Muslim communities in Myanmar's spring revolution

Muslim communities in Myanmar's spring revolution

From Rashid, Razak, and Ko Ni to Mya Aye, Myanmar Muslims have participated in mainstream politics in Myanmar's independence and democratic struggle. In the failed political transition period (2011 to 2021), Muslims in Myanmar were the most vulnerable and socially and politically marginalised in the wake of the ultra-nationalist movement coupled with widespread societal Islamophobia.

In the spring revolution, dozens of Muslims were imprisoned and killed, including Wai Moe Naing, a prominent student activist from Monwya recently sentenced by the SAC to 34 years in prison. Muslims also have a significant amount in PDF and fight against the military junta along with other ethnic and religious fighters. However, despite their participation and their great sacrifice, Muslim communities as well as other 'unofficial minorities' are still generally excluded in the federal democratic discussion, such as the NUG, NUCC, and CRPH.

We will discuss how Muslim communities in Myanmar face structural and everyday discrimination regarding citizenship, including access to fundamental human rights and public services. And how can the new federal democratic design accommodate their historical grievances and ensure their social integration/inclusion with the larger society in Myanmar? How can the revolution lead to a more inclusive understanding of Myanmar identity?

SPEAKERS:

Dr Elizabeth Rhoads is a Researcher and Visiting Senior Lecturer at Lund University's Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies where she works on citizenship and displacement in and from Myanmar. 

Aung Ko Ko is the founder and director of Mosaic Myanmar, an NGO that enables individuals and societies to achieve community and social cohesion through education and advocacy support.

CHAIR: Hunter Marston

The Myanmar Research Centre Dialogue Series’ 2023 program includes a special series of nine presentations on the theme of revolution and solidarity in Myanmar, which is based on a collection of papers commissioned by the Myanmar Research Centre and the Danish Institute for International Studies.