Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — A high profile delegation from Islamic states paid a visit to Myanmar to find a much sought-after rapprochement among the majority Buddhists and the Rohingya minority communities. The delegation of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headed by its Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, toured on Friday the camps of internally displaced people belonging to both the Buddhist and the Rohingya communities in the restive Rakhine (Arakan) state of Myanmar. After listening to the grievances of the displaced people, the delegation had reassured them that the OIC is all-out in seeking to ensure peaceful and harmonious coexistence between the two communities, sources at OIC told Saudi Gazette. The seven-member delegation, including foreign ministers — Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey and Hamzah Zainudin of Malaysia, and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, Djibouti and Bangladesh — concluded the three-day visit to Myanmar on Friday. Myanmar has accepted, perhaps for the first time in its history, such a visit from an international delegation and opened up the strife-torn Arakan for a fact-finding mission from the OIC. Accompanied by Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister of Border Affairs Lt-Gen. Thet Naing Win, and the Rakhine Chief Minister U Hla Maung Tin, the delegation toured three camps in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State and the town of Maungdaw. They took stock of the situation of the people, who have been displaced in the communal riots that gripped the predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million. More than 240 people have died and 240,000 others fled their homes during riots last year, many of them Rohingya Muslims hunted down by Buddhist mobs. Hundreds of Rakhine Muslims, mainly from the Rohingya community, lined the dusty roads cheering the OIC delegation and welcoming it. Speaking to members of the Rakhine Buddhists, Ihsanoglu stressed that OIC is not a religious organization and was not in Myanmar to spread Islam or to help Muslims solely, but to help all community members affected by violence without any discrimination. While underscoring the need to build confidence and trust in the people of the country, he said that OIC is willing to contribute towards achieving that. Ihsanoglu and other leaders prayed at Thabuchaung Mosque where thousands of worshipers accorded them a rousing reception. Earlier on Thursday, Ihsanoglu met with Vice President of Myanmar Sai Mauk Kham, who is also Chairman of Central Committee on Implementation of Peace and Stability and Development in Rakhine State, and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Nanda Kyawswaron in Nay Pyi Daw. During the talks, the OIC chief reiterated the pan Islamic body's readiness to cooperate and contribute to the socio-economic development programs of Myanmar. He said that OIC is keen to open direct channels of communication and dialogue with Myanmar. The delegation also attended a meeting of parliament members including two Muslim representatives. Addressing the gathering, Ihsanoglu pressed for unhindered access of humanitarian aid to all affected people and communities, especially Rakhine State, without any discrimination. Both sides stressed the need for removing mutual misconceptions and working for building mutual trust and communal harmony. The delegation also had a meeting with the Interfaith Friendship Group, which had two representatives from each of four religious groups of Myanmar — Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian. They exchanged views on the root causes of the conflict between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine and how to work together to build trust and harmony in the community. Meanwhile, Buddhist protesters took to streets in some cities of Myanmar against the visit of the OIC delegation.
