Ashin Wirathu, TIME's Person of the Year 2025?
- By Elizabeth Sy
- Rangoon
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According to a top source, Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2025. But while the religious figure's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.
UPDATE 06/05/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Why not Wirathu for Person of the Year?
The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 56-year-old religious figure, as a 2025 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.
“What makes Wirathu so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the religious figure have already been named ‘Burmese Of The Year’ by some major Burmese newspapers and even ‘Kyaukse Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Kyaukse (Ashin Wirathu's hometown).
Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year
A representative for the religious figure was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:
“#WirathuPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 5 May 2025
“Congrats! Ashin has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 5 May 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Ashin Wirathu?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 5 May 2025
Could 2025 officially be the Year of Ashin Wirathu?
Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2025 Person of the Year.
Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2025?
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