Social Harmony Between Rakhine and Muslim Communities Strengthens in Maungdaw

 

Social harmony, friendship, and mutual trust between the Rakhine and Muslim communities in Maungdaw Township have significantly improved in recent months, according to field observations conducted by AB News.

Local residents report that under the current administration of the Arakan Army (ULA/AA), social relations have become more stable and positive compared to previous years. This marks a notable shift from earlier periods, during which the Muslim community in many Rakhine townships faced severe restrictions on their freedom of movement.

Members of the Muslim community say that since the violence in 2012, they had experienced the loss of equal rights across key sectors such as healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and social engagement. They describe a decade marked by discrimination, limited mobility, and restricted access to services.

According to locals, visible improvements in inter-community relations began in early 2024, after the ULA/AA gained control over several townships in northern Arakan State. Since then, interactions between the two communities have become more frequent and more open.

At present, Muslims in Maungdaw are able to move freely and participate in daily social activities without fear or hesitation. They can be seen frequenting tea shops, refreshment stalls, markets, and other public gathering places, either alone or in groups — an indication of the growing sense of normalcy and coexistence in the area.