Is It Safe For Muslims To Visit Myanmar?

Myanmar is a country with a high risk of politically motivated violence and civil unrest, with arbitrary enforcement of local laws leading to arrest and detention. Travelling with children in Myanmar is not easy due to poor sanitation levels and lack of Western standing. The Department of State has renewed its Travel Advisory for Myanmar on January 22, 2024, advising travelers to do so. Travel to parts of the country, including land border crossings, is strictly controlled by the Government of Myanmar.

Ethnic and religious conflicts continue in Myanmar, making travel to these areas dangerous and in some cases, illegal. The US Department of State’s Travel Advisory rates Myanmar at a level 4, aka do not travel, while China was also at a level 4 for most of the time. However, safety in Myanmar is not an issue, and many travelers complete their holiday without problems.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Staying aware of your surroundings, keeping up to date with local media reports, and following safety advice are essential. Burma is safe and ethical for tourists to visit, but sources have stated that obtaining travel permits often involved extortion and bribes. Muslims throughout the country still faced restrictions on travel into and out of the country.

In conclusion, Myanmar is a country with a high risk of political unrest, civil unrest, and armed conflict. Travelers should consider the ethical implications of boycotting travel in support of the Rohingya people or avoiding the country due to limited healthcare and restrictions. While Myanmar is generally safe for travelers, it is important to stay aware of potential attacks and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Is Myanmar safe for tourists now?

Burma (Myanmar) is a Level 4 travel destination, characterized by civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary local law enforcement. The country has limited healthcare and emergency medical resources, as well as areas with land mines and unexploded ordnances. To enter Burma, a valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining and a valid visa must be applied for at a Burmese Embassy or Consulate in the United States or abroad. Security checkpoints are common in the country.

Burma’s eVisa program allows tourists and business travelers to apply for a visa online, with pre-approval usually within a few days. The approval letter must be presented at Immigration upon entering Burma, and the visa must be used within three months. The Myanmar eVisa website is the official government website, but non-official websites may be fraudulent and scams should be avoided.

Are Rohingya still being killed?

The world has become aware of the ongoing discrimination faced by Rohingya people in Myanmar, particularly in Maungdaw and Buthidaung areas of Rakhine State. The Arakan Army, an armed group claiming to fight for ethnic Rakhine people, is killing Rohingya people daily. The international community is calling for protection, but the Arakan Army denies the allegations. The situation is reminiscent of a movie that the world is watching, with the Myanmar government killing people daily and refugees in Bangladesh suffering. It is time for redress and a better future for Rohingya children, including adequate access to education.

Which country has the highest risk?

Afghanistan ranks first among 166 countries in the highest-risk category for mass killings, with several groups facing a high risk of targeted violence, as per a multiple-year assessment.

What happens to Muslims in Myanmar?

The Rakhine State in Burma is facing a grim situation due to long-term historical tensions between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities, socio-political conflict, socio-economic underdevelopment, and marginalization by the Government of Burma. The state has the highest poverty rate in Burma (78%) and is the poorest state in the country. The lack of investment by the central government has resulted in poor infrastructure and inferior social services, while the lack of rule of law has led to inadequate security conditions.

The Rohingya community, in particular, faces abuses by the Government of Burma, including torture, unlawful arrest and detention, restricted movement, restrictions on religious practice, and discrimination in employment and access to social services. In 2012, the intercommunal conflict led to the death of nearly 200 Rohingya and the displacement of 140, 000 people.

In 2016, armed individuals attacked several border police posts in Rakhine State, leaving nine police personnel dead and looting weapons and ammunition. The Burmese military began a major crackdown in the villages of northern Rakhine State, resulting in dozens of deaths and many arrests. By December 2016, hundreds of Rohingya people had been killed, and many had fled Myanmar as refugees to Bangladesh. Hindus and other non-Muslims in northern Rakhine accused ARSA members of driving out or killing residents in their villages.

Which country has no Muslims?

The Muslim population in Asia is predominantly concentrated in two countries: Brunei and Malaysia, with a total of 68% and 60% respectively. However, the percentage drops dramatically after Malaysia, with Kazakhstan having the highest Muslim minority population at 47%. Cyprus has the second largest percentage at 18%. Georgia, India, and Israel each have Muslim populations between 11 and 15%. India, with 127 million Muslims, is notable for its high number of Muslims due to its vast population.

Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Philippines have less than 10% Muslim populations. Japan, Laos, Bhutan, Armenia, and North Korea have virtually no Muslims. China’s Muslim population is difficult to determine due to its lack of available numbers.

Demographic analysis can provide valuable insights into the religion of Islam itself. Most countries with Muslim populations over 90% have relatively high literacy rates, with almost three-quarters having a literacy rate above 77%. Four of these countries, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Maldives, and Jordan, have a 90% or above literacy rate. This raises questions about the relationship between literacy rates and Islam, as well as the role of education in Islamic history.

Students could investigate the role of education in Islamic history and explore factors other than religion that might influence literacy rates in Asia’s Muslim countries. Comparing these literacy rates with those strongly influenced by Confucianism can provide a critical and comparative analysis of literacy rates between Muslim countries and non-Muslim countries in Asia.

Is Islam allowed in Myanmar?

Myanmar has a long history of persecution of Muslims, with significant Christian and Muslim minorities. The 1962 Burmese coup d’état excluded Muslims from government and army positions, leading to the introduction of regulations in 1982 that denied citizenship to those without Burmese ancestry from before 1823. The Rohingya people, a large Muslim group in Myanmar, have been among the most persecuted under Myanmar’s military regime. Since 1948, successive governments have carried out 13 military operations against the Rohingya, resulting in widespread looting, arson, and rape of Muslims.

Muslims have lived in Myanmar since the 11th century AD, with the first documented Muslim being Byat Wi during the reign of Mon, a Thaton king. The Shwe Byin brothers, executed as children due to their Islamic faith or refusal to labor, were no longer trusted. During a time of war, King Kyansittha sent a hunter as a sniper to assassinate Nga Yaman Kan and Rahman Khan.

In summary, Myanmar has a long history of persecution of Muslims, with the Rohingya people being one of the most persecuted groups in the world. The Rohingya people have faced numerous threats, including forced labor, theft, and extortion from authorities.

What are the Muslims in Myanmar called?

Myanmar has a diverse ethnic and religious population, including Kamein, Rangoon, Rohingyas, Panthay, Burmese Malays, and Bamar Muslims. Kamein is a government-recognized minority ethnic group native to Rakhine state, while Rangoon is an Indian-descended Muslim community. Rohingyas are a minority Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine State, with their population mostly concentrated in five northern townships. Panthay is a Chinese Muslim community in Burma migrated from Yunnan Province of China. Burmese Malays are localized as Pashu regardless of religion.

The government of Burma claims that all ethnic, religious, and language groups in the country are equal. The Lordship of the Supreme Court of Rangoon noted that people who are different due to their origin and way of life are still statutory citizens under the Union (of Burma) Citizenship Act. In 2005, the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a declaration concerning freedom of religion.

Meanwhile, all ethnic groups in Myanmar have lived together peacefully since ancient times. Myanmar kings have provided religious, social, and economic opportunities equal to those awarded to Buddhists. The Rakhine frame Mosque, Half-broken Mosque, Panthe Mosque, Mandalay Battery Ward Mosque, and Christian Churches have been allowed to be built and performed by royal servants.

King Mindone (1854-1878) built a Peacock rest house in Mecca for Muslims visiting the Holy City of Mecca during his rule. This act was one of the best testimonies in Myanmar history of how Myanmar kings looked after their Muslim subjects benevolently. Since ancient times, successive Myanmar governments have given all four major religions equal treatment, allowing followers to profess their faith and perform their duties freely.

How many Muslims are left in Myanmar?

The report reveals that 89. 8% of the country’s population is Buddhist, 6. 3% Christian, 2. 3% Muslim, 0. 5% Hindu, 0. 8% Animist, 0. 2% “other” and 0. 1% having no religion. Of the 51 million population, 1, 147, 495 are Muslims. The unofficial number of Muslims in the country could be as high as 2. 35 million, or 4. 61 percent of the population. However, analysts and Muslim bodies suggest that the real number is much higher. The true number of Muslims in the country was estimated at around 10% at the 1983 census, which many suspect may still be the case today.

Is Myanmar safe for Muslim tourists?

Burma, a large country in Southeast Asia, has no significant threats to foreign tourists, and there have been no incidents of sectarian violence. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides clear advice on safe regions and tourist behavior. The UK is happy to continue sending visitors to Burma and visiting Burma in 2016-17. The UK believes that tourism can positively contribute to Burma’s development by providing jobs and income for Burmese businesses, raising international awareness, and pressuring military rulers to conform to international standards.

While progress has been made, the UK believes that supporting Burma through tourism is the right thing to do. Progress has already been made, and the UK remains committed to supporting Burma through tourism.

What should I avoid in Myanmar?

Martial law is in place in some areas of Myanmar, including Yangon, and it is advised to avoid townships under martial law. Travel restrictions are in place, including to and from land border crossings. If traveling within Myanmar, check with local authorities or visit the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population website for a list of restricted areas. A curfew is in place, and stay at home during curfew hours.

Is Myanmar safe for tourists in 2024?

The current recommendation is to avoid non-essential travel to Myanmar due to civil unrest and conflict.