MAWLAMYINE, Myanmar — Even though these elaborate cremation ceremonies are financed through voluntary donations rather than taxes, some residents are concerned that the money is spent inefficiently.
Category: Religion in Myanmar
The following stories on religious freedom and conflict in Myanmar emerged from a training we held for 15 regional journalists, editors and media professionals in 2014. The Yangon training was supported by a grant we received from the U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Human Rights and Democracy Programme.
Separated by violence, Muslims and Buddhists seek to be reunited in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar — Buddhists and Muslims in the central city of Meiktila were separated along faith lines after interreligious violence destroyed roughly 800 homes in 2013. Some remain skeptical about the neighbors’ prospects for peace.
Beyond Myanmar’s embattled Muslims, Christians say they face their own persecution
YANGON, Myanmar — The persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority has attracted the most international attention, but in Chin State, a predominantly Christian population faces its own challenges and restrictions.
Myanmar’s religious noise pollution annoys locals and sleepless neighbors
MANDALAY, Myanmar — Neighbors say the noisy atmosphere detracts from the festivals’ religious origins — and the country’s quiet Buddhist getaway image.
Interfaith leaders tackle religious extremism in Myanmar
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — As ethno-religious conflicts and extremism hinder Myanmar’s democratic reforms, faith leaders across the country emphasize the need for interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance.
Using ‘flower speech’ and new Facebook tools, Myanmar fights online hate speech
YANGON, Myanmar — “It’s not enough to complain about content. That just removes the bad stuff after you already saw it,” said Matt Schissler, an adviser to the civil society group Paung Ku.
Myanmar women object to proposed restrictions on interfaith marriage
YANGON, Myanmar — A draft marriage bill would govern unions between Buddhist women and men of other faiths. After a series of requirements, the marriage could only then take place if no objections were raised.
Myanmar journalists draft Reporting Resolution on Covering Religious Freedom and Conflict
In November 2014, we assembled 15 journalists, editors and media professionals from across Myanmar for an intensive training course on how best to cover religious freedom and conflict. Here’s the resolution they bring back to their newsrooms.
VIDEO: Journalists & Religious Leaders Reflect on Faith in Myanmar Media
YANGON, Myanmar — On Nov. 13, 2014, we gathered a panel of journalists and faith leaders representing Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism to discuss how they see local media portrayals of faith in Myanmar.
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