Myanmar minister criticised for calling Muslims ‘guest citizens’
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YANGON - The London-based Burmese Muslim Association slammed Aung Ko, Myanmar’s minister for religious affairs and culture, after the minister referred to Myanmar Muslims as ‘guest citizens’ in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA) on April 2.
In response to a question on how to prevent religious discrimination in Myanmar, the minister said that while Buddhism has become the preferential religion in Myanmar, “Islam is the religion of most of the country’s guest citizens.”
He also referred to Christians as full-fledged citizens and said Hindus in Myanmar face no oppression.
“The greater role of Buddhism has caused that of other religions to look dimmer. For that reason, the guest citizens of ethnic minorities might have a wrong view,” Minister Aung Ko said.
The Burmese Muslim Association responded to the minister’s comments saying: “Islam is mentioned as a religion of full citizenship in three constitutions of the country drafted in 1947, 1974 and 2008.”
The association’s statement also said: “Islam arrived in Myanmar before the Bagan era [AD 652-660].”
At least one Muslim group based in Myanmar said the minister’s words were misinterpreted. The Burmese Muslim Association demanded that the minister clarify the meaning of his statement.
