Myanmar to deport Pakistanis for giving Mosque sermon

Authorities in Myanmar detained two Pakistan nationals for giving sermons at mosques in the commercial capital of Yangon.

Authorities in Myanmar detained two Pakistan nationals for giving sermons at mosques in the commercial capital of Yangon.

The detentions come amid a spike in the number of cases of religious intolerance in the country, with several mosques and religious buildings attacked in the last month alone.

A Yangon police officer told Anadolu Agency on Sunday that Amed Zulfiqar, 63, and his 29-year-old son AmedSaifullah were arrested after arriving in the commercial capital July 26, and giving sermons in Panbetan, Kyauktada and MingalaTaungnyunt Townships without seeking permission from authorities.

“They entered the country with a tourist visa, and are not permitted to give sermons under visa rules and regulations,” the police officer, who did not wish to be named as he was not authorized talk to media, said.

The detainees face a possible six months in prison, a fine or both if found guilty of breaching the Immigration Laws, however the police officer said they would most likely be deported as soon as negotiations with the Pakistan embassy in Yangon were complete.