DHAKA: Several thousands activists of the Hefazat-e-Islam, the platform of Qwami Madrasah’s teachers and students, staged demonstration in the city on Monday (September 18) protesting the persecution of Rohingya Muslims who are fleeing Myanmar to Bangladesh.
 
The leaders, activists and supporters of the Hefazat-e-Islam assembled in front the Baitul Mokarram National Mosque in the morning and held protest rally demanding stopping genocide in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

After the rally, the Hefazat men began march towards the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka to besiege the embassy.

Police blocked the march when the Hefazat men reached Kakrail intersection with procession at noon. Then a 10-member delegation of the Hefazat-e-Islam went to the Myanmar Embassy and submitted a memorandum.

Maulana Zunayed Al-Habib, joint secretary of central committee of the Hefazat-e-Islam, said that they submitted the memorandum after police blocked their march towards the embassy on security ground.

“We have been protesting the barbaric genocide of the Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar army. We urge the Bangladesh government to stand against Myanmar. We will beside the government,” he said.

The marcher Hefezat men chanted slogans against Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, calling her "terrorist" and blaming her for not stopping the military-led attacks on the Rohingya Muslims.

Police strengthened security before Monday’s rally of the Hefazat. Additional members of the law enforcing agencies were deployed at different points in the city.  

According to the United Nations, about 410,000 Rohingya refugees have entered Bangladesh since atrocities of Myanmar government began in Rakhine State on August 25.

Many of those crossing the border bring harrowing tales of rape, murder and arson at the hands of Myanmar’s security forces and Buddhist mobs.

The UN Security Council and many countries have condemned the violence.

BDST: 2052 HRS, SEP 18, 2017
EHJ