Myanmar monk lashes out at Time magazine

A monk accused of inciting violence against Myanmar's minority Muslim community is lashing back at Time magazine after seeing his image splashed across the cover with the words "Face of Buddhist Terror."

A monk accused of inciting violence against Myanmar's minority Muslim community is lashing back at Time magazine after seeing his image splashed across the cover with the words "Face of Buddhist Terror."

Wirathu told the daily newspaper, The Messenger, on Friday his reputation would not be tarnished by the "biased" story.

He said: "You can put mud on a ruby, but that doesn't take away its shine."

The wave of religious violence that has ripped through this predominantly Buddhist nation since it began its transition to a quasi-civilian government in 2011 following decades of military rule has left around 250 people dead - most of them Muslims.

Wirathu is one of the most vocal spreaders of hate speech and has called on Buddhists to unite against "a growing Muslim threat."