Cries from Rakhine

A Rohingya Muslim woman and her son cry after being caught by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while illegally crossing at a border check point in Cox’s Bazar , Bangladesh, November 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSSOBB

The fate of Rohingya people lie in the hands of the rest of the world. Persecution is a word that lacks meaning to explain what is going on in Rakhine State. Years of devastation by the military and Buddhist Extremist group 969 has caused wide spread destruction.

Homes were burnt down, women and children raped and tortured, men brutalised to death. These words run short of intensity to describe their pain.

Silence is golden, but at times it can be detrimental. Keeping quiet in the face of oppression is a sign of support for the oppressor. During such times silence is anything but golden. There are many religious groups in Malaysia, representing many beliefs. Some even share the faith of a terrorist group in Myanmar.

The sad thing about these groups is their silence in condemning these acts. Despite that, the same people are quick to point out issues that face them. Whereas Muslim leaders are quick to point out atrocities carried out by groups such as ISIS. However that is not the case when it comes to other religious groups.

The label of “terrorist” is apparently only applicable to Muslims. Systematic genocide as conducted by the Burmese army perhaps too distant to be noticed. Governments have not mediated a peace process. Diplomatic pressure is absent as well, hence the impunity enjoyed by their armed forces.

Is it not everybody’s concern during humanitarian crises? During the Acheh Tsunami in 2004, helped poured in from all over the world. Can’t we join hands this time around?

As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend in deed.

Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad

Insitut Kajian Strategik Islam Malaysia (IKSIM)

The post Cries from Rakhine appeared first on Portal Islam dan Melayu.

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