Townships officials have made it illegal for Muslims to pray in mosques. The Maungdaw Township Administration Officer (TAO) issued an official statement in writing on Jan.26 forbidding locals from reciting the Namaz prayer in their places of worship. The Namaz is a Muslim prayer that must be repeated at least 4 times.
The letter written on official letterhead was posted and issued to all the local village administration officers (VAOs) who are required to enforce the order in Maungdaw.
After the sectarian violence between Muslims and Buddhists broke out in June, Maungdaw Township authorities barred prayer in mosques. But in northern Maungdaw Muslims could still pray although they were limited to five people at a time.
Rohingya villagers expected that things would get better after the situation in the state stabilized. They were very disappointed after learning about the public order that denies them religious freedom.
Officials also ordered the closure of all Arabic schools (Mogtab) for children, according to a Muslim religious leader in southern Maungdaw. “The quasi-civilian government declared that Burma is a religious free country. But while they (state authorities) encourage Buddhism by building Buddhist monasteries and pagodas across the country, they are oppressing Muslims and Christians.”
