Arakanese Remembered Monk Revolution in Sittwe

Originally appeared in Narinjara

October 1, 2014

The people of Burma remembered the monk revolution in various parts of the country. The Arakanese capital city of Sittwe also held the commemoration ceremony where 90 monks received donations from the devotees.

The 8th anniversary of monk revolution was jointly organized on 27 September by the Arakanese Young Monk Association (for maintaining discipline and welfare to the people), Youth Association of Mizzan Quarter (in Sittwe) and the students & youths of Mizzan Duarter.

“The monks struggled and demonstrated in 2007 for the freedom of the people from the cycle of poverty in Burma. In retaliation, they were gunned down by the Army personnel as the country was then ruled by the military regime. Many monks were imprisoned and they died behind bars.

We are paying our heartiest tributes to those great souls on this auspicious occasion,” said U Pinnya Tharmi, who looks after the information & documentation wing of Arakanese Young Monk Association for maintaining discipline and welfare to the people.

The monk revolution, also known as saffron revolution, initially started raising voices against the soaring prices of essential commodities in the country. As the revolution received a huge public support, it slowly emerged as a major uprising against the Army ruled government. The uprising has helped the southeast Asian nation to embrace democracy today.

“I would like to request the Arakanese people to observe the monk revolution day and Ven-Oattaman day joining hands leaving aside their differences,” added U Pinnya Tharmi.

One participant Arakanese lady after joining in the donation ceremony stated that she was very glad and blessed to donate food items to the monks on the great occasion.

“I would always like to join in such celebrations in the coming days. I prefer to donate in such occasions rather than donating in the monastery,” she pointed out while speaking to Narinjara News.

An Arakanese national Ko Naing Naing also expressed happiness to get the opportunity to participate on the occasion.

“We expect the new generation to understand the implications of the great monk revolution. We would like the young people to know the history of Burma during the Army rules,” he emphasized.

The monk revolution started in Arakan State of Burma as the common Arakanese people had to face hard days under the rule of Burmese dictatorship. The monks took the plight of Arakanese to the streets and finally it emerged as a major uprising against the then regime of Rangoon.

View the original article here.