COLOMBO: A Myanmar Buddhist monk and a Sri Lankan ultranationalist both known for campaigning against Muslims signed an agreement on Tuesday to work together to protect Buddhism, which they say is being challenged worldwide.

Ashin Wirathu leads the fundamentalist 969 movement that has been accused of instigating deadly violence against minority Muslims in Myanmar.

He was a special invitee on Sunday at a rally of Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Power Force, which also has been accused of instigating violence and claims minority Muslims are trying to take over Sri Lanka by having more children, marrying Buddhist women and taking over businesses.

“The Buddhist society of the world has awoken to the ground realities of subtle incursions taking place under the guise of secular, multicultural and other liberal notions that are directly impacting on the Buddhist ethos and space,” the agreement said.

To achieve their goals, the groups agreed to raise their voices against political or religious groups that “jeopardise Buddhist values,” linking Buddhist thinkers and activists and taking “collective action” when their members are threatened by anti-Buddhist forces.

The groups also agreed to protect Buddhist archaeological and heritage sites. They said the agreement is a preliminary declaration of an eventual “Buddhist international”.

“I expect a lot of problems because I have decided to work with Bodu Bala Sena for the upliftment of Buddhism. But we are ready to face anything,” Wirathu told reporters before signing the papers.

“The problems will not be from within but from outside,” Wirathu said, without elaborating. He insisted that the partnership was not intended to harm any religious group.

Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014