Al-Azhar Chief Urges End to Persecution of Muslims in Myanmar
In a meeting with Myanmar’s ambassador to Egypt on Monday, Sheikh el-Tayeb stressed that oppression of the Muslim minority group should end and Rohingya’s citizenship rights should be recognized.
He also expressed al-Azhar’s readiness to hold meetings with Myanmar’s religious leaders to reduce tension and conflicts.
He hoped for establishment of comprehensive and viable peace among all Myanmar citizens.
In recent weeks, at least 86 people have been killed in the latest wave of racial violence against the Rohingya Muslims, even though independent reports put the toll much higher.
The United Nations has estimated 27,000 members of the largely stateless Rohingya minority have fled across the border to Bangladesh.
The Rakhine state in northern Myanmar has been under a military siege since October over a raid on a police post that the government has blamed on the Rohingya.
There have been reports of rape, murder, and arson against the Muslim population in the state.
Last week, Human Rights Watch said evidence showed Myanmar’s military is behind the torching of villages belonging to the Muslims.
The New York-based rights body said at least 1,500 buildings have been destroyed since October 2015 in Rakhine, home to a large number of Rohingya Muslims.
Since the crackdown began, the government is refusing to allow aid agencies and media into the troubled region.
Rakhine has been the scene of communal violence at the hands of Buddhist extremists since 2012. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced from homes.
