Disowned and Denied
“Rohingya! You are not required, because you don’t belong to any class therefore; you are free to go any where you like but, mind it! Burma is not your home, because it was never yours.”
This didn’t happen in couple of years, but this actually started since 1942 and more forcefully with the first military coup in 1962 in Burma.
Going through a reasonable straining of internet and newspapers for the search of reality, one can realize the truth about extremely painful story of Rohingya. This has happened and is happening to such a height of hate-redness against mankind by mankind that more you regret more you feel.
If it is asked how did it start? Let’s assume, that cause was dishonouring of a Buddhist woman by Rohingya some where around mid of June. 50% it could be true. But on the other hand, if 5% of the total community is not considered as citizens imposed with conditions like, 1. No land no home to live in, 2. To get married they have to apply for a licence, 3. No access to travel freely, 4. Educations not allowed, and are rejected because they are not similar in looks, speak different language and have different religion.
It is quite obvious to expect deep rooted factor of hate and disliking at certain ends as the real cause of conflict.
They were participating in parliament and took part in other country matters since independence 1948. Military started ignoring them after their first coup in 1962 and since 1982 Citizenship Law of Burma completely stripped off their nationality, making them legally stateless.
Who is then responsible, naturally the government of Myanmar.
Burma
It was small states in 1752. In 1886 Burma became a province during British reign and remained until 1937. From 1937 to 1948 it was British colony and it gained independence in 1948. It faced two military coups 1962 and 1988. Official name is the Union of Myanmar which remained Burma until 1989. Its official language is Burmese. Total population of Burma is between 47.3 to 54.59 millions of which 4 to 6% are Muslims. (.8 in Burma, .3 in Bangladesh, .2 in Pakistan, .1 in Thailand and .024 millions in Malaysia.)
Majority is of Buddhists. Capital Yangon formerly Rangoon where the last Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar was kept in jail and British presented him three cut off heads of his sons during the Indian war of independence in 1857
Myanmar is Southeast Asian country not anyway lesser in natural resources then many other countries. It is rich in agriculture, minerals and major exporter of rice. Slumped down because of mismanagement and its poor strategies thus, became the poorest nation mostly dependent on oil imports to keep running its economy going.
It occupies a narrow strip of land to the west of the mountains of Arakan yoma(Range).It stretches along Bay of Bengal from River Naaf, which separates it from Bangladesh to Cape Negrais.
Arakan(Rakhine)
The name Arakan was changed to Rakhine in 1989 by military junta. It is in the southern Burma. Arakan was ruled by those who used Indian titles and traditions. In the later periods, there was influence of Islamic courts of Bengal and Dehli.
The area of Arakan is 14,200 square miles, where the problem of Rohingya Muslim lies for Myanmar. The earliest inhabitants belong to the Negrito group. At present Rohingya and Rakhine are almost equal. Rohingyas growth rate enhanced because of polygamy and early marriages. Buddhists have low rate because of monogamy. Un-official population of Rakhine is 5 millions in side and out side. 1.5 millions of them have been expelled since 1942 but, present number in Myanmar is .8 millions.
Rohingya a myth or reality
Dr. Jacques P. Leider is an expert of Arakan history. He says that the term Rooinga was used in late 18th century by a British Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. In one of his articles during 1799. He stated “ I shall now add three dialects, spoken in the Burma Empire, but evidently derived from the language the Hindu nation. The first is that spoken by Mohammedans, who have long settled in Arakan, and who call themselves Rooinga, or natives of Arakan. Leider also adds that the etymology of the word “does not say anything about politics.” He adds that “You use this term for yourself as a political label to give yourself identity in the 20th century. Now how is this term used since the 1950s? It is clear that people who use it want to give this identity to the community that live there”
They claim to be Arab descendents who came during 8th and 9th centuries AD. But Myanmar Government admits that these Muslims came during British colonialism. Anyway they are definitely, centuries old inhabitants of Burma present-day Myanmar
There are four groups of Muslims in Burma; two groups of Burmese Muslims, third of Chinese Panthay and fourth Rohingyas.
Many historians have written about their existence in Myanmar with reliable resources, after independence in 1948 they accepted as indigenous race of Myanmar. Almost 135 minority tribes live in Myanmar. They have their own language, culture and custom. There are eight Major castes, each have dozens of sub castes. Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, Chin, Mon, Bamar 68%, Rakhine and Shan.
Rohingya are very kind, generous, helpful, dedicated servants of Myanmar and it is a reality and not a myth.
Rohingya Language
Rohingya is spoken by Rohingya people of Arakan(Rakhine/Rohang).It has some what resemblance with Chittagonian language spoken in their southeast neighbour Chittagong Division of Bangladesh
First 200 years old Rohingya texts are in Arabic, while Arakan was under British rule (1826 to 1948 ). People used mainly English and Urdu for their written communication. Since independence in 1948 Burmese is official language. During 1960 one of their scholars started to realize the need for their own written language. A persistent research and development process with the help of English alphabets took their success close and easier for modern day need of computer, internet and mobile for global communication.
This language is a mixture of Arabic, Persian, Bengali, Urdu and English. In ancient times they used Sanskrit, Bengali and Urdu. They have their writers and poets who wrote their history, but Myanmar dictators banned it.
Recently Rohingya columnist Mr. Mayu Myo Aung submitted an appeal to the president with 200 people signatures on it for the authenticity of their existence in Myanmar.
Buddhism
“One thing I teach: suffering and the end of suffering. It is just ill and the ceasing of ill that I proclaim.” The Buddha
A spiritual teacher almost 500BC.from Indian subcontinent Siddharta Gautama felt shocked and distressed at the world sufferings and decided to seek enlightenment therefore, he left his family.
Buddhist’s common belief is admiration of his figure. They are 360 millions; mostly in China, Japan and south East Asia. They focus on reincarnation, monastic life and meditation.
Buddhists who don’t like to harm even an insect and stay bare footed lest any ant gets killed, how they became so brutal and killed so many Rohingya men, women and children, burned their villages and dishonoured women?
Violation
At present, Rohingya are not officially listed as so called indigenous races of Arakan although they are half of total population of Arakan. In context of religion all Rakhines are Buddhists. Bruwas and Dainets are Buddhists too. Only Kamans and Rohingyas are Muslims.
Some international media has plunged in like UNO, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch ant etc. But, perhaps not showing how Muslims are massacred and their houses burned.
It would be the most brutal act against mankind if along with security forces Buddhist Rakhine ethnics are found involved in killings and burning.
The forced displacement of thousands of Rohingya has also not been exposed fully.
Many individual citizens of Burma experience human rights violations. Rohingya are discriminately targeted as a group. They are irregular migrants with no legal status out side Burma, because they are stateless and they have to travel illegally, and thus often become victims of baseless detention, deportation, blackmailing, trafficking, and smuggling.
People have migrated during entire history because of many reasons. It doesn’t mean that if they have their roots in Chittagong therefore, they must all be thrown out of Myanmar. Then, with non original roots people should be thrown out of Australia, America, East Bengal, West Bengal/India and the world. There is no so called “pure race” according to genetics and science any where. How ever, Africa has some what better options as for the race is concerned for all of us to search our roots. They are still pure.
A think tank’s mind might question about this ethnic problem of Myanmar in a different way. Is this a problem of historic nature, internal politics, Internationalization or of global warriors, the big ones; feudal lords of present day world?
Top international media CNN, BBC and all European news agencies are completely silent on atrocities committed against them.
The reason of their silence including Arabs and the rest of Muslim community is indeed a question mark.
Would honourable madam Aung San Suu Kyi be able to prove her self a strong figure for the solution of Rohinya problems?
It is honour of Turkish government who has taken initiative in providing aid for poor Rohingya people apart from United Nations.
Solution
Aung San Suu Kyi, is daughter of a revered martyr Aung San. She is prominent spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD). A stable political system is needed that could skilfully handle aspiration of various ethnic groups although; history of Myanmar continues to haunt. A strong prosperous will relied upon personal dint of hard work shall get Myanmar out of all its problems.
.Myanmar means strong and fast. Myanmar government can not ignore her responsibility and should take strong, quick and steadfast move to take care of Rohingya who surely can play a vital role in development of Myanmar being as future asset and valuable citizens of Myanmar exactly like other citizens by replacing hate with love.
For more interest please see:
http://www.angelfire.com/or3/rohingya.com/etymology.htm
http://www.soas.ac.uk/sbbr/editions/file64388.pdf
http://merhrom.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/towards-understanding-arakan-history-part-i/
rationallook.wordpress.com 