Trying not to Forget - Outside Reading

December 8 2017
The state of Rakhine, a place run by the Myanmar government, is attempting to eradicate the existence of the Rohingya. The state itself is majority buddhist while the Rohingya describes the muslim minority. The government is attempting to erase the Rohingya from history by military and political force.
About two thirds of the population has fled to Bangladesh due to the military’s violence such as rape, murder and arson. Religious institutions and landmarks associated with the Rohingya have been destroyed or repurposed in order to alienate them. By doing this, the government creates a sense of hopelessness and restless. Teachers and other influential community members have been censored or arrested when it comes to Rohingya history and culture. They have been denied basic human rights and health care, put into camps, stripped of their work, and prevented from going to school. A man who wished to be kept anonymous described it as “state-run ethnic cleansing”. When questioned, Myanmar people act as though they have never been to school, worked, or associated with Muslims. The government slaps the label of “terrorist” or “illegal immigrant” on every Rohingya.
Sacred places are extremely important in religion because they are grounding. It strengthens communities and helps people grow and learn. Without the physical place, people must rely on their memories. The state itself is trying to eradicate any trace of the Rohingya, so how will they be remembered at all?

Citation: ‘No Such Thing as Rohingya’: Myanmar Erases a History - Hannah Beech 12/2/17

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