ULA and Muslim Religious Leaders Discuss Facilitating Formal Government Education for Muslim Students in Buthidaung

News ၊ July 30, 2026

ULA and Muslim Religious Leaders Discuss Facilitating Formal Government Education for Muslim Students in Buthidaung (Photo - APM)

It is reported that a meeting was held on July 26 between the United League of Arakan (ULA) and local Muslim religious leaders in Buthidaung Township, Maungdaw District, Arakan State, to discuss enabling Muslim students to attend formal government schooling.

The meeting was attended by 309 participants, including officials from the ULA Maungdaw District, the Maungdaw District Administrator and education officials, Buthidaung Township officials, members of the District Muslim Affairs Council, jury members, Muslim religious leaders and schoolteachers from Madrasas, as well as lead Muslim religious leaders from local mosques.

During the event, the ULA Maungdaw District Party Leader delivered the opening address, stating: "I would like to express my special thanks to the attending Muslim religious leaders and schoolteachers. The inability of Muslim people to speak the Arakanese language has led to several negative consequences, such as needing interpreters during medical treatment, facing difficulties in daily travel, lacking connections between the two communities, and creating a distance that hinders social harmony between the Arakanese and Muslim populations. Religious Madrasa education and formal government education are like two eyes; both forms of education should be taught in a balanced manner."

The Maungdaw District Party Leader continued by assuring that providing modern government education to Muslim youth would not cause Madrasa schools to disappear, and urged them to collaborate with the administration. He added: "Successive Military Council governments that ruled the people of Arakan created racial conflicts between the Arakanese and Muslims, denied them the right to serve in government departments, and oppressed them through various methods to keep them uneducated. In contrast, the current Arakan People's Revolutionary Government permits Muslims to serve equally in government departments and provides education without discrimination based on religion or race. In the current political and military landscape, Muslims must take special care not to be used as tools by the Military Commission. To advance nation-building efforts, it is necessary to nurture more developed and valuable future Muslim men and women."

Furthermore, the Maungdaw District Administrator explained: "Modern education is essential for socio-economic development. Enabling local Muslim students to receive government education depends on the community elders, and it is crucial that the new generation becomes educated. Illiteracy in formal government education creates many daily socio-economic challenges for Muslims, as they cannot read public awareness signs, pamphlets, legal codes, and announcements issued by the government. Just as it is necessary for Muslim students to pursue government education, Muslim religious leaders should also encourage them to serve in government departments."

Similarly, the Maungdaw District Education Officer stated: "According to demographic data, Maungdaw District is a district with a majority Muslim population. For the upcoming academic year, we wish to recruit 500 Muslim schoolteachers to serve in government schools. Elders should organize and motivate young Muslim men and women to become interested in these opportunities."

Muslim religious leaders attending the ceremony also shared their views, stating: "Muslims, who were not prioritized during the governance of successive military councils in the past, take great pride and joy in being prioritized under the current Arakan People's Revolutionary Government. We are especially grateful for this emphasis on educating Muslim youth, and as Muslim religious leaders, we will firmly join hands with the Arakan government to participate to the best of our ability in nation-building."

Likewise, a principal of a Madrasa submitted: "Regarding the educational work currently undertaken by the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government, we have received recognition that was never granted under previous successive governments, bringing great joy to the students. Currently, some Madrasas are jointly teaching government curriculum and modern subjects alongside religious studies. Once the youth become literate, they will participate and serve in government departments."

Following this, the 1st Vice Chairman of the Maungdaw District Muslim Affairs Jury delivered the closing remarks, first explaining the concept of "Duties and Rights." He noted that only when Muslim men and women take on more responsibilities in government departments will they be able to secure more rights. He urged everyone to fully utilize the educational opportunities created by the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government for the Muslim public to build a new Arakan nation.

At the conclusion of the event, textbooks and stationery were donated for Muslim students across 25 Madrasas, and the meeting was successfully concluded at 4:00 PM.

Source@ONN