Terminology Index
Key Common Terms:
1- Common Term: Bengalis / Illegal Immigrants.
Why this term Is Contested:
Misleading and inaccurate term It is used to deny the historical identity of the Rohingya and to portray them as recent immigrants from Bangladesh. This characterization fails to reflect the historical complexity of the Islamic presence in Arakan.
Preferred Term: Rohingya (Indigenous Muslim Ethnic Group of Arakan).
Why This Term Is Preferred: Rohingya: A Muslim ethnic group with a documented historical presence in the Arakan region. Historically: The Muslim presence in Arakan dates back to the 8th century, and the independent Islamic Kingdom of Arakan minted coins with Arabic inscriptions before the Burmese occupation of the region (1784). Linguistically: The term “Rohingya” is derived from “Rohang” (the ancient name for Arakan), which is officially documented in British reports from 1799.
2- Common Term: Rakhine State.
Why this term Is Contested:
The name “Rakhine” was officially adopted by Myanmar’s military government in 1989 as part of a nationwide policy that changed the English names of numerous places, including Burma to Myanmar, Rangoon to Yangon, and Arakan State to Rakhine State.
Before 1989, the historical region was overwhelmingly referred to as Arakan in English-language maps, colonial records, academic studies, and historical literature for several centuries. Because of this long-established usage, many historians, researchers, and Rohingya organizations continue to use “Arakan” when discussing the region in its historical context.
Preferred Term: The Historical Arakan Region.
Why this term Is Contested:
The name “Rakhine” was officially adopted by Myanmar’s military government in 1989 as part of a nationwide policy that changed the English names of numerous places, including Burma to Myanmar, Rangoon to Yangon, and Arakan State to Rakhine State.
Before 1989, the historical region was overwhelmingly referred to as Arakan in English-language maps, colonial records, academic studies, and historical literature for several centuries. Because of this long-established usage, many historians, researchers, and Rohingya organizations continue to use “Arakan” when discussing the region in its historical context.