By: Camp Correspondent
Buthidaung, Rakhine State — June 9, 2025 |
As Rohingya communities in Buthidaung Township prepared to celebrate Eid al-Adha, multiple local sources allege that the Arakan Army (AA) demanded financial contributions from relatively well-off Rohingya families to fund Qurbani (sacrificial cow) donations—only to later claim full credit for the distributions.
According to residents, collections began roughly a week before the Eid holiday. Households deemed “capable” were asked to contribute between 50,000 and 100,000 kyats, a significant sum for many families already struggling with restricted movement, loss of livelihood, and ongoing insecurity.
“They came door to door in our village,” said one resident, speaking to Rohingya Khobor under strict anonymity. “It wasn’t optional. People paid because they were afraid of the consequences of saying no.”
While the stated purpose was to ensure poor families could also participate in Qurbani, the actual distribution appeared limited. In one village with over 280 households, only two cows were reportedly delivered for the entire community.
“We didn’t even receive a full share,” said a local father. “But the media showed photos like every village was celebrating generously.”
Several Rakhine-aligned news outlets later published reports featuring images of meat distribution events, crediting the AA with providing for impoverished Muslim communities during Eid. No mention was made of the Rohingya community’s financial contributions.
Public Relations Over Transparency?
In some areas, the AA reportedly held community meetings before Eid to discuss the donation drive. However, many villagers expressed skepticism about the transparency and fairness of the initiative.
“If it were truly charity, why take money from those who are barely surviving? Why then claim it was a gift from them [the AA]?” asked a teacher from Buthidaung.
This incident has triggered quiet frustration and fear among Rohingya villagers, who feel their forced generosity was repackaged as benevolence by the very group collecting the funds. Many worry that challenging the narrative could result in retaliation or further marginalization.
The AA has not issued an official statement addressing the claims.
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