Thousands of nationalist monks and their fans packed out a Yangon stadium on Sunday to celebrate the passage of a series of controversial laws seen as targeting women and Muslims.
Organized by the Committee to Protect Race and Religion, commonly known by local acronym Ma Ba Tha, the gathering served as a show of the group’s growing political power ahead of November 8 elections.
“Today is the victory. Ma Ba Tha tried for many years to enact the laws to protect the country, people, nationalism and religion,” said Nyanissara, a senior monk at the organization, according to Reuters.
The BBC’s Myanmar correspondent, Jonah Fisher, posted this video of the massive crowds.
Yangon was the last stop in the group’s countrywide tour following a successful campaign to pass four Protection of Race and Religion Laws.
The legislation punishes polygamy and creates hurdles for Buddhist women who want to marry a man who does not share her religion.
Ma Ba Tha was given special permission from the president to use the National Stadium-1 in Thuwunna for the event.
Minister for Information Ye Htut took to Facebook on Sunday to justify the permit, citing the group’s entitlement to religious freedom.
In the lead-up to the election, religious tensions have been stoked by Ma Ba Tha, which has come out in support of President Thein Sein and paints opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a Muslim sympathizer.
Photo / Global New Light of Myanmar
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