Religious freedom, interfaith harmony expand in areas controlled by AA in Arakan State

By Admin 07 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 February 2026, Maungdaw

Religious leaders and local residents in Arakan State say people of different faiths in areas currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) are freely celebrating their religious festivals, with interfaith harmony becoming increasingly visible.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) has allowed Islamic, Hindu and Christian religious ceremonies to be held without restriction, while also providing administrative and security assistance, according to religious leaders.

They said religious practices were previously restricted and subject to discrimination under the former military regime, but those challenges have now been resolved.

“A Christian pastor expressed gratitude, noting that the ULA led efforts to build a church for their community while they were displaced by war. Similarly, a Muslim religious leader said that in the past they were required to submit formal requests even to replace a single zinc sheet on the roof of a religious school. Now, those problems have disappeared,” said writer Wai Hun Aung.

On February 4, the 18th graduation ceremony of a Christian Bible school was held in an AA-controlled area. ULA officials attended the event, awarded cash prizes to students and formally recognized their achievements.

For the 75th Maha Ramayana Harinama Rama festival, a major Hindu religious event held in Maungdaw Township, the ULA provided K35 million in financial support, with officials also attending to encourage participants.

In addition, ULA officials attended the graduation ceremony of an Islamic religious university on February 2 to honor the academic achievements of Muslim students.

Social aid workers said conditions have improved significantly compared to the period under the military council’s control, when religious freedom was suppressed and discrimination was widespread.

“We can see that religious freedom for Muslims is much better than it was under the military regime. Previously, there was no religious freedom—only suppression and discrimination based on faith. Now, under the ULA, we see full freedom,” said Ko Pyae Phyo Naing, chairman of the Ponnagyun Youths Association.

Observers also noted that equal rights related to freedom of movement and economic opportunities are being granted to residents across Arakan State, regardless of ethnicity or religion.