UNB, Dhaka :
Pope Francis on Friday met a small group of Rohingyas, listened to their horrific stories and came to know why these people fled their homeland and took shelter in Bangladesh.
Mohammed Idris and the 17 others who met with Pope Francis have a common hope that the attention brought to the Rohingya’s plight through this meeting with the pontiff would contribute to fostering a long-term, dignified and safe solution to their horrific situation.
When a bullet tore into Jafar Alam’s forearm, he did what anyone would do?-?he ran for his life.
Bleeding heavily and fearing further worse attacks, he kept going until he reached Bangladesh with his family.
“I came here to save my life,” said Jafar Alam who was one of the 18 Rohingya refugees, who met Pope Francis.
The 24-year-old farmer was fortunately directed to a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital as soon as he crossed the border and after receiving treatment the bullet-wound has now healed.
The scar, however, will remain with him for life.
IOM, the UN Migration Agency, worked with community leaders in the refugee settlements to identify a group to represent the Rohingya in the meeting with the pontiff, according to the IOM.
Caritas, a confederation of Catholic relief organisations, organised the group’s travel to Dhaka, as well as, their meeting with the Pope.
Pope Francis on Friday met a small group of Rohingyas, listened to their horrific stories and came to know why these people fled their homeland and took shelter in Bangladesh.
Mohammed Idris and the 17 others who met with Pope Francis have a common hope that the attention brought to the Rohingya’s plight through this meeting with the pontiff would contribute to fostering a long-term, dignified and safe solution to their horrific situation.
When a bullet tore into Jafar Alam’s forearm, he did what anyone would do?-?he ran for his life.
Bleeding heavily and fearing further worse attacks, he kept going until he reached Bangladesh with his family.
“I came here to save my life,” said Jafar Alam who was one of the 18 Rohingya refugees, who met Pope Francis.
The 24-year-old farmer was fortunately directed to a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital as soon as he crossed the border and after receiving treatment the bullet-wound has now healed.
The scar, however, will remain with him for life.
IOM, the UN Migration Agency, worked with community leaders in the refugee settlements to identify a group to represent the Rohingya in the meeting with the pontiff, according to the IOM.
Caritas, a confederation of Catholic relief organisations, organised the group’s travel to Dhaka, as well as, their meeting with the Pope.
