PRESS RELEASE

Religions for Peace (RfP) International and the International Forum on Buddhist- Muslim Relations (BMF) Visit Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to Advance Reconciliation and Peace

Approximately 200 local Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian leaders, women of faith and community leaders gathered in Cox’s Bazar, to reject religious extremism and advance interreligious collaboration for peace (October 27, 2014)

(Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, New York | October 28, 2014) A high-level delegation of Religions for Peace (RfP) International, the world’s largest multi-religious organization accredited to the United Nations and headquartered in New York, and the International Forum on Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) headquartered in Malaysia, visited Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to meet with senior Muslim and Buddhist leaders and high-level government officials to further advance peace and reconciliation.

The delegation included Rev. Norio Sakai, International Trustee, RfP (Japan); Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Deputy Secretary General, RfP International (New York); Mr. Somboon Chungprampree, Executive Secretary, International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Thailand); Rev. Mitsuyuki Aritomi, Chief Minister, Rissho Kosei-kai

1 Bangladesh (Japan/Bangladesh); Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, President, RfP Bangladesh (Bangladesh); and Mr. Sukomal Barua, Secretary General, RfP Bangladesh.

RfP has been working with Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and other communities in Bangladesh, , Thailand, and to prevent conflict and advance inter-communal harmony. In order to respond to the growing hostilities and tensions between Muslim and Buddhist communities in the region and the emergence of extremist groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, RfP joined major Muslim and Buddhist organizations including Muhamadiyah, INEB, and JUST, in the establishment of the International Forum on Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) in June 2013. RfP and BMF have mobilized religious and interreligious mechanisms in the region to counter religiously motivated discrimination and violence and to restore a historic peaceful relationship between Muslim and Buddhist communities in the region.

The RfP-BMF international delegation visited Buddhist temples that have been destroyed during the riot in Ramu, Cox's Bazar. Among 25 temples that were burned down were nearly 400 years old with important relics of Lord Buddha. Some scholars and observers link the attacks on Buddhists with the ethnic conflict between Rohingya Muslims and the majority Buddhist population in the neighboring Myanmar state of Rakhine. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh following communal violence in .

There are approximately 30,000 registered Rohingya refugees and between 250,000- 450,000 unregistered Rohingya practicing Islam in Cox’s Bazar. Most non-citizen residents residing in Bangladesh are practicing Muslims.

Religions for Peace, through its affiliate RfP Bangladesh, will further strengthen its ongoing work of interreligious dialogue and cooperation, and will launch a pilot project to advance inter-communal harmony through child protection in Cox’s Bazar.

ANNEX:

(1) Religions for Peace (RfP) Founded in 1970, Religions for Peace is the world’s largest multi-religious organization headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations. RfP works to transform conflict and advance peace through its affiliated interreligious councils in over 90 countries in six continents.

(2) International Forum on Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) Religions for Peace has joined major Buddhist and Muslim orgazations including Muhammadiyah (Indonesia), the International Network of Engagement Buddhists (INEB, Thailand), the International Movement for a Just World (JUST, Malaysia) in establishing the International Forum on

2 Buddhist- Muslim Relations (BMF).

The Joint Statement on commitment of action can be found here.

Buddhist and Muslim religious leaders from South and South East Asian countries recognized the following challenges facing the two communities in the region as:

• Rise of extremism, hate speeches, hate campaigns and instigation leading to religious discrimination and violence; • Prejudice, fear and hatred caused by ignorance, misperceptions, stereotypes, negative impact of traditional and social media, simplification and generalization of ethnic issues and communal pressures; • Misuse of religion by certain religious, political and other interest groups and individuals; • Socio economic dimensions of conflict; and • Spillover effects across the region.

BMF also endorsed the Dusit Declaration of 28th June 2006 and committed themselves to implementing its shared action plan across the region.

BMF also pledged to engage in multi- stakeholder partnership with governments, inter-governmental bodies such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations.

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Objectives The objectives of the BMF shall be as follows: • To serve as a platform for intra-religious and inter- religious initiatives in education & advocacy; • To enable rapid reaction/ solidarity visits/ early warning/ conflict prevention in the event of conflict; • To develop and provide tools and materials for constructive engagement and strategic common actions, and; • To develop the effective use of media for positive messaging, particularly via the social & alternative media

(3) Bangladesh Buddhist Network for Peace (in formation)

Sangaraj Nikaya

1. Dharmasen Mahastobir Sangharaj (Highest Priest of Sangharaj Nikai) 2. Ajitananda Mohstobir Chairman, Sangharaj Bhikku Mohasova 3. Shasanapriya Mohastobir General Secretary, Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mohasova 4. Buddha Rakkhit Mohatero Chairman, Sangharaj Bhikku Mohamondol 5. Moitripriya Mohatero Secretaey, Sangharaj Bhikku Mohamondol 6. Sattapriya Mohastobir Ex.Chairman、Sangharaj Bhikku Mohasova 7. Dharmapriya Mohastobir Ex.Vice Chairman and Chief Advisor, Sangharaj Bhikkhu Council

4 8. Prof.Gyanaratna Mohastobir Principal, Middle Joara Sukaranjan Bihar, Chandanaish 9. Bashumitra Mohastobir Principal, Fatenagor Benuban Bihar, Chandanaish 10. Priya Ratna Thero Senior Priest, Buddhist Temple 11. Dr.Sangha Priya Bhikkhu Principal, Patiya Central Buddhist Monastery 12. Kusalayan Bhikkhu Chief Director, JB.Bhikkhu-Sraman Training & Meditation Center 13. Pragyabodhi Bhikkhu Chief Monk, Hazarikul Buddhist Temple, Ramu 14. S.Lokojit Bhikkhu Chandgaon Buddhist Temple 15. Bodhimitra Bhikkhu Pathargata Buddhist Temple 16. Ajit Ranjan Barua Chairman, Bangladesh Boudha Samity 17. Adorsho Kumar Barua Secretary, Bangladesh Boudha Samity 18. Sudip Barua Chairman, Bangladesh Boudha Samity Youth 19. Joysanta Bikash Barua Secretary, Bangladesh Boudha Samity Youth 20. Biswapati Barua Chairman, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation 21. Ashok Barua Secretary, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation 22. Surhid Kumar Barua Chairman, Boudha Samity Dhaka 23. Swapan Barua Chowdhury Secretary, Boudha Samity Dhaka

Mohastobir Nikaya (Dhaka)

1 Suddhananda Mohatero Sanghanaiyok (Highest Priest of Mohastobir Nikai) Chairman, Boudha Kristy Prochar Sangha, Chief Priest, Dharmarajik Buddhis Temple 2. Pro.Banasree Mohatero Chairman, Bangladesh Boudha Bhikku Mohasova 3. Sreemot Bodhimitra Mohatero Secretary, Bangladesh Boudha Bhikku Mohasova 4. D.Pronab Kumar Barua Secretary, Boudha Kristy Prochar Sangha 5. Puspen Barua Kajal Chairman, Kristy Prochar Sangha Youth 6. Pritis Ranjan Barua Secretary, Kristy Prochar Sangha Youth

Other Buddhist Organizations of Bangladesh 1. Gakul Kanti Barua Chairman, Bangladesh Buddhist Foundation 2. Sidhartha Barua FCA Secretary, Bangladesh Buddhist Foundation 3. Ad.Dipak Barua Chairman, ANOMA 4. Pro.Shimul Kanti Barua Secretary, ANOMA 5. Pro.Dr.Kanak Kanti Barua Chariman, Buddhist Doctors Association 6. Chowdhury Chironjib Barua Secrertary, Buddhist Doctors Association 7. Bikash Kumar Chowdhury Chairman, Boudha Jubo Parishad 8. Simanta Barua Secretary, Boudha Jubo Parishad 9. Engr. Avijit Barua Chairman, Youth Festival Group Bangladesh 10. Pranabesh Barua Secretary, Youth Festival Group Bangladesh

5 Buddhist News Agencies 1. Mukul Barua Editor, The Bodhi Barta 2. Shyamal Barua Editor, The Amitabho

Other Eminent Buddhist Leaders 1. Rakhal Chandra Barua 2. Pro.Dr.Depankorsree Gyan 3. Dr.Bikiran Prosad Barua 4. Dr.Provat Barua 5. Rupam Kishor Barua

Rissho Kosei-kai (Secretariat) 1. Palas Baru Chairman, Rissho Kosei-kai NGO 2. Deshapriya Barua Chowdhury Vice Chairman, Rissho Kosei-kai NGO 3. Badal Chandra Barua Board Member, Rissho Kosei-kai NGO 4. Prodip Kumar Barua Board Member, Rissho Kosei-kai NGO 5. Manna Lal Barua Board Member, Rissho Kosei-kai NGO 6. Dr.Kajal Kanti Barua Chaiman, Rissho Kosei-kai Medical Services

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