The military council has prohibited Muslim prisoners from observing Eid al-Adha (Eid Day) at Mandalay’s Obo Prison today, citing security concerns, according to prison sources. The religious celebration, which falls on June 7, has been completely restricted for Muslim inmates, with authorities claiming they cannot guarantee security for the religious ceremony. This ban represents a significant restriction on religious freedom within the facility.
The prohibition appears to be connected to events following the Sagaing earthquake that struck on March 28. During that 7.7 magnitude earthquake, prison authorities kept inmates locked in their cells, resulting in over 30 deaths when buildings collapsed. This incident led to tensions between prisoners and prison staff, with several Muslim inmates still being held in solitary confinement to this day. The situation highlights the ongoing issues between prison authorities and inmates, particularly following the deadly earthquake incident.
According to prison sources, during the earthquake, prison department staff showed negligence towards inmates’ safety by keeping cells locked, preventing prisoners from escaping the collapsing buildings. This resulted in numerous preventable deaths. The incident sparked significant discontent among prisoners, particularly leading to verbal confrontations between Muslim inmates and prison authorities. Sources suggest that the current ban on religious observances is partly retaliatory, stemming from these earlier confrontations. The military council’s decision to prevent religious ceremonies under the pretext of security concerns appears to be an extension of ongoing restrictions and punitive measures against the prison population, particularly affecting the Muslim community within the facility.
