Junta stops construction of Islamic school in Buthidaung Twsp village

By Admin 06 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 May 2023, Buthidaung

The military junta has barred construction of an Islamic religious building in Mee Kyaung Zay Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, the villagers said.

A Muslim community elder said the township General Administration Department had sent a letter putting a stop to what called the illegal construction of a religious structure.

“The religious building can be constructed only after obtaining permission from the township GAD. We have submitted a letter to the deputy commissioner [to allow construction of the building],” he added.

The building would replace a predecessor that was destroyed by a fire in the village in 2021. Muslims say a new religious building is being built as they are facing difficulties in worshiping.

“Since there is no religious building in the village, Muslims have to worship at their inconvenience. Muslims need a mosque to worship. If the Muslims submit to the military council to build a mosque, they will not get permission, so I think they are doing it conveniently,” said U Maung Lay, a resident of Mee Kyaung Zay Village.

When DMG contacted Buthidaung Township Administrator U Zaw Win about the matter, he replied: “We are still investigating the matter, so we cannot say anything yet.” DMG was unable to obtain comment from Maungdaw District Deputy Commissioner U Nay Oo.

A letter dated April 30, signed by the Maungdaw District Deputy Commissioner, which was circulated on social media, stated that some warehouses and shops in Maungdaw’s Anauk Ward, as well as an Islamic school in Mee Khaung Zay Village in Buthidaung Township, were found to be illegally constructed without permission.

The letter instructed authorities to take action against the illegal construction of warehouses and shops in Maungdaw and an Islamic school in Buthidaung Township.

Religious buildings, Islamic schools and residential homes in some Muslim villages in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships are frequently set on fire.