Readers React: ‘Buddhist Bin Laden’: Myanmar’s hate-mongering monk
To the editor: In the 1990s, more than 800,000 people were killed in Rwanda in a matter of months. This century now commences with probably the first Buddhist hate-monger in history. (“Monk dubbed ‘Buddhist Bin Laden’ targets Myanmar’s persecuted Muslims,” May 24)
Burmese monk Ashin Wirathu’s statement that good Buddhists shouldn’t mix socially with Muslims — who he says are “snakes” and “mad dogs” — is no different than the party of Rwandan Hutu leader Juvenal Habyarimana calling the Tutsis “cockroaches,” allowing untold atrocities to be unleashed on them.
Our political leadership has strong influence on developing nations, and we shouldn’t hesitate to interrupt this type of hate-mongering and mass propaganda that can result in genocide.
Waiting is not an option; quickly moving forward and engaging Myanmar’s rulers is vital unless we want to see yet another tragedy unfold.
Syed Hussaini, Anaheim
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