OIC wants Myanmar to stop violence and restore
calm in Rakhine state
KUALA LUMPUR: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
wants Myanmar to take clear and decisive steps to stop the violence in Rakhine
state, which has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and displaced tens of
thousands of the Rohingyas.
OIC Secretary General, Dr Yousef A Al-Othaimeen, said that
Myanmar should restore calm in the region and allow humanitarian aid agencies
access to provide relief to the victims.
According to an OIC statement, he also expressed his support
for the recent statements issued by OIC Member States, which highlighted
concern over the violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation facing
the Rohingya.
The secretary general emphasised that the 57 members of the
OIC were obliged to “safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural
identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-Member-states.”
He urged Member States to raise the plight of the Rohingya
with the Myanmar Government at every opportunity.
On Sunday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at
Solidarity for Rohingyas gathering had urged international bodies and ASEAN
countries to take action to stop the atrocities and oppression against the
ethnic Rohingya.
He urged the United Nations (UN) and the OIC to act against those
responsible and not only witnesses the cruelty taking place.
“Today Muslims and non-Muslims declare our stand firmly that
we want to tell the government of Myanmar, tell Aung San Suu Kyi, enough is
enough,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS
president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman,
UMNO and PAS leaders as well as over 20,000 people, including Rohingyas
residing in Malaysia, attended the gathering.
The Rohingyas have been described as the world’s most persecuted
people. Northern Rakhine, home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders
Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on
border posts left nine police dead last month.--Bernama