Fall of Arakan Kingdom observed by Arakanese organizations in Japan and South Korea

The Rakhine (Arakanese) organizations in Japan and South Korea jointly observed the 239th anniversary of Fall of Arakan Kingdom, an event annually marked on 31 December.

"The ceremony commemorating Rakhine sovereignty was jointly held by the Rakhine communities in Japan and South Korea," said an official from the Arakan Union-Japan.

Arakan Union-Japan and United Arakan Network-Korea jointly organized the event where over 400 Rakhine nationals from Japan and South Korea participated through online arrangements.

"We conduct this ceremony with the intention to remember that the Rakhine people once enjoyed freedom and independence. In 1784, during the reign of king Maha Thammada, the sovereignty of the Arakanese Kingdom was compromised by the Burmese kings. Our aspiration is to restore the Rakhine sovereignty in the 240th anniversary,” added Arakan Union-Japan representative.

The ceremony was attended by a considerable number of Rakhine people from Japan and South Korea.

An official from the United Arakan Network-Korea said that they want this year to mark the end of Arakan's loss of sovereignty.

“In the upcoming years, we aim to celebrate a period of joy for the entire Rakhine nation. Our vision is for Arakanese people to shape their own destiny,” he added.

Responsible Arakanese leaders participated in the ceremony virtually and delivered  speeches while addressing questions raised by the Rakhine people in South Korea and Japan.

Currently an intense conflict is going on in Arakan (Rakhine) State between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military junta, that resulted in displacing over 300,000 individuals from their places.

Arakanese kingdom maintained its independence  for 5000 years. History narrates four kingdoms namely Dhanyawadi, Waithali, Lemro and Mrauk-U.  On 31 December 1784, the invading army of the Burmese kings occupied Mrauk-U, the capital of the Arakanese kingdom. This event finally led to the demise of the dynasty and the collapse of Arakanese sovereignty.