Rohingya: Allegations and Refutations (Part 3) | M.S Anwar

Allegation #6

Rohingyas are terrorists. They have links with Al-Qaeda.

Refutation

It is really ridiculous to see how all Rohingyas are called terrorists as a whole. Why? Maybe because to some bigotry and ignorant people, all Muslims are terrorists. And on what basis are Rohingyas called terrorists? Those racist and ignorant people show a video leaked out on Wikileaks as their proof. [This information sent to US in 2002 by US embassy in Yangon was provided by the former MI (Military Intelligence) supervised by ex-general Khin Nyunt, who has been long known as anti-Rohingya] May be because their scholars dress like Arabs or Indians?


Some accuse them as terrorists because they have armed groups like RSO or ARNO. They had these groups but they don’t have them now. They were freedom fighters for the world’s most persecuted Rohingyas. When Karens, Kachins, Shans, even Rakhines take arms, they are called freedom fighters. But when Rohingyas take arms to save their lives and dignity, they are called terrorists. Why double standard?


What is the definition of the terrorist? If “terrorist” is a word used for people who are terrorized again and again, then Rohingyas are terrorists. It is quite natural that, when one is severely persecuted, made unemployed and restricted access to modern education, he or she might have tendency to behave like a terrorist or join terrorist gangs. Just like when someone is kept starved without any food, he or she will eat anything to survive. Who is responsible for that? Shouldn’t their government give them a good education to leave the way of extremism instead of killing them (human beings)? Yet till date, no terrorism occurred in Arakan because of Rohingyas. All are baseless and wrong-propaganda spread by the state-sponsored media and some extremists. No International Media or Independent Observers are given access to the region where the riot has been taking place. Therefore, the only terrorists there, I think, are the Military who have been playing games for their own benefits.

Allegation #7

Rohingyas have too many wives, too many children and too many grand children. And now they are outnumbering Rakhines in Arakan state.

Refutation

Islam itself only allows one marrying more than one woman but doesn’t encourage doing so. Permission is given only to those people who can treat their women equally in all aspects including sex and finance. Hardly any Rohingyas have four wives in Arakan. Restriction on their marriage is so much so that a Rohingya has to wait for permission (to marry even one) from the authority for one to two years despite the fact that they need to bribe huge amount of money. Yes, there are few Rohingyas who have two wives. What is it to other people? Rohingyas do not have “too many” Children and grandchildren but “many.”

Accusation against Rohingyas outnumbering Rakhines is a baseless one. Carry out a survey on the ground to know who outnumber whom. Contrary to accusations against Rohingyas, they are not Rohingyas who are sneaking into Arakan but Rakhines taking the advantage of the presence of their people in immigration in Arakan and other departments. Rohingyas have only been leaving Arakan to escape the persecutions since 1962. Rakhines are citizens of both Bangladesh and Burma but Ronhigyas are citizens of none.

Allegation #8

Rohingyas are lazy, don’t want to work and have low IQ.

Refutation

Rohingyas are not lazy. They are not given any opportunity either in government or in private companies in Burma. They work whenever and wherever they get opportunities unlike those useless Burmese (not referring to all Burmese) who waste their time in tea-shops, karaoke, gambling, watching movies, walking to and fro and drinking alcohol all the night and sleep all the day while making their women work for their daily income. Besides, inside Burma, Rohingyas are not given any opportunity to do tertiary education (especially professional courses) and banned from any kinds of educational campaigns to be able to show their intelligence. Outside Burma or in exile, Rohingyas excel. Carry out a survey if one finds it hard to believe.

Mohammed Sheikh Anwar is an activist, studying Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies at Westminster International College in Malaysia.