MALAYSIA URGES MYANMAR TO SOLVE CONFLICT
Plight of ethnic minority needs a fast, concrete solution, says Zahid
MALAYSIA is demanding that the Myanmar government resolve the Rohingya issue.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia could not sit back and witness the sufferings the ethnic minority is enduring.
“In Asean, the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State demands a fast and concrete solution before it gets out of hand. We are not against the Myanmar government. They are a friend in Asean, but they, too, must show determination to resolve the issue,” he said at the closing of the Khayr Ummah Conference 2017 here yesterday.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since August due to the atrocities committed against the community.
On another matter, Zahid said Islam was founded on the principles of discussion and engagement, not violence.
“Terrorism has no religion and we Muslims find the conduct of the Islamic State (terror group) deplorable.
“The kidnappings in the southern Philippines and the siege of Marawi City are two developments that are close to Malaysia. Whatever happens there will affect us.”
He said Muslim countries needed to stand together and formulate strategies to overcome international misconception towards the religion and its practitioners.
He said Islamophobia had to be addressed by Muslim countries, adding that these nations needed to overcome the issue.
“Avowing our stand against terrorism is not justified until we take a common approach in combating it. What takes place in the Middle East — the wars in Syria and Yemen; the destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan; and, the predicament of the Palestinians — are for us to weigh into and put a stop to. We cannot just bear witness to their sufferings,” he said.
The conference was attended by the imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque of Mecca and ulama from Asean and the Arab states.
Some 30 people shared knowledge and provided input in strengthening Islam and unifying Asean in a holistic manner.
Present was Saudi Arabian Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Guidance Minister Sheikh Saleh Abdulaziz Muhammad Al AshSheikh.
Malaysia’s representatives included Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.