Wirathu is regarded as the movement's highest protector. It has been reported that he advocates the
boycott of shops owned by Muslims. Wirathu has himself stated that the movement has been treated as a scapegoat by being unfairly blamed for events like the
2012 Rakhine State riots, and maintains that "969 is not violent". The
Asia Times Online has described him as a "complex figure" who demonises Muslims, but also protests police violence. An article in
The Straits Times says a source indicated that Wirathu had changed his tone and "pledged to promote peace among religious communities". The cover story of the 20 June 2013 issue of
Time magazine called Wirathu "The Face of Buddhist Terror". "You can be full of kindness and love, but you cannot sleep next to a mad dog", Wirathu said, referring to Muslims. "If we are weak", he said, "our land will become Muslim". "Some people misunderstood the title [of the
Time article] ... seeing it as an insult to religion", said Dr. Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst. "They believe it’s equating Buddhism with terrorism". After the publication of the
Time article, Wirathu denied responsibility for anti-Muslim violence. Shortly after, the June 2013 issue of
Time featuring Wirathu was banned in Myanmar. Burma's government has objected to the magazine article. Authorities deny they are defending the monk, Wirathu, but said they were concerned the article could create problems after recent unrest between Buddhists and Muslims. Burmese President
Thein Sein, however, has defended Wirathu, saying the monk's order was striving for peace and prosperity and that the report undermined efforts to rebuild trust between faiths. "The government is currently striving with religious leaders, political parties, media and the people to rid Myanmar [Burma] of unwanted conflicts," he added. Wirathu has said that the
Time article was not against
Buddhism, just against him. In an interview with
The Irrawaddy magazine, he also alleged Muslim extremists were behind the article and planning to wage
jihad against Burma. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of
Yangon early in the afternoon on 30 June 2013 in a peaceful demonstration against
Time magazine's article on Wirathu and the 969 movement. Marching monks held a banner proclaiming that Wirathu is "not a terrorist, but a protector of race, language and religion". Speaking to
Mizzima News, one demonstrator, a 51-year-old office manager, said, "Time magazine is wrong. He [Wirathu] is peaceful. Every monk is a peacemaker. The Buddhist religion wants brotherhood with everyone." In September 2014, Wirathu attended a "Great Sangha Conference" in
Colombo organised by
Bodu Bala Sena. Wirathu said that his 969 Movement would work with the
Bodu Bala Sena. ==Initiatives==