Myanmar, which has recently come to the fore with its “ethnic cleansing” targeting the Rohingya Muslims in the northern Rakhine state, is also responsible for the oppression and persecution of yet another minority: the Meiktila Muslims.
On March 20, 2013 fanatic Buddhists attacked Muslims living in the Burmese town of Meiktila in which at least 43 were killed and 61 more were injured. Homes and businesses of Muslims and mosques were targeted during the attack.
Even though it seems as if the events that took place in 2013 are over, the oppression of Meiktila Muslims continue as they are still the silent victims of Myanmar.
At least 12,000 people in the area, which has a population of 50,000, had to leave their homes and are currently living in refugee camps.
Those who stayed behind do not even have the opportunity to carry out their religious practices because, five years on, seven of the 13 mosques in the area, which were closed off with chains, remain closed.
