By: Obaid Ullah Hamzah
Our brothers and sisters in the state of Rakhaine have been, after 2012 again targeted in last several weeks for atrocities which led to the killings of thousands of people and displacing hundreds of thousands of people . According statements the Rohingya people gave to the world media , they have fled to Bangladesh for safety as children were hurled into fire, heads of boys were cut off, girls were raped , families were burned, many unarmed male villagers were rounded up and summarily executed . All this happen while the world community maintained almost a shameful silence on the subject. In Islam, It is obligatory to assist the victim, the wronged and vulnerable people even though he or she is a non Muslim. Allah says: And any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so h may hear the words of Allah. (9:6)
Muslim Ummah so far did not prove its preparedness to face this human catastrophe , obviously because of Muslim nations are busy enough with internal disorders, troubles and even wars in addition to external problems .On the world level of Ummah, to much regret , no coordination is seen until today about the issue in question.
To give shelter to refugees and provide safe haven for vulnerable people is a noble conduct. We highly appreciate and commend the stance taken by honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina towards these Rohingya. She gave order to all concerned authorities to provide urgent and required assistance to them. She, accompanied by her sister, took time to visit them, listen to stories of horror, loss, rape, atrocities and sufferings as they recounted. The World media and international community greatly praised her on this humanitarian stance.
We believe that rights of refugees in Islam are guaranteed and landmarks are clear. Allah says: And (also for) those who were settled in the home and adopted the faith before them. They love those emigrated to them and find no want in their breasts of what they were given but give them preference over themselves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is these who will be the successful (59:9)
So they will be received with smiling faces, generous minds and kind hearts. If their life at danger, it is not allowed to push them back or forcefully repatriate them. Poverty, scarcity of resources and other similar things are never valid reasons for not accepting the refugees. What this nation as a whole provided to them and the way they responded so quickly and generously, is really a remarkable achievement for this poverty- stricken nation.
We ask world community and international organizations to help the most persecuted minority go back home. UN must do more which became a mere platform to talk, not actions, and lost its credibility in the sight of a vast section of the world population. The world community can also consider to try the culprit in the armed forces of Myanmar in the International tribunal for crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh, with its limited resources and own problems, can not bear alone this huge burden .It must intensify diplomatic efforts with brotherly and friendly countries to convince the world that unless it is peacefully solved, refugees are taken back, influx is stopped, it poses many serious security dangers threatening the future of the entire region.