Aung Kywe Nyein, Narinjara News, 10 May 2024

The United League of Arakan/Arakha Army (ULA/AA)ensures harmony, friendship and coexistence between the Rakhine and Muslim communities in the Rakhinetownships under their administrative control.

In various Rakhine Townships, the Muslims encountered restrictions on business andtravel in earlier days. Moreover, they faced discrimination in healthcare andeducation facilities.

After the AA started controlling over the townshipslike Paletwa, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Ramree, Pauktaw, Rathedaung,Minbya, Myebon, etc, the Muslim residents regained their liberty for businessand other activities.

"In the AA controlled townships, the Muslims cannow move more freely. During the military junta's rule, we faced restrictionsin entering the township. Even we faced problems accessing medical facilities.Now, the situation has improved,” said a Muslim resident.

Now the Muslims are moving freely and doing marketingin shops and other public places.

Furthermore, there is a collaborative effort betweenRakhine and Muslims in developing trades and other financial activities.

Since 2012, the Muslims faced various restrictions in accessing health, education, business, socialengagements, etc. The situation gradually improved after the AA fighterscaptured many Rakhine townships.

“Now there is harmony between Rakhine and Muslims inevery aspect. However, in townships still under military rule, the situationremains the same. Rather some Muslims are compelled to engage in disruptiveactivities like torching Rakhine houses,” said a Rakhine resident.

In the townships like Sittwe, Buthidaung, Maungdaw which are still undermilitary rule, the junta soldiers are providing arms training to  Muslimyouths. There are more incidents of burning houses belonging to Rakhinefamilies and instances of killing innocent people belonging to various ethniccommunities.

The Rakhine people restrained themselves fromretaliation as the ULA/AA appealed to them to maintain peace and harmony.

On the contrary, the junta forces are initiatingactions to escalate ethnic conflicts between Rakhine and Muslims.

Daw Ma Aye Chay, whose house was torched, stated thatit was painful to see their houses burnt down. While the AA asked people toavoid clashes, the junta soldiers are  trying to create tension betweenthe two major communities, which is very unfortunate.