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Introduction / History
In historical perspective Arakan is
more a frontier province of Eastern India than a province of Burma (now
Myanmar). From the very early days till the arrival of the Mongolians
and Tibeto-Burmans in the 10th century, Arakan was an Indian land with a
population similar to Bengal, belonging to Aryan stock. The spread of
Islam in Arakan during those early times and the impact of Islamic
civilization on Arakan particularly after Bengal became Muslim in 1203
A.D is well known.
According to history, Islam reached Arakan in the late 8th century AD
and attracted the local people to come to Islam en masse. Since then
Islam played an important role towards the advancement of civilization
in Arakan. From 1430 to 1638, for more than two hundred years Arakan was
ruled by the Muslims. The system of government (Muslim Sultanates) was
common in those days. It was an independent Muslim kingdom in the 14th
and 15th centuries.
Where are they located?
Arakan, once
a sovereign and independent state, is now one of the states of the
Union of Burma (now Myanmar). The Arakan State comprises a strip of land
along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal from the Naf River to Cape
Negaris, and stretches north and south touching Bangladesh on the
northwest. The river Naf separates it from Chittagong region of
Bangladesh. It is cut off from Burma by a range of nearly impassable
mountains known as Arakan Yomas running north to south, which was an
obstacle against permanent Muslim conquest. The northern part of Arakan,
today called the "North Arakan", was a point of contact with East
Bengal. These geographical facts explain the separate historical
development of that area both generally and in terms of its Muslim
population until the Burmese king Bodaw Paya conquered it in 1784 AD.
Under different periods of history Arakan had been an independent
sovereign monarchy ruled by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims.
Arakan is blessed with geographical diversity. These are high mountains
in the far north, lush green forest in the east with many kinds of flora
and fauna, giant rivers, large natural waterfalls, a long coast line
with unspoiled beaches and archipelagos and the majestic Bay of Bengal
in the west. It is bounded in the Northwest by Bangladesh with maritime
and land boundary and in the north by Chin Hills and India.
What are their lives like?
Most
of the elderly Rohingya grow beards and the women wear hijab. All
Rohingya houses are surrounded by high bamboo walls. There is still in
existence of a social bond in every village called "Samaj". All social
welfare activities like Adhahi meat distribution, helping the poor,
widows, orphans and needy, marriage and funereal functions are done
collectively by the Samaj. The Ulema play a very prominent role
particularly in matters relating to personal laws, like family affairs
of the Rohingyas. Unfortunately, today the cultural problem becomes one
of the most important problems of the Rohingyas in Burma. The Muslims
have to encounter strong pressure of the Buddhist culture. Particularly
the Rohingyas have to confront ideological assault from all directions.
The Rohingyas are considered practicing the foreign way of life having
no origin in Burma. According to the ruling military the Rohingyas are
to adopt and entertain no ideas but those of Burmese race and culture
and Buddhism.
What are their beliefs?
Rohingyas are
staunch followers of Islam. There are mosques and Madrassahs (religious
schools) in every quarter and village. The men pray in congregation,
whereas the female pray at home.
Text source: Anonymous
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