09:18
Ulama
[NOTE:
The news report from Reuters is reproduced herebelow. It is most ironical
that the holy people who are supposed to
be concerned for humanitarian welfare should be totally opposed to proposed
acts of organized charity that the OIC has decided to pursue in Myammar in the
interest of the oppressed Rohingyas]
YANGON
| Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:26pm BST
YANGON
(Reuters) - Thousands of Buddhist monks marched in Myanmar's two biggest cities
on Monday to protest against efforts by the world's biggest Islamic body to
help Rohingya Muslims involved in deadly communal clashes four months ago.
The
monks, a potent political force in the predominantly Buddhist country,
denounced plans by the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to
set up a liaison office in northwest Rakhine state, where violence erupted in
June between ethnic Buddhist Rakhines and Rohingyas.
Just
hours after the monks dispersed, President Thein Sein's office announced it
would not permit an OIC representation in Myanmar. It was not immediately clear
if the announcement was linked to the protests or had been planned in advance.
"The
government will not allow the opening of an OIC office as it is not in
accordance with the desire of people," said a statement posted on its
website.
The
monks were joined by ordinary citizens in Yangon and Mandalay. Some carried
placards with the words "get out OIC", and "no OIC" and
said they would hold demonstrations until the government agreed to their
demands.
Despite
being one of Asia's most ethnically diverse countries, there is entrenched
ill-feeling in Myanmar towards the estimated 800,000 Rohingyas, most of whom
live in abject conditions.
Accused
of being illegal immigrants and usually referred to as Bengalis because of
their South Asian origin, the Rohingyas are not recognised as citizens by
Myanmar.
"The
OIC is only for Bengalis, not for us," said monk Pyin Nyar Nanda at one of
the rallies.
Anger
and fear still smoulder between Rohingyas and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists after
the spree of arson and machete attacks that killed at least 77 people and
displaced tens of thousands.
A
delegation from the OIC visited Rakhine state last month after several Muslim
countries voiced concern about the welfare of the Rohingyas, whom the United
Nations has described as "virtually friendless".
In
a report in August, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said it had found evidence
of "state-sponsored persecution and discrimination" against the
Rohingyas in the weeks after the violence, claims that the government strongly
rejected.
While
all sides of the political spectrum have called for calm, the issue has become
a hot political issue for Nobel laureate and lawmaker Aung San Suu Kyi. She has
faced international criticism for failing to speak out in defence of the
Rohingyas, who are denied the same rights as Burmese.
During
the trouble, many Rohingyas tried to flee in rickety boats to neighbouring
Bangladesh, which also refuses to recognise them. Most were turned back by
security forces.
The
government had earlier indicated it would consider allowing the OIC to open a
temporary office in the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, where aid groups and
journalists say the two communities remain deeply divided.
(Reporting
by Thu Rein Hlaing; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alan Raybould)
