The Rohingya

DAY 25 – JUNE 30th, 2016

The Rohingya: A people between worlds

The Rohingya people live on the border between the South Asia Room and the Indo-Malaysian Room in the House of Islam.  This location between huge ethnic, language, religious and political differences causes them many challenges.

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority group, have lived in the northern part of what is now Myanmar for centuries. Most of that time they lived peacefully with their mostly Buddhist neighbors.  When Myanmar (known then as Burma) gained independence in 1948 the Rohingya were initially recognized as minorities with equal rights.  But in 1982 the military dictatorship in power issued a law that made the Rohingya people no longer accepted as citizens. That left the two million Rohingya as one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without recognized citizenship.

Discrimination grew worse in 2012 when violence broke out between Buddhists and Rohingya villagers. Hundreds of people were killed and many Rohingya villages destroyed. Since then, 100,000 Rohingya have been forced into refugee camps or ghettos – often only a few kilometers from their original homes. This situation has led to a growing refugee movement. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled into neighboring countries and beyond. Sadly, they often fall victim to human traffickers or criminal activity.

The Rohingya are on a journey into an uncertain future – without a homeland, without advocates, uprooted and without hope. But God “does not forget the cry of the afflicted” (Psalm 9.13 ESV). In some places, Rohingya have found hope and joy by faith in Jesus Christ. But most of these precious people still have no chance to hear the Gospel.

Read more and pray further at pray4rohingya.org

How to Pray

• For justice in the resolution of this conflict.
• That the Rohingya can live in peace in their homeland and the areas they flee to.
• For global efforts that are trying to give the Rohingya the opportunity to thrive, live in dignity and offer their children a better future.