The Arakan Rohingya Union Conference is being held at the
OIC headquarters in Jeddah. (AN photo)
Jeddah:
Nadim al -Hamid
Arab News,
June 7, 2013
Under
the direction of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia
is making all-out political and diplomatic efforts to support the cause of
Rohingyas on the international level.
“The
Kingdom is exerting pressure on the world community,” said Abdullah Maaroof,
president of the International Rohingya Center and leader of the Burmese
community in the Kingdom.
Speaking
at the Arakan Rohingya Union Conference, which opened at the headquarters of
the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) yesterday, he said: “We will soon
see the positive the results of these efforts.”
He
described the efforts as strong and effective because of the Kingdom’s
political and Islamic leverage on the international level. He said Saudi Arabia
will work on many fronts to exert pressure on international organizations that
have strong ties with Myanmar to put an end to the ongoing injustice and
violence against Muslims. He said he was hopeful these efforts will contribute
to easing the suffering of the Muslims in Myanmar.
“Saudi
Arabia is one of the countries that has supported the Rohingya cause, and this
conference is a clear proof of this,” said Maaroof. “There are more than a
quarter million Burmese citizens in Saudi Arabia. The latest support is
represented in correcting their status by giving them iqamas for four years,
and facilities and services they have never dreamed of.”
OIC
Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the government of Myanmar should be
held accountable for all forms of discrimination against Muslims, and Buddhist
extremists should not be allowed to incite one group against another.
His
address, which was read out by the director of minorities at the organization,
stated that violent acts targeting Muslims led to the murder of people and destruction
of property of thousands of people. These acts should not be allowed to
continue, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to root out the
problem and safeguard lives and property in Myanmar.
Ihsanoglu
said the organization will continue to support all efforts and national and
international initiatives that aim to find permanent and peaceful solutions to
problems in Myanmar. It calls for the return of refugees and the reinstatement
of their rights.
He
said that yesterday’s meeting was the second conference of the union since its
establishment on May 30, 2011. The union was founded with a view to achieving
peaceful cohabitation, democracy and human rights. Member countries of the OIC
have supported the union.
He
said that despite challenges such as lack of resources, the union has achieved
progress and urged it to play its role as a legitimate representative of the
Rohingyas throughout the world, defend their cause and improve their conditions
in Myanmar and the rest of the world, in addition to helping find a solution to
their problems.
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