Muslim Community Seeing A New Light Under the Arakan Army

By GAN

Shortread: Opinions                                                        February 27, 2025

Muslims from Maungdaw Receiving Medication (photocrd)

Some outside observers viewed the Arakan Army as an equally destructive force—comparable to Myanmar’s SAC military—in its impact on Muslim residents in Arakan. Additionally, some Muslim diaspora activists baselessly accused the AA of committing crimes against humanity, massacres, forced displacement, and even genocide in the later months of 2024. However, as of February 2025, observers are gaining a clearer picture of what the AA actually means for the Muslim residents of Arakan, particularly for those who have long been religiously and racially neglected.

First, Myanmar military control in Arakan has been the root of divisions and problems among all communities in the region. This observation does not dismiss the historical and communal grievances that have existed between the Arakanese and Muslim community members. More importantly, in the absence of the Myanmar military’s destructive intervention, there are now more opportunities for resolving conflicts, and the Muslim community in Arakan is beginning to see a new light under the control of the Arakan Army.

Since January 2025, the ULA authority has initiated several activities that are positively affecting the lives of Muslim residents in Arakan. These include the indiscriminate distribution of medication, the promotion of religious freedom, greater participation in local governance, and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Event-I:

Local residents on January 17 reported that the Arakan Army has been providing medical treatment and health awareness sessions to the people of Maungdaw Township including Muslim residents, near the Arakan-Bangladesh border, since January 13, 2025.

"The Arakan Army has been reaching out to sick residents in Maungdaw Township, offering medical treatment and conducting health awareness programs," sources said.

Event-II:

On January 30, Arakan Health International (AHI) provided some financial assistance for referral support to the child, a 7-year-old Rohingya boy from Shwe Zar Gone (Muslim) village stepped on a landmine left behind by the military junta while descending from his home, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs at around 7:00 PM, on the evening of January 29, 2025.

Event-III:

In Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, the Arakan Army and the Arakan Public Health Department have been providing medical treatment and psychological support to returning Muslim villagers displaced by conflict.

On February 19, in Shwe Zar (West) Muslim Village, medical personnel from the Arakan Army and the health department treated returning Muslims and provided psychological counseling to those seeking medical care.

A total of 109 individuals—61 women and 48 men—received medical treatment in the village.

Event-IV:

The Qur'an recitation certification ceremony was held this morning, February 20, in Kyauk Taw Township. It has been learned that the event, which began in the year 2000, was being held for the 17th time. The ULA authority also attended the event.

According to an official during the event, a total of 13 individuals from across Kyauk Taw Township received the Qur'an recitation certification, including four Muslim women.

Qur'an Recitation Certification Ceremony

Event-V

On February 21, it was reported that a Muslim elder from Shwe Zar village tract stated that the Arakan Army (AA) held meetings and instructed that Muslim villages and neighborhoods should be governed by local Muslims. It was also directed that the administrative committees should be formed based on the consensus of the local residents."

According to him, since February 16, the AA has been holding meetings with local Muslim community members in Zedi Pyin village, under Shwe Zar village tract in Maungdaw Township, to provide guidance on administration.

For villages with more than 100 households, the administrative committee is to consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and five members, totaling eight members. For villages with fewer than 100 households, the committee should have a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and two members, making a total of five members.

It has been learned that these committees are to be formed in accordance with the majority consensus of the local Muslim villagers.

Event-VI:

The Arakan Army (AA) provided rice assistance to returning residents in Maungdaw Township, February 25, 2025.

Starting around 9:00 AM, the AA distributed 98 bags of rice to returnees in Shwe Yin Aye Village and Pantaw Pyin (Muslim) Village in Maungdaw Township.

A person involved in the distribution told that the rice aid was not supported by any external organizations but was provided due to the hardships faced by the local people.

"We are not distributing this rice with support from foreign organizations. We are providing it from our own supply because we see the difficulties people are facing in their daily lives," the source said.

Conclusion Remarks

All these developments indicate a positive shift in the lives, livelihoods, and rights of Muslim residents in Arakan, especially when compared to the past, when the Myanmar military governed through division and control. If this progress continues without external interference, the Muslims of Arakan will finally attain the rightful place in Arakanese society that they have long envisioned but never realized.