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Muslim community leaders in Rangoon are cancelling the ritual slaughter
of livestock at an upcoming religious festival, following recent
religious unrest in the city, sources said on Saturday.
The community leaders have also rescheduled the festival, known as
Bakhri Id, so it would not coincide with Buddhist celebrations for
Burmese New Year's day on April 17. It will now be held on April 19.
The Muslim festivities are a potential source of resentment among the
Buddhist community, which traditionally marks New Year's day with a
symbolic release of fish and birds, the sources said.
The decision comes despite assurances from city authorities that
traditional Muslim celebrations and communal feasts could go ahead,
although with some restrictions, following anti-Muslim unrest around the
country last month, when mosques and Muslim property were attacked by
monks.
The City News, an evening news sheet issued by the office of the City
Mayor, announced on Friday that Muslims would be forbidden from
slaughtering livestock at their homes in Rangoon municipality and
displaying them in the streets. It designated a village outside the city
where they could purchase livestock for the festival.
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