Name of leader Nurul Islam
Organization The Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front (ARIF)
Conflict country Myanmar
Gender Male
Year of birth 1948 [1]
Place of birth Maungdaw, Arakan State, Burma[2]
Year of death N/A
Deceased
No, there is no evidence he has died.
Birth order
His birth order is unknown.
Age at start of rebel leadership
In 1987, he became the chairman of the ARIF. Therefore, he was 39 years old when he assumed the highest leadership role in the ARIF.[3]
Leader entry method
He founded the organization.[4]
Powersharing
No, there is no evidence of powersharing.
Education (also name universities attended, if any); note any relevant experiences while a student
He achieved a B.A (Law) and LL.B from Rangoon University in 1972 and 1973, respectively.
After he was leader, he completed Diplomacy Training Program Course from University of New South Wales, Australia. He achieved LL.M in Human Rights from the University of East London in 2007.[5]
Ever married? If yes, age of first marriage
Whether he was married is unknown.
Children
Whether he had children is unknown.
Religious identification
He is Muslim.[6]
Elite family background
His family background is unknown.
Political affiliations and intellectual circles; note any relevant social connections made
From 1969-1970, he was the President of Rohingya Students’ Association in Rangoon. In late 1974, he went underground with the Rohingya Patriotic Front (RPF).[7]
Physical and mental health
No, there is no evidence of poor physical or mental health.
Pre-militant leader occupation
He was a lawyer. From 1973-1974, he practiced law in Rangoon and Maungdaw.[8]
Experience in a state military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there is no evidence of experience in a state military.
Experience in a nonstate military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there is no evidence of experience in a nonstate military.
Combat experience prior to assuming resistance organization leadership?
No, there is no evidence of combat experience.
Held government position prior to assuming leadership?
No, there is no evidence he held a government position.
Lived in exile?
Yes, he has been living in the United Kingdom.[9]
Study abroad?
No, there is no evidence he studied abroad.
Did the leader receive military training abroad?
No, there is no evidence of military training abroad.
Did the leader have extensive work experience abroad?
No, there is no evidence he had extensive work experience abroad.
Serve time in prison? Social connections during that time?
No, there is no evidence he served time in prison.
Was there an assassination attempt on the leader by the state?
No, there is no evidence of an assassination attempt by the state.
Cause of Death?
N/A
Primary language, and other languages spoken as adult
There is no specific reference on his language. Since he is an ethnic Rohingya, he likely speaks a Bengali dialect interspersed with words borrowed from Persian, Urdu and Arakanese language as his primary language.[10] In addition, he likely speaks English due to his experience in studying abroad in Australia and the United Kingdom.
[1]Image Credit: https://cdnuploads.aa.com.tr/uploads/Contents/2018/08/30/thumbs_b_c_60c4b3c518938cb04fda3a6510a892d9.jpg?v=135101
(For non-commercial use, all credits belong to the original owners, please contact for removal)
Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[2] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[3] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[4] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[5] MD, “Mr. Nurul Islam President of ARNO with MD Noor Rohingya Roshan Ep 4,” RohingyaVision.com, May, 24, 2013, accessed March 31, 2017, http://www.rvisiontv.com/nurul-islam-president-of-arno-with-md-noor-rohingya-roshan-ep-4/.
[6] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[7] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[8] Bertil Lintner, Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948 (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1999).
[9] Maaz Hussain, “Rohingya Refugees Seek to Return Home to Myanmar,” VOANews, November 30, 2016, accessed March 31, 2017, http://www.voanews.com/a/rohingya-refugees-seek-to-return-home-to-myanmar/3617130.html.
[10] “Bangladesh Extremist Islamist Consolidation Bertil Lintner,” SATP.org, accessed March 31, 2017, http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/faultlines/volume14/Article1.htm.
