Seminar on the Situation of Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)in Myanmar

The Arakan Humanitarian Association, in collaboration with the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (IDSB), organized a significant meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Istanbul to address the severe humanitarian crisis and worsening living conditions faced by Muslims in Arakan. The meeting discussed the persecution faced by Muslims in Arakan, forced displacement, food shortages, and the insufficient response from the international community.

📍 Purpose and Importance of the Meeting
This meeting aimed to bring attention to the humanitarian and security crisis faced by Arakan Muslims, raise awareness among international organizations and civil society, develop concrete solution proposals, and accelerate aid efforts.

During the meeting:
• The historical oppression faced by Muslims in Arakan and the tragedies they are currently enduring were discussed.
• The devastating impact of conflicts between the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army (a Buddhist armed group) on Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)was evaluated.
• Arakanese students studying in Turkey shared information about the humanitarian crisis their families are facing.
• The activities of the Arakan Humanitarian Association and future humanitarian aid plans were discussed.

🎤 Participants and Speakers
The meeting was attended by representatives of various NGOs from Turkey and abroad, academics, aid organization leaders, and volunteers interested in the Arakan issue.

Key speakers included:
✅ Mr. Eyüp Akbal – Secretary-General of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (IDSB)
✅ Mr. Selim Noor – General Director of the Arakan Humanitarian Association
✅ Arakanese students studying in Turkey – who shared the hardships and basic needs their families face back home

📌 Meeting Agenda and Content
📌 The meeting opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
📌 A documentary showcasing the humanitarian tragedy faced by Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)was presented.
📌 Comprehensive presentations were given on the humanitarian situation in Arakan and the lack of response from the international community.
📌 Arakanese students studying in Turkey shared the difficult conditions faced by their families.
📌 Detailed information was provided on the aid projects carried out by the Arakan Humanitarian Association so far.
📌 Participants presented solution proposals for the challenges faced and an open discussion session was held.

⚠️ Current Threats Faced by Arakan Muslims
Updated reports shared during the meeting revealed the worsening humanitarian conditions faced by Muslims in Arakan. Due to recent escalating conflicts:
🔹 Thousands of Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)have been forcibly displaced from their villages, and their residential areas have been destroyed.
🔹 Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)are being forcibly recruited by the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army, subjected to arbitrary arrests, and tortured.
🔹 Thousands of people are struggling with hunger and diseases due to blocked food and medicine supply routes.
🔹 Incidents of violence against women are increasing, while the basic rights of people living in camps are being violated.

In this context, the meeting emphasized the urgent need for the international community to take action and that the tragedy faced by Muslims in Arakan cannot be ignored.

📌 Meeting Outcomes and Recommendations
✅ Emergency humanitarian aid efforts should be accelerated, with a particular focus on food and healthcare assistance.
✅ The voice of Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)should be brought to the global stage through increased collaboration with media and international organizations.
✅ Islamic countries and humanitarian aid organizations should develop long-term development projects to provide education and employment opportunities beyond basic food aid.
✅ More research should be conducted on the Arakan issue, and academic studies should be supported to raise public awareness.

💡 Conclusion and Call to Action
Institutions and experts attending the meeting stressed that the situation of Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)must be brought to the global agenda and that the international community must not remain indifferent to this tragedy. Additionally, it was noted that while Arakan Muslims (Rohingya)are still struggling to access even basic humanitarian needs, the Arakan issue has been overlooked despite other global crises receiving more attention.

We extend our gratitude to Mr. Eyüp Akbal, Secretary-General of IDSB, and all NGO leaders and participants who honored our meeting with their presence.

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