Hundreds of nationalist monks celebrated the passage of a set of controversial laws restricting interfaith marriage with gatherings at Yangon’s Shwedagon pagoda and a nearby temple on Monday.
Morning and afternoon ceremonies were organized by members of the Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, also known as Ma Ba Tha, which wrote the four bills on marriage, religion, polygamy and population control.
Lawmakers approved the legislation in July, despite strong opposition from human rights groups, who say the laws discriminate against Muslims and women.
Under the new rules, Buddhist women who want to marry someone of another faith must register with local authorities and publicly announce the engagement.
The marriage can only go ahead if there are no objections. Those who disobey could face jail.
Photos / Hongsar Ramonya
