Over 30 Rohingya religious leaders and elders were summoned by state authorities in southern Maungdaw to instruct them on how they would be allowed to worship, among other things.
Maungdaw District Administration officer U Aung Myint Soe told them that not more than 4 people can gather in the mosques at one time during daily prayers.
Everybody must follow the laws in Burma. If you don’t you will be punished, a Nasaka (border guard force) director said during a speech.
But Maulana Abdul asked why Rohingyas face constant harassment at the hands of state authorities while they have been “living in Arakan state for so long”.
“We are not allowed to go from one place to another. We have no jobs and no money to support our families.”
Maulana Abdul was referring to the restriction of movement for the state’s Muslims. Many have been forced to stay in their homes by securities forces after sectarian violence between Rohingyas and Arakanese broke out last June and October.
Other Muslims tried to voice their concerns at the 2 hour meeting that was also attended by the deputy commander of the army, an immigration officer and other Nasaka officers, but they weren’t allowed.
