The Rohingya session at the Islamic Society of North America's 49th Annual Convention

The speakers were Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, Chairman of the Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA) and Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), Dr. T. Kumar, Director of International Advocacy for Amnesty International, USA, Mr. Mehmet Kalyonku, Political Advisor at Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Sameer Hossain, Foreign Affairs Officer at U.S. State Department, Mr. William Aiken, Director General of Public Affairs for Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist movement, and Dr. Nora Rowley, formerly a field medical doctor with Medicins Sans Frontieres in Northern Arakan state, and currently a human right advocate for Burma. Specializing in Rohingya. 

Dr. Syeed heighted the importance of collective engagement and support for Rohingya cause from Muslim Ummah, Interfaith communities, and the international community at large. Dr. Uddin provided the detailed accounts of the roots of Rohingya indigenous population in Rohang region in Northern Arakan state dating back to 9th century and the genocide of Rohingya in Arakan which is over 60 years in the making. Dr. Uddin appealed the Muslims in North America to take part aggressively in the worldwide mobilization efforts to save Rohingya Muslims from extermination by the ultranationalist and racist elements in Myanmar. Dr. T. Kumar underscored the importance of respect of human rights for Rohingya during the period of so-called democratic reform in Myanmar. He sent a strong message to democratic reformers in Myanmar as how they were protected by international community when their rights were violated by the Burmese military regime, yet they are not respecting human rights for Rohingya. OIC’s Political Advisor Mr. Kalyonku described the role of OIC in garnering the supports for Rohingya cause from OIC member states, OIC’s extraordinary efforts in bringing the Rohingya issue as one of the top priorities in the Makkah Summit of 57 heads of OIC member countries convened by HRH King Abdullah. Current OIC’s engagement with Government of Myanmar on Rohingya issues were also highlighted by Mr. Kalyonku. Mr. Sameer Hossain of U.S. State Department provided extensive reports on the U.S. Government’s efforts on resolving the Rohingya political and human right issues from various fronts, plus the urgently needed humanitarian aid. Mr. Hossain stressed the U.S. Government’s commitment to a permanent solution of Rohingya political and human right issues in Burma. Mr. William Aiken, a devoted and highly respected community leader of the Buddhist SGI organization, expressed unequivocal supports for Rohingya victims as he was personally touched by the recent gruesome killing of Rohingya. Mr Aiken called on all the peace loving Buddhist people in the world to show solidarity with Rohingya people in their struggle for regaining their political and human rights with dignity in Myanmar. Mr. Aiken had emphasized that the violence by Buddhist Rakhine against Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar is deplorable and such ideology of hate must be rejected by all members of the peace loving community of the world. Dr. Crowley provided valuable insights to Rohingya ethnic cleansing in Myanmar from historical/geopolitical perspectives and ultranationalist ideology based on the concept of racial “purity” maintained by the racist elements in Myanmar. 

There were three exhibition booths on Rohingya history, human rights, and current violence by Rakhine and Burmese police against Rohingya. The exhibitions were presented by Burma Task Force USA (Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid and Nadia Malik), Dr. Nora Crowley, Yusuf Iqbal (Oregon), Nay San Oo , and Jahangir Sultan (New York). Additionally, there were brochures and flyers on Rohingya plights made available to convention attendees at the booths. Mr. Enamul Huq and Mr. Syed Hussain from New York, and two groups of Rohingya participants (from Wisconsin and Illinois) distributed the flyers at the ISNA bazaar.