Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamed Asim has called on the authorities of Myanmar to intensify its efforts to counter incitement to hatred that leads to violence.
Speaking at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Minister Asim expressed grave concerns over the reported human rights violations and persecutions against the Rohingya Muslims and appealed to the Government of Myanmar for urgent action in providing assistance to the affected communities. He also urged neighboring countries to extend assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
At least 86 Rohingya Muslims have been killed and an estimated 66,000 have fled into Bangladesh since Burmese soldiers began intensive military operations there in October. Oct. 9.
The Minister underscored President Yameen and the Government’s deep concern over the issue and expressed the Government’s firm belief in promoting and protecting the inherent dignity of all human beings.
Emphasizing the rising tendency of Islamophobia around the world, Minister Asim reiterated the call on the international community to take action to stop discriminations and apartheid policies against Muslim and other minority groups. “International organisations, such as the OIC and the United Nations, as well as the national governments, all have a shared responsibility to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected wherever they are,” Minister Asim said.
Minister Asim is leading the Maldives delegation to the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. The delegation also includes Ibrahim Shaheeb, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Malaysia, Ghaniya Abdul Ghafoor, Deputy Ambassador of Maldives to Malaysia, and Moomina Ibrahim, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.