strict military rule, new found freedom of speech permits Buddhist monks, such as U [Ashin] Wirathu, to spread ideas of religious intolerance and fan the flames of Islamaphobia.[22] Indeed, while the 969 movement has been denied the official status of a religious organization, Buddhist monks are able to freely travel the country preaching the protection of their religion and race without government intervention. [16] Reform Fails to Help Myanmars Rohingya, IISS Strategic Comments, Vol. What roles have state, sub-state and transnational actors played in fomenting sectarian discord? Over the last decade, hundreds of Muslims have been murdered, mosques have been destroyed, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes. [14] However, while new census results are to be released in 2014, estimates indicate that roughly 89 percent of Myanmars population is Buddhist, and only 4 percent is Muslim. trailer With about four percent in Myanmars. [26] Moreover, authorities do not sanction the police for their wrongdoings. On the official 969 website, Ashin Wirathu calls for Buddhists to prominently display 969 stickers, posters, flags and other items at their home and businesses prompting further religious divisions within Burmese society. Very small groups reported, but outside the Joshua Project Small Group Policy. [27] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (July 8, 2013), 48, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. Stores are marked with the 969 symbol to verify the owner is Buddhist. 2018 Middle East Institute All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Policy |Built by Social Driver. Many of the ethnic minorities in Myanmar are Christian, such as the Chin, the Kachins, the Karen and the Naga. Web Burmas population consists of Buddhists 879 percent Christians 62 percent Muslims 43 percent Animists 08 percent and Hindus 05 percent. One of the most important aspects of the Burmese way of life is religion. 0000012575 00000 n 0000034655 00000 n How does the situation in Myanmar make simplistic statements like these problematic? Clicking Update will rewrite the URL in the address bar allowing you to bookmark this page. Sign up to receive the latest publications, event invitations, and our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Web As of 2019 the Yangon region was the most populous region in Myanmar with a population of over eight million. Births attended by skilled health personnel, per cent, 2004-2020 Population aged 0-14, percent: Proportion of the population between age 0 and age 14. note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 In this census two types of questionnaires were used, a short form and a long form. Web Chart and table of Myanmar population from 1950 to 2023. Web Religion in Myanmar Burma 1900 - 2100 Religious Population Growth Data Player Data Player 508K subscribers 39K views 1 year ago Statistics of major religion in. In other words, they believe that they have only done wrong if the result of their action is what they explicitly intended. Matthew J. Walton and Susan Hayward, Contesting Buddhist Narratives: Democratization, Nationalism, and Communal Violence in Myanmar, (2014): 4-5. Web Myanmar Inflation Rate - values historical data and charts - was last updated on April of 2023. 0000005912 00000 n Some are the perpetrators of violence, some are working to end violence and promote peace, many more are bystanders, who may build up cultural violence, cultural peace, or even both. . Buddhism has been a significant influence on Myanmar's culture, art, and way of life for more than a thousand years. 0000015224 00000 n Burmese Hindus are a mix of Bengalis, Tamils, Telegus, and Uttar Pradeshis who arrived in Burma under British colonialism. Web The vast majority of the citizens of Myanmar a nation in southeast Asia are Theravada Buddhists. The root causes of the recent waves of inter-religious violence involving Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine State are deep, complex and date back many centuries. Cq B[=c+aS%}m)dwC 8Bc uUdwqji3px7F8|]#nI'4 xdMvB;^!'akBK}qN! bG^P.mW/r"> U4cT7hksC/)T~X]][/88h a NB4' $.FkRd> xref Rising Burman-Buddhist ethno-nationalism, represented by Buddhist monks, has played a key role in the recent waves of inter-religious violence. - Few evangelicals, but many who identify as Christians. The violence has been coordinated and serious, and the UN Human Rights Office has stated that Myanmar is likely guilty of crimes against humanity or even ethnic cleansing.. There are only .57 physicians and .9 beds available per 1,000 residents. When referring to the World Happiness Report, we see a ranking of 130, with an overall rating of 4.3 out of 10. [15] Jane Perlez, Rise in Bigotry Fuels Massacre Inside Myanmar, International New York Times (March 1, 2014). We recommend against using %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical to calculate absolute numbers. Denise Cush, Catherine Robinson and Michael York (New York: Routledge, 2008), pp. Skip to main content. RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE, Harvard Divinity School14 DivinityAvenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. my.hds |Harvard Divinity School |Harvard University |Privacy | Accessibility | Digital Accessibility | Trademark Notice | Reporting Copyright InfringementCopyright 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Population, by age group, per cent . Identify an example of structural violence in the case study. Buddhism in Burma is attached to theTheravadabranch which is the oldest and more conservative branch of Buddhism, following the Buddhas teachings, without modification. Racial riots ensued during the 1930s between the majority Burman Buddhist ethnic group and Muslim migrants of Indian descent, ultimately leading to the nationalist Doh Bama (We Burma) movement. 0000026145 00000 n 0000003187 00000 n In Myanmar, each village has a pagoda and a monastery for worship and religious ceremonies. [5] Imtiaz Ahmed, The Plight of the Stateless Rohingyas (Bangladesh: The University Press Limited, 2010). That being said, the situation is improving, especially in towns and cities where education has increased and the population are more open-minded aboutreligion in Myanmar. The government is accused Looser censorship has also correlated with the increasing penetration of social media into Burmese society. 0000010980 00000 n Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.) 0000007386 00000 n 117 0 obj <>stream 0000010535 00000 n 0 The organized movement has enlisted monasteries across Myanmar to spread radical anti-Muslim messages through Sunday schools, and by handing out stickers and distributing pamphlets and DVDs.[11] As David Steinberg of Georgetown University highlights, the significance of Buddhist monks leading this campaign cannot be underestimated, as few, if any, in the Burman community can publicly dispute a monks announcement on an ostensibly religious issue.[12] Indeed, monks wield the highest level of moral authority in Myanmar and can thus pursue an ethno-nationalist agenda without hindrance. Located in the south of the country the region is. [6] Yegar, Between Integration and Secession The Muslim Communities of the Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and Western Burma/ Myanmar (Maryland: Lexington Books, 2002), 37. 813-821. Data have been collected Monks have also mobilized to support the passage of anti-Muslim laws in the nations legislature. Ethnic minorities in the country prefer to be called ethnic nationalities to fight against the proliferation of the dominant Bamar people. Growth rates have declined for all of Indias major religious groups, but the slowdown has been more pronounced among religious minorities, who outpaced Hindus in earlier decades. Burma Religions - Demographics Burma Religions Factbook > Countries > Burma > Demographics Religions: Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.) startxref There have been numerous sermons from such leaders promoting coexistence, decrying the restrictions on interfaith marriages, and building interfaith understanding. Today, Myanmar is the center of one of the largest refugee crises in the world. From 1948 to 1961, the Rohingya Mujahideen fought to create a separate Islamic State. Other data may have varying ages. Among his alleged crimes. endstream endobj 27 0 obj <> endobj 28 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Properties<>>>/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 29 0 obj <> endobj 30 0 obj <> endobj 31 0 obj <> endobj 32 0 obj <> endobj 33 0 obj <> endobj 34 0 obj [/ICCBased 59 0 R] endobj 35 0 obj <> endobj 36 0 obj <>stream Today, a segment of Burman Buddhist monks represented by Ashin Wirathu is re-igniting sentiments of intolerance and flaming lingering resentment toward Rohingya, preaching hateful rhetoric and sowing fear in the local Buddhist population in an attempt to change the ethnic demographics of Rakhine State. Click the image in the popup window for a people group profile. Nearly 90% of the country is Buddhist, and most are members of the majority ethnic community known as Burmans. %%EOF WebReligion in Myanmar The overwhelming majority of Myanmars population practices Theravada Buddhismaround 88 percent. Prayuths military-linked ruling party, United Thai Nation, is polling at 14 percent among Bangkokians and might not get more than a handful of seats. By 2013, in neighboring Bangladesh alone around 300,000 Rohingya refugees lived in camps along the border. Myanmar has a population of approximately 55.4 million in 2023. WebCrime Statistics. 0000011636 00000 n [23] See Kyaw San Wai, Western Myanmar Unrest: Partisan Portrayals Risk Extremist Implications, RSIS Commentaries 131/2012, http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/8784/RSIS1312012.pdf?sequen. [2] After the first of three Anglo-Burmese wars ended in 1826, Rakhine State was brought under British colonial administration, which had an open immigration policy that allowed an influx of Bengali Muslims into the newly colonized territory. 0000006915 00000 n [18] Policies of Persecution Ending Abusive State Policies Against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Fortify Rights (25 February 2014), http://www.fortifyrights.org/downloads/Policies_of_Persecution_Feb_25_F. [24] In Rakhine State, many of the police are selected from the Rakhine Buddhist community and often do not remain impartial when violence erupts between Buddhists and Muslims. [21] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (July 8, 2013), 16, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. In 1983, the fertility rate was 5 births per woman. 0000004282 00000 n A Rakhine state government spokesperson says the Rohingya are trying to Islamise [Buddhists] through their terrible birth rate, citing that Rohingya population growth is 10 times that of local Buddhists. The narrative of demographic besiegement is also fuelled by the fact that many Rohingya fail to assimilate to Burmese local customs and way of life. 0000038918 00000 n H\j0~ Web52 (34.9%) Progress Level Total Population 54,101,000 Population in Unreached 45,121,000 (83.4%) Largest Religion Buddhism ( 78.0% ) % Christian Adherent 8.16% % Evangelical 4.86% Evangelical Annual Growth Rate 2.5% (Global Rate = 2.6%) + Leaflet | Powered by Esri | USGS, NOAA People Groups States Progress Religions Languages Photos Thus, despite clear evidence that Islamophobic monastic rhetoric has increased violence, by denying that violence was their intention, many of these monks claim their karmic conscience is clear. Others claim that their statements against Muslims never explicitly call for violenceeven if it causes itand thus any violence that occurs is not their responsibility. 0000009258 00000 n 0000004853 00000 n Thus, the most populous regions are the Irrawaddy delta and the dry zone, and the highest densities are found in the upper delta, between Yangon and Hinthada (Henzada). Data is not as precise as it appears. (States / Districts only available for South Asia). With the military coup of 1962, about 1 million Indians were forced out of Burma, but some remained, mostly in Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, and in the Bago District. Most Bamar, Shan, Mon, Rakhine, Karen, and many ethnic groups of Myanmar follow Nearly 90 of the country is Buddhist and most are members of the majority. Indeed, the perception that foreigners ran much of Burmas finance and commerce was seen as unacceptable. Code columns are usually hidden by default. Anti-Indian and anti-Muslim attitudes were compounded during both the Japanese occupation of Burma (19421945)when Muslims in British Burma, going against the leanings of the Burmese Independence Movement, sided with the colonial British[5]and the subsequent Rohingya Mujahideen Rebellion (19481961), in which the Rohingya waged an unsuccessful secessionist campaign to create a separate Islamic State that would eventually join East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).[6]. It contains 4,477,638 residents. The second narrative espoused in the growing Burman-Buddhist nationalist movement is that the Rohingya started it. That is, Rohingya throughout history have rarely followed Burmese national interests, instead several times having threatened Myanmars newfound sovereignty. Just over 80% of the country has access to clean drinking water with only 77% having access to improved sanitation facilities. 0000004936 00000 n Myanmar is the most religious Buddhist country with regard to the percentage of the population living as monks and the amount of money spent on religion. The vast majority of people, 89%, profess Buddhism. The most popular form of Buddhism in Myanmar is Theravada Buddhism, mixed with superstitions such as astrology, fortune-telling, and worship How has the cultural context of Burmese Buddhism impacted the ways in which Buddhism is practiced in the region? About 87% of the population in Myanmar identify as Theravada Buddhists. MEI welcomes financial donations, but retains sole editorial control over its work and its publications reflect only the authors views. 0000002503 00000 n . Joshua Project occasionally adjusts profile text from third party sources. Population aged 0-14 . According to current projections, Myanmars population will see its highest number in 2054 with 62.32 million people. WebPew Forum on Religion & Public Life / Mapping the Global Muslim Population www.pewforum.org 39 Estimated Percentage Range of Shia by Country Afghanistan 10 There are two salient narratives driving anti-Rohingya/anti-Muslim sentiments. hYrF}W[*^%S,VFU5SSN`$ 3snwHE5v^'o7GgX2#4a~' WebMyanmar, also known as Burma, is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. We welcome. In rare instances a representative photo may be used. Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security, Oman Library at the Middle East Institute, Earth Day: Environmental Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East, Womens Reproductive Rights and Abortion in Morocco: Regulatory Reforms Should Not Miss the Bigger Picture, http://www.networkmyanmar.com/images/stories/PDF12/rohingya-origins-1-r, http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21582321-fuelled-dangerous-brew-fait, http://www.networkmyanmar.org/images/stories/PDF15/Leider-Note.pdf, http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=3ae6b4f71b, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/asia/rise-in-bigotry-fuels-mass, http://www.theforeignreport.com/2013/07/01/burma-buddhism-and-the-rise-, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-180314.html, http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21565638-why-buddhists-and-muslims-r, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-01/an-myanmar-considers-law-restricting-interfaith-marriage/5292534, http://www.fortifyrights.org/downloads/Policies_of_Persecution_Feb_25_F, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf, http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS2212013.pdf, http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/8784/RSIS1312012.pdf?sequen, http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/burma0413webwcover_0.pdf, http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/abuse-against-myanmar-s-r, Indonesia and the Middle East: Exploring Connections, Islam, Migrants and Multiculturalism: A Glance at Germany, Korea and Beyond, Sectarian Violence Involving Rohingya in Myanmar: Historical Roots and Modern Triggers. 188 (28 November, 2012), 2. The Buddha lived an ascetic life with several monks and priests. And what could be done to avert sectarian violence, to foster tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and to promote reconciliation? [4] Moshe Yegar, Between Integration and Secession: The Muslim Communities of the Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and Western Burma/Myanmar (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002), 103. [10] 969 website, https://969movement.org. 54, No. Manfred Hutter, Hindus in Southeast and East Asia, Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Eds. 2023 by selected countries in. To date, Buddhist mobs have killed more than 200 Muslims, the majority of whom are Rohingya, and caused the displacement of more than 140,000.[9]. The quality of life can be examined in numerous manners, including exploring healthcare, access to improved sanitation and drinking water, as well as the World Happiness Report. Sometimes known as Burma, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar - which is often shortened to Myanmar, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. They can inspire horrific violence. Web Estimated Population of Myanmar in 2023. As always, when thinking about religion and conflict, maintain a focus on how religion is internally diverse, always evolving and changing, and always embedded in specific cultures. [23], Political reforms in Myanmar have also led to looser military control and, in some cases, a complete breakdown of law and order. While many monks in Myanmar seem to support and even advocate for violence against their Muslim neighbors, there are others who are constantly working to end the violence. [7] Burma Citizenship Law, 15 October 1982, The United Nations Refugee Agency, http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=3ae6b4f71b. Pin Pa Patrimonios WebConsidered as the main religion, Buddhism (mostly Theravada Buddhism) makes up more. Eliane Coates, Buddhist Monks in Myanmar: Driving Religious Intolerance and Hindering Reform, RSIS Commentaries No. Burmah, as it was spelled in the 19th Century, is a local corruption of the word Myanmar", according to the same report above. Throughout the 20th century, British colonial policy regularly pitted these groups against each other, creating a violent legacy that continues to this day. [9] Jane Perlez, Rise in Bigotry Fuels Massacre Inside Myanmar, New York Times (March 2, 2014), http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/asia/rise-in-bigotry-fuels-mass. Data have been collected since 1948 through a set of questionnaires dispatched annually to over 230 national statistical offices and have been published in the. Web As International Crisis Group ICG pointed out in a comprehensive report published on 10 March 2023 Myanmars Buddhist clergy has largely remained silent in. 0000003981 00000 n It was then that he undertook a quest to understand the origin of suffering with the aim of eradicating it. Hinduism is practised by about 890,000 people in Myanmar, [2] [3] and has been influenced by elements of Buddhism, with many Hindu temples in Myanmar housing statues of the Buddha. Points are best estimates, but should not be taken as exact. Approximately 2% of Burmese people are Hindu. w+|R6r5pRCyzh+xm6f{.xmpf2YZ|_pT~9dbb?f4 0vev4l,{w}?_3~`9'L;v:5mpZGjneS?J5TjyNCJ;]%S9tA]@%Pv/_zjJ Myanmar's relatively slow population growth is predicted to continue on its current trajectory. hVmo6+p&(8qzX ? Myanmar is predominantly a Buddhist country, with around 90% of the population following Theravada Buddhism. As India is a close neighbor, Hinduism has had a regional influence for centuries and Hindu gods are sometimes included among the nats, or spirits, worshiped by some Burmese Buddhists. 5 (1799), 237, http://www.networkmyanmar.com/images/stories/PDF12/rohingya-origins-1-r. However, the composition of the Rohingya community, which makes up about 5 percent of the population of approximately 60 million, is intricately linked to Burmas colonial past. Web Burmas population consists of Buddhists 879 percent Christians 62 percent Muslims 43 percent Animists 08 percent and Hindus 05 percent. WebMyanmar is the most religious Buddhist country with regard to the percentage of the population living as monks and the amount of money spent on religion. In 1989, an unelected military regime changed the name of Burma to Myanmar. GQ}^. This pivotal event subsequently saw the beginnings of Burman-Buddhist ethno-nationalism and the start of nationwide anti-Indian sentiment, which later evolved into anti-Muslim attitudes. The groups listed below are not included in overall Joshua Project people group counts. During the riots in Meiktila in March 2013, Burmese police did little, if anything, to contain the situation. 0000001481 00000 n Values for %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical (which determine unreached status) are often informed estimates, some more accurate than others. In this predominantly Buddhist country, Muslims are often discriminated against by the powerful nationalist movement that strives to protect Buddhist identity, thus creating a struggle for minority groups.
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