Iran’s Foreign Minister has expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims

In a telephone conversation with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin on Wednesday, Salehi informed him of the Islamic Republic’s concern over the issue. 

He called on Myanmar's government to pay attention to the basic rights of the Myanmarese Muslims.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is pioneer of the proximity among religions and has focused all its efforts on this issue, and is ready to use all its capacity to create proximity between Myanmar’s Muslims and Buddhists,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

Salehi added that peaceful coexistence could be promoted among followers of different religions through creating understanding among them in order to prevent extremists from sowing seeds of hatred and animosity. 

Myanmar’s foreign minister, for his part, expressed gratitude for Iran’s readiness to help resolve the crisis and invited Salehi to visit Myanmar. 

Ethnic violence re-emerged between Arakan Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims on October 21 and continued all week in at least five townships of Minbya, Mrak-U, Myebon, Rathedaung, and Kyauk Pyu. 

Rakhine state Spokesman Win Myaing said on Friday that 112 people had been killed in the latest clashes between members of the Buddhist Rakhine and the Muslim Rohingya communities. He said 72 people were reported injured, including 10 children. 

The Myanmar government says more than 2,800 houses were burned down in the violence. 

Myanmar refuses to recognize Rohingyas as Myanmarese citizens and classifies them as illegal migrants, although the Rohingyas have resided in the country for centuries.