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‘Face of Buddhist terror’ monk Wirathu honoured by Myanmar junta for ‘outstanding work’
- Wirathu, also known as the ‘Buddhist bin Laden’, helped whip up animosity towards Rohingya before 2017’s crackdown on the Muslim minority group
- He was jailed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted civilian government on sedition charges, which were dropped once the junta had seized power
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A firebrand monk dubbed the “Buddhist bin Laden” for his role in stirring up religious hatred in Myanmar has received a national award, with the junta saluting his work in the country.
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Wirathu – who received the moniker from Time Magazine in 2013 following deadly communal riots – was awarded the title of “Thiri Pyanchi” on Tuesday, the Myanmar military’s information team said.
The award for “outstanding work for the good of the Union of Myanmar” was presented by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, it added.
Wirathu was one of hundreds of people to receive awards and honorary titles as the junta prepared to mark the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence from Britain on Wednesday.
Wirathu has long been known for his nationalist anti-Islamic rhetoric – particularly against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
In 2013, he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine as “The Face of Buddhist Terror”.
He had called for boycotts of Muslim-owned businesses and restrictions on marriages between Buddhists and Muslims.
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