Riot-hit Myanmar: Calls for Peace and Calm, Rumor is the main culprit

Greetings folks, it sure has been a while since my last post on this blog. It's because I have been working on video-interviews for Part-II of my own article "Singaporean? PR? Foreigner? Looking from a different Angle". During this past weekend, the major highlight of my news had been centered around on recent Civil Unrest in Myanmar, although many are labeling it as "Sectarian Violence" and/or "Religious Fights/Wars", I still refuse to be sucked into mainstream media's propaganda-like mind-set. In my previous article (click here to read), I have stated my own opinion, shared by many fellow Myanmar and other races alike who wish and prefer peaceful  love over violent hatred. As a follow-up to the previous article, I would like to further highlight how different kinds of religions had been co-existing and practiced freely in Myanmar. By doing this article, I sincerely hope and wish to achieve the followings:

1. Understanding of the reader (which is, you) regarding the current situation in Myanmar, real reasons behind it and the actual issue of innocent people suffering,

2. Subsequently, and hopefully getting you to think in a constructive and positive ways, rather than following the views of controversy-hungry mainstream medias and those who wish to further fan the flames of violence,

Let me do a little re-cap and catching up of the recent matters. The riots in Meiktila has now been contained more or less under control, even though the main damage had been done. In the wake of the violent clashes and riots, at least 32 human lives were lost and homes, shelters and religious buildings were destroyed, displacing close to 9000 residents. (The direct links to the reports and news of various medias can be found at the end of this post.)

On 24 Mar 2013, both Buddhism and Islamic religious leaders have come out and issued a Interfaith Friendship statement, calling for all the people of Myanmar to "maintain the community harmony with love and kindness".

Yesterday, Myanmar's reformist government (President Thein Sein's administration) has issued an official statement calling for all its citizens and residents alike to put an end to the "terrorist acts and religious extremism". However, according to prominent local medias such as Eleven media, there had been rumors of similar civil, racial and religious tensions spreading rapidly across the towns and cities of Myanmar. Even in the former capital city Yangon, the residents and shop-owners alike are taking precautions by closing up businesses much earlier than normal and choosing not to go out at late night.

Having grown up in Myanmar, and being a Roman-catholic (Christian) by my own will and choice, these recent developments and news shocked me to the core. In Myanmar, I lived and grew up among friends of differing faiths; Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Muslims. Having said that, I never once encountered a direct religion-to-religion clashes.

Let me give you this example, in the former capital city, there are prominent buildings of highlight: Church of Emmanuel, Sule Pagoda and an Islamic Masjid mosque right in the center of the city, within 5-minutes walking distance of each other. It greatly symbolizes the unity of a nation with various cultures and different faiths. It's true, Myanmar is a very much dominantly Buddhist country. Nonetheless, its long-standing religious harmony and peaceful co-existence of different faiths may not be the best in the world, but it is at least an equal to any other country on this earth. Previous episodes of Rohingya situation and this current Meiktila riots are the only prominent/notable blemishes to the otherwise admirably impeccable religious-harmony. And both of those incidents were arguably influenced by and originated from other matters unrelated to religion.

Furthermore, the mindsets of most of the Burmese are soft and kind-hearted. If a traveler becomes thirsty and would like to ask for a glass of water from a nearby house, 9 out of 10 houses will help him, even though he/she is a complete stranger. So, why the recent killings and violence? Like I've said before, the reasons can be put down to; hooliganism of certain people emboldened by recent acquisition of freedom and argument/problem of littlest importance unfortunately coinciding with the peak period of civilian discontent and unhappiness. Rumor is defined as "information, often a mixture of truth and untruth, passed and spread around verbally". And in my humblest opinion, this rumor is the main culprit. Originally-present discontent and unhappiness in the hearts of people did not help to the cause either.

(As I am writing this, the rumors are being spread around, both online and down in the streets. Along with it, the fear and worry of the people (who wants None of these problems) are increasingly growing. Being a caring Burmese myself, I am doing my part in trying help my country and for the good of the community that my relatives and friends live in. Fellow Burmese, please do your part, if you have a thinking conscious mind for your country.)

The rumors and violence-favoring mongering have also been spreading on the internet. As to the reasons and motives behind this, only they themselves will know. And these recent developments are pulling back Myanmar back into the shadows of oppressive-military-regime. Democracy and Freedom are not worth giving to people with hooliganism and selfish thoughts. Taking justice into own hands is an act of egotistical nature.

Also, looking at this situation from a Foreigner's perspectives, it is really worrisome for those with intentions of investing in Myanmar. Who would want to invest in a country if there are continuing conflicts throughout the country? I can only shake my head and shudder when I think of all the possible negative national prospects arising from this.

Nonetheless, I besiege the readers reading this (both Burmese and Foreigners alike) to contribute and help by thinking the right issues, fixing them in the right ways and opting for peace, love and harmony in the face of adversity. If you are in a foreign country  (like myself) and agree with my points of view, you can at least help spread this article. Love, peace and harmony tastes, sounds and feel much much better than hatred, violence and chaos. And it is with much hope I hereby end my article.

Feel free to comment and express your views, no matter if you agree with me or not.

P.S. Please take a few minutes of your time to listen to this song: Heal the world cover by Justus, a band of talent musicians. And let's start to heal this world.




References and credits to:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1262281/1/.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1262037/1/.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-myanmar-violence-muslims-buddhists-20130325,0,6551048.story
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/2919-shops-shut-in-yangon-following-rumours-of-mosque-attacks
http://kyawkyawoo.wordpress.com/masjids-in-burma-myanmar/