{"id":6225,"date":"2026-06-12T04:29:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T04:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/?p=6225"},"modified":"2026-06-12T04:29:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T04:29:50","slug":"the-axis-of-evil-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/2026\/06\/12\/the-axis-of-evil-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"THE AXIS OF EVIL: Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE AXIS OF EVIL: U Wirathu, MI Khin Nyunt, Taung Thar Terrorist leader U Aung Thaung, Mandalay PM U Ye Myint and President U Thein\u00a0Sein.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Maung Maung (Shwe Keraweik) and translated by Dr. Ko Ko Gyi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHAPTER 2: The Co-opting of U Wirathu and the Road to Meiktila<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the Myanmar military government was actively breeding and incubating Islamophobia\u2014using young monks to brainwash the Buddhist citizens of Myanmar\u2014our Muslim brothers remained largely unaware of this heinous plot. Instead, we regularly wasted precious time on the daily struggles of life and intra-religious infighting over minor differences, such as the correct sighting of the moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Community Unprepared<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Military Intelligence Chief General Khin Nyunt\u2019s well-trained agent provocateurs, including U Wirathu and other select monks, systematically propagated Islamophobia among the Buddhist population. Unfortunately, the Muslim community failed to notice these activities or mount an effective counter-strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, as a minority living in a Buddhist-majority country, most Myanmar Muslims understood Buddhism well. In fact, some knew even more about it than their ordinary Buddhist counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Historical Note:<\/strong> Revered scholars like Sayargyi U Razak and several Muslim professors were deeply well-versed in Pali (the language of Theravada Buddhist scriptures) and had even taught monks. Even today, many Myanmar Muslim friends are fluent in Buddhist texts and can readily quote the Tipitaka during friendly theological discussions with Buddhist peers.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, the critical weakness of the Myanmar Muslim community was our failure to properly educate the broader Buddhist public about the true teachings of Islam. We frequently wasted time arguing and fractured into subgroups over trivial sectarian matters: whether or not to grow a beard, whether to wear the traditional Myanmar Taik Pone<\/em> jacket, the exact protocols of Qurbani<\/em>, or disputes over the new moon. While we were distracted by these internal divisions, the military government\u2019s lapdogs were working around the clock, systematically plotting against us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kyaukse Riots: A Blueprint for Atrocity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before long, the anti-Muslim riots in Kyaukse erupted, directly instigated by U Wirathu. While the state media labeled these events “riots,” it was actually a one-sided campaign of bullying, atrocities, and terrorism committed against a helpless Muslim minority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It served as a direct blueprint for what would later happen in Meiktila. The world witnessed online media footage of the police standing by passively while terrorists burned properties and murdered Muslims. In Kyaukse, the exact same script played out: the historic Su-Gyi Masjid was completely destroyed just a hundred feet away from the police station, while officers simply stood watch, refusing to intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mandalayan Muslims, alongside those living in nearby villages, were deeply alarmed. However, once U Wirathu was arrested and sentenced to prison for his role, the community relaxed, assumed the danger had passed, and carelessly forgot the lessons of the riots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to unconfirmed reports, General Khin Nyunt and the entire Military Intelligence unit were heavily involved in orchestrating those atrocities. The internal political motive was reportedly to discredit SPDC Supremo Senior General Than Shwe by manufacturing chaos in his own hometown. Furious with this insubordination, Than Shwe ordered U Wirathu’s arrest. Yet, the Muslim community easily ignored the deeper political undercurrents and returned to business as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brief Window of Hope and Reconciliation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In early 2012, U Wirathu was released under a general amnesty that was originally intended for political prisoners. Around the same time, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi\u2019s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the April 1, 2012 by-elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because non-political figures like MI Chief Khin Nyunt were also released, we watched the political scenario with immense caution and fear. We worried that a new wave of anti-Muslim riots would be manufactured to use Muslims as scapegoats, brainwashing Buddhists into ultra-nationalism ahead of the 2015 general elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, immediately after his release, U Wirathu genuinely seemed to have repented. He appeared to have reclaimed his original kind heart and harbored bitter feelings toward his former handlers in Military Intelligence for jailing him for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He personally demanded the release of 20 of his former fellow Muslim inmates from Let Pan village. He even met with their families and publicly requested amnesty for those who remained behind bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U Wirathu showed further gestures of reconciliation by reaching out to student leader Ko Ye Yint Kyaw to arrange a meeting with Mandalayan Muslims so they could launch a joint peace movement. Ko Ye Yint Kyaw connected him with Muslim journalist Ko Min Min Lat, whom U Wirathu granted an exclusive interview, requesting an introduction to local Islamic organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were heartened to hear about U Wirathu’s apparent change of heart, but we knew the situation required careful handling. We decided that our youth leaders should hold a preliminary meeting before introducing him to senior religious leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This meeting took place one evening in January 2012 at the “Edu Zone” classroom on 32nd Street (between 77th and 78th Street). As far as I can recall, the participants included: U Wirathu, one of his young monastic students, Ko Aung Zaw Win, the late U Soe Min Htwe (a martyr who was later murdered in the Mandalay anti-Muslim riots), Sayar U Kyaw Sann, Sayar U Aung Than, Ko Tun Lwin Oo, Ko Zaw Zaw, Ko Min Min Lat, and myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this session, our team patiently explained the misconceptions and misunderstandings U Wirathu held regarding Islam. U Wirathu openly admitted his past errors, stating that interacting with Muslim inmates in prison had completely altered his perspective. He declared that he now understood the truth about Islam and sincerely wished to dedicate his life to peace in Myanmar and across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shared his immediate plans to organize a protest at the Maha Myat Muni Pagoda square to demand the release of the remaining Let Pan Muslim prisoners, promising to donate 30,000 Kyat to each prisoner’s family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, U Wirathu entrusted me with the responsibility of organizing a Multi-Religious Prayer Event, a task I gladly accepted. At the conclusion of the meeting, U Wirathu signed a formal peace declaration which read something to the effect of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“Wirathu is not a frightening person. I now understand that Muslims are also lovely people. Let us struggle together for peace in Myanmar and the world.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We closed the evening with a commemorative photo session. Before leaving, U Wirathu signed his custom “Peace Prayer” vinyl poster\u2014which depicted him releasing birds on Mandalay Hill\u2014and presented it to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True to his word, I later attended U Wirathu\u2019s protest at the pagoda square, where he campaigned for the Muslim prisoners and distributed financial aid to their families. He held up a poster showing himself behind prison bars with the caption: “If the government does not release them, put me back in prison too!”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Iron Grip of the State<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fulfilling the duty U Wirathu gave me, I spent weeks navigating intense bureaucratic hurdles to secure official permits from various authorities. I booked the Zeycho Hotel Convention Hall for the evening of Union Day, February 12, 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After jumping through endless administrative hoops, I finally secured the legal permits. On February 9, I submitted the paperwork to the hotel and paid the deposit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our guest list was incredibly diverse: U Wirathu led the Buddhist monastic delegation; Khalifa U Aye Lwin traveled from Yangon to represent the Muslim community; Father U Zaw Win Aung represented the Upper Myanmar Methodist Church alongside other Christian leaders; and various Hindu religious leaders and civil rights activists were confirmed to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, on the evening of February 10, the manager of the Zeycho Hotel called me with urgent news: Mandalay Mayor U Phone Zaw Han had issued an explicit order banning our event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I told the manager that I had not applied for a permit through the Mayor, but had successfully gone through the legal channels: from the local quarter administration and township office to the police station and the Mandalay Division Administration. I refused to cancel the event, warning him that if any public unrest occurred due to a last-minute cancellation, the hotel would be held legally responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I arrived at the hotel on the evening of February 12, the manager repeated that his hands were tied by the Mayor’s decree. When I pressed him for the real reason behind this sudden reversal, he revealed the truth: Mandalay Division Prime Minister U Ye Myint (a former General from the military intelligence division) had personally ordered the cancellation strictly because U Wirathu was participating.<\/strong> To ensure we could not enter, the manager locked the main entrance doors with heavy chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forced to cancel, I stood on the platform outside the hotel to intercept our guests, explaining the situation and offering my deepest apologies. After the representatives from the Buddhist University, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic delegations departed, U Wirathu arrived with a contingent of about ten monks. Upon learning why the event was blocked, U Wirathu refused to let our efforts go to waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right there on the public platform in front of the Zeygyo Market, U Wirathu defiantly delivered a brief, powerful sermon promoting multi-religious peace and friendship. He led prayers with the gathering crowd, took questions from members of the press, distributed copies of his Dhama Duta<\/em> books, and signed and handed out his Peace Declaration Statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day, local police threatened me with legal action for holding an unauthorized gathering. They quickly backed down when I produced my stack of legally approved permits and threatened to counter-sue both the Mayor and the Zeycho Hotel manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I share this detailed account to underscore an undeniable historical fact: U Wirathu was entirely at the mercy of the state. If Mandalay Division Prime Minister U Ye Myint refused to allow something, U Wirathu could do nothing.<\/strong> > Editor’s Note:<\/strong> Years later, when U Wirathu was notoriously labeled the “Face of Buddhist Terror” on the cover of TIME Magazine, President U Thein Sein and the Presidential Office were remarkably quick to step in, officially defending him by proclaiming that “U Wirathu is a son of Buddha.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Turning Point: The Brainwashing of U Wirathu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tragic turning point occurred in March 2012. While U Wirathu was still operating with a cooperative and tender heart, U Aung Thaung<\/strong>\u2014the notorious leader of the state-backed Swarn Arr Shin<\/em> terrorist militia, a former USDP minister, and the trusted right-hand man of Senior General Than Shwe\u2014paid a secret visit to U Wirathu’s monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They locked themselves inside the monastery’s private, aluminum-walled room for an uninterrupted hour and a half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During that secret meeting, U Wirathu was systematically brainwashed by the regime. When those doors finally opened, his mindset had completely inverted, and he was successfully weaponized back into the aggressive, anti-Islamic figure the military required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be continued…<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE AXIS OF EVIL: U Wirathu, MI Khin Nyunt, Taung Thar Terrorist leader U Aung Thaung, Mandalay PM U Ye Myint and President U Thein\u00a0Sein. Written by Maung Maung (Shwe Keraweik) and translated by Dr. Ko Ko Gyi. CHAPTER 2: The Co-opting of U Wirathu and the Road to Meiktila While the Myanmar military government […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,7,6,133,127,1,12,130,11,10,16,123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anti-racism","category-articles","category-history","category-human-rights-constitution-federal-democracy-social-nets-minority-rights","category-islam-hope-allah-swt","category-local-news","category-masjids-in-burma-or-myanmar","category-motivation","category-myanmar-muslims-history","category-news","category-opinion","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6225"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6228,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6225\/revisions\/6228"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}