Publication

This commentary talks about reasons behind anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar, their link to Burman Buddhist nationalism, and whether the country's Chairmanship of ASEAN could lead to reforms to reduce such feelings. The author argues that while in the past Burmese nationhood has been fundamentally linked to Buddhism, the ASEAN Chairmanship is an ideal vehicle for a more concerted effort by Myanmar, and in particular its senior Buddhist monks, to embrace multiculturalism, condemn hate speech, and find strength in ethnic diversity.