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International Engagement on Buddhist–Muslim Relations in Myanmar

International Engagement on Buddhist–Muslim Relations in Myanmar

Autor(en): Owen Frazer
Journaltitel: The Review of Faith and International Affairs
Band: 13
Ausgabe: 4
Seiten: 82-86
Verlag(e): Taylor & Francis
Publikationsjahr: 2015
Publikationsort: Abingdon

Relations between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Myanmar have been under strain, with several incidents of violence occurring. International engagement on this issue has been cautious for fear of doing more harm than good. A number of locally-driven initiatives to address inter-religious tensions exist but international support must remain discrete in order to avoid compromising their legitimacy. A strongly Buddhist national identity and the unresolved status of the Rohingya/Bengali Muslim population are underlying drivers of the tensions. These issues have better chances of being addressed if international discourse adopts a less confrontational and more collaborative approach to these issues.