Short pent printed with Arabic letters were put on sale in Yangon’s Minglar Market during May, shop owners who sell the pants said they are concern it could trigger misunderstanding among the different religions. The Arabic word with the meaning of “There is no God expect Allah and Mohamad is the Prophet of Allah” which is the basic believe of Islamic faith. The pants were imported from China through the border and traders in Minglar Market thought it could be a deliberate attempt by China to incite racial and religious conflict in Myanmar. The shop owners said they have not ordered the pants with Arabic writing instead they ordered for three quarters pants, which sell in the market at Kyat 2000 per piece. They said because of the Arabic writing it is difficult to sell and shop owners are afraid to put these merchandises on sale at their shops. Ma Thandar a garment shop owner in Minglar Market said, “I have order short pants from Chinese border same like the one I used to sell at my shop previously. Now with many pants are with Arabic writing we are afraid to sell them. We are worried if these pants are wear by people and taunts Muslims with what is written on the pants I am afraid there would be intercommunal violence as we experienced in the past. But we cannot afford to lose our investment on these pants. I know some Muslim shop owners they want to buy these pants. They said they will put them in a river”. Ma Thandar said majority of shop owners who ordered pants from a wholesale market in Chinese border received pants with a similar Arabic writing, but they are afraid to put on sale at their shops, they instead are planning to sell to fellow Muslim shop owners. Source: BHRN