Leaders call for calm

Leaders call for calm

By Mg Zaw   |   Friday, 04 July 2014

Keep calm and carry on: that's the message from religious leaders in Mandalay, after the city was rocked by two nights of communal violence.

The violence on the nights of July 1 and 2 left two people dead and almost 20 injured, according to police, and was sparked by rumours a Buddhist woman had been raped by two Muslim men. In response, large number of police been posted in the area bordered by 26^th and 30^th streets to the north and south and 80^th and 84^th streets to the west and east.

Masoeyein Sayardaw U Nanda Marlar urged members of the public to "consider what will happen and who will benefit if the conflict grows bigger".

"There certainly won't be benefit for Myanmar and Mandalay if a conflict erupts here. There will only be bad consequences so nobody should take part in the conflict or support those who are taking part," he said.

Religious leaders said the violence may have been incited by people hoping to derail the reform process ahead of next year's election.

"This conflict may be a political trick. All people should be careful – if not, we may go back to how it was before, and nobody wants that," said Muslim preacher U Myint Aung.

Another prominent Muslim, who asked not to be named, said further violence would leave an "ugly" scar on the city.

"All must be careful at this point. If not, Mandalay could also be burned to ashes. It is the best for all if not only Muslims but also Buddhists keep a cool head," he said.

The clashes broke out during the month of Ramadan, when large groups of Muslims can be seen on the streets going to pray at mosques.

"Because it is Ramadan it makes the streets look more crowded than at other times so our leaders should try and control their followers," he said.

"All people should be careful at the moment so that a new conflict does not erupt," agreed U Chit Ko, a Christian from Maha Aung Myay township. "We should think who will benefit from a conflict. All should be mindful that it may be a political trick." – Translation by Thiri Min Htun

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/07/07/leaders-call-for-calm/