In our aggressive dissemination of information here, at SMC,  we have overlooked certain critical factors concerning mass media representations. While Matti and DJ did mention something concerning the ‘peace loving monk’ stereotype, we did not investigate these remarks further because of the strategical imperative to get as much information together as possible. However, Gabriele has made an intervention that puts together a slightly different picture of the situation. It concerns, primarily, the role of the global mass media in disavowing a historical complexity that would not fit into its Manichean narrative frames.

Pamphlets glorifying race purity and Buddhism and actually reinforcing anti-Muslim sentiments have been distributed since 2001 (i.e. Myo Pyauk Hmar Soe Kyauk Hla Tai or The Fear of Losing One’s Race). These inflammatory publications, preaching against the Muslim minority, as well as rumors spread about Muslims raping children in the streets, provoked a series of monk-led riots against Muslim families and the destruction of mosques. Muslims were killed and mosques destroyed, and again the Rohingya Muslims had to flee to Bangladesh.