Arakan Army leader Twan Mrat Naing meets Muslim community in Rakhine State amid outcry

Residents in Arakan State told DVB that the reopening of the Jarma Central Mosque on Sept. 12 was approved by the Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief Twan Mrat Naing personally during his meeting with Islamic religious leaders in Maungdaw Township on Aug. 30. The historic mosque had been shut down since inter-communal conflict broke out across Arakan in 2012. 

“We achieved positive results,” a Maungdaw resident who attended the meeting told DVB on the condition of anonymity, but did not disclose further details. He added that the AA leader discussed regional development and how to better integrate Muslims into its expanding administration.

The AA has seized 14 out of 17 townships in Arakan, as well as Paletwa in neighbouring Chinland. Maungdaw, located in northern Arakan, was seized by the AA on Dec. 8.