Maungdaw, arakan State: Three villagers were arrested by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) in the second week of last month on the allegation that they renovated a village mosque in Maungdaw Township without permission, said a trader on condition of anonymity.

Renovation or new construction of religious buildings such as---mosque, Madrasa (religious schools) --- etc in northern Arakan are not allowed.

Two years ago, the village mosque of Shita Porika was renovated by villagers without permission from authorities, the trader added.

Regarding this, two years ago, four villagers were arrested and sentenced to seven years in jail each. They were Molvi Habi Ullah (60), son of Molvi Abdu Shukur, Moni Ullah (45), son of Anu Meah, Issaque (80), and Abdul Hoque (65), son of Islam. They all belong to Shita Porika Village of Maungdaw Township, said a local villager who did not want to be named.

However, last month of the second week, again three villagers were arrested for renovation of the said mosque. They have been identified as Shoffique Ahmed (50), son of Shoffi Ullah, Khobir Ahmed (45), son of Boshir Ahmed and Nurul Islam (45), son of Salim Ullah. They all belong to Shita Porika village of Maungdaw Township, the local villager added.

The authorities had filed a case against 27 villagers for renovation of the mosque. Among them seven villagers were arrested and jailed for seven years each, and the rest 20 villagers have been absconding, said a religious leader from the locality.  

A schoolteacher on condition of anonymity said, “For mosque renovation, seven villagers were jailed and 20 others are absconding to avoid arrest. So, the authorities concerned destroyed the lives of 27 families at a time.”

However, the ruling military junta has declared and boasts that Burma is a country with religious freedom. Actually, there is no country like Burma in the world, in terms of religious persecution, said a businessman from the locality.