JURIST EXCLUSIVE – One of JURIST’s Myanmar law student correspondents reflects on Eid, the Muslim “Feast of Breaking the Fast” that comes at the end of Ramadan:

Today, our Muslim friends celebrate Eid Mubarak. Normally, they would wear new clothes, share food and celebrate with their family, relatives and friends.

My Muslim friends say they won’t celebrate Eid this year because they sincerely feel that they should not celebrate anything during the funeral of family members. Eid is supposed to be celebrated with families and friends but what about people who lost their family and friends? Just like we didn’t celebrate Water Festival in April, we’ll postpone all reasons of celebration to the time when we get Federal Democracy. Our country is our home and one’s sorrow is the same as everyone’s. I wish Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends. May Allah bless you and your family 🤲

The big highlight of today is “CRPH’s Eid Mubarak greetings”! My Muslim friend, also my classmate says this is the first ever Eid Mubarak greeting letter from the [Myanmar shadow civilian] government.

In 2008 constitution [now abolished at the instance of the National Unity Givernment], a provision says the main religion of Myanmar is Buddhism. That provision completely neglected the fact that people of Christians, Muslims and other religions also belong to this country. Our friends of different religions must have felt as if their existence and belief is not recognized.

In the Federal Democracy Charter, people’s government, NUG clearly establishes that there is no such thing called a main or major religion in this country. Everyone is free to believe anything they want to believe. Regardless of religions, we were born on this land and live here together, then, we’re all Myanmar citizens.