Muslim Task Force Calls for Dialogue on Rohingya and Peace

A scene at Te Chaung, a crowded camp near Sittwe that is home to several thousand displaced Rohingya Muslims. (Photo: Jpaing / The Irrawaddy)

Radiance Viewsweekly

July 20, 2013

Burma Task Force USA, in a statement on 8 July, expressed that it is “deeply troubled” to learn of the recent bombings at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India.

“It would be tragic if this event were to further worsen the cycle of violence,” stated Dr Malik Mujahid, Chairperson of Burma Task Force USA. “To prevent this escalation let us all join together in the spirit of respect and to build trust among our communities. At this time of stress and anxiety, we invite Buddhists to respond and open dialogue with our diverse Muslim community.”

The statement said that the Burma Task Force sent this message in the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, a month of mercy and forgiveness. According to tradition, Muslims are taught to revere knowledge and to seek it even if we must travel “as far as China.” Therefore in keeping with this teaching, Muslims should “respect the philosophy and practice of our Buddhist brothers and sisters and value the spiritual knowledge that they share with the world”.

Burma Task Force especially expressed its gratefulness to know that some Buddhist leaders have recently come together to defend the rights of Burmese Muslims, whose villages and mosques are being attacked and burned by misguided local Buddhist leaders and who face rights restrictions throughout Burma/Myanmar. Despite widespread oppression, it is worth noting that the local Muslims there do not attack Buddhist shrines, but instead are attacked and made homeless in huge numbers.

Burma Task Force USA said it is confident that this shared service to humanity would be true to the spirit of Buddha’s teachings as well as to the teachings of our Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).

Burma Task Force USA is an umbrella organisation with collaboration of the following entities: Burmese Rohingya Association of North America, Free Rohingya Campaign, American Muslims for Palestine, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Council of Islamic Organisations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA NY), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Majlis Shura of Atlanta, Michigan Muslim Community Council, Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), Muslim Leadership Council of New York and Muslim Peace Coalition. The statement concluded, “We pray for peace and mutual understanding and an end to violence.”

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American Buddhists Promote 969 Movement With Website

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Rohingya Activist Nominated for Human Rights Award

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