Ozma Siddiqui’s letter “Fate of Myanmar’s Muslims” moved me a lot. I was in tears as I read it.

Indeed, the situation of the Rohingyas is pathetic. Myanmar’s Muslims are being butchered, their houses are being burned and their women and children are unsafe. It is beyond my conception why Muslims are facing such a tough time and why the world is up against them.

What is their fault? Muslims are being branded as terrorists and their loyalty is being suspected.

In the US, the UK, India, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, etc., Muslims cannot enter the army and the police force, and if at all they do, their positions are of little importance as the needle of suspicion always revolves around them.

The world must understand that brotherhood is the biggest humanity factor that must exist for world peace. How will the world benefit by shedding the blood of the Muslims and creating hatred against them? It is acceptable that differences do grow up among the different communities living together, but these issues must be solved amicably instead of resorting to destructive ways, shedding blood, destroying properties and crippling lives.

It is high time the world, especially the super powers thought with a cool head and put an end to such violence. If they want to be called superpowers it is there responsibility to see to it there is no further bloodshed. Let the Rohingya bloodshed and massacre be stopped immediately to save the face of humanity. (Aneed Lokhande, Alkhobar)

Dalai Lama can’t ‘speak out’

They say the Dalai Lama should “speak out” against the killing of Rohingyas. The Dalai Lama cannot “speak out” because Myanmar’s government has had very close relations with China for the past 20 years. Therefore, Myanmar is an important country for the big power and the UN Security Council cannot issue a resolution against Myanmar (just like in the case of Syria) due to China’s influence.

The Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet, persecuted by China, and the Tibetans are still living under the threat that is China. So he is silent to protect them. Besides, it is the duty of the newly elected Suu Kyi to “speak out” for religious freedom, which is a human rights issue.

Olga Pitcairn

United States

Suu Kyi a heroine?

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi’s silence regarding the massacre of Muslims belies the democratic ideals that she espouses, especially, after much of the world campaigned for her release when under house arrest. Rohingya Muslims, who have been great supporters of the opposition leader, have reason to be disappointed.

While the world’s Muslims are engaged in the holy month of Ramadan, scores are being persecuted by the authorities. Meanwhile, the feisty politician is busy traveling abroad, being feted by the Clintons, rock stars, and some producers, who are even considering making a film on her life!

(A.R. Modak, Johannesburg)

Unity of Muslims

This refers to the report “Makkah summit will strengthen Islamic unity: Cabinet” (July 24). Indeed, unity is strength and the only way forward to confront the challenges the Muslim Ummah is facing today around the globe. The element that can glue the Ummah is to stand united on the basis of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah has commanded us in the holy Qur’an to hold fast to the rope of Allah.

The absence of unity brings and breeds disruption, devastation and disputes. The unity of people makes an invincible strong nation. This is the reason Islam lays great stress on the importance of unity. Muslim leaders should unify their voices to improve our condition and make us victorious over the enemies of Islam.

The upcoming emergency Islamic summit in Makkah will definitely strengthen the Islamic unity. The Muslim Ummah appreciates King Abdullah’s sincere and valuable initiative for Islamic unity on one hand, and the historic interfaith dialogue conference (2008) to resolve world problems through concord instead of conflict on the other hand. (Saif Ul Islam Farooqui, Riyadh)