Campaigners for the draft proposal widely known in Myanmar as the ‘Interfaith Marriage Law’ have launched a petition in Yangon to collect the signatures of supporters.
The controversial draft law sets out to restrict Buddhist women in the country from marrying men of different faiths.
The campaign was launched on July 9 in North Okkalapa Township where proponents in trucks used loudspeakers to convey their ideals and played nationalistic music as they drove through the streets. Sermons by nationalist monk U Wirathu were also played.
Copies of the draft law were distributed, and Buddhist residents were encouraged to sign the petition.
“I signed after I read the proposal,” said a trishaw driver. “Most of the people in our neighborhood signed it too.”
Similar gatherings took place in Mingaladon, Hlaingtharyar and Ein Sein townships. Organizers went door to door to collect signatures and several township officers and firefighters were on hand to give assistance, said residents.
“The petition was all about supporting the Interfaith Marriage Law and organizers requested that we all sign it,” said Ma May Thazin from Mingaladon. “Most people just signed out of a fear of offending.”
She said that she refused to sign the petition because “a proposal submitted by Buddhist monks cannot be considered a law.” She also criticized the proposal for focusing only on Buddhist women but not on men.
It was reported to Mizzima that similar petitions were also circulated outside the former capital in Mandalay, Taunggyi, Kalaw, Aungpan, Heho and Nyaungshwe.
The draft law was proposed at a June 12 press conference by Buddhist monks at the Saykeindarama Monastery in Hmawbi.
Ko Soe Wunna ,a member of a Buddhist youth funeral service organization, said that in North Okkalapa a total of 22,000 signatures had been collected, and that all the petitions would be presented to U Wirathu when he visits Yangon on July 19.
