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 a 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 witness 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