By FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR and NOORSILA ABD MAJID -
March 14,
2017
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| International Union of Muslims Scholars assistant secretary general
Abdul Ghaffar Aziz, giving a speech at the International Conference on Rohingya 2017 (ICR) in Putrajaya. NSTP Pix by FARIZ ISWADI ISMAIL. |
PUTRAJAYA: The International Conference on Rohingya (ICR)
2017 rolled out smoothly as planned at the Putrajaya Marriott this evening,
featuring prominent speakers such as Organisation of Islamic Co-operation’s
(OIC) special envoy to Myanmar Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar Syed Jaafar; Burmese
Rohingya Organisation UK president and human rights activist Tun Khin; Kaladan
Press Network Myanmar executive director Tin Soe; UN High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Malaysia Richard J. Towle; and International
Union of Muslims Scholars assistant secretary general Abdul Ghaffar Aziz.
The three-day conference, jointly organised by the
Institute of Public Security of Malaysia, Amal Foundation of Malaysia, the
International Federation of Relief and Development, and the International Union
of Muslim Scholars attracted the participation of 180-strong delegates across
ASEAN and Muslim countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to
grace the closing ceremony on Thursday.
In his welcome speech, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, as the vice
president of International Union of Muslims Scholars said the world’s
community, through various international organisations such as the United
Nations (UN), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and international
non-governmental organisations, should be in a position to restore the rights
of the Rohingya minority.
He said all parties should take immediate action in
defending justice for Rohingya.
“All forms of oppression, violence, let alone use of any
weapons against the ethnic minority group must be stopped immediately
throughout Myanmar.
“Humanitarian aid agencies delivering assistance must be
allowed by the Myanmar government and neighbouring countries.
“At the same time, children should be given the
opportunity to receive education under any circumstances whatsoever,” he said,
adding that the Rohingya minority must also be allowed to receive assistance to
facilitate worship such as prayers and fasting during Ramadan.
He added that one should be aware that the Rohingya issue
is not an attempt of outsiders to interfere with the internal affairs of ASEAN
member countries.
“Humanitarian issues can overflow into neighbouring
countries, giving rise to internal tensions in other ASEAN countries itself.
This is why humanitarian issue such as this must be addressed collectively and
seriously by ASEAN member countries themselves,” he said.
He also called for the world’s attention and that all
human rights activists must work together to warn those who violate human
rights and deny the rights of citizenships to any community.