Friday’s devastating earthquake in Myanmar left up to 700 Muslims dead and destroyed around 60 mosques in Mandalay and Sagaing regions, many dating back to the 19th century, according to the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network.
Mosques were reduced to rubble in Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyitaw, Pyinmana, Pyawbwe, Yamethin, Thazi, Meiktila, Kyaukse and Paleik townships, according to Muslim communities.
The actual number of quake-hit mosques may be much larger, given communication links with many areas have yet to be restored following the earthquake, U Tun Kyi, a leading member of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network told The Irrawaddy.
U Tun Kyi stated the mass destruction of old mosques came after repair work was obstructed by successive governments and the Association for Protection of Race and Religion, a military-backed ultranationalist group better known as Ma Ba Tha.
The quake damage inflicted a high death toll among Muslims as it occurred at the holiest time of the year.
Muslim devotee Ko Shaki said, “We expect high casualties because the earthquake struck during Friday prayers and it is Ramadan this month. We still don’t have exact figures, but we know hundreds were killed.”
Muslim worshippers remained trapped beneath the rubble at Shwe Bhone Shein Mosque in downtown Mandalay on Saturday, according to a Muslim resident. It is not clear if any have been rescued.
At least 18 mosques sustained damage in Mandalay alone, most of them dating back to the reign of King Mindon (1853-1878). These old places of worship had never been repaired, Ko Shaki said.
“We were not allowed to repair and maintain mosques under successive governments,” he said.
Ma Ba Tha also swayed public opinion in the Buddhist-majority country against mosques, he explained.
“Successive governments have dared not raise the issue of mosques [for fear of being labeled as pro-Muslim]. As a result, the mosques have finally succumbed to a natural disaster.”
In 2017, the US State Department warned the condition of historic mosques had deteriorated because routine maintenance was denied. Locals reported difficulty in obtaining permits from authorities to repair or build Islamic places of worship.
Junta media reported 1,591 houses, 670 monasteries, 60 schools, three bridges and at least 290 pagodas suffered quake damaged in Mandalay Region on Friday but mentioned nothing about mosques.
Casualties are expected to rise after junta rescue teams failed to show up at ruined mosques on Saturday. Residents reported odor from human remains under the rubble on Sunday.
