Risks of Muslim pressure over Rohingya
Hari Kumar says the focus should be onfellow Islamic nation Bangladesh, not Myanmar
Leaders of the Muslim world are putting pressure on Myanmar over the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in the country and calling for urgent action by the government.
A UN special human rights rapporteur had earlier raised concerns about reports of extrajudicial killings and torture after clashes between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.
A delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation led by Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, visited Myanmar and urged President Thein Sein to look into the matter.
Saudi Arabia went further, accusing Myanmar of ethnic cleansing. The country's cabinet urged the "international community to take up its responsibilities by providing needed protection and quality of life to Muslims in Myanmar".
Meanwhile, protesters belonging to various Islamic organisations have rallied in front of Myanmar embassies in the region to voice similar sentiments.
While the concerns raised by these countries and Muslim leaders are understandable, what is puzzling is their inability to persuade Bangladesh, a fellow Muslim country, to adopt a more humanitarian approach to the fleeing Rohingya refugees.