Jamaat clarifies earlier statement on 'independent state' in Arakan

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami provided clarification today about an earlier statement made by one its leaders about the establishment of an independent state in Myanmar's Rohingya-majority Arakan region.

In a fresh statement, , undersigned by Mujibul Alam of Jamaat's Central Publicity Department, the party said its Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher had mainly intended to emphasise the need for ensuring the honourable and safe repatriation of Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Bangladesh, as well as the establishment of a safe zone for them in their homeland during the press briefing yesterday.

"If my remarks have led to any misunderstanding, I hope this statement will resolve it. This is the position of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami," reads the statement, quoting the nayeb-e-ameer.

Last night, in a separate statement, Jamaat said the party had proposed the establishment of an independent state in Myanmar's Rohingya-majority Arakan region.

According to the earlier press release, the proposal was made during a meeting with a visiting Communist Party of China delegation at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Taher had said, "There are 11 to 12 lakh Rohingyas in Bangladesh, living in inhumane conditions. Providing them with food and clothing is not a solution. A permanent solution lies in repatriating and rehabilitating them in their homeland. Therefore, we have proposed establishing an 'Independent Arakan State' in the Rohingya-majority area."

Explaining why the proposal was made to China, the Jamaat leader said China could play a significant role as it has strong relations with Myanmar. The CPC delegation assured that they would convey the proposal to their government.