Above: A Muslim religious leader at prayer in a Lashio mosque. Right: Buddhist monks walking on an alms-round in the town. Below right: Dr. Tin Aung of the Islamic Religious Association in Lashio.
Lashio Works to Build Trust Since inter-community clashes broke out in the northern town almost two years ago, a group of religious leaders and youth has worked hard to rebuild good relations By ZARNI MANN / LASHIO
A
s Lashio town became a refuge for thousands of people fleeing fighting between the government and Kokang rebels around Laukkai on the Chinese border in February
20
TheIrrawaddy
and March, religious and community leaders rallied to provide aid and shelter in monasteries, schools and other buildings. It was just the latest challenge for local leaders who for almost two years
ALL PHOTOS: THAW HEIN HTET / THE IRRAWADDY
FEATURE
have been working quietly behind the scenes to mend the fallout from a previous crisis to hit the town. In May 2013 inter-community clashes in Lashio left one person dead and others injured. Though the flare-up which followed a spate of similar events in other parts of the country quickly died down, tensions were left in its wake between communities that had previously lived peacefully side by side. Since then, local leaders have worked hard to maintain peace and good relations between the different religious communities. They have focused on rebuilding trust and on making common cause against the power of rumors to ignite tensions. It hasn’t always been easy, especially during the first few months after the clashes, said Ko Myo, a Buddhist community leader. Soon after the May 2013 events, an informal interfaith group was formed that included Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and Christian religious leaders as well April 2015