

Myanmar is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation. Buddhists claim to be deeply peace-loving. So why does the nation harbor one of the world’s most intense persecutions against a minority population?
The Rohingya people are a stateless ethnic minority. They have lived for the last few decades in Myanmar near the border with Bangladesh. The Rohingya are Muslims, and make up about five percent of the population of Myanmar. But they are not allowed citizenship. No nation claims the Rohingya people. That severely limits options for this group when they find themselves in danger—which is the case in Myanmar.
From October through December, Myanmar soldiers descended on the Rohingya community. The government says the military action is in response to an attack on a guard post. Nine police officers died in the attack, but the identities and motives of the attackers were unclear.
The government implied the violence was carried out by individuals who sympathized with the Rohingya. But villagers from the little town of Caira Fara say the response has been excessive.
A young mother claims the soldiers set fire to the concrete-and-thatch homes, leaving families without shelter. She says that neighbors who tried to escape were shot. She lost her own husband in the violence and fled to the border with her young son in her arms. For $38, she bought her way into the neighboring country. She now stays in a rough shelter in a refugee camp. The mother and son join about 21,000 others who have fled there in the last few months. Her voice chokes as she tells her story.
But the government of Myanmar says this woman and others like her are exaggerating. The nation’s current leader took her place as State Counsellor (equivalent to prime minister) in March. She promised democracy and peace for a country that’s known war and oppression under military rule for decades. Nobel Peace prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi has said little about the current violence, except that she is aware of it. She appointed a commission to study the situation, and she urges the rest of the world to be patient. Suu Kyi says Myanmar has many problems, and this persecution of Muslim villagers is just one of them.
But Suu Kyi did wonder in an interview with CNN why such violence continues in her nation. She called Buddhism “the most tolerant philosophy imaginable,” while acknowledging that the deadly attempt to drive out the Rohingya is anything but tolerant.
They say, “Peace, peace”—when there is no peace. — Jeremiah 6:14
First comment Lily Grace F
That stinks.
2nt comment
yep
this is a little of topic
but I was wondering how world teen gets all the different pictures and interviews? Thanks :)
@BF
I just copied and pasted this from another article. From what I can understand they are AP members and get their stories in this way.
WORLDteen is a member of Associated Press, which is why you may see a similar story and photos from another news organization that is also an AP member. Member organizations pool their reporting resources in this way and are licensed to publish any of the material. That was a good observation, and good question!
- Howard at WORLDteen
@BF
I am not Howard (LOL) the quote was Howard responding to someone's question!
thank you
thank you
@BF
Yeah! Your welcome! Glad I could help!
LOL
Its funny how these Buddhists follow the "teachings" of a silly fat guy named Buddha.
Nathaniel J
I don't think that you should make fun of other people's religion, it definitely won't help them follow Jesus...
Only Jesus will work
"There is no peace." So true!! Buddhism can be tolerant and peaceful, but a religion without God and Jesus at the center won't guarantee permanent peace and tolerance. Jesus is our answer and perfect example of peace and tolerance!
Sticker
Did anyone else notice that the Buddhist monk in the picture is wearing a sticker that says "no Rohingya"?
SAD
yeah I did notice that it says it below the pic.
I hate hypocrites.
Buddhism has high tolerance?
I wonder how tolerant they are of Christians? And seriously? Attacking the Rohingya when there was no proof that they had anything to do with the attack on the guard post. They were probably searching for a reason to get rid of them.
Exaggerating! Really!
Her husband was murdered by soldiers, and people say she's exaggerating!
actually, i don't think
actually, i don't think Buddha started Buddhism. He taught another religion. But after he died, followers made him a god.
No way!
They just try and kill a race that has no designated country.
How sad...it may only be one
How sad...it may only be one problem of many, but wouldn't solving it make there be one less problem?
P.G.
Man, people today never realize that they are SOOOOO blessed!
sad
there is so much violence
that's terrible that they don
that's terrible that they don't give them citizenship, everyone is a person and deserves equal rights.
that's so sad
that guy in the 1st picture looks like the blind guy from Rogue One
sad
Violence is never the answer.
how sad
Wouldn't it be so hard to not have any country that accepts you?
so much 4 being tolerant
so much 4 being tolerant