The World’s Most Persecuted Minority

The plight of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people is said to be the world's fastest growing refugee crisis. Risking death by sea or on foot, more than half a million have fled the destruction of their homes and persecution in the northern Rakhine province of Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh since last year. Myanmar's military claims it is fighting Rohingya militants and denies targeting civilians. However, many of the Rohingya left Myanmar to escape communal violence or alleged abuses by the security forces.

State Chancellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the de facto leader of Myanmar, has refused to even discuss the plight of the Rohingya. In fact, she said ethnic cleansing was too strong a term to describe what was happening in the Muslim-majority Rakhine region.

Who are the Rohingya?

The Rohingya, with a population of one million in Myanmar at the start of 2017, are one of the many ethnic minorities in the country. Rohingya Muslims represent the largest percentage of Muslims in Myanmar, with the majority living in Rakhine state. They have their own language and culture and say they are descendants of Arab traders and other groups who have been in the region for generations. However, the government of Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, denies the Rohingya citizenship and even excluded them from the 2014 census, refusing to recognise them as a people.

What is being done?

The world is shaken by the atrocities being committed in Myanmar and to our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. The UK has pledged £59m in aid to support those fleeing to Bangladesh. Many organizations such as Unicef, Action against Hunger, and Doctors Without Borders have responded to the crisis.

You can help too.

The Bronx Science MSA held a Charity Fundraiser last December in honor of Charity Month and in support of the Rohingya. Our MSA raised more than $800 alone from this event. The event was made possible by the High School MSA Council which collectively raised more than $1500. We encourage our brothers and sisters to continue donating by clicking here.