslim Massacre in Arakan
Another mass killings of Muslims in Arakan may be not for the religion but likely to be due to politics and greed only. Shah Shuja’ was the second son of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan who built the famous Taj Mahal of India. Shah Shuja’ lost to his brother and fled with his family and army in to Arakan. Sandathudama (1652-1687 AD),Arakan King accepted and allow him to settle there. He wanted to continue to buy ships to go to Mecca and willing to pay with silver and gold. But Arakan king asked for his daughter and also became greedy to get all the wealth. As the eldest son of Mogul Emperor, he even got the world’s biggest and famous diamond, called Kohinu. There were confusing various versions of history reports. At last after an alleged unsuccessful attempt of rebellion the sultan and all his followers were killed. All men seen with beard, the symbol of Islam, were beheaded. Women were put into prison and let them die with hunger. The brother of sultan, King Aurangzeb, although the enemy himself because of the rivalry in ascending the throne, was angry because of that killings. He attacked the Arakan and the local Muslim slaves and Arakan Muslim Kamans assisted by rebelling from inside. It leaded to the end of the power of Arakan kingdom.
Muslims under Bayintnaung
Bayintnaung (1550-1589 AD) was the first Burmese king who started the religious oppression. In 1559 AD after conquering Bago (Pegu) he prohibited the Muslims from doing halal (killing by cutting the throat under the name of Allah) of goats and chicken. He showed religious intolerance with force on some other things also. Some were forced to listen to Buddhist sermons and some even forcefully converted. He also disallowed the Edil Adha, Kurbani sacrifice of cattle.
“Forbidden to Muslims are also alcoholic drinks, pork, meat of edible animals which are not ritually slaughtered with the pronouncement of the name of God (to tell them that you are like us and we kill and eat you only because the Lord, our common creator, has allowed us that).
Muslims under Alaungpaya
King Alaungpaya (1752-1760) prohibited Muslims to do halal on cattle.
Bodawpaya
King Bodawpaya (1782-1819) arrested four famous Myanmar Muslims Moulvis (Imams) from Myedu and killed them in Ava, capital after they refused to eat pork. According to the Myedu Muslims and Myanmar Muslims version there were seven dark days after that execution and the king later apologize and recognized them as saints.
Muslims under U Nu
U Nu's Muslim Ministers ordered to stay awy from Religious activities
After the independence, Prime Minister U Nu appointed few Muslims into his cabinet. They were not included as the representatives of the Myanmar Muslims but on their own capacity as the political ally of the Prime Minister and the ruling party. They were even told to dissociate themselves from the Islamic Religious activities.
AFPFL expelled Burma Muslim Congress
The BMC, Burma Muslim Congress was founded almost at the same time with the AFPFL, Anti-Fascist Peoples’ Freedom Party of General Aung San and U Nu before World War Two. On 25.12 45 in Pyin Mana, U Razak was elected the President of BMC and decided to join AFPFL. U Razak was elected AFPFL President in the Mandalay district in 1946. Later the Governor accepted him as the member of constitutional council. He had a very good relations with Buddhist and even fluent in Pali(Buddhist scriptures are written in this ancient language of India). He became the Minister of Education and Planning in Bogoke’s (General Aung San) Government and was assassinated together later. But he had supported the main policy of the AFPFL: that is against the partition along the community or religious lines. U Razak and his few associates objected to the struggle of those demanding specific constitutional guarantees for the Myanmar Muslim minority. So, although U Razak was a very popular, important and prominent Myanmar Muslim leader who had successfully organized the Myanmar Muslims to be able to get an official record that they had participated since the very beginning of the Burmese National struggle towards independence.
His stand of united Burmese (Myanmar) nation sacrificing the long-term interest of guarantee for the rights of Minority Myanmar Muslim satisfied not only the Burmese Buddhist leaders of the AFPFL, but strangely also the British Government. May be because of that he got a lot of personal rewards. U Raschid and more prominently U Khin Maung Lat, follows the general policy of sacrificing the Rights and Interests of the Myanmar Muslim Community for ‘the country and their party’. So no wander most of the Myanmar Muslims later refused to regard or recognize these ‘self interested’ seasoned politicians as their true representatives or saviors. Prime Minister U Nu, just few months after independence of Burma, requested the Burma Muslim Congress to resign its membership from AFPFL. In response to that U Khin Maung Lat, the new President of BMC decided to discontinue the Islamic Religious activities of the BMC and rejoined the AFPFL. Later he became the Minister of Justice but no more represented the wishes of Myanmar Muslim community. The newly formed The Burmese Muslim League requested a special government department for the Muslim affairs to determine their own future, as the same as for other minorities, who had Ministries in Yangon and governments in their states. U Nu removed the Burma Muslim Congress from AFPFL on 30.9.1956. BMC was asked to dissolve since 1955. Later U Nu decreed the Buddhism as the state religion of Burma against the will of the Ethnic Minorities and various religious organizations including Myanmar Muslims. U Nu as the devoted Buddhist was pressured the wealthy and influential Hindi merchants ordered the prohibition of slaughtering the cattle. Although he relaxed that during the Kurbani Edd (Hariraya Haji), Muslims had to apply the permits for each cattle and strictly follow under police supervision. Although General Ne Win revoked the first order and allow the slaughter of cattle for daily consumption, the second order of strict restriction for the sacrifice remained up to the present and the Muslims. Even Mosques’ official who failed to adhere to the permitted number of cattle are arrested and punished. And some Muslims complained that U Nu’s government had made more difficult conditions and regulations for the Haj pilgrimage than the Buddhists pilgrims going to Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Muslims under General Ne Win
When General Ne Win swept to power on a wave of nationalism in 1962, the status of Muslims changed for the worse. Muslims were expelled from the army and were rapidly marginalized. Myanmar has a Buddhist majority. Muslims are stereotyped in the society as "cattle killers" (referring to the cattle sacrifice festival of Eid Al Adha in Islam). The generic racist slur of "kala" (black) used against perceived "foreigners" has especially negative connotations when referring to Burmese Muslims. The more pious Muslims communities who segregate themselves from the Buddhist majority face greater difficulties than those who integrate more at the cost of observance to Islamic personal laws.
Muslims in Myanmar are affected by the actions of Islamic extremism in other countries. Violence in Indonesia perpetrated by Islamists is used as a pretext to commit violence against Muslim minorities in Burma. The anti-Buddhist actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan (the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan) was also used as a pretext to commit violence against Muslims in Myanmar by Buddhist mobs. Human Rights Watch reports that there was mounting tension between the Buddhist and Muslim communities in Taungoo for weeks before it erupted into violence in the middle of May 2001.Buddhist monks demanded that the Hantha Mosque in Taungoo be destroyed in "retaliation" for the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Mobs of Buddhists, led by monks, vandalized Muslim-owned businesses and property and attacked and killed Muslims in Muslim communities. This was followed by retaliation by Muslims against Buddhists.
The dictatorial government, which operates a pervasive internal security apparatus, generally infiltrates or monitors the meetings and activities of virtually all organizations, including religious organizations.Religious freedom for Muslims is reduced. Monitoring and control of Islam undermines the free exchange of thoughts and ideas associated with religious activities. Accusations of "terrorism" are made against Muslim organizations such as the All Burma Muslim Union.
It is widely feared that persecution of Muslims in Myanmar could foment Islamic extremism in the country. Many Muslims have joined armed resistance groups who are fighting for greater freedoms in Myanmar.
Anti-Muslim Riots
The racial tension in March 1997 between Buddhists and Muslims and the attack on Muslim properties was apparently masterminded by the ruling regime in Burma. The bronze Buddha statue in the Maha Myatmuni pagoda, originally from the Arakan, brought to Mandalay by King Bodawpaya in 1784 AD was renovated by the authorities. The Mahamyat Muni statue was broken open, leaving a gaping hole in the statue, and it was generally presumed that the regime was searching for the Padamya Myetshin, a legendary ruby that ensures victory in war to those who possess it.Since March 15, 1997 abbots from different monasteries in Mandalay held meetings over the issue and there was a general dissatisfaction against the ruling regime for it. As it was turning to agitation, the SLORC authorities incited the Buddhists with alleged rape case involving a Muslim. Leaflets were extensively distributed by hired local goons and members of the USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association) who are widely seen as stooges under the guidance of military intelligence officials disguising as monks. A group consisting of about two-three hundred goons, apparently drunk led a lightening swoop on in the Muslim areas. The attacks on Muslims soon spread to five other townships around Mandalay and to the lower Burma including Rangoon, Prome and other major cities like a wildfire. The monks in the group were not seen before and were presumed to be army personnel in robes.
The ruling junta in the process had targeted to materialize its plans_ (a)to punish Muslims in line with anti-Muslim strategy, (b)diversion of an imminent threat and countrywide confrontation with the Buddhist monks, Many in the world witnessed the unfortunate situation in Burma where Muslims were fallen prey. Mosques in Yadanabone, Daywin, Seinpan, Payagyi, Zar Wai Yar, Thayai Yon, Hlwa Htaung, Tho Chan, Al Myauk Dan Gyi and Nan Dwin (high security area in the Mandalay palace) in Mandalay, central Burma were substantially damaged. Other townships in the central Burma where the religious riots took place were Amarapura township’s two mosques, Patheingyi township’s one mosque, Shwebow township’s one mosque, Monywa township’s one mosque and Pakhukku township’s two mosques. In lower Burma the attack on Muslims took place in Rangoon, vandalizing Alone Chowdry mosque, Ahlone Eidga mosque, Haji Salamat mosque in Pazundaung, Kyee Myindine mosque, Thakeda 17th Ward mosque, Kanbe mosque, South Okkalapa Madarasa, 48th street Madarasa and seven Muslim houses in Yankin and several houses in Dawbon. Also four mosques in Pegu and two mosques in Prome were damaged by the mobs. Religious books including copies of holy Quran were also destroyed. A total of 32 structures - mosques, Madarasa and residential buildings of Muslims worth millions of dollars were destroyed.
Newsletter ABIM. Malaysia.and WAMY World Assembly of Muslim Youths, Saudi Arabia The Nation newspaper, Thailand, Saturday, April 5, 1997. reported this news with the colour photographs of a large group of Buddhist monks with weapons marching to search for Muslim properties, damaged exterior and interior of the Mosques complete with destroyed Korans.
Famous Burmese Muslims
- U Razak
U Razak (20 January 1898 - 19 July 1947; Arabic: Abdul Razak) was a Burmese politician who was a respected educationalist. He was a minister and was assassinated, along with his cabinet, on 19 July 1947. July 19 is celebrated in Myanmar today as Martyrs' Day. U Razak was Minister of Education and National Planning, and was chairman of the Burma Muslim Congress.
- Saya Gyi U Nu
Mayor of Yammar Watti, Shwe Taung Thargathu @ Mohamed Kassim @ Saya Gyi U Nu (Great Teacher or Guru) was a very famous Burmese Muslim writer during King Bodawpaya.He had written and translated a lot of Islamic religious books. He used Pali and other words and terms from the Burmese religious literature to Burmanise the Islamic literature. Combined with his flowery, poetic Burmese writing, his books are regarded as Myanmar Muslims’ classics. Bodawpaya appointed him as the head of the mission to India to collect and bring back books and Scriptures in Sanskrit, Hindi Urdu and Farsi. Saya Gyi U Nu was appointed as the Mayor of Yammar Wati with the Shwe Taung Tharga title. But recent military rulers prohibited the Muslims from using these Pali words and terms in Islamic religious books.
- U Raschid
U Raschid, an Indian Myanmar Muslim, was active in Thakin Movement (The Burmese National movement against ruling British). He was the secretary general of Rangoon University Students’ Association in 1931 together with prominent Myanmar political leaders: Aung San, U Nu, U Kyaw Nyein, U Ba Swe etc. U Raschid was the first president of the All Burma Students’ Union. In 1952 U Nu appointed him as Minister for Housing and Labour, later in 1954, Minister for Trade and Development, in 1956, Minister of Mines, in 1960 Minister of Commerce and Industry. In 1958 he was the Vice President of the Trade Union Council of Burma. U Nu requested him to change his name to U Yanshin to make him more acceptable to other Buddhist but he declined. General Ne Win arrested him in 1962, during the coup.
- Colonel (Tat Hmu Gyi) U Pho Kar
He started to enlist in Mindon’s Cannon regiment since young. During King Thibaw’s reign, he was the Captain on the Sekyar Ngwezin Thulu ship which went to Bamaw to attack the Burmese Rebels and the Chinese invaders.
During the third Anglo-Burmese war, he was at Min Hla Fort leading 200 Cannoners. U Pho Kar was together there with his uncles Captain Bo Kyae, Captain Bo U Maung, Sergeant (Thwe Thaut) U Kyar Yone. At the battle, one Captain and 50 soldiers killed. Burmese had to retreat and U Pho Kar retreated with the gun-shot wound on the abdomen. After the war he ettled in Maymyo. Parliamentarian Haji U Than Nyunt was his son. U Pho Kar passed away on 10th. May 1956 at the age of 95.
- Sultan Mahmood and other Rohingyas
Wealthy and influential Myanmar Arakan Muslim from Akyab, Arakan, a Rohingya, Sultan Mahmood was the political secretary in U Nu’s government and later was appointed as Health Minister. Other Rohingya Myanmar Arakan Muslims in U Nu’s Parliament as parliamentary secretaries were Mr Sultan Ahmed and Mr Abdul Gaffar. Mr Abdul Bashar, Mrs. Zohora Begum @ Daw Aye Nyunt,Mr Abdul Khair, Mr Abdus Sobhan, Mr Abdul Bashar, Mr Rashid Ahmed, Mr Nasiruddin (U Pho Khine), were members of Parliament in different terms in U Nu’s Government.
- U Khin Maung Latt
U Khin Maung Latt was one of the Myanmar-Muslim Cabinet Ministers in U Nu’s Government held the Social Services and Health portfolio. He was the secretary of U Razak before his (U Razak) assassination. He had been active in the Students’ organizations of Yangon University and had took part in the very famous students’ strike of 1936. He successfully organized the Muslims in whole Burma to stand united under the AFPFL flag during the struggle for the independence. He worked together assisting U Razak. When AFPFL split in to two, U Khin Maung Lat was with the Stable Fiction. U Raschid remained with U Nu.
- Captain U Khin Maung Latt or Haji Hassan Latt
Captain U Khin Maung Latt or Haji Hassan Latt was also one of the pioneer pilots after independence. Later he became the General Manager of Burma Airways and was the personal pilot of General Ne Win.
- Kyar (Tiger) Ba Nyein and family members
Kyar (Tiger) Ba Nyein was also a very prominent Myanmar Muslim. He was known to be a great boxer, and had even represented Burma in the Olympics. He had successfully trained a lot of boxers. And he had rejuvenated the Myanmar traditional boxing. He was a famous writer also. His son U Win Nyein is also a prominent Journalist. U Chit Nyo, brother of Kyar Ba Nyein is also a famous writer. Myo Myint Nyein was the editor of Payphuhlwar, a former monthly magazine in Burma. Awarded the International Press Freedom Award in abstentia by the Toronto-based Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). He is the brother of Win Nyein.
- U Kyaw Kyaw
U Kyaw Kyaw was also one of the very few Myanmar-Muslims promoted to the high position in the Military Government. He was the Managing Director of the Myanmar Economic Bank.
He was born on 15th October 1937 in Ye Nan Chaung, and passed away on 2nd of April 2003, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A graduate of Rangoon University, later he joined the State Commercial Bank of Burma as a junior officer. He was trained in Westminster Bank of England in early sixties. He is well respected among his friends and banking society for his vision, discipline, and hard work.
His courage was well known among the staffs of Myanmar Economic Bank, when he and few staffs fought the fire from roof top of the Myanmar Economic Bank No1, Mandalay, during the 1983 fire, which destroyed most of then Mandalay city center. The bank was partially burned but the money in the vault were safe.
During the 1988 uprising, some of his staffs accused him of supporting BSPP government. He was alone in the bank as all of the staffs went out for strike. His reason was to safeguard the people's money which Army wanted to transfer into Mandalay palace Army head quarter. He refused to allow the transfer of Money, until then Deputy Prime Minister U Mg MG Kha verbally ordered over the phone to allow the transfer .He personally followed with the convoy into the Mandalay Palace and signed the official transfer of Money to General Tun Kyi. Later he was advised by army against going back to his quarters at Bank building as Army could not guarantee his safety as people might think that he might cooperate with Army to transfer the money. He refused Army officer's offer to stay back in Nan Dwin Palace and came back to his office. The next day he was brought in to the camp of General Strikers by his own staffs. He explained to the monks, students and public why he need to safeguard the people's money as it is essential to pay the salary of government servants and pensioners. He further explained his action was just a job as a dutiful civil servant as banking is also essential service like fire and rescue, and hospital emergency unit to serve the public. His explanation was well received and he was allowed to go back home unharmed.
During his tenure as Managing Director, he initiated computerization of Banking System in Burma. His concern is always been the dual exchange rate of Burmese currency, and inconsistent monetary policy of Military Government. He also tried to start Myanmar Stock and Exchange in cooperation with a Japanese Bank.
- Myanmar Muslim activists
Some Myanmar Muslim activists such as Pathi Ko Lay and Dr Kyaw Nyein were also promoters of total assimilation of Burmese Muslims in to Burmese. Especially Dr Kyaw Nyein had a very good relation with the very powerful and famous Mandalay Young Buddhist Monks and to some extent successful in countering the agent provocateurs from inciting the anti Muslim sentiments. Because of his request, real monks influential in Mandalay searched and confiscated and destroyed nearly hundred thousand anti-Muslim pamphlets allegedly distributed the Myanmar Military secret agents. Although reported to the authorities, no one was arrested for that crime in a country where many people were arrested, tortured and jailed for printing or photocopying or distributing any anti-government papers or even for distribution of Human right Declaration from UN office. Lu Du Daw Amar, highly respected journalist wrote in one of the monthly magazine recently about Myanmar Muslims from Mandalay. She praised them for their understanding and respect of the Burmese Culture. While trying to stress the deterioration of religious knowledge among Myanmar Buddhist youths, she pointed out that some of them even did not know how to talk with the monks. She mentioned the skills and politeness of Myanmar Muslims in dealing and talking with the Buddhist monks.
- U Shaw Phi
U Shaw Phi, Myanmar Muslim rich man, contractor and investor, was also very famous and well connected person among the local and central Military leaders. He was arrested few times because of his extraordinary efficiency and excellent contacts. Once, old and damaged vehicles, which were beyond repairable condition, from the army and State Transport Department were bought from the government. U Shaw Phi ‘shamed’ the Military government by the speedy successful repair within one month. His refurbished buses and trucks hit the roads and he was ‘invited’ into the jail for questioning for few months for his efficiency to repair the damaged vehicles so quickly.
He was arrested once because of that kind of efficiency, for the crime of finishing his own house in front of the prolonged project of building the new parliament building. Because he built his house with three shifts of workers day and night, General Ne Win became jealous and ordered to arrest him to inquire how he managed to get the required raw material for the construction. And he was arrested few times without any trial when the number twos in the governments or any other high ranking officials were required to remove from their positions. They were unofficially alleged to have connection with that wealthy man and were said to be not fit to hold high posts. But strangely, the probes or investigations always had to stop before other VIPs were implicated. Obviously, the almost bankrupt authorities needed U Shaw Phi’s skills and wealth.
- Pali Professor, RASU, Ahmad Kasim
- MASU, English Professor Ali.
- Senior Research Officer, History, Dr Daw Yi Yi
- Associate Professor, History, MASU U Maung Maung Lay
- RASU Chemistry Professor U Aung Khin @ Md Ali
- Professor U Ko Lay, Maths, MASU.
- (Sugar) U Ba Sein. Pilot factory and Nylon Factory.
- EC Madar Umbrella Factory and Soap Factory.
- U Shwe Thar Aung. Chairman Arakanese Muslim association.
- Major (Dr) Htun Nyo. ENT Surgeon. Mingladon, Maymyo, UKM (Malaysia), Saudi Arabia.
- Dr U Hla Khaine. Ph.D. Anatomy UK. Professor, Head of Department. UKM. UIA. (Malaysia)
- Prof. Dr U Khant @ Habib Khan,Psycologist.UM, UIA. (Malaysia)
- Ye Soe was one of the famous Myanmar Muslim novelists. He wrote detective stories based on foreign books but he Burmanized them and was accepted by many youths. He wrote more than hundred books.
- Hajima Pyinmanar (Sein) Daw Pu. Hajima Daw Pu was also a famous Myanmar-Muslim philanthropist. Because of her donation of a new Kidney Hospital and good social relations with General Ne Win, Military Government even awarded her with a medal for her outstanding social deeds.
- Saya Chair also had a very good relation with the Military Government and was appointed the Chairman of the Election Commission.
- U Kar, was the Rector of Rangoon Arts ans science University in 1962. He was the Education Minister of the 1958 Caretaker Government.
- Colonel Ba Shin a noted historian was later a member of The Myanmar History Commission. (UTC)Islamic Religious Affairs Council.
- He was famous for the Classic Burmese old songs. Even most famous singer Mar Mar Aye learned from him. Piano Ko Mar Mut was also famous.
- Movie stars. Shwe Ba and Maung Maung Ta were very popular movie stars in Burma.
- Maung Thaw Ka or Major Ba Thaw from Navy was a very prominent writer died in SPDC jail.
- Lt. Col. Khalid Maung Maung. Southern Shan State BRC Supervision Committee Chairman Lt. Col. Khalid Maung Maung.
- Myanmar Muslim Ambassadors. There were also Myanmar Muslim Ambassadors like U Pe Khin and U Hla Maung.
- Prominent Burmese Muslims in Burma Army. There were few prominent Burmese Muslims in Burma Army earlier. Brig. General Maung Maung Gyi was from Burma Navy and Colonel Tin Soe was with the Revolution Council of General Ne Win. Various forms of Military Governments continue to rule Burma (Myanmar) since that council overthrown the democratically elected U Nu’s Government.
- Daw Saw Shwe. Famous Myanmar Muslim woman. Chairperson of Burma Muslim Organization.
- U Aung Thin represented the Myanmar Muslims at the Round Table Committee on whether Burma should be separated from India or not. That was held at London, in 1930.
- U Ba Oh was a very rich Burmese Muslim philanthropist. He funded BMS Burma Moslem Society’s activities and was voted president for life. He was not only active in social and welfare, but he had also stood bravely in demanding the rights of Myanmar Muslims.
- Haji Thein (Pulae, Pearl)
- Psychiatrist Prof Dr U Ne Win, Medical Supritent (Head of Hospital) Yangon Psychiatric Hospital.
- Faridah Meer, the Head of the Department in Surgery in the National University Malaysia (UKM)(General Hospital Kuala Lumpur).
- Burmese Muslims under Burmese Kings:
- Naymyo Gonnayap Khan Sab Bo @ Abdul Karim Khan. Ambassador to Indochina.
- Minister Mingyi Maha Min Htin Yar Zar @ U Chone, Akhbad Myin Wun, calvary Captain, Mayor of Pin Lae town.
- Maha Min Kyaw Thiha Min Htin @ U Pho Yit, Mayor of Tapae town.
- Min Hla Min Htin Yarzar @ U Nae Htun,Kala Won.
- Maha Bawga Dana Thiri Yarzar Mullah Ismail, Custom Chief. Royal Ship Captain, Mayor of Kyauk Yae town. He donated the Mandalay Soorti Mosque.
- Maha Min Hla Min Htin Yarzar @ U Naw Khan, Kalay Tain Nyin Yargazo Mayor.
- Maha Min Khaung Kyaw Htin @ U Pyar, Mayor of Sinku.
- Malar Mon @ U Pwint, Explosive expert. (Yan Chet won)
- Min Hla Min Htin Thu Rain, Western Jail Superintendent.
- Min Htin Yarzar, Chief Clerk.
- Nay Myo Thiha Kyaw Htin @ U Tar, Advocate.
- Nay Myo Yaza Thinkhayar @ Marmet Ebrahim, Advocate.
- Nay Myo Yaza Thinkhaya @ Abdul Rahman, Advocate.
- Nay Myo Min hla Yazar Thu @ U Kyin Oo, Special squad Captain. (Ywe Let Yar Bo)
- Min Htin Thithi Yarzar @ U Khaung, Special squad Captain.
- Maha Thu wunna Thaetha @ U Yan Aung. (Rich man)
- Maha Thiri Thukha Thaetha @ Maung Sein. (Rich man)
- Mantaka Maha Thala @ U San Pyaw (Richman)
- Maha Bawga Punnya @ U Yit (Rich-man)
- Abit Shah Husaini, Chief Islamic Judge (Bodaw).
- Malauvi Kabul, Chief Islamic Judge (Mindon)
- Naymyo Gonnayat @ Khalifa U Pho Mya
- Khalifa U Hwe Lone.
- Royal ship Captain U Pho Mya.
- Bo Min Setkyar Amyoke Tat U Hashim.
- Bo Min Bone Oh Bengla Amyoke Tat, U Yauk.
- Thwe Thauk Gyi (Major of 275 soldiers, Head of 5 Thwe Thauks who had 55 soldiers each under them) Thwe Thauk Gyi of Cannon brigade U Bo. (I could not mention the few dozens of Thwe Thauk Gyis because of imited space)
- Setkyar (Amyoke Tat) Cannon brigade Chief Officer, U Pho Kar.
- Custom Chief, Ar Gar Sherazi (Shia Muslim)
- Price Controller, U Maw.
- Merchant U Shwe Thi.
- Horse Calvery Chief Captain, Wali Khan.
- Horse Calvery Captain U Tu Wa , Wali Khan Horse Calvery.
- Thibaw’s personal secretary, U Hashim.
- Thwe Thauk Gyi (Major) U Danaing (Kindar Kala Pyo Army) Grandfather of Pathi U Ko Ko Lay.
- There are many Thwe Thauk Gyis, Captains and Palace Ladies closed to the queen.
See also
- Islam in India
- Burmese Indians
- Islam in China
- Islam in Asia
- Islam
- Rohingya People
- Burmese Chinese
- Panthay
References
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden. page 2, first line.
- “Ancient Pyu” page 3&4 Professor U Than Tun M.A., B.L., D. Lit., Ph.D.
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma, Rangoon University Press, Rangoon, Burma, January 1960.
- "Bagan Culture”page 42, Professor U Than Tun M.A., B.L., D. Lit., Ph.D.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden. page 2, line 5,6,9
- ibid
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden. page 6, line 25,26&27.
- Pathi U Ko Ko Lay’s lecture 1973, Islamic Religious Library Magazine
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden. page 29, paragraph 1&2.
- ibid, page 39, paragraph 1.
- ibid,page9, paraaph 4.
- ibid, page10,line 7,8&9.
- ibid, page10,line 17,18&19.
- ibid page 2, paragraph 3, line 1,2&3.
- ibid page 20, paragraph 3.
- ibid page 30, whole page.
- ibid, page2, line 5&6.
- S.Q. Fatimi, The role of China in the spread of Islam in South East Asia" (University of Singapore, 1959page 9
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden. page 7, footnote paragraph 2.
- ibid page 7, footnote paragraph 3
- Myanmar Encyclopedia vol. 6 page 350.
- Pathein University Students’ Magazine 1955-56 page 5.
- Pathein History by U Marga page 137
- Maurice Collis’s Into hidden Burma.
- Radana Sedi Stone Inscriptions, Sigaing (1373-74)
- U Ba Than’s Myanmar History text book. page 87-96.
- .“THE EMERGENCE OF THE PANTHAY COMMUNITY AT MANDALAY”, BY MAUNG MAUNG LAY.
- "The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.page 2, paragraph 3, line 1,2&3
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma
- ibid
- ibid
- ibid
- Online Burma/Myanmar Library
- Various Myanmar History tax-books of Ministry of Education, Myanmar.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.
- Ibid page 2, last line.
- ibid page2&3
- ibid page 2 , 4th. paragaph, line 2&3, page 3, 1st. line
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma,
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden, page 3, line No.s 4,5&6
- ibid page 2, 2nd. paragraph, line 1,2 &3.
- Various notable facts in Myanmar History, in Burmese, by U Kyi BA History Honours. Page 156, 157.
- ibid
- ibid
- Maurice Collis, Simese White(London Faber and faber, 1936. page 40.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 5, line 22 to 27
- Sir Richard C. Temple, Buddermokan, JBRS,XV, pt 1 (1925)1-33
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 8 1st. paragraph
- A. Journal of the Burma Research Society 15: 1-33. the coast from Assam to Malay with the curious masques known as Buddermokan reverenced by the Buddhists and China-men as well as Mahomedans. B. Arakan Rajsabhay Bangala Sahitya(1600 - 1700 AD)Bengali Literature in the Kings’ Court of ArakanBy Dr. Muhammad Enamul Huq (M.A., Ph. D) and Sahitya-sagar Abdul Karim Sahitya Visarad Translated from Bengali by: Mating Sein Pru
- ibid
- Pathi U Ko Ko Lay’s lecture 1973, Islamic Religious Library Magazine
- "The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 10, line 2&3
- Glass Palace Chronicle Vol. 2, page 186.
- Taungoo History page 296
- Glass Palace Chronicle Vol. 3, page 172.
- U Ba Than’s Myanmar History text book. page 270.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.
- Zayya Kyaw Htin Major Ba Shin’s Come of Islam to Burma down paper, read at Asian Historical Conference, New daily 1961.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 168-9.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 377.
- Various Myanmar History tax-books of Ministry of Education, Myanmar
- “A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 9, line 24-27.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar,
- HGE Hall History of Southeast Asia.
- “A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 9,10&11
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar,
- Let Ware Nawrattha’s Chronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles. Page 70.
- Let Ware Nawrattha’s Chronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles. Page 77.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 1. Page 185-6.
- Let Ware Nawrattha’s Chronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles. Page 98.
- Let Ware Nawrattha’s Chronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles. Page 99.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 1. Page 136-142.
- Let Ware Nawrattha’s Chronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles. Page 123.
- Twin Thin Teik Win’s Cronicles of Alaungpaya’s battles, page 216
- The Royal gazette of Bodawpaya, Criminal Law Royal Decree Vol 4, page 176.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 392.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 376-7.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 477.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 3. Page 6.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 3. Page 139.
- U Maung Maung Tin’s Burmese Kings’ Royal Articles, page 66-71-72.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 3. Page 323-4.
- Pathi U Ko Ko Lay’s lecture 1973, Islamic Religious Library Magazine
- The Emergence Of The Panthay Community At Mandalay, by Professor U Maung Maung Lay.
- Pathi U Ko Ko Lay’s lecture 1973, Islamic Religious Library Magazine
- The Emergence Of The Panthay Community At Mandalay, by Professor U Maung Maung Lay.
- Various Myanmar History tax-books of Ministry of Education, Myanmar.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 3. Page 324-6.
- Myanmar Encyclopedia Vol 6, page 434.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 3. Page 712
- HGE Hall History of Southeast Asia.
- Mary Robinson, UN Human Right reporter
- Former UNSG Kofi Annan
- 'Aung Sans’ Plan for Reconstruction of Corrupted Myanmar” by Dr San Oo Aung published in Burma Digest on 14.5.06.
- U Chan Htoon, Advisor on constitutional affairs to the Constituent Assembly, who later became Chief Justice on 2.10.1947
- (The case of Hason Ali, a Rohingya from Arakan, Vs. Union of Burma, Supreme Court Criminal Miscellaneous Cases No. 155 & 156 of 1959. Nurul Islam. Present atmosphere in Arakan. The New Nation Newspaper, Bangladesh, Monday October 12, 1992.)
- The press releases of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, March 12,1992.
- The press releases of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, March 12,1992.
- N. Kamal. Building confidence in Rohingyas’ mind. The New Nation Newspaper, Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 26, 1992.)
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma, Rangoon University Press, Rangoon, Burma, January 1960.
- “A study of a minority Group", by Moshe Yegar, page 2, paraaph 3
- idib
- Moshe Yegar pag 2, line 1&2
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.page 21, paragaph 2,pp22,23&24.
- Colonel Ba Shin, “Coming of Islam to Burma down to 1700 AD, Lecture at the Asia Histoy Congress. New Deli:Azad Bhavan 1961 Mimo.
- H.R. Speaman, Britih Burma Gazetteer (Rangoon,1880)I,293-294.
- Hall, Histoy of South East Asia,pp 33-341.
- Desai, A Pageant of Burmese History, pp61-63.
- Harvey, G.E. “The fate of Shah Shuja, 1661, JBRS,XII(Aug 1922) pp107-112.
- “A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 10, line 11&12
- idib page 10 line 10 to 16
- (From gist of Islam. Canadian Society of Muslims).
- “A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 10, line 21
- “A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 12, paragaph 3
- Moshe Yegar, page 12 last paragaph
- Siddiq Khan, M “Captain George Sorrel’s Mission to the cout of Amarapura, 17934., Journal of h Asiatic Socity of Pakitan (Dacca). II (1957), 132-140
- Moshe Yegar, page 75 to 79
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, page 75 footnote last paragraph
- Houtman, Gustaaf. Mental Culture in Burmese Crisis Politics: Chapter 5 Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa Monograph Series No. 33. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1999, 400 pp. ISBN 4-87297-748-3
- “History of Myanmar Muslims”, (limited edition for members only) Muslim Students Association, Rangoon Arts and Science University, Burma.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 157.
- Konbaung Dynasty Royal History Vol. 2. Page 166.
- ibid
- Press Release, Rohingya Patriotic Front 9-2-1966.
- “History of Myanmar Muslims”, (limited edition for members only) Muslim Students Association, Rangoon Arts and Science University, Burma.
- “History of Myanmar Muslims”, Muslim Students Association, Rangoon Arts and Science University, Burma.
- ibid
- ibid
- Mar Mar Aye's radio interview
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.
- ibid
- Pathi U Ko Ko Lay’s lecture 1973, Islamic Religious Library Magazine.
- Pe Maung Tin and G.H.Luce, The Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma, Rangoon University Press, Rangoon, Burma, January 1960.
- Bagan Culture”, Professor U Than Tun M.A., B.L., D. Lit., Ph.D.
- “Ancient Pyu”,Professor U Than Tun M.A., B.L., D. Lit., Ph.D.
- “The Muslims of Burma” A study of a minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrassowitz. Wisbaden.
- ” THE EMERGENCE OF THE PANTHAY COMMUNITY AT MANDALAY”, BY PROFESSOR U MAUNG MAUNG LAY.
- “Aung Sans’ Plan for Reconstruction of Corrupted Myanmar” by Dr San Oo Aung published in Burma Digest on 14.5.06.
- The press releases of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, March 12,1992.
- N. Kamal. Building confidence in Rohingyas’ mind. The New Nation Newspaper, Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 26, 1992.
- Nurul Islam. Present atmosphere in Arakan. The New Nation Newspaper, Bangladesh, Monday October 12, 1992.
- Press Release, Rohingya Patriotic Front 9-2-1966.
- Burma Digest Bo Aung Din’s Compassionate Letters- About Myanmar Muslims. and Myanmar Indian Muslims.
External links
- Burma Digest Bo Aung Din’s Letter 11, Myanmar Muslims and Myanmar Indian Muslims.
- Burma Digest Bo Aung Din’s Letter 10- Myanmar Muslims, Myanmar Chinese Muslims and Migrants.
- Burma Digest Bo Aung Din’s Letter 9- Myanmar Muslims.
- Myanmar Muslim news-
- Burmese Muslims Network-
- Islamic Unity Brotherhood
- Arakan Rohingya National Organization-
- Rohingya Language-
- Free Rohingya Campaign-
- Myanmar Muslim political Awareness Oranization-
- Panthay on line community-
- Office of UN High Commisioner for Human Rights
- US Department of State,International Religious Freedom Report 2005 on Burma
- US Department of State, Burma, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2005.Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
- Amnesty International’s report on Burma
- UK Conservatives’ Human Rights
- Refusal of Identity Cards for Burmese Muslims
- Refusal of Identity Cards for Burmese Muslims (in Burmese. We also love Burma.)
- Racial Discriminations on Burmese Muslims
- Human Rights issues in Burma
- PRAYERS FOR BURMA
- Priestly, Harry (2006-01). "The Outsiders". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Butkaew, Samart (2005-02). "Burmese Indians: The Forgotten Lives" (PDF). Burma Issues. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - The Persecution of Muslims in Burma, by Karen Human Rights Group
