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Persecution of the Muslims in Burma



                      RSO condemns the SPDC
The Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) in a press release on February,
26, 1998, condemns the seizure of a holy mosque and Waqf ( religious )
estate by the riot police( Lone Htin) in Goodliff quarter of Bahan township
in Rangoon division on 1st February, 1998 that led to protest and arrest
of at least 100 Muslim devotees then praying in the mosque and those
on-lookers.

The Muslim devotees and the residents of the area refused to hand over the
mosque,  Waqf estate and home for aged people and other trust properties to
the Burmese security forces on 1st Feb; 1998 as those were bought and built
by the Muslims themselves years back and thus, requested the security
forces that it should be exemempted from the SPDC plan. At this, the riot
police were infuriated and started beating the Muslims devotees and
destroying several religious books. At least 100 muslims have been detained
for alleged non-compliance of government order who were reported to have
been seriously beaten up.

Semilar anti-Muslim racial tension was also created by the security forces
disguising as monks who not only destroyed several mosques and religious
books but also looted the shops and properties belonged to Muslims  in
central Burma as well as in Rangoon during March and April, 1997.

The RSO cautions the Burmese people against such evil step of high military
officials  for continuation of their rule in the country.
In this connection, the RSO has demanded for immediate return of the
consfiscated mosque, trust land, buildings and unconditional release of
those detained illegally.( The News Letter monthly, March, 1998, RSO).