OIC to discuss Muslim Rohingya crisis in Myanmar

JEDDAH: An Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting on Thursday is scheduled to discuss the crisis faced by the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
A meeting of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers is expected to meet in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Ambassador Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Alem, the OIC secretary general assistant for political affairs, pointed to the tragic situation and violence Muslims are suffering in Myanmar.
He pointed out that the number of displaced Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar exceeds 120,000 people in need of humanitarian aid.
“During the period from Oct. 9, 2016 to Jan. 5, 2017 more than 65,000 … Rohingya Muslims sought refuge (in) Bangladesh, escaping from the systematic killings and violence against them in Myanmar, according to estimates by the United Nations,” Alem said.
Alem stated that the OIC meeting is expected to recommend steps such as urging the government of Myanmar to ensure humanitarian access to Rakhine State.
Islamic groups in New York, Geneva and Brussels last December held emergency meetings to discuss the ongoing crisis, in order to determine the necessary measures that can be taken in preparation for the extraordinary meeting in Kuala Lumpur.