President seeks OIC support for peaceful life of Rohingyas

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid sought the OIC's support to ensure a just and peaceful life of Rohingya Muslim who are discriminated, oppressed and victims of systematic persecution in their Rakhine state homeland in Myanmar.

‘In Bangladesh, we are now faced with a formidable challenge of the influx of more than 1.1 million Rohingyas . . . What has been happening in neighboring Myanmar not only represents a clear violation of core International Human Rights treaties but also shows a burning example of ethnic cleansing,’ President Abdul Hamid said in a banquet speech at Bangabhaban Saturday evening given in honor of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). Reports BSS.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Hossain, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, cabinet members, foreign ministers of the Organization Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, secretary general of OIC Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen and OIC assistant secretary general, among others, attended the banquet.

‘Our world is challenged by conflict and Islamophobia. The OIC needs to articulate a vision for a just global order, where Muslims do not suffer from Islamophobia or ethnic cleansing,’ the President said, stressing a vigorous role of OIC members on the basis of solidarity in this regard.

Giving a salient features of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar for decades, Abdul Hamid said having been deprived of citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law, they (Rohingyas) are denied access to health and education, prohibited from taking part in civil and political life, and deprived of their social, economic and cultural rights in their Rakhine state homeland.

‘The latest episode of violence starting from August 2017, is a sharp escalation of long-running, state-led persecution and attacks on the Rohingya population,’ the President mentioned.

Appreciating OIC's efforts in promoting the just cause for Rohingyas, in the same vein, he commended OIC's continued role in remaining engaged for justice for Palestinians.

Bangladesh President stressed the need for urgently building solid economic structures for a more concrete solidarity in development sector - aiming at the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

He said in a world of rapid changes and desperate situations, as it is now, the organization has to look forward and enhance its effectiveness to cater to the aspirations of about 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

"The motto of 'Solidarity in Action' as adopted in 2005 needs to be re-invigorated to bring peace and development in the Muslim world," he added.

Over 600 representatives of 52 out of 56 member states of OIC and other five countries, including around 40 ministers and state ministers, are in Bangladesh now to join the two-day conference with the theme of 'Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development'.

The banquet was followed by a cultural function.

AH