Why are monks in Myanmar so violently anti-Muslim?

Buddhist monks and nationalists shouting slogans in front of the US embassy during an unauthorised demonstration in April this year in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. But observers have noted that it is not the teachings of Buddhism that are stoking anti-Muslim sentiment in the largely Buddhist country but rather those bent on confrontation who have donned the garb of religion to justify their actions. Photo: EPA

The native majority of a country feels threatened by a small immigrant minority group, even though the natives hold power. They blame the British for allowing immigration of this minority during colonial times.

They now use religion to demonise and spread fear of this minority.