Muslims in Burmese History
The first Muslim recorded in Burmese history
The first Muslim documented in Burmese history (recorded in Hmannan Yazawin or Glass Palace Chronicle) was Byat Wi during the reign of Mon, a Thaton King, circa 1050 AD.
Shwe Byin brothers executed
The two sons of Byat Wi's brother Byat Ta, known as Shwe Byin brothers, were children executed because they refused to obey the forced labour order of the king, maybe because of their religious belief. It was clearly recorded in the Glass Palace Chronicle of the Kings of Burma that they were no longer trusted.
Assassination of Nga Yaman Kan
Rahman Khan (Nga Yaman Kan) was another Muslim killed for political reasons, because of treason to his own king and also clearly as religious persecution. During a time of war, King Kyansittha sent a hunter as a sniper to assassinate him.
Massacre in Arakan
Another event involving killing of Muslims was in Arakan and was likely due to politics and greed and not communal and religious agenda. Shah Shuja was the second son of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan who built the famous Taj Mahal of India. Shah Shuja lost to his brother Aurangzeb and fled with his family and soldiers to Arakan. The Arakan pirate king Sandathudama (1652-1687 AD) who was the local pirate of Chittagong and Arakan, allowed him to settle there. He wanted to buy ships to go to Mecca and was willing to pay with silver and gold. But the Arakan king turned greedy for his wealth and forced on his daughter. At last after an alleged unsuccessful attempt at rebellion the sultan and most of his followers were killed. There are sources that indicate that Shah Shuja escaped the massacre.
Muslims under Bayintnaung
Muslims served under Burmese king Bayintnaung (1550-1589 AD). In 1559 AD after conquering Bago (Pegu) he prohibited the Muslims from having halal meals of goats and chickens by not allowing them to kill these animals in the name of God. He also disallowed the Eid ul Adha, Kurbani, sacrifice of cattle.
Muslims under Alaungpaya
King Alaungpaya (1752–1760) prohibited Muslims to do halal on cattle.
Bodawpaya
King Bodawpaya (1782–1819) arrested four famous Burma Muslim Maulvis (Imams) from Myedu and killed them in Ava, the capital, after they refused to eat pork. According to the Myedu Muslim and Burma Muslim version there were seven dark days after that execution and the king later apologized and recognized them as saints.
Read more about this topic: Persecution Of Muslims In Burma
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