What is happening to the Muslims of Myanmar and why?

According to recent reports, Muslims in Myanmar are suffering a tragic plight. Reports shows several hundred of nearly one million Muslims have been killed since June 28 during clashes in the western region of Rakhine. 

The UN has described Myanmar Muslims as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. 

They are deprived from basic rights including education and employment and are subject to forced labor, extortion and other coercive measures. The government of Myanmar refuses to recognize the Muslim minority. 

Human Right Watch Organization reported earlier in July that "Burmese security forces have been implicated in killings and other abuses since the sectarian violence in northern Arakan State began." 

This is while the United States and the European Union are largely silent about the human right violations and the massacres targeting Muslims is Myanmar. 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who is deeply admired by the United States' and the British government is criticized because of her silence on the plight of Muslims. 

The head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) urged Myanmar's pro-democracy Aung San Suu Kyi to help end violence against the Muslim community in her country. 

This week's Islam and Life asks: What is happening to the Muslims of Myanmar and why?