What roles have state, sub-state and transnational actors played in fomenting sectarian discord? Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the fascinating world of Myanmar's religion, and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural richness that makes Myanmar such a unique and captivating country. Human Rights Watch found that rather than protecting civilians at risk, Burmese police either stood by or actively engaged in and contributed to the unfolding violence. They can inspire horrific violence. endstream endobj 92 0 obj <> endobj 93 0 obj <> endobj 94 0 obj <>stream Interview with Aung San Suu Kyithe State Counselor of Burma, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and a Theravada Buddhistwhere she responds to accusations of ethnic cleansing against Muslims in Myanmar: http://bit.ly/2sfZyDo. During the Inquiry Commission,[20] some Rakhine Buddhists stated that they feared Rohingya could revive the same violent agenda as previous Mujahid rebels in Rakhine State.[21]. He later said to a reporter: I was only doing it in accordance with Buddhas teachings. 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 This is done to avoid confusion regarding the current reality of a people group, to fix grammar and spelling and to avoid potentially offensive wording. trailer The official language used is Burmese, with some ethnic groups using their own languages. For a listing of MEI donors, please click here. Code columns are usually hidden by default. In great need of spiritual renewal and commitment to biblical faith. By 2013, in neighboring Bangladesh alone around 300,000 Rohingya refugees lived in camps along the border. 0000008087 00000 n Pin Pa Patrimonios WebHinduism is practised by 1.7% of the population of Myanmar. 0000002037 00000 n Religion in Myanmar. The overwhelming majority of Myanmars population practices Theravada Buddhismaround 88 percent. Christians make up just 6 percent of the population, 4 percent of the population is Muslim, 0.8 percent is animist, and 0.05 percent practice Hinduism. On the other hand, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and others are also practiced in In Muslim majority contexts like Mali, Burkina Faso, and northern Nigeria ethnicity plays a stronger role and implications for A>E `@q Sometimes known as Burma, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar - which is often shortened to Myanmar, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. WebBasic facts. In the 19th century, many tribes who had been treated as inferior due to their animistic beliefs, such as the Chins, converted to Christianity. Now, the last partial census was conducted in 1983, and until 2014, the last officially recorded nationwide census hadn't occurred since 1931. As much as 90 of the Burmese population practice Buddhism making it the main religion in MyanmarBuddhism in Burma is attached to the Theravada branch. New media, such as Facebook, have facilitated the rapid spread of accusations, often inflaming already volatile situations. . 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. However, religions are powerful forces. It is a doctrine, a philosophy based on the teaching of the Buddha contained in the Four Noble Truths: 1) The truth of suffering; 2) the cause of suffering; 3) the cessation of suffering and; 4) the path that leads to the cessation of suffering. WebOfficially, 4% of the inhabitants of Myanmar are Muslim. [nor] could [they] write or read the official Bamar language used in government communications.[19] Indeed, the majority of Rohingya speak a dialect similar to Bengali, and many can read and write in Urdu. 0000015224 00000 n And what could be done to avert sectarian violence, to foster tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and to promote reconciliation? w+|R6r5pRCyzh+xm6f{.xmpf2YZ|_pT~9dbb?f4 0vev4l,{w}?_3~`9'L;v:5mpZGjneS?J5TjyNCJ;]%S9tA]@%Pv/_zjJ 0000010535 00000 n [19] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (8 July 2013), 62, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. [26] Moreover, authorities do not sanction the police for their wrongdoings. Little, if any, history of Christianity. This has resulted in significant transformations in areas such as censorship, whereby efforts by Buddhist monks to propagate anti-Muslim narratives are now facilitated by Myanmars reforms. WebNearly 90% of the country is Buddhist, and most are members of the majority ethnic community known as Burmans. These elements of the Buddhist community have justified their actions using Buddhist theology, claiming that violence is acceptable if it is done in defense of their religion. 545 million or 545 crores read about list of countries in Asia by population Myanmar Demographics Religion in Myanmar. WebConsidered as the main religion, Buddhism (mostly Theravada Buddhism) makes up more. The name 969 is a numerological reference to the Buddha, his teachings, and his religious community. While peace building is possible, many challenges remain. 0000010110 00000 n [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. Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion among the majority Bamar ethnic group and among [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. 0000007162 00000 n Click the image in the popup window for a people group profile. Web Christians in Myanmar are estimated to make up around 82 of the population roughly 55 Protestant 13 Roman Catholic and the remainder members of independent. 0000002975 00000 n 0000007386 00000 n Myanmar has maintained steady growth over the past century despite its battles both in ending British rule and with the ongoing civil wars. How does gender play a role in the conflict in Myanmar. Indeed, the perception that foreigners ran much of Burmas finance and commerce was seen as unacceptable. From 1948 to 1961, the Rohingya Mujahideen fought to create a separate Islamic State. There are at least 108 ethnolinguistic groups in Myanmar. The country experienced a spike in population in the 1960s, and since then the nation continues to grow, but at a slower pace. [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. 0000045383 00000 n Stores are marked with the 969 symbol to verify the owner is Buddhist. 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. Try our business solution for free. There are only .57 physicians and .9 beds available per 1,000 residents. [8] Michael Tanchum, The Buddhist-Muslim Violence in Myanmar: A Threat to Southeast Asia, The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, BESA Center Perspectives Paper, No. Changing the pivot column will reset the column selection and sort order. 0000006478 00000 n They can also inspire nearly unfathomable acts of love and peacebuilding. The Inquiry Commission into sectarian violence in Rakhine State released in 2013 found that Rohingya living in rural areas could not speak any indigenous languages of Myanmar well . 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. 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. 1. Ashin Wirathu argues that Muslim extremists are plotting to transform Myanmar into an Islamic country. startxref 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. Myanmar is predominantly a Buddhist country, with around 90% of the population following Theravada Buddhism. 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. Other data may have varying ages. 0000001156 00000 n [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. 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. Myanmar | Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School 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. [13] Even though Buddhists form the majority of the population, and there is no solid evidence Myanmar is facing an Islamist military threat, the narrative has gained traction amongst many Buddhists fearing that Islam will disrupt Myanmars Buddhist identity and potentially wipe out Buddhism in Myanmar altogether. According to current projections, Myanmars population will see its highest number in 2054 with 62.32 million people. Throughout the video, we will delve into the rituals, festivals, and ceremonies that are an integral part of Myanmar's religious traditions. Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. It contains 4,477,638 residents. Web Last Friday Good Friday Myanmars military court sentenced the former leader of the Kachin Baptist Convention to six years in prison. However, while Buddhist nationalists have clearly stoked violence and legitimized Islamophobic actions, there are many Buddhists who have tried to promote peace with their Muslim neighbors. How does the situation in Myanmar make simplistic statements like these problematic? While the recent inter-religious violence begun in mid-2012 with the rape and murder of a twenty-seven-year-old Buddhist seamstress Ma Thida Htwewhich sparked an eruption of Muslim-Buddhist tension and the displacement of 70,000 Rohingya[8]Buddhist-Muslim violence has since spread beyond Rakhine State to Central and Northern Myanmar in the cities of Meiktila and Lashio. 1 (January/ February 2014), 28. [10] 969 website, https://969movement.org. All rights reserved. endstream endobj 40 0 obj <> endobj 41 0 obj <>stream Christianity is the second largestreligion in Myanmar, making up around 8% of the population. Please. Most Bamar, Shan, Mon, Rakhine, Karen, and many ethnic groups of Myanmar follow 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. [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. The current population of Myanmar in 2023 is. Web 5 hours agoPeople walk outside of a church in the Kachin state of Myanmar where 95 percent of residents are Christian. 0 The groups listed below are not included in overall Joshua Project people group counts. %%EOF Population aged 0-14 . Nearly 88% of Myanmars population identify themselves as Buddhist, with other religious denominations, such as Christians, Muslims, and Hindus, making up the Today, these people live in refugee camps in their own country. Prolonged periods of repression were accompanied by cycles of Rohingya migration from Rakhine State to bordering Bangladesh. The forecast population for 2020 is 54,808,276, Population estimates based on interpolation of data from World Population Prospects. 0000004282 00000 n Myanmar religion percentage 2023. Due to decades of heavy censorship, Myanmar continues to have a hyperactive rumor mill in which information from fellow community membersbe it online of face-to-faceis given preferential treatment to news originating from official media outlets. 1763 N St. NW, Washington D.C. 20036. Be respectful of the different cultures and keep an open mind as you explore this beautiful country! 2023 by selected countries in. H\n0. Approximately 2% of Burmese people are Hindu. It is common to hear people say that certain religions are religions of violence or religions of peace. What might you say to someone who made such a claim? Rangoon/Yangon is the largest city and the capital of the area. They believe in a Theravadan Buddhist doctrine that states that only their intention affects their karma. 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. Ethnic minoritiessuch as the Chin, Kachin, Karin, and Rohingyainclude significant populations of Christians and Muslims. These laws were most common in the Middle East and North Africa, where 18 of the 20 countries (90%) in the region have laws criminalizing blasphemy and 13 of them (65%) outlaw apostasy. 0000005198 00000 n 813-821. [24] Human Rights Watch, All You Can Do is Pray: Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burmas Arakan State (2013), http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/burma0413webwcover_0.pdf. We will also examine the unique blend of animism and spirit worship that is deeply rooted in Burmese culture. The population growth rate is slowly decreasing, resulting in population growth to cease around 2054 and the population to start shrinking thereafter. If you have information about these groups, please contact us. 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). 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. H#6^l? 9?(5S&G qa{uCiV;T(!DU4\d,mq9Hq!i Z+s)[/tnd\g:k[qPr HkxjQ!Orw],V +J1+WY#4OtF&:. Monks have also mobilized to support the passage of anti-Muslim laws in the nations legislature. Since the opening of Myanmar in 2011, President Thein Sein has pursued broad economic and political reforms of policies created by former military leaders. Among his alleged crimes. Settlement in the Sittang delta, the WebMyanmar Myanmar - Overview Population. 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. Myanmar (Burma) is a majorly a Buddhist majority country with a significant minority population residing in the country.(Section 361) of the Constitution states that "The Union recognizes special position of ```Buddhism``` as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union." According to both the 2016 census of the Burmese government Buddhism is the dominant religion, of 0000004016 00000 n Web The vast majority of the citizens of Myanmar a nation in southeast Asia are Theravada Buddhists. The 969 Movement, a complex Buddhist nationalist movement, has promoted a Buy Buddhist campaign, encouraging citizens to buy goods only from other Buddhists, to target the economic well-being of religious minoritiesespecially Muslims. Some monasteries have organized humanitarian aid for Muslims who have been displaced by the violence. 0000009258 00000 n 19, Issue 10 (2013), 1. Many of the ethnic minorities in Myanmar are Christian, such as the Chin, the Kachins, the Karen and the Naga. Matthew J. Walton and Susan Hayward, Contesting Buddhist Narratives: Democratization, Nationalism, and Communal Violence in Myanmar, (2014): 4-5. [25] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (8 July 2013), 47, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. 0000001544 00000 n [7] Burma Citizenship Law, 15 October 1982, The United Nations Refugee Agency, http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=3ae6b4f71b. Buddhism does not have a creator god like other religions and it does not contain theories either. 221/2013 (December 3, 2013), http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS2212013.pdf. This case study was created by Kristofer Rhude, MDiv 18, under the editorial direction of Dr. Diane L. Moore, faculty director of Religion and Public Life. 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. This glossary lists terms that are used in various places in the religion and country profiles. We recommend against using %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical to calculate absolute numbers. MYANMAR RELIGIONS THE OVERVIEW OF MYANMAR RELIGION The main religions of the country are Buddhism (89.2%), Christianity (5.0%), Islam (3.8%), 0000026145 00000 n What roles have state, sub-state and transnational actors played in fomenting sectarian discord? 0000011636 00000 n You must help all beings who are in need, who are in trouble.. Web Burmas population consists of Buddhists 879 percent Christians 62 percent Muslims 43 percent Animists 08 percent and Hindus 05 percent. The prince of a small kingdom in India, he lived in opulence thanks to his familys wealth without having the slightest contact with anything outside the palace, neither with poverty, nor with misery, nor death. GQ}^. For more information see the Joshua Project Small Group Policy. WebAccording to the 2014 Myanmar Census, 87.9% of the population identifies as Buddhists. This act essentially legitimized discrimination against the Rohingya, which continues today. This Christian presence dates back to the time whenEuropean and American missionariescame to settle and evangelize Myanmar. - Few evangelicals, but significant number who identify as Christians.
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myanmar religion percentage 2023