This theme of illegal immigration as an existential demographic threat to Myanmar is not unique to the Ma Ba Tha, and is regularly highlighted even in elite academic discourse. Dr. Aye Chan, a prominent Rakhine historian and professor is a representative example. He describes the “illegal Muslims in Arakan” as “influx viruses” in his writings, and in his historical examination of Myanmar back to 788 AD, finds no evidence for a “Rohingya” ethnic group.99 On his personal Facebook page, he recently penned an open letter to Malala Yousafzai, who brought up the Rohingya plight. Chan notes in his post that he has “sympathy for the Muslims in refugee camps,” but firmly states that there is “no discrimination” against the “so-called Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.”100 In other posts, he displays less patience, decrying the “thick-headed human rights defenders” who cannot recognize the illegal immigrant issue.101 Of course, online discourse is far less nuanced. One graphic that appears quite popular is the image displayed in the following page that shows how Muslim attitudes change as their numbers grow. The post, which was shared on a high volume pro-Ma Ba Tha community page is captioned, “the slyness of Muslims.” It further notes the need to “think like a kalar and act like a kalar.”102 Image 13: Popular Anti-Muslim Facebook Meme Image: 1. When Muslims are a minority? Islam is a peace loving religion 2. When Muslims become powerful? “Give Muslims an equal right” 3. When Muslims become the most powerful? “Islam or the sword! Choose one!” O Myanmar people, arise! Ma Ba Tha monks and disseminators echo the sentiments displayed in the meme. In one Facebook post from June 2015, a Ma Ba Tha monk re-posts a news report on a Muslim man being arrested on drug charges and found possessing numerous machetes and axes. The monk captions the post by noting that Buddhists should be careful if their neighborhood has any Muslims. He proceeds to note that, “When Muslims are small in numbers, they will strategically pretend to be nice and kind. Better be cautious if Muslims are large in numbers.”103 17