ULA reopens historical mosque in Maungdaw

By Admin 15 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

15 September 2025, Maungdaw

A historical mosque in Maungdaw, Arakan State, which had been closed for more than a decade, was reopened on September 12 by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

The grand mosque reopening ceremony was attended by about 300 people, including Muslim religious leaders, ULA/AA officials, Daingnet and Mro tribes, and Hindus.

The Muslim community expressed gratitude to the Arakan Army for reopening the historical mosque.

A Muslim resident of Maungdaw said, "I am very grateful to the Arakkha people's government for opening this mosque for us. We feel happy. They have given us a lot of help. This mosque is an important mosque for the Muslims of our town."

The mosque was closed during the 2012 intercommunal conflict under former President U Thein Sein's government.

The grand mosque was technically first reopened by the military regime during intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Maungdaw Township in 2024, but due to the fighting, it was closed without any prayers.

After the Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw Township, the ULA/AA allowed the mosque to reopen at the request of Muslim religious leaders, in the interests of harmonious relations between Arakanese and Muslims, and religious freedom.

"Under the ULA/AA, when we were made organisers, we gradually understood. We gradually tried to live together. In this way, friendship between the two communities increased," said U Maung Maung Aye, deputy head of Muslim affairs in Maungdaw district.

There are a total of 40 Muslim mosques in Maungdaw, and although many were closed during the previous fighting, Muslims are now praying in all of them.

The chairman of the Muslim affairs in Maungdaw district, U Tin Aung, said: "After the ULA/AA took control of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Maungdaw have been able to live together peacefully. Now, Muslims and Arakanese live with full trust in each other."

A ULA official said that the reopening of the mosque is not only to promote social harmony between the two ethnic groups, but also to allow each ethnic group to freely practice their religion.

"We consider all ethnic groups and religions living in Arakan State as our people. Whether it's Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, we hope to hold more such ceremonies to promote mutual understanding and mutual respect," said the ULA official.

The Arakan Army seized control of the entire Maungdaw Township in December 2024 and says it is currently prioritising border issues, the economy, and social harmony.