Aida Simoniya

The article traces the history of interconfessional tensions between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine State (former Arakan) in the South-West of the country. In 2012 as a result of inter-communal violence about 180 people from both sides were killed and almost one hundred thousand people were displaced. During the riots a number of Muslim mosques and Buddhist temples were burned. Due to prolonged mutual hostility thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled from their homes to seek refuge in neighboring countries. Myanmar government does not recognize Rohingya indigenous people, they are not regarded as the country’s minority. Government considers them to be illegal immigrants from South Asia, a legacy of the colonial past.