Sharifah Shakirah, who fled to Malaysia more than two decades ago, says her countrymen would like to return to their homeland. FMTNews Rohingya
Sharifah Shakirah, a Rohingya refugee who came to Malaysia and has since resettled in the US, says her people long to return to their homeland.
Speaking at an online forum organised by People’s Vision Project , Sharifah Shakirah, now 27, said she was grateful to Malaysia for giving her refuge.“Don’t blame us. Help us. We don’t have a choice about coming here,” she told the forum titled “What’s up with the Rohingya?”, organised on the back of a rise in xenophobic comments targeting the refugee community in several parts of the Klang Valley during the movement control order period.
It was the late 1990s, a time of violent attacks against Rohingya Muslim villages by extremist monks with the help of the Myanmar junta.Close to a million Rohingya, whom the United Nations has described as the most persecuted minority in the world, have sought refuge throughout Southeast Asia.She was placed with the other children, all hidden in the lower part of the boat.“I thought that was it, but there was more nightmare awaiting,” she said.
In Malaysia, she was reunited with her father. Three years later, her mother, who was jailed by the Myanmar junta, joined them.“I wanted to crawl back to Myanmar,” she said.She said it was sad that Malaysians felt the Rohingya were stealing jobs from the locals or demanding citizenship.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN should help resolve Rohingya refugees issue at its coreKUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations (UN) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should help resolve the Rohingya refugees issue at its core. M...
Read more »
UN should help resolve Rohingya refugees issue at its coreMCA's Tee Ching Seng says no one country will be able to provide aid endlessly, M'sia cannot solve Rohingya conflict in Myanmar.
Read more »
Don’t delay implementation of Section 17A of MACC ActPETALING JAYA: The government has been urged not to delay the gazetting and implementation of Section 17A of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act, which ...
Read more »
Ministry of Health lodges report over allegations | New Straits TimesKUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has lodged a police report over slanderous allegations that five of its officers, including the minister's aides, have been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Read more »
4 Myanmar men nabbed over Rohingya smuggling | The Malaysian Insight4 Myanmar men nabbed over Rohingya smuggling
Read more »
Restaurants in FT red, yellow zones advised against dine-ins | The Malaysian InsightOpen markets and food hawkers are not allowed in certain areas.
Read more »