Narinjara News, 13  July 2022

Eid-ul-Fitr (Kurbani Eid) was recently celebrated by the Muslim Universitystudents and Rakhine civil society group together in Sittwe, the capital cityof Arakan (Rakhine) State.
The first ever event was organised at 3 pm on 11 July at  SS restaurant inSittwe by a group of Muslim students and delegates from Rakhine youth andstudents organizations and members of Rakhine tribe, NGO representatives werepresent on the occasion.
The occasion was significant as it was for the first time the religiuos festivalwas joined by both Muslim and Buddhist nationals.

The brotherly relationship was parsewirthy and it would helpRakhine State in future, said  Ko Zaw Min Tun, a Muslim student who was involvedin the program.

“I am  very happy for the understanding and mutual respects shown by theRakhine people,” he added.
Zaw Min Tun also asserted that the Eid festival will  help in achievingharmony among the communities in the State.

The  sectarian clashes during 2012 in Rakhine State completely disrupted thecommunication between the Muslim and Rakhine people and finally they emerged asenemies.
Their relationship  improved since the Arakan Army (AA) took control overmuch of Rakhine areas and tried to rebuild it between Muslims and Rakhinepeople.
Ko Lwin Myint, vice-chairman of Computer University (Sittwe) students' union,said that the representatives from various organizations, who attended the Eidfestival, welcomed the initiative.
In his message, he called upon the people to get united as the bloodshed wouldsolve no problem in Rakhine State.
"I hope we can go ahead with a positive approach. It’s good to see the positivedevelopment,” he added.
Manawkia, a female Muslim student who also attended the event, commented, “It'snice to see the development. I expect more such events in Rakhine State.
Student unions representing various universities in Sittwe, All Arakan YouthAssociation, Basic Students Union, Women Generation,  Pichaung Institute, Kaman with other tribal outfits attended the function. All the attendees weretreated with  traditional Muslim snacks.