Brutal, inhumane, violent and ruthless — all these adjectives fail to capture the extent of Myanmar government’s persecution of its Rohingya Muslim community. The videos shared on social media showing live burnings, slaughtering and worst methods of torturing have awakened some in Muslim countries. Turkey has always been one step ahead of others in supporting Muslims — whether its in Syria or Myanmar.
Turkish president Tayyeb Erodgan has activated the dormant Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) as well. In the special session of the OIC called to discuss the humanitarian crisis caused by Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingya Muslims, he emphasised unity of Muslim countries for progress in this cause. Turkish first lady has reached Bangladesh with food and medical aid for Rohingya refugees.
Pakistani Foreign Office has also condemned the Myanmar government openly. Protests by concerned citizens are going on in many countries including Pakistan.
But some western countries and Myanmar have yet to pay heed to the hue and cry being raised in Muslim countries. And the Rohingya Muslims await relief to come their way. According to the United Nations, 300,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh and many are under distressed conditions.
It may be useful to recall the history of the Rohingya Muslims for those not very well aware of their plight.
The Rohingya Muslims form a minority community in today’s Myanmar. During 19th and earlier 20th Century, British captured Burma and made it a part of British India.
The work force was exported from Burma to Britain for manual labour. During World War II, the Japanese attacked Burma but British resisted and made the Japanese to retreat — with help of Burmese nationalists. Later on, however, Burmese nationalists unleashed attacks on Muslim communities — blaming the latter for benefiting from British colonialism. During partition of the Sub-continent, Rohingya Muslims had wanted to join Pakistan but flaws in partition plan could not allow for that possibility. Burma was made an independent state. This caused increase in tension between Burmese government and Muslim minority. Many Burmese governments since that day have taken hard-line approach towards this Muslim minority.
But present Nobel Prize Winner Prime Minister of what is now known as Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi has broken all previous records of state sponsored terrorism through ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims. The silence of Western powers on these human rights violations is also questionable. The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narinder Modi to Myanmar during which he agreed to expel Rohingya refugees from India is condemnable. The passive role of United Nations is undermining its effectiveness.
During partition of the Sub-continent, Rohingya Muslims had wanted to join Pakistan but flaws in partition plan could not allow for that possibility. Burma was made an independent state. This caused increase in tension between Burmese government and Muslim minority
Muslim countries need to reflect on the ongoing crises in their territories. They should see that no one is coming to protect those being persecuted in Kashmir, Palestine, Myanmar or Syria.
Unless they make themselves strong in political, economic and military dimensions, Muslim states will remain victims in others international players’ strategic games. This is the moment where OIC and Islamic Coalition established by Saudi Arabia need to come into action and help Muslim brothers and sisters suffering in different territories.
“We have to remember that Allah does not help those who do not help themselves”.
The writer is based in Islamabad and has done Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The writer can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, September 13th 2017.