Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Many Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar are trying to get Bangladeshi passports using fake names and addresses.
Even they are providing fake National Identity Cards (NIDs) for the purpose.
Local Human Trafficking Syndicate, Union Parishad Chairmen and Members are helping the refugees to manage Bangladeshi passport in exchange of money, say about Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 per head, sources said
They said the syndicate is also actively working to enlist Rohingyas in voter lists.
Cox’s Bazar Regional Passport Office recently detected more than 100 applications submitted by Rohingya
the pope at the end of Friday’s event in the tented garden of the Dhaka archbishop’s residence. Francis blessed one little girl, placing his hand on her head, and grasped the shoulder of a young man. The women who approached him pushed aside their headscarves so they could speak, offering their hands out for him to hold.
“Maybe we can’t do much for you, but your tragedy has a place in our hearts,” Francis told them.
His voice trembling with emotion, he continued: “In the name of all those who persecute you, who have persecuted you, and those who have hurt you, above all in the indifference of the world, I ask you for forgiveness. Forgiveness.”
Citing the “big heart” of Bangladesh that welcomed them in, Francis said: “Now I appeal to your big hearts, that you are able to grant us the forgiveness that we seek.”
He called for continued aid for the refugees, and continued advocacy “so that their rights are recognized.”
“We won’t close our hearts. We won’t look away,” he said.
Francis had refrained from publicly raising the crisis or using the word Rohingya while in Myanmar out of diplomatic deference to his hosts.
Human rights organizations and Rohingya themselves had voiced disappointment at Francis’ public silence, given he had previously denounced the persecution of “our Rohingya brothers and sisters” at the Vatican. The Vatican defended it as diplomatically necessary, and stressed that his silence in public didn’t negate what he had said in the past, or what he was saying in private.
Prior to the pope’s comments, the Rohingya who had traveled from Cox’s Bazar urged him to recognize their identity publicly.
“He is the leader of the world. He should say the word as we are Rohingya,” said Mohammed Ayub, 32, whose 3-year-old son was killed by the Myanmar military.
Abdul Fyez, 35, whose brother was killed, agreed Francis should acknowledge them. “We have been Rohingya for generations, my father and my grandfather.”
Francis’ encounter with the refugees was the highlight of his day that began with a Mass to ordain 16 new priests.
Bangladesh’s tiny Catholic community represents a fraction of 1 percent of the majority Muslim population of 160 million. Despite its small size, the Catholic Church runs a network of schools, orphanages and clinics and has enjoyed relative freedom in its work, though Christian missionaries say they have received letters threatening dire consequences if they continue to spread Christianity.
In his homily ordaining 16 new priests, Francis thanked those who came out for the Mass, noting that some people had traveled two days to attend.
“Thank you for your generosity,” Francis said. “This indicates the love that you have for the church.”
Many Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar are trying to get Bangladeshi passports using fake names and addresses.
Even they are providing fake National Identity Cards (NIDs) for the purpose.
Local Human Trafficking Syndicate, Union Parishad Chairmen and Members are helping the refugees to manage Bangladeshi passport in exchange of money, say about Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 per head, sources said
They said the syndicate is also actively working to enlist Rohingyas in voter lists.
Cox’s Bazar Regional Passport Office recently detected more than 100 applications submitted by Rohingya
the pope at the end of Friday’s event in the tented garden of the Dhaka archbishop’s residence. Francis blessed one little girl, placing his hand on her head, and grasped the shoulder of a young man. The women who approached him pushed aside their headscarves so they could speak, offering their hands out for him to hold.
“Maybe we can’t do much for you, but your tragedy has a place in our hearts,” Francis told them.
His voice trembling with emotion, he continued: “In the name of all those who persecute you, who have persecuted you, and those who have hurt you, above all in the indifference of the world, I ask you for forgiveness. Forgiveness.”
Citing the “big heart” of Bangladesh that welcomed them in, Francis said: “Now I appeal to your big hearts, that you are able to grant us the forgiveness that we seek.”
He called for continued aid for the refugees, and continued advocacy “so that their rights are recognized.”
“We won’t close our hearts. We won’t look away,” he said.
Francis had refrained from publicly raising the crisis or using the word Rohingya while in Myanmar out of diplomatic deference to his hosts.
Human rights organizations and Rohingya themselves had voiced disappointment at Francis’ public silence, given he had previously denounced the persecution of “our Rohingya brothers and sisters” at the Vatican. The Vatican defended it as diplomatically necessary, and stressed that his silence in public didn’t negate what he had said in the past, or what he was saying in private.
Prior to the pope’s comments, the Rohingya who had traveled from Cox’s Bazar urged him to recognize their identity publicly.
“He is the leader of the world. He should say the word as we are Rohingya,” said Mohammed Ayub, 32, whose 3-year-old son was killed by the Myanmar military.
Abdul Fyez, 35, whose brother was killed, agreed Francis should acknowledge them. “We have been Rohingya for generations, my father and my grandfather.”
Francis’ encounter with the refugees was the highlight of his day that began with a Mass to ordain 16 new priests.
Bangladesh’s tiny Catholic community represents a fraction of 1 percent of the majority Muslim population of 160 million. Despite its small size, the Catholic Church runs a network of schools, orphanages and clinics and has enjoyed relative freedom in its work, though Christian missionaries say they have received letters threatening dire consequences if they continue to spread Christianity.
In his homily ordaining 16 new priests, Francis thanked those who came out for the Mass, noting that some people had traveled two days to attend.
“Thank you for your generosity,” Francis said. “This indicates the love that you have for the church.”
