AA chief, Muslim leaders discuss future of Arakan State

By Admin 16 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

16 September 2025, Maungdaw

Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing and Muslim leaders from Maungdaw district met last month to discuss the needs of Arakan State, according to Muslim leaders and locals.

The meeting was held in Maungdaw on August 30, after which Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing ordered the reopening of a historical grand mosque.

A Muslim leader who attended told DMG that the meeting between the Arakan Army chief and Muslims was important for Muslims in terms of religious freedom as well as the future building of Arakan State.

"When the head of the Arakan Army met with Muslims, he promised to give Muslims more positions, power and opportunities in regional development," said the Muslim leader who attended the meeting.

Muslim leaders said that discussions were held between Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing and Muslim leaders on Muslim citizenship, religious freedom, and freedom of movement.

An Arakanese political analyst said the meeting between Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing and Muslim leaders was very important for the future construction of Arakan State.

"Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing is a person who is respected by the entire Arakanese people, both domestically and internationally. For such a person to meet with Muslim leaders and open a historical mosque is a very good move for the future. I see such religious and ethnic cooperation as a very good meeting for the development of Arakan State and coexistence between the two communities."

The meeting comes at a time when the Arakan Army has been dogged by accusations of military misconduct, including allegations of mass killing of Muslims in northern Arakan State. The Arakan Army denies the allegations, which have been fanned by Myanmar's military regime and online activists.

"Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing's meetings with Muslim leaders have led to friendship on the ground," said a Kyauktaw resident. "Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing is not just talking, but also showing with his actions. This could be a very sad and unfortunate situation for the Muslim lobbyists abroad who are hostile to the Arakan Army, and for the military regime, as they are sure that they will not be able to convince the locals to accept their accusations."

The Arakan Army seized complete control of both Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, which are predominantly Muslim, in December and May 2024 respectively, and established administrative and judicial mechanisms thereafter. Muslim adults and youth are also actively involved in the Arakan Army's defence and administrative machinery.

Many Muslims in Arakan State have also expressed hopes of building a harmonious society under the rule of the Arakan Army.