8/12/22, 11:06 AM Everyday ethnic tensions in Myanmar - New Mandala 8th 2013. In some explanations, ‘969’ efforts are designed to counteract ‘786’ symbols that can be seen in many Muslim-owned shops in Myanmar. In others, including those of my neighbors, it is a tactic to drive out Muslim shops and, eventually, all Muslims. “If no one buys from Muslim shops, then they will all leave,” a neighbor told me yesterday. “And then there will be peace.” Note that this is not without precedent; after the 1938 Indo-Burman riots, Buddhist Burmese shops increased as Buddhists would no longer shop at Muslim stores. See, Thein Pe Myint, Ashe-ga-ne-wun-twet-thi-bama (“Like The Sun Rising in The East”), serialised is a magazine over 4 years in the 1950s and recently republished (For information on the re-release, see http://blog.irrawaddy.org/2013/01/blogpost_3059.html Accessed 3/26/13) [6] “Myanmar: Anti-Muslim violence spreads beyond Meikhtila,” Global Post, March 25th 2013. [7] http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? v=440368762708866&set=vb.100002072377074&type=2&theater Accessed 3/25/13 [8] “Shops shut in Yangon following rumours of mosque attacks,” Eleven Media, March 25th 2013 5:27pm. [9] Name changed. [10] The point is: none of those in the group have more than a basic level of education. They are ardent followers of the news, by TV, radio and print journal; but they can only afford to buy print journals occasionally. Some of them use Facebook; all of them watch videos on the Internet, using the internet-enabled phones owned by the van-drivers. Almost all of them have travelled abroad, mostly to Thailand and Malaysia – some, the seaman, further afield. https://www.newmandala.org/everyday-ethnic-tensions-in-myanmar/ 6/6