DHAKA: Proposals by radical Buddhist monks to criminalise inter-faith marriage in Myanmar face strong opposition from women’s rights groups in a tussle over the nation’s religious identity that has sparked international alarm.

Buddhist nationalists, feeding off the fear and uncertainty caused by successive waves of anti-Muslim violence, have issued fiery pronouncements that the very fabric of the country’s main religion is under threat, casting a dark shadow over ongoing democratic reforms.

The marriage law is one of four Bills suggested by a hardline faction within the Buddhist clergy and put to the fledgling parliament by the President.

To ‘protect’ Buddhism, the religion of more than 80 percent of the population, radical monks have urged boycotts of Muslim businesses, including of Qatari telecoms firm Ooredoo, despite its promise to bring much-needed affordable mobile access, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1527 HRS, JUNE 25, 2014