Iran gives cash aid to Myanmar refugees in Hyderabad

, Aug 2:

on Thursday offered cash assistance to a group of Myanmarese Muslim Rohingya refugees, who have taken shelter in Hyderabad after fleeing the ethnic violence in Rakhine state in their own country. The group has taken refuge at Dargah Ali Shah Qadri in the old Hyderabad city.

The Iran Consul General in Hyderabad, Mahmoud Safari, handed over a cheque of Rs 65,000 to the Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA), which functions closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in trying to help the refugees get an official status from the UN body's office in New Delhi. Safari also condemned the persecution of the Muslims in Myanmar.

He requested the international community to condemn the genocide against the Muslims in the Rakhine state and help the victims who found them in a distress. He also urged the Myanmar government to resolve the present crisis and find a permanent solution for several thousand of the stateless Rohingyas.

Musfa Fazlulrehman, spokesperson of Myanmar Refugees and M Qaderi, Trustee Dargah Ali Shah Qaderi thanked the Iranian authorities for extending a helping hand to the Rohingya Muslims during their times of crisis. Qaderi said Iran is the first country to have come forward to stand by the refugees.

He said Iran's support has helped in boosting the morale of the victims of the ethnic clashes in Myanmar. He also thanked the Indian government for giving shelter to the victims. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims, including women and children, were slaughtered while millions were displaced during the ethnic violence in Rakhine state. The refugees said they were being targeted by the Buddhists for refusing to give up Islam.

The UN and Amnesty International have expressed concern over the ethnic tension and the victimisation of the Rohingyas.

OneIndia News