BBC report stirs anti-Rohingya sentiment
Although published a year ago, and since corrected, the BBC report has circulated rapaciously on the internet in recent weeks, and has become the subject of a number of blog posts either criticising the BBC for implying the Rohingya are part of the Burmese population, or lamenting the vitriolic responses its report has attracted.
The map in question demarcates areas of Burma as belonging to specific ethnic groups, albeit somewhat erroneously: the Shan, for instance, are said to inhabit only a third of modern-day Shan state, and the Karen are shown as the main ethnic group in Irrawaddy division.
But it was the identification of Arakan state as the home of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group that has been the subject of a perennial and fiery dispute over its origins, that has sparked outrage.
Following the publication, the BBC’s Burmese Facebook page was hit with hundreds of complaints, some from monks, calling on the organisation to issue a public apology and even remove any reference to Rohingya from the map. Failing to apologise should result in a boycott of the BBC, some even argued. The BBC has since amended the map to include ‘Rakhine’, the name given by the government to Arakanese, as also populating the state, but anger continues to boil.
Many Burmese believe the Rohingya to be of Bengali origin that over centuries have migrated to western Burma, a sentiment shared by the Burmese government which denies them citizenship and which for decades has meted out hefty treatment against the group, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the country.
Rohingya support groups say however that there is evidence that Islam existed in Burma prior to the now-dominant Theravada Buddhism, and that the Rohingya’s roots in Arakan state go back centuries.
Rumours circulated in Rangoon today that a protest would be held outside the British embassy over the BBC report, although except for a number of local and foreign journalists, little appeared to happen. Jeremy Hodges, deputy head of mission at the embassy, told DVB that he had made himself available to accept any petition that may have been circulated among protestors, but that nothing was in sight.
“We know there is a perception among some Arakanese groups that Rohingya are singled out for preferential treatment by groups like the International Organisation for Migration, and that money is given to them at the expense of other Arakanese, but we feel this is a misconception,” he said.
Unlike many Arakanese, Rohingya are prevented from travelling freely outside of specially-designated zones, and are often subject to racial and religious persecution. Up to 400,000 are living as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh, having fled decades of maltreatment at the hands of the military and local civilians.
An article last week on the New Mandala blog, run by academics from the Australia National University, said the cries of protest were somewhat hypocritical.
“…although Arakan ethnic members very often talk against majority ethnic Burmans (or Bamar) for what they call the ‘colonization of Arakan’, ‘Burmanization’ and Burmese chauvinism, they now mobilize the entire Burmese population against Rohingyas to ‘protect Burma and its ‘national races’’.”
Among critics of the Rohingya are high-profile Burmese, including Berlin-based historian Khin Maung Saw, whose paper, “Islamization of Burma Through Chittagonian Bengalis as ‘Rohingya Refugees’”, triggered angry responses.
Widespread anger was also vented at current Burmese ambassador to the UN, Ye Myint Aung. During his tenure as Consul-General to Hong Kong, he wrote in a letter to other heads of mission, and copying in international newspapers, that Burma’s ethnic Rohingya were “ugly as ogres”.
Tags: bangladesh, burma, myanmar, rangoon, rohingya
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Ohn says:
Fair and equal treatment is essential for peace and happiness
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Mr. Real Naive Rakhine says:
BBC was very popular in Rakhine State and people trusted it throughout the rule of military. However the native Rakhine people regard BBC now the stooges of the rootless invaders. BBC should be shameful for its stupid and incompetent reporter and reports. How can we trust BBC now? BBC and the British should educate themselves about Myanmar. the British invaded Myanmar. Now they are encouraging invaders again. The British should be shameful for their invasion to Myanmar and for their stupid and unethical reporting. We, the native Theravada Buddhist Rakhines, who has stayed in the Rakhine State,over 2500 years ago, strongly demanded BBC to apologize for its unintelligent and idiotic reports. And we call for the participation of all authentic ethnic brothers and sisters to protest against BBC. This is the danger to all ethnics in Myanmar.
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Zaw Win says:
lollll.. What a funny article, Francis Wade. What you did is collecting all the negative pieces of information of Burmese against Bengalis and compiling into an article. What a journalism DVB is propagating!!! Shame on you!!!
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Zaw Win says:
Why don’t you post the original map? You don’t have it? Let me know if you want it.
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Myat Phyo Kyaw says:
so… show the historical evidence…who is the last king of Rohingya in Rakhine
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naing win says:
It is nice to know the feeling of both side othewise difficult to solve the problem or solution.I like that Rakhine Racist what they expressing orginal feeling.Rakhine people are like Rohingya people on the same expesssion.It,s a not big conflictbut the problem is on the hand of Burmanism minded malitary who are rulling the country since 1948.
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ngenge says:
People got angry because “Rohingya” does not represent Rhakines(and by the way it is Rhakhines;not Arakanese) the Britishs gave these name(the way they hear our original names/words)just like Yangon was called Rangoon, Pyi was called Prome and so on. I am not saying that those Rohingya should be kicked out of the country or anything like that! About human rights and stuffs–we all(people in Burma(again named by the British)–regardless of our religion or ethnicity) do not have full human rights;the minority groups are not the only ones without human rights.Ok? We all are suffering here.
We got angry because those “misleading” reports tried to change the history. If some Burmese groups have been living in UK/US for decades, or even for century, would they be reported as native to that country? I do not think so!
For those who claimed that Islam existed in Burma prior to Theravada Buddhism, I just want to say “please check the history” because it does not worth arguing for this topic. -
Ramiel says:
It is however, true that these so-called “Rohingyas” are not Burmese ethnics.
It is acceptable if these “Rohingyas” want humane treatment or citizenship.
However, when they start claiming as if they are an ethnic group of Burma or that they have been living in Arakan before anyone else, etc, it is starting to get pretty unacceptable. Why? It’s because they are trying to change history. Which is really absurd.
Also note that not every Muslim in Burma are “Rohingyas”. Even if the claims of Islam existing in Burma is correct, that doesn’t automatically make the claims of those “Rohingyas” relevant. “Rohingya” historians claim that Arab merchants arrived in Arakan state. However, “Rohingyas” are Bengali. There is no doubt in that.
The “Rohingya” thing should be objected unless they stop claiming to be an ethnic group of Burma and making up absurd histories. Anyone trying to make up or create false history should be scorned. If they just want humane treatment, refugee status or citizenship or whatever, that’s fine. But changing history to fit their claims? That’s absurd. -
Pyae Phyo Kyaw says:
Everyone know that Rohingya are migrant from Bangladesh and there is no evident of Rohingya and Muslim expect on the Myanmar Land since 1000 years ago. Why BBC want to lie the whole world?
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Kayin the mogolian origin says:
why Burmese r so offensive when Rohingya group are commented as one of burmese tribes.
The burmese r karlar origin too.
Kan Sitta, Anawrata, r Karlar names obviously.
The temples of Pagan represent Hindi the Karlar architecture
the different is the religion. -
Maung Kyaw Nu A Former Political Prisoner of Conscience Gneneration says:
To de-clonise Arakan ,you better join to the Arms groups NUPA,ALP who are trying to re gain lost Independence of Arkan from BAMA. Dr.Aye Kyaw ,Dr.Aye Chan ,U Khin Maung Saw and some Monks stage many protest befroe the UN and some Embassies of overseas for declonisation of Arakan from Burman.
Now the same groups are trying to create communal RIOTS in Arakan and Burma.Even this groups defame Burmese Muslims too.What are your real hidden PROGRAM.
You would like to drive first Rohingyas ,then BAMA .AREN’T IT????Are there any dengerious communal discriminations in others Ethinic Areas in the country??
Every people need unity and peace.Please be sincere and honest.
We are very tired of to restore democracy and peace in the country. Many political prisoners of conscience are still languaging in the prisons.Please don’t try to divert the younger generations’ nobel mind to wards Democratic movements.
Please focus your energy and state of mind to the democratic movements.Keep it aside your divide and rule politics which is as if like Bo Ne Win policy.
Are you collaborators of JUNTAS?Don’t play with the peace loving people!!
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Norman Hla says:
Fransic Wade wrote :Many Burmese believe the Rohingya to be of Bengali origin that over centuries have migrated to western Burma, a sentiment shared by the Burmese government which denies them citizenship and which for decades has meted out hefty treatment against the group, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the country.
Rohingya support groups say however that there is evidence that Islam existed in Burma prior to the now-dominant Theravada Buddhism, and that the Rohingya’s roots in Arakan state go back centuries.”
Many Burmese who reject the Rohingya as Burmese ethnics, should find out the (above) truth of the claim from Rohingya’s support group. In history, late prime minister U Nu offered Burmese nationality cards to some Rohingya for his election vote or whatever. However, from my knowledge, the only possible claim of Burmese nationality right needs to prove that he or she must be the descent of the Burmese or born in Burma. Those Rohingya might not be in refugee status in Burma before they were granted their Burmese citizenships by U Nu. I never heard that Burmese government offered Burmese citizenship in law to any refugees in Burma during my time. I think there is no such kind of Laws for refugee in Burma until now. Chinese refugees living in Burma held the certificates of identity(CI holder-foreigner status) during U Nu and Ne win rules and they needed to re-new with payment when expired . I never heard that those CI(refugee) was offered Burmese citizenship for voting U Nu as well. If so, the existing of Burmese ethnic as Rohingya was accepted by legitimate Burmese government(U Nu) at that time. Late General Aung San earlier accepted Rohingya in history but I do not know the real reason behind. He might want to recruit Rohingya to fight British colony at that time or because of ancient living of Rohingya in Arakan state claimed by Rohingya support group(above). However, it is true that there are ancient Muslim temples in Arakan state which means… -
Norman Hla says:
refugee to Australia and ASEAN because “than shwe” has the cheapest labor for opium plantation and methamphetamine factories. Killing of more ethnics by “than shwe” rape-rewarded cheapest bama soldiers force to produce more opium and methamphetamine for ethnics’ weapon cost to against rich “than shwe”. Racial discrimination(ethnics cleansing) is the principle of bama military’s “bama-nization” for their personal gain(wealth and power consolidation). Burmese should not be in the trap of ‘than shwe” manipulation. Burmese must know that Australia and Singapore are benefit from multiculturalism respectively with their governments’ good intention to their own citizens. Now, the best Burmese brains are draining to those countries. This kind of benefit needs time, financial burden and civilized manner . However, Burma is the world poorest country because of suppressive all bama military rules , especially “Nargis killer military than shwe.”
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Norman Hla says:
I do not hope that some Arakanese or Burmese should not be cheated by “than shwe” military strategy like cheating DASSK to make more distant to future giant Chinese leaders in Myistone Dam case. Than shwe has a lot of time to play the political game but we, Burmese has not much time. The more longer the survival of the than shwe, the more richer he is due to the unethical ASEAN chair in 2004. The sanction from EU and US is nothing for brutality of than shwe who only need China , India and ASEAN business for his survival. The seek-and hide is “than shwe” game for US and EU who also have no interest in Burmese natural resources as well as political influence. The influence of India and Thailand are enough for them(US and EU). The creating the faked patriotism for “than shwe” personal gain should be aware by Burmese , especially Arakanese. Can you say , who is the origin for “chicken and egg” for this long, long history in the respect of exiting of Rohingya in Arakan land. Your mouth say that “if it is the refuge issue and refuge right upon Rohingya, you accept them sincerely” If so, you can enact your own law for humanitarian ground with your true Buddhism or Christian heart without “than shwe” approval. Don’t discuss about the than shwe’s shit to you or than shwe will give more his own shit and bull shit to your naïve patriotism. I finally say you that “than shwe” is not my Burmese government so his any opinions and laws especially in all ethnics issue , patriotism are invalid(shit). Than shwe has his own law for his personal gain but we, all civilians must have our own law for our nation. WE NEED Rohyingya and China to fight than shwe’s colony like late General Aung San. Do you all expect that the next Burmese ruler is than shwe’s grandson because of his patriotism?
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R. Chakma says:
BBC and western media is spreading a lie that so called Rohingyas are natives of Arakan. In reality these people are nothing but Bengali Muslims brought to Burma by British colonial rulers. These Bengali Muslims were involved in heinous crime and ethnic cleansing agaist the Rakhine Buddhists soon after the 2nd World War with the backing of the British Indian army. Now these Bengali Muslim settlers want to turn Rakhine a Muslim majority state by fast breeding and financial backing of the oil rich Middle East. Indigenous people of Burma will never accept these racist and religious sumpremacist Bengali Muslims as one their own.
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Maung Kyaw Nu A Former Political Prisoner of Conscience Gneneration says:
You guys are very happy in overseas life to be longer .You got Refuggees status by falsely claiming Students demonstrators and politicians.I am sure you are not democrats and just helpers of Military Regimes’ divide and rule policy.You are destroying our democratic cultures.You are misguiding our younger democrats.
What the majority Rakhines realy need ? The answer is Arakan Independence. They are very busy in Foreign including USA and UN to de colonise Arakan. To make Arakan in to BAMAR FREE. In the mean times they need Juntas’ help to drive out Rohingyas /Arakanese Muslims from Burma. After that they will fight to drive out all BAMAR from ARAKAN. The Rakhine leaders said the BAMA stole the MAHAR MYAT MUNI .BAMAR are “PAYA DAMYA”.The Rakhines need the MAHA Myat Muni back.Please go and take arms to regain ARAKAN INDEPENDENCE.This is the right of Arakanese.
What to do all these with democratic movement? Our only Political MOTTO is to end the dictatorial rule first.
We should have to concentrate our full energies to restore Democracy first.
This is my ardent request to every overseas activist to follow the our MARTYRS’s Rules.
Fight for all political prisoners of consciences’ release.
Fight for to retore peace in Ehinics Areas.
These are our duties. -
Ramiel says:
Blind patriotism, extreme nationalism, historical frauds, selfish politicians, racist bigots and corrupted governments are all equally crap.
The Rohingya course is acceptable on humanitarian grounds(in my opinion). However, they seriously need to stop claiming themselves as one of Burmese ethnics. Their claims about history are pretty doubtful. If one analyses Arakanese history, it is pretty clear that Rohingyas are making up history. General Aung San accepted Rohingyas as Burmese ethnics? I have yet to seen such thing.
No doubt, there will be loads of immigrations in this age. People are moving around the world, holding several citizenships of different countries, etc. There is no stopping in that. If Rohingyas want citizenship status, that’s pretty fine (in my opinion). Humanitarian aids, refugee status, etc, that’s all fine.
However, making up histories and proposing pseudo-historical facts lacking solid evidence, in order to get earn themselves an ethnic status is just wrong. Their claims about history are disputable and one of the books published online by one of the Arakanese organizations pretty much criticizes Rohingyas’ claims quite well.
It is really sad that this could lead to racial and at worse religious riots. Let’s all hope it won’t get to that point. -
mahamed sayad says:
dear,,mr chakma,,what r u talking about,,arakan is arabic name,,go and check history,,no body can hide history,,history is not personal property of any individual,,what bbc did it the right direction for the rohingya people,,while the rakhine people come from india and bangladesh,,in bangladesh still have rakhine community,,they enjoy the same status as bengali,,,you simply cant say that rohingya face similar to baegali,,,while rakhine face similar to mizoram,manipuri,,
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Qutub Shah says:
Might is right..! As the muslims are minority in burma, and the rest are all buddhist, we must say it is anti-muslim campign, not anti-rohingya. Why the muslims even in Yangon are not enjoying the same rights as even chinese burmese who arrived recently although There are available evidences proving rohingy’s ethnicity but ignored by the buddhists. The startling fact is that they are muslims. Buddhists are destroying all of rohingya milestones, features and landmarks and falsifying their history. But…
I Love you Arakan, my mother land. I love you Rohingya, my blood. our struggle will go on till our last breath. -
Qutub Shah says:
Don’t you feel shy to say Kalla (ကုလား)? You know Your God was also a Kalla according to your definition. So we are proud to be of your God’s tribe. We are ဘုရား လူမ်ိူး..
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S.ALAM says:
Existence of Rohingya:
Between 7th Century to 16th Century AD, tradings in Java, Malacca, Myanmar and Arakan were influenced by Arab traders. At the same time, the religion Islam was introduced there. When Islamic preachers arrived, some of the first group in Arakan who accepted Muslim were moon worshippers, descendants of ”San-Da-Wan-Tha” and people of Sandathuriya king who ruled over Sandawantha-moon worshipers and Thuriyawantha-sun worshipers. (Researcher)“In 680 AD after the war of ‘Karbala’ Mohammed Hanofiya with his army arrived at Arab-Shah Para, near Maungdaw in the Northern Arakan, while Kaiyapuri, the queen of Cannibals ruled this hilly deep forest attacking and looting the people of Arakan. Mohammed Hanif attacked the Cannibals and captured the queen. She was converted to Islam and married to him. Her followers embraced Islam en masse. Mohammed Hanif and the queen Kaiyapuri lived in Mayu range. The peaks where they lived were still known as Hanifa Tonki and Kaiyapui Tonki. The wild cannibals were tamed and became civilised. Arakan was no more in danger of them and peace and tranquillity prevailed. The followers of Mohammed Hanif and Kaiyapuri were mixed up and lived peacefully.” The descendants of these mixed people no doubt formed the original nucleus of the Rohingya Muslims in Arakan. (from Historical Background of Arakan)
In 788 AD, during the season of Wae Tha Li, many of Arab traders’ boats were demolished by cyclone and landed to an island. And the king of the land relocated them into the lands. Thus, they named that Island as ‘Raham Bre’ (In Arabic, helper island), today call as ‘Rambre Island’. (from historians)
In 887 AD, most of Arakaneses converted to Islam as the results of propagation from India. (from Arab history)
Later from Portugal slavery time, some people from Bangladesh including non-Bangladeshies, were brought into Arakan and sold as slaves to Arab traders and Arakaneses. -
S.ALAM says:
Rohingya in Arakan is long rooted, can be proved by historical buildings with Mosques firstly built in 7th Century AD, Muslim Kings ruled for 4 centuries in Arakan, and others of Islamic names of towns, villages, rivers and others, and some Rakine kings also used Islamic names in 14 Century. Otherwise, the latest DNA may prove their existences. Moreover, some buildings built by Arakanese Muslim combatants, can be seen today in Yangon and Mawlamyaing. (from Burman King Invasions)
The name of Rohingya is founded as the people from Roshang/Rohang-Arakan: Rohang-Gya (‘Gya’ is villager). Like ‘Rakhasa’ to ‘Rakkha’ to ‘Rakkhaing’ to Rakhaing (Rakhine). Like Arakan to Rakhine, Burma to Myanmar. Time by time, states, people, names, cultures, are changed based on determination by influences.
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mong pru says:
Rohingyas have not been in Burma for centuries, they have been there only after the 1950′s! With continuous infiltration they have changed demographic map of western Burma and now they demand a fictitious islamic extremist eclave! what a brainchild by rohingyanists and their mentors in Britain including some christian extremist groups in London (including BBC). Should BBC has been objective in their reporting they must not have purposefully left out the majority ethnic group of Rakhine State in their reporting. BBC and Anna represent the evils of british colonialism and fanning of race and communal hatred. They have been asked to apologize for their evil report, but they will never do so because they are themselves no better than racists, imposing a name to part of Burma which is alien and fictitious. there are thousands of muslim patriots in Burma who are good citizens, employed in government services, doing trade, agriculture and what not. But BBC only sees the nonexistant and islamist socalled rohingyas. those who committed race riots during the british rule against buddhists in Maungdaw and Buthidaung by crossing the Naaf river from bangladesh side, why should burma recognize them as citizens as they have invented a name to prove their burmese ethnicity? the cause of rise in islamic militancy in Burma through rohingyanism is not because of the Burmese junta’s oppression of any kind, it is of socalled rohingyas’ own creation fanned and supported by a muslim neighbourhood, which commits the worst forms of human rights abuse and pogrom against its Buddhist, Hindu and Christian citizens in the name of democracy. Do I need to name it?
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Tin Shwe says:
It is true that rohingya are son of inherit by Arakan. It is historically recognize and proved. If rakhine or ruling dictator (now civilian face) not grant rohingya right.UN must interfere on this issue.only being of non Buddhist ruling dictator and racist rakhine ignor rohingya fundamental right.
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ko aung says:
it is not suprising that rakhine chauvinist ,khin maung saw, u aye chan etc denying rohingya legtimate right.but they are monority, majority of rakhine educated intellectual, who know arkan history will never deny existance rohingya as ethnic of burma.
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