The Rohingya Community in Burma

Introduction: The Arakan State in Burma, bordering Bangladesh, is inhabited by two ethnic sister com -munities, the Rakhine Buddhist and the Rohingya Muslim. The Rakhine Buddhists are the majority group while the Rohingya Muslims are minority group. The Rohingyas numbering approximately 2 million are enduring continued persecution and the ethnic cleansing policy of military regime in Burma. Also about 1.5 million Rohingyas have been living in exile in many countries all over the world.
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Inside this bulletin

The Rohingya Communi- 1-8 ty in Burma Henna Music Aung San Suu Kyi Life in the Camp Sport Our Journey to Ireland Food Religion & Beliefs Name & Marriage 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14-15 15

Our Journey to Ireland in Our Own Words

Our journey to Ireland came unexpected and all thanks to responsible organisations including Irish government, the process has gone through smoothly. After a meeting between UNHCR and Irish Ministry of Integration in 2008, OPMI (Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration) they met and told us in Bangladesh that they would like to bring some of the refugees to Ireland. They informed us that it would take 2-3 months to process and the opportunity was waiting for us. The
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Our Experience in Ireland Clothes / Dress

Holidays & Celebrations 16

Experience in Ireland
Our foundations for the new lives have been laid down in the Ballyhaunis training centre. Although it was exciting, cold and wet weather, we had our first group meeting on the following day. We were told that safety is the first thing we need to consider living in Ireland unlike the life in the camp where no advice or help was provided on health or other safety. We were given information on how to use fire extinguisher, how to bring children to school, how to cross the road and how to follow the safety rules all the time we can. We also learned about healthcare, education, housing, social life, welfare etc. which we rarely heard of in the camp. We are very grateful for the guidance to change some of the social behaviours that were developed under the difficult circumstances in the camp such as talking slowly, convincing mistake done, being patience, seeking help
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The Rohingya Community in Burma

culture. The basis of Muslim religious faith, the kalima was inscribed on all of the coins. Rohingya Muslims are natives of that region of Burma mentioned in 1799 fifth volume of Asiatic Researches. The colonial British census records in 1825 A.D show one Muslim for every two Buddhists in Arakan. All of Burma's constitution and citizenship acts provide indigenous status to all people who were permanently residing in Arakan or in the Union of Burma before 1825. The above mentioned Muslims prior 1825 were counted as one of the lawfully indigenous races of Burma. But, today the military regime is accusing all Rohingyas to be Bangladeshi illegal immigrants effectively denying them Burmese citizenship. According to the Burmese Constitutions of 1947 and 1974 and the 1948 Citizenship Acts, Rohingyas are Burmese citizens. Rohingyas enjoyed public employment and obtained Burmese Passport. The Rohingyas got the rights to elect and to be elected in all levels of administrative institutions including parliament. School textbooks identified the Rohingya as one of the nations 143 ethnic groups and from 1961 to 1965, the Burmese Broadcasting Service even had a Rohingya-language program. The general election for the Constituent Assembly was held in Arakan in 1947. From the holding of the elections until the 1962 military takeover, three parliamentary general elections were held for both houses of Parliament in 1951, 1956, and 1960 respectively. In the 1951 general elections Rohingyas won 5 seats, four in the Lower House, and one in the Upper House. The Rohingyas had no political Party of their own. They stood either as independents or as supporters of AFPFL. In 1956 and in the 1960 general elections Rohingya retained all their five seats of north Arakan. A number of Rohingya were democratically elected to Burmas parliament and many held high-level government positions. In the 1990 general elections the Rohingyas were able to vote and were allowed to stand as candidates, a right normally denied to non-citizens. The National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPHR), a Rohingya political Party, won four seats, capturing all the constituencies in Buthidaung and Maungdaw. Subsequently, the NDPHR, like many other political parties that won seats in the 1990 elections, was deregistered by the military regime in March 1992. From the latest general election of 2010, four Rohingya MPs are elected and representing in parliaments. Denial of Citizenship: The Rohingyas of Burma are vulnerable as they have no legal status in their homeland and are

Map of Burma
The Rohingyas in Burma continue to suffer from several forms of restrictions and human rights violations. The Rohingyas freedom of movement is severely restricted and right to education is harshly deprived. They are also subjected to various forms of extortion and arbitrary taxation; land confiscation, forced eviction and house destruction and restrictions on marriage. Arakan was neither a part of Burma nor Bangladesh, it was a separated region until by the invasion of Burmese king Bowdawpaya in 1784. The last dynasty of Arakan ruled from 15th to 18th century and was highly influenced by Muslim

today the military regime is accusing all Rohingyas to be Bangladeshi illegal immigrants effectively denying them Burmese citizenship

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

The Rohingya Community in Burma

qualify into any of these three). The Rohingyas are not issued any new national identity cards which are issued to other citizens. The Rohingya National Flag withholding of citizenship has considered non-citizens. The become a mechanism for plight of the Rohingyas discrimination and persecution demonstrates how people without on the basis of ethnicity. ID cards citizenship rights in their own are essential in all national country can be forced out and activities. ID cards must be become refugees. The Burma carried at all times and a card Citizenship Law of 1982 has number has to be given when reduced the Rohingyas to the buying, or selling anything, status of State-less people. staying overnight with friends or Although the 1982 Citizenship relatives outside your own law is also discriminatory council area, applying for any towards the vast majority of the civil service and professional Indian and Chinese populations post and other daily activities. of Burma, as the promulgation of Most of the National Registration this law took place soon after the cards (NRCs) issued to the exodus of Rohingyas refugees Rohingyas during the into Bangladesh in 1978. parliamentary governments or Once the refugees had been before SLORC/SPDC regime repatriated, this law was have been confiscated by the specifically designed effectively authorities. The authorities had to deny Rohingyas the right to a issued Temporary Registration nationality. The 1982 Citizenship Cards (TRCs) to some law has had the effect of Rohingyas in Maungdaw and rendering the vast majority of Buthidaung, locally known as Rohingyas ineligible to be white cards against their Burma citizens. The law also protest. This was nothing but a makes no provision in relation to design to degrade their national stateless persons. (i.e. status and put them in a state of Rohingyas). uncertainty. The current 1982 Burma citizenRestriction of Movement: ship law unlike , the preceding Rohingyas in Arakan State must 1948 Act, which conferred equal routinely apply for permission to right on all citizens, creates three leave their village, even if it is classes of citizen; full citizens, just to go another nearby village. associate citizens and naturalized This has had serious citizens (the Rohingya don't repercussions on their livelihood and food security, as they are often unable to seek employment outside their village or trade goods and produce unless they have official permission and obtain a pass which they must pay for. Most Rohingyas cannot afford to pay on a regular basis for these permits. As two-third of the Rohingyas are poor day laborers, the restrictions on their movement also greatly affects their ability to find work in other villages or towns. These restrictions prevent people from seeking work in other villages, trading, fishing or even attending a funeral of a relative or visiting a doctor. When Rohingyas want to travel to a village in the same township they must obtain a local travel pass at the VPDC. If they need to go further, for example to another township, they need to apply for a different kind of travel permit at the Immigration department at the Nasaka camp. It is almost impossible for Rohingyas of Maungdaw and Buthidaung to visit Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine State (Arakan). If Rohingya from Sittwe manage to travel to north Rakhine State, it is

The Rohingyas are not issued any new national identity cards which are issued to other citizens. The withholding of citizenship has become a mechanism for discrimination and persecution on the basis of ethnicity.

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The Rohingya Community in Burma

extremely difficult for them to return to their homes in Sittwe. Rohingyas' inability to travel freely greatly inhibits their ability to earn a living, obtain proper health care, and to seek higher education. The restrictions on the movement of Rohingyas are imposed on all Rohingyas because they are Rohingyas, not on members of other ethnic nationalities in Rakhine State. They have a severe negative impact on the lives of thousands of Rohingyas who have not committed any offence. Especially serious is the fact that these restrictions constitute, in addition, violations of other basic human rights for the Rohingyas including the right to work, and the right to an adequate standard of living. Forced Labor: North Arakan has turned into a militarized zone resulting in the increase of forced labor and other violations of human rights. The SPDC officials are extracting statements from the people that there is no forced Labor .The armed forces routinely confiscate property, cash, food and use coercive and abusive recruitment methods to procure porters. The Rohingyas have to build, without wages, military establishments, roads, bridges, embankments, pagodas and ponds. The villagers have had to plough the farm land and grow various vegetables, to construct buildings of the camps, to carry woods from the forest to bake bricks, to clean up the camp compounds every day, and to repair the damaged roads and the streets nearby the camps. Since January 2nd, 2005, the villagers have also to pay sentry guards for Na Ka Pa along the rivers and seashores from 5pm to 6am every day. Forced labor demands from the authorities' place a large burden on the Rohingya population as it leaves them with not enough time to do their own work. Most of the times it is the poorest who must undertake forced labor, as people who can afford are able to pay a bribe to the authorities.

Most of the times it is the poorest who must undertake farced labour, as people who can afford are able to pay a bribe to the authorities These model villages have been built on land that was confiscated from the Rohingya population. Houses and health centers in the model villages are built by forced labour by the Rohingya. The majority of people in model villages do not cultivate the land allocated to them and instead rent it out to Rohingya farmers, in some cases the same people from whom the land was originally confiscated. This deprives them of opportunities to sustain their livelihood as these are rice fields, shrimp farms grazing grounds for their cattle. The Rohingya population of nearby villages are often forced to build the houses and other facilities without pay. They have to provide the building materials as well. The building and the extension of military camps mainly for the Na Sa Ka have also led to land confiscation. Moreover the Na Sa Ka has confiscated land for commercial purposes, mainly to establish shrimp farms but also rice fields for themselves. The Rohingya never receive compensation and are also forced to work on the same fields that were confiscated from them. Recently the Rohingya population have been issued with expulsion orders and forced to dismantle their homes. They started with 40 houses and arrested the heads of eighteen
Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

Land Confiscation, Forced Eviction and House Destruction: The confiscation of land from the Rohingya population in Northern Rakhine state is related to the establishment of "model villages", the construction or expansion of Na Sa Ka, military and police camps and establishing plantations for security forces and also for new settlers. Recently the process of forced eviction had been intensified by the authorities. A model village is usually built to house about 100 families. Each family receives four acres of land, a pair of oxen and house. Burma National Flag

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The Rohingya Community in Burma

families, some women, who protested and refused and sent them to jail. After the dismantling the families were not given any other place to go. These have forced the Rohingyas to become increasingly landless, internally displaced, to eventually starve them out to cross the border into Bangladesh. Arbitrary Taxation and Extortion: Rohingyas in northern Rakhine State are subjected to extortion and arbitrary taxation at the hands of the authorities. These vary from tax on collecting firewood and bamboo to fees for the registration of deaths and births in the family lists, on livestock and fruit-bearing trees, and even on football matches. The authorities impose very high rates of taxation on the food grains and on various agricultural products of Rohingya including staple food, rice. In addition, shrimp tax, vegetable tax, animal or bird tax (for cows, buffalos, goats, and fowl), roof tax, housebuilding or repair taxes, etc, are collected by force. Every Rohingya who breeds either cattle or domestic livestock has to pay certain amount for each and every item they possess. Every new born or death of the above has to be reported paying a fee. The Rohingyas have to pay taxes for everything, for cutting bamboos or woods in the jungles, fishing in the rivers and breeding animals at homesteads from December 2002. The Rohingya villagers have to pay yearly a new tree tax of Kyat 2500 per betal-nut tree and kyat 5000 per coconut tree. Na Sa Ka authorities have appointed agents for every essential item and warned the Rohingya not to sell their products directly except through such agents. They are paid prices fixed by the Na Sa Ka, which is usually one-third of the market price. The sale of the cattle must also be registered and paid for. There have been several reports of Rohingyas being arrested and accused of breaking various regulations such as having been to Bangladesh or failing to pay their taxes. Registration of Births and Deaths in Families: All Rohingya households are obliged to report any changes to the family list to the authorities for the registration of births and deaths in families. Rohingyas are forced to pay fees to the VPDC or the Na Sa Ka. A Rohingya family has to pay kyats 1500 when a new child is born and Kyat 1000 when a member dies, to register it in their family list. Since mid 2002, Rohingya pregnant women have had to register themselves in person at the nearest Na Sa Ka camp, which may be some hours walk away from their village. Women were asked to show their faces and their abdomens.

Since mid 2002, Rohingya pregnant women have had to register themselves in person at the nearest Na Sa Ka camp, which may be some hours walk away from their village. Restrictions on Marriage of Rohingyas The authorities in Northern Rakhine State have forcefully introduced a regulation that the Rohingyas are required to ask for permission to get married. This restriction is only enforced on Muslims in this area and not any of the other ethnic minority groups living in the region. In fact, there are no written rules or procedures for the marriages of Rohingyas. All are verbal orders but they are to be followed without question. Non-compliance results in heavy punishment. In recent years, imposition of restrictions on marriage of Rohingya couples has further intensified. The marriageable age is at 18 for girls and 20-25 for boys. Marriages need to be solemnized with the consent and sometimes, in the presence of the army officers. It is near impossible for the couples and their guardians to observe all the formalities which include medical tests, recommendations from various administrative departments and army commanders including Na Sa Ka border security forces and other law enforcing agencies and police. Since 2002, the authorities had begun to demand large amounts

vary from tax on collecting firewood and bamboo to fees for the registration of deaths and births in the family lists, on livestock and fruit-bearing trees, and even on football matches.

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The Rohingya Community in Burma

in taxes from Rohingyas who request for permission to get married. The authorities also appear to have limited the number of permissions given each year. People have had to wait for two to three years to get permission, even after paying large sums of money, and they had to go to the Na Sa Ka camp several times for it. In general, Rohingya couples must pay a substantial amount of money to the Na Sa Ka varying from 50,000 to 300,000 Kyats. Usually the bride and groom must each pay the same amount of money. After payment, permission is not always given. This restriction especially affects poor people, who are unable to obtain such large amounts of money. In some villages there have been no marriages at all during the last year because of this restriction. There are also consistent reports of young couples fleeing to Bangladesh because this is the only way for them to get married. Once in Bangladesh it is very difficult for them to return, as their names have often been removed from their family list by the authorities. Deprivation of Right to Education: Since the new Burma Citizenship law in 1982, the Rohingya students are denied the right to education. It is problematic to pursue higher studies while professional courses are barred to them. Rohingya students who stood in selection tests and got formal admission in various institutions located in Rangoon and Burma proper are unable to pursue their studies as they are disallowed to travel. During recent years about 1500 students have to stop their further studies. In October 2004, over 165 Rohingya University Students could not sit their supplementary examination as they were denied travel documents to go to Sittwe by the authorities. Arbitrary arrest, torture and Extra-Judicial Killing: While Arakan remained totally shut from outsiders, the Burmese authorities has been carrying out a relentless torture and killing campaign in Arakan particularly against the youths without putting anyone on trial. Over 100 innocent Rohingyas were killed in 2009 in different parts of Arakan. Hundreds of Rohingyas are put behind bars and are subjected to inhuman torture. They are also used as human shields and are forced at gun point to act as watchmen against any possible rebel attack. The inhuman forced labour treating the Rohingyas as human cattle is on the increase. They are subjected to severe beatings and random killings while pottering or engaged in other works. The Rohingya elected representative in 1990 General Elections of the NO.1. Constituency of Buthidaung Township Arakan State, U Kyaw Min (a) Mr. Mohamed Shomshul Anwarul Hoque, 55, was arrested by the authorities for unknown reason. He is an executive committee member of National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPHR), which is only Rohingya political party with the winner seats in 1990 General Elections. He is also a member of Committee for Representatives Peoples Parliament (CRPP). He was picked up from his Rangoon home by the Burmese military agent on 17th March 2005. Special Police agent went to his house around midnight and told him to follow them for some questions and then he was carried away by police car. His family members are not able to trace his whereabouts. Abuse of Rohingya Women and Elders: Rohingya women have become victims of rape, molestation and dishonour, increasingly at the hands of security forces. They are not allowed to wear hijab; their age of marriage is limited and are subjected to forcible contraception. Many Rohingya women were forcibly married by security forces and then left them away. Rohingya women are compelled to stay in camps set up by the security forces for socalled training where they are subjected to rape and dishonour. There were many instances that women were raped in their houses before the very eyes of the children or parents. Rohingya religious figures and elders are increasingly harassed, tortured and sometimes their beards are shaven off and are forced to issue religious decree to allow non-Islamic practices. Mosque buildings are totally banned since 2000 in Arakan State while several existing

Over 100 innocent Rohingyas have been killed during last one year in different parts of Arakan.

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

The Rohingya Community in Burma

years, however, it has pushed for all refugees to be sent back to Burma and has rejected any possibility of local reintegration for them. Recently, the Government of Bangladesh, in order to improve economic relations with Burmese military regime, has declared that the remaining Rohingya refugees in the camps should be repatriated by any means. Meanwhile the military Government of Burma has not cleared most of the refugees in the two camps for return and accuses them of having contact with insurgents. The Burmese military regime has created a complicated system of bureaucratic conditions and procedures which make it very difficult for refugees to be cleared and repatriated. Even though the Government of Bangladesh wants the refugees to leave, there is a very slow rate of repatriation. The refugees who eventually make it to Burma find conditions there as bad as before, with restrictions on movement, forced labour, violence and intimidation. They often have no choice but to re-enter Bangladesh. Ongoing Etnic Cleansing Karyn Becker defines ethnic cleansing on Model United Nations Far West as "the elimination of an unwanted group from a society, as by genocide or forced migration". Historically, Rohingya faced ethnic cleansing before and after Independence of Burma in 1942 and 1948, and on a number of state-sponsored occasions under former dictator, general Ne Win and now from the semi-quasi civilian government. When it comes to Rohingya, Burmese society is influenced with malevolent propagandas against Rohingya as "Bengali", "Illegal Immigrant", "Influx virus", "lower class" and even "terrorist". The Rohingya have a history of being in Arakan state for hundreds of years, have been suffering untold discriminations and persecutions for more than 50 years, and are considered by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted people in the world. The hostility has intensified after an alleged raping of a Buddhist girl by three Rohingya boys which has lead to killing of 10 Muslims by 100 Buddhist mobs and spread all over Arakan state on 8th June 2012 causing numerous villages to be burnt down, countless mosques and historical monuments destroyed and demolished, various properties looted, thousands of innocent Rohingya killed, uncounted number of defenseless girls raped, and youths and educated Rohingya kidnapped. Many prominent Burmese democratic activists from inside and outside of Burma who fought against the military junta have been calling the military to "wipe out" or "cleanse" Rohingya from Arakan and spreading antiRohingya sentiments through Burmese media which is playing a great role in hiding the real truth and propagating the biased news. Nonetheless, many monks including Association of Sittwe and Mrauk Oo called not to sell and communicate with
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Rohingya Women are compelled to stay in camps set up by the security forces for so-called training where they are subject to rape and dishonour Mosque and madarasa were dismantle by Na Sa Ka. The Forgotten Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: The Rohingyas have faced continuing persecution by the military government in Burma and have escaped to Bangladesh in large numbers, with the biggest influx in 1991-1992 when about 270,000 of them crossed the border. Although many of these refugees have since then been forcefully repatriated to Burma under the supervision of UNHCR, there are still about 22,000 refugees living in two registered refugee camps in southern Bangladesh. The refugees are completely dependent on UN and aid agencies for food. In addition, an estimated 200,000 Rohingyas are living illegally in Bangladesh without access to protection or humanitarian assistance. Since economic opportunities in Bangladesh are limited, the Rohingya outside of camps are not living in Bangladesh for economic security, rather they are fleeing a history of persecution and human rights abuses by the Burmese government. At first the Government of Bangladesh was welcoming towards the Rohingyas and made efforts to accommodate them. In recent

The Rohingya Community in Burma

Rohingya, blocked humanitarian aids reaching to homeless and starved Rohingya, and called to send all Rohingya "back to their native land". At the same time, Burmese president, Thein Sein who was a general in previous junta rule announced on July 13 2012 the Rohingya as non-citizens of Burma and told visiting UNHCR chief, Antonio Guterres to be ready for the deportation of all Rohingya to a third country. He has given the ultimate power to military, police, border security forces and former Buddhist militant group in Arakan who have signed ceasefire agreement to deal strictly with Rohingya. On the other side of Burma, Bangladesh government has closed the border and pushed back a lot of Rohingya boat people who were escaping the ethnic cleansing. And also it told foreign aid groups such as MSF, ACF Britain's Muslim Aid UK to suspend their services and leave the country. It has become a silent field of ethnic cleansing in Burma where foreign media, investigation teams and aid groups are banned, Anti-Rohingya sentiment is ever increasing among Burmese people while military and ultranationalists are showing their importance in the newly formed democratic government by committing ethnic cleansing as well as democracy champion, Aung San Suu Kyi watching the show by keeping silent and saying "I don't know" when asked about whether she considered Rohingya as citizens, forgetting the human rights abuses Rohingya have been suffering. Rohingya were recognized as one of the ethnicities of Burma and had enjoyed the full citizenship rights until the dictator Ne Win over took power in 1962 and implemented a discriminatory citizenship law in 1982 which has striped the Rohingya from being citizens of Burma and made them vulnerable from persecutions and ethnic cleansing.

Rohingya Language
Ruingga is the spoken language of Rohingya which is slightly similar to Chittagonian language spoken in the neighbouring Chittagong region of Bangladesh. The earliest written language dated back over 300 years in which Arabic was used as scripts. However, during British colonial time from 1826 until 1946, English, Urdu and Farsi became the scripts for the written language. Then Hanafi, a combination of Arabic, Burmese and Roman was developed after independence of Burma. For the latest being Rohingyalish, as the former Hanafi was failed among the people due to the difficulty in modernizing for the typing. Currently Rohingyalish is based on only Roman alphabets which are readily available in using computers and mobile phones.

Language Corner
1. Hi/Hello Assolamu Alikum. (Translation: Peace be upon you) 2. How are you? Tu ken aso? 3. What is your name? Tur nam ki? 4. Where do you stay? Tu ho tko? 5. Where is your house? Tur gr ho? 6. I am Rafique (or) My name is Rafique. A Rafique (or) Ar nam Rafique 7. How old are you? Tur boc hoddr? 8. What do you do? Tu ki gor? 9. It is great pleasure to meet you. Tur li mili bic kci lager. 10. Thank you so much Ture bic ckuria. 11. Welcome Ture bari luwazar. 12. Hope to see you again. Acgorir ar ek mottr dola iyoum. 13. Ok Thk ase.

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

Henna
Henna paste (Mehendi in Rohingya language) is made from Henna leaves and ground until it become paste and used by women and girls in the occasions of engagement, wedding, religious ceremony or normal day. It is applied overnight on hands, nails and faces with different patterns of art or word. The colour of Henna appears after a few hours of application of the paste and lasts three to four weeks. Elderly Rohingya men also use Henna as a way of the Prophet on either hair or beard which made them golden or light red coloured. From the point of medicine, Henna paste plays an important role in Rohingya lives as a home remedy which is applied on injuries like of opened or closed broken bones, dislocation of joints or acute illnesses such as headache, backache, stomach pain or burns as a source of painkiller, tissue growth and bone or joint stabilizer.

Henna is a traditional and religious practise of art both used by women and men alike. It is mentioned in so many of the sayings of the Prophet (Muhammad) that it has effects of medicinal and beauty.

Music & Song

Music and song reflects the lives of people the way they think, feel, express and the way they are. Likewise, the lives of Rohingyas are influenced with one of the most important factors of culture, that of music and song. Rohingyas use many traditional instruments such as Tobla and Juri in combination of modern musical instruments. Song plays an oral medium for transmitting emotion, feeling and sentiment of Rohingyas in order to keep their history alive to the majority of non-literate community through religious, philosophical and country songs. In summer time, many Rohingya youngsters go for singing under the moonlit nights with or without their musical instruments to feel fresh. There are also many groups of singers and musicians who release songs of all genres, and even it is easy for anyone who wants to dedicate a song for special one mentioning the name in the song from his or her favourite singer. Howla is a kind of popular song sung in almost every wedding ceremony by women accompanied with dancing. Bitayali Get (song), Jari Get and Gazr Get are some of the melodious songs popular among Rohingya community. It is well noted that Rohingya Music and Song was broadcasted on May 15, 1962, the year before Ne Win military regime sieged power.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is the leading face of the prodemocracy movement and the leader of National League for Democracy. She was born on 19 June 1945 from General Aung San (the architect of Burma) and Daw Khin Kyi (a former ambassador to India). She married Dr. Michael Aris, a scholar of Tibetan cultural and has two sons, Alexander Aris and Kim Aris. She won the election in 1990 but the result was nullified by the military. She has spent 15 of 21 years under house arrest and she won many awards, most famously, Noble Peace Price in 1991 and Freedom of the city of Dublin in 1999 which she received officially on June 18, 2012. Although she is very vocal against the military rule and stands for equal rights, she has been well and questioned by human rights organizations for remaining silent on the ongoing massacre of Rohingya.
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Life in the Camp

Many members of the Rohingya community fled from the native Arakan state of Burma (Myanmar) in 1992 due to the well-founded fear of persecution from the military junta and taken refuge in 19 camps under the Coxs Bazaar district of Bangladesh which were acknowledged by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees) and Bangladesh government. Since then, approximately 240,000 from 260,000 refugees have been forcefully repatriated to Burma under the name of Voluntary Repatriation. Currently, there are only 2 registered and 2 unregistered camps. Due to the continuous persecutions and unassured security in Burma, most of the repatriated refugees are forced to refuge in the unregistered camps

Surviving in the Camp

such as proper treatment and nutrition, many face malnutrition and infant mortality. There are examples of children death just after birth due to the lack of care and women suffering from internal bleeding and weakness after giving birth. Rape is another major issue faced in the camp. Local gangs from nearby villages come and take away many refugee girls, and some of them forcefully married to local youths. False and fabricated cases against innocent refugees are very common in the camp life. Head of refugee families are major targets by local people and government authorities in order to repatriate refugees forcefully, extort money for using mobile phones, computers and many more. The last but not the least is education. It is necessary for everyone regardless of places and situations. Although there is a programme organized by RTM International in Bangla curriculum since 2008, unfortunately it is offered up to level 5, those who wish to study more have no chances of continuing. Even though refugees are encouraged to take part in different types of games such as football, volley ball, cricket, tennis and basketball organised annually by TAI official, the life in the camp remains very restricted in terms of basic needs and security.

There are examples of children dying just after birth due to lack of care and women suffering from internal bleeding and weakness after and many living all over Bangladesh. The life in the camp has no differences from the life in Burma, fully restricted in terms of food, education, healthcare and movement, and also encountered rape, false-case. Due to the unmet basic needs

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

Our Journey to Ireland in Our Own Words

Continued from Page: 1

news has made us all surprised, felt very lucky and thankful although we almost barely knew where Ireland was. The journey started on Thursday 23rd of April 2009, divided into three groups. When we were told the day before the journey, we were very much excited for it that we have never dreamed, seeing airport for the first time, training proper use of toilet, getting into the plane even though we were excited we were fearful for the unknown journey that awaited for us.

The flight, one of the very first experiences, took us from Dhaka (Bangladesh) to Dubhai and then London and finally arrived in Dublin with the help of UNHCR and OMI staffs. When we got off the plane, what cold and rain. We felt we would die. At the end of the day, we were being transferred to Ballyhaunis Refugee Orientation Training Centre, by bus. Lots of people had never been on a bus before. The next day, training started for 6 weeks from social to law and order.

Experiencing and coping with completely new places and social life has been a major step.
Experiencing and coping with completely new places and social life has been a major step. This might not be possible without the kindness and hard work of countless people who have taught and guided us from everything needed in everyday life.

Rohingya Sport & Game

Kla literally means sport or game in Rohingya language, and there are many indigenous Kla which are held based on seasons, genders and ages. Many are held in summer and winter although there are some in rainy season. One of the most celebrated sports is Gthi Kla (Rowing) with 10 to 20 rowers on a boat which is wider than modern rowing boat. Some of the other popular sports are Boli Kla (wrestling), Qundha Kla (Rounded Stone Lifting), Dop Marani Kla (Diving and Swimming), and Paddy Transplanting Competition. Youngsters of both genders are also very keen in playing various games such as Bosgya Buri Kla (Bag Jumping), Saws Sa Rani Kla (Slippering), Kut Kut Kla (Hopscotch), Rosi Fal Don Kla (Rope Jumping), Mol Kla (a kind of Bounding crossing), Gla Kla (Monkey Ladder Bean Throwing), Dhudhu Kla (Chasing Calling Dhu) and Dhang Kla (Batting of cylindrical piece of wood). Unfortunately, due to the various restrictions, many of the indigenous sports of Rohingyas are vanishing.

Part of the Carlow Cricket Club

Carlow, A Town We Are Ever Grateful

Every day and every night, we, Rohingyas from Carlow have so many reasons to thank and appreciate what the agencies and people of Carlow have been doing. Without their helps and guides, we will never be where we are today. As a Burmese saying goes, Thalok Sabu, Thu Chizu meaning even a spoonful or handful of food someone provided, you are obliged to be grateful ever. We are eternally thankful all the lovely and kind people from the Carlow who have taught, guided and showed us almost everything that we need to know in lives from language, cooking, housing, gardening, drawing art, keeping safe, sporting, communicating, to parenting and so much more. We would like to express again and again our greatest feelings of gratitude towards all the agencies and people of Carlow, and indeed we are ever indebted for their help.
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Food
Rice is the staple food grain for Rohingyas. The diet of Rohingyas is simple rice, fish, vegetables, milk and chillies; meat is taken occasionally. The majority of Rohingyas eat fishes with fresh vegetables or potatoes. Dry fishes and salted fishes are also not uncommon among Rohingyas. On all festive occasions, cows, water buffaloes and goats are slaughtered for sale and distribution. They eat mutton, beef and chicken after Halal according to Islamic teaching. People during Manriques days were very fond of rice cake and dried fish. The traveller writes; Rice cakes, the usual food for these people without which, in spite of eating other food, they still feel hungry (Manrique, 1, 99) People of this district still prepare variety of rice cakes popularly known as Pitha on special occasions or whenever need rises. Sidol (decomposed fish), Xaga (Hak or vegetables), dried fish, etc. were some of the common food of the common people of Arakan-Chittagong region during Manriques time. (S.B. Qanungos A History of Chittagong P. 545). The Arakan with its geographical location inherits a mixed culture in food Indian cuisine, the Rakhine dish and the English. While snacks of foreign nature are commonly made, the traditional snacks known as Pira is in vogue. Pira is made of rice powder. Coconut, molasses, etc.

Curry Fish Recipe

Ingredients: Fish - 250g/9oz Turmeric Powder - 6gm/3tsp Salt - 12g/3tbsp Mustard Oil - 100ml/31/2 fl oz Onion Seeds - 4g/2tsp Water - 1l/32fl oz Green chillies slit - 5 Green coriander (chopped) 8g/3tbsp Method: 1. Marinate the fish with 1tsp each of turmeric powder and salt for half an hour. 2. Heat the mustard oil in a pan, fry the whole fish till three quarters done. Remove and drain the excess oil. 3. In the same oil add onion seeds, remaining turmeric powder, water and green chillies and bring to the boil. 4. Add the fish and cook for about 10 minutes. 5. Serve hot, garnished with green coriander. Serves: 4

Durs Kura (Chicken Roast) Recipe

Ingredients: - a whole young chicken without skin - onion - garlic - spice - turmeric - spice - black pepper - cardamom - cinnamon - salt Method: Chicken: - remove skin, giblets and feet - twist and put neck into a chest hole, and legs into abdominal cavity - apply turmeric inside and outside the chicken - put whole chicken while applying the marinade inside and outside - add 200 ml of hot water and 1 tsp of salt to taste - stir and cook for 30-45 minutes

Gravy: - put 2 sliced onions on 2 tsp of medium heated oil until it gets brown Marinade: - add another onion into halves, 4 cardamom - heat 4 tsp of oil in medium seeds and 2 small pieces of cinnamon - put 2 tsp of minced garlic, 3 tsp of - transfer the marinated chicken and fry until it minced onion, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, is brown for 5-8 minutes 2 tsp of spice and stir well for 3 - and now ready to be served minutes
Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

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Religion and Beliefs

Islam is the main religion of Rohingya people. As the followers, they follow five main pillars of Islam namely having faith in the Oneness of God, performing five daily prayers, almsgiving to needy, selfpurifying through fasting and performing pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able at least once in a life-time. Faith plays an important role for Rohingyas. They are taught to have faith in the Oneness of God and Prophet Muhammad as His last messenger. In early childhood, the noble Quran and the Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) are taught at home or in madaras (religious school) and many specialise it becoming scholars. As well as Rohingya children are taught to perform the five-time daily prayers starting at the age of adolescence. Men and boys go to nearby mosques; and women and girls perform at home. Almsgiving and fasting goes hand to hand, having to fast a complete lunar month from sunrise till sunset daily. Like all Muslims around the world, Rohingyas too give special attention to this month as they believe that these make them abstain from committing sins; and feel and share with those unfortunate ones how they live, how they feel and how they cope. If someone is capable physically and financially, he or she is obliged to perform pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah once in a lifetime. The Hajj is the Abrahamic origin, performed with many rites for several days to fulfil religious belief and feel all are equal before God. Unfortunately, it has been extremely difficult for Rohingyas to practise freedom of Religion in the state of Arakan due to the numerous restrictions placed by Burmese government.

Name & Marriage

Name is unchangeable from the time of naming to the time of death. Most Rohingyas generally keep two names; one is Muslim name and the other is Burmese. Both names dont process surnames. For every name used whether from Burmese or Arabic language, there is a meaning for each word. For instant, Noor Hakim is a Muslim name in which Noor means Light while Hakim refers to Wise, but Hakim is not a surname. Calling someone who is older than the caller is very sensitive in Rohingya culture. Rohingyas use specific terms for specific age groups and genders. For example; Gera (elder paternal uncle), Cacha (younger paternal uncle), Mamu (maternal uncle), Bodda (eldest brother), Majja (second elder brother), and so on. Name remains the same as the original even after the marriage, husband and wife bearing their original names. Traditionally, betrothal is arranged by the Rohingya parents. Once it is time for marriage, Moharna (ornament) is fixed by the parents or guardians of the bride and the groom and it is most essential according Islamic law. It must be given by the groom for the bride. Both the bride and groom must declare their willingness by pronouncing the words Khawbul Ahsi (we do agree) in front of at least three witness and the Molvi Shaheeb (religious scholar) who perform the marriage. Divorce rate among the Rohingyas is less than other ethnicities of Burma. The wedding ceremonies are held in receptions as far as possible. The reception diner is usually held by the family of the bride-groom. In special cases called Salami, the reception dinner is held at the brides home. During the wedding month the relatives of the newly wedded couple used to invite them and are served with at least one meal in consecutive days by each and every household of their relatives which shows their affections for the couple. In almost all Rohingyas marriage ceremonies, Howlla (Group singing) songs and folk-dancing of girls and women are common.

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Our Experience in Ireland in Our Own Words

Continued from Page: 1

from concerned authorities in the nearest place. Thanks to Irish Government, we were introduced to the facilities available in Ireland with an interpreter all the time to visiting post-office, seeing doctor, shopping and even going for praying at the mosque in Ballyhaunis. At one stage, we were very happy and excited, that it was like a king visit, when the Minister for Integration paid a visit to us. And also some members of Carlow Steering Committee and a group of Burmese from Ballina came to visit us. After guiding us through and helping us to build the foundation by so many lovely people in Ballyhaunis, we were told that we would be moving to Carlow in 3 months times. Trip to Carlow The 29th of June 2009 was an emotional day for all of us as we were leaving behind so many kind people in Ballyhaunis. In the morning of the day, we were boarded on three buses among them two were heading to Carlow and the remaining to Dublin. Staff from St. Catherines who later played great role helping and developing our foundations

National Refugee Orientation Centre, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

of new life, welcomed us. And Some Carlow local Muslims also came to see us and invited for the lunch and finally we have been moved to the housed allocated for us. Housing Entering to houses, which totally different from the ones we have lived in the camp hut, was very exciting and we were thankful for it being filled with what was necessary. It was like sleeping in the free space unlike the nights in the camp where all kinds of worries were floating in the mind whether there would be storm or fire or robbery or kidnapping. Everyone started to visit each other and gossiping, men and women alike, in person or on phones. We were again introduced to doctors, shopping centres, post offices and many more by the kind people from St. Catherines. School Beginning classes was not easy at first due to the communication barrier, and many of us barely completely even level 5 in the camp. We knew very limited words and it was hard to communicate with the teachers. We were very fortunate to have such kinds of hardworking teachers. They started teaching from the beginning with the alphabet, we were asked to collect and bring words to school, and our teachers explained with the very capacity they had. At the end of the school time, we picked up our children from their school and they told us to supervise our children; otherwise serious action would be taken if failed to do so. It has been a great experience that education has the purest value in the eyes of people and it was needed to be successful socially and personally. We were provided with the greatest opportunity to study ourselves again and to allow our children to acquire knowledge. It is nearly impossible to get this opportunity in the camp where the hope of people studying is fading day by day from the limited level. Travel

At one stage the Minster for Integration came to visit us. It was like a king had come to see us and we were very happy.

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin

Our Experience in Ireland in Our Own Words

outside the camp. are eternally grateful and Seeing freedom of traveling and thankful for showing, giving facilities or ways of traveling in kindness and support that we Ireland is one of the most have never imagined to have. valuable experiences that we have. Conclusion Without the supports of the agencies, teachers, doctors, Gardas, people of Carlow and all involved, it would be impossible in building new lives on the foundation laid Mohammed Rafique, addresses his new down in community in Carlow at a welcome Ballyhaunis. We

But here I can travel anywhere. Im free like a bird.

As a saying goes, traveling broadens mind. It is certainly true. But freedom of travel is absolutely needed. Rohingyas in Burma need permission from the government to go to next village like traveling from Carlow to closer than Kilkenny. There is also restriction of movement inside the camp. People are easily arrested by Bangladesh authorities if they tend to see

evening in the Seven Oaks Hotel

Clothes & Dress

Rohingyas traditionally follow the Indo-Burmese dresses which date back to the origin of Rohingya hundreds of years ago. Normally, Rohingyas dresses are indistinguishable from the way ordinary Burmese dress. Men wear Bazu (shirt with long sleeves) and Longgi or Doothi (loincloths) covering until the ankles. In addition to these, the religious scholars prefer wearing Kurutha, Jubba or Panjabi (long clothes) together with hats, with or without turbans. In official or national occasions, Rohingya men sometimes wear Taikpon (collarless jackets) on top of the shirts. Similarly Rohingya women follow the modest Islamic code of dress. Once reached the state of puberty, Rohingya girls are advised to dress as modest as possible and reflect morality and privacy. When going outdoors, they wear Burkha covering from neck to below ankles and wrists along with Hijab (scarves) covering heads and accompanying umbrella regardless of weather. But at home, they wear scarves, long or short sleeved clothes with Thain (loincloths with various patterns of art or flowers). For the prayer purpose, they tend to wear white long-sleeved clothes and big scarves. In the time of festivals, Rohingya youths try to wear as nice as possible with the blends of t-shirts, polo-shirts, Panjabi (Indo dresses) and jeans. The commonest of all is wearing slippers (Sandal) both men and women alike; lighter, slimmer and smaller for women.

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Rohingya Holidays
Like all ethnicities of Burma, the holidays of Rohingyas can also be categorised into three groups such as national, political and religious based on two calendars solar and lunar. Rohingyas celebrate national holidays the way all the people of Burma do, but political holidays are not celebrated inside the country due to restrictions and fears of government crackdown. The only holidays celebrated widely inside the country are the religious holidays, among them one is regarded as a national holiday which is Eid-UlAdha (Festival of Sacrifice) and others are celebrated separately. Rohingyas celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr widely at the end of Ramadan (Fasting month) for three days by thanksgiving to Almighty Allah (God), reuniting family, visiting friends, giving the poor obligatory charity (known as Zakat), and many more. Another widely celebrated holiday is Eid-Ul-Adha at the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) to commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) from Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son Ishmael. To follow the commandments of Allah, Rohingyas too slaughter animals such camel, or goat and distribute meats to three groups of people (immediate family and relatives, friends and the poor); and followed by visits with family and friends, and exchanges of greeting and gifts. Besides these, there are two major spiritual holidays which are commonly celebrated by Rohingyas, which are Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Power when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad) and Shabe Barat (The Night of Freedom Allah (God) frees all His sinful servants who were destined for Hell). In these days, Rohingyas spend days paying homage to deceased relatives and feeding the poor; and spend nights intensely involved in prayer, meditation and seeking forgiveness.

Important Dates
Independence Day (January 4th) marks Burmas independence from the British Empire in 1948 Union Day (February 12th) marks the anniversary of the Panglong Agreement in 1947 Burmese New Year Day (April 17th) marks the New Year of the Burmese calendar Rohingya Massacre Day (8th June) started on 8th of June 2012 the state sponsored massacre of Rohingya from Arakan along with Buddhist Rakhine Martyrs Day (July 19th) commemorates the assassination of Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947 Rohingya Teacher Day (March 3rd) marks the date of birth of a Rohingya Teacher in 1976 Rohingya Martyrdom Day (March 28th) in 1942 when Rohingya laid down their lives while the Thakin the heinous
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Rohingya massacre on 28th March, 1942 Rohingya Indigenous Ethnic Day (25th September) in 1954 at 8.00 pm the then Prime Minister of Burma, U Nu in his radio speech to the nation declared aboriginal Rohingya as an indigenous Rohingya Community Rohingya Refugee Memorial Day (November 18th) commemorates the deaths of Rohingya Refugees on forced repatriations in Bangladesh from 1993 onwards Darkness Day (December 28th) marks the day of Burma conquered ARAKAN by Burma king Buda Puya on 1784. Lailatul Qadr - Towards the end of Ramadan, Muslims observe

the "Night of Power," which is when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad Eid al-Fitr - At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate "The Festival of Fast-Breaking." Shabe Barat - The Night of Freedom when Allah (God) frees all His sinful servants who were destined for Hell and the Eminent Quran descended in it. Hajj - Each year during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia called Hajj. Eid al-Adha - At the end of the annual pilgrimage, Muslims celebrate "The Festival of Sacrifice."

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Rohingya Cultural Bulletin