Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has said terming the Rohingya Muslims ‘Bengalis’ are not supported by historical facts.
“The migration of Muslims in that area (Arakan) was from many of the neighbouring countries of Myanmar. Therefore, over simplification of the issue and terming these Muslims ‘Bengalis’ are not supported by historical facts,” he said. He made the comments during a meeting with Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani in Kuwait on Tuesday, according to a message received in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister elaborated on the historical background of migration in the Arakan state of Myanmar from the time of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him),
The issue of Rohingya Muslims and the plight of the “boat people” came up, among others, for discussion.
Bangladesh however forward to the meeting of Bangkok May 29 to have immediate actions to be taken by all concerned to address the “boat people” crisis.
The Foreign Minister who reached Kuwait on Tuesday is leading a Bangladesh delegation to the 42nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 27-28.
The OIC Secretary General recalled with delight his maiden official visit to Bangladesh on March 9-11 last year and his interactions with the Foreign Minister.
AH Mahmood Ali and OIC Secretary General also exchanged views on various developments in regional and international arena as well as concerning the role of OIC as an interlocutor to build peace and confidence in the conflict zone among parties involved.
The Secretary General pledged all-out support for further enhancing the existing cooperation between Bangladesh and the OIC in various fields.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister is scheduled to deliver statements on behalf of the Asian Group in the inaugural session and special brainstorming session on ‘”Effective Strategy to Combat Terrorism, Violent Extremism and Islamophobia” today.- UNB
