Saeed Al-Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Myanmar Ministry of Borders Affairs to implement a humanitarian program for the benefit of all communities living in the state of Rakhine. Within the framework of this MoC, the OIC will establish a coordination and monitoring presence in Yangon and Sitwee with the assistance of the Myanmar government and local authorities to conduct humanitarian activities. The MoC was signed by a high level delegation sent to Myanmar by OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, headed by Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen, OIC Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, following the eruption of violence against the Muslim Rohingya community and taking into consideration their long-standing plight. The mission that visited Myanmar from Sept 5-15 made preliminary observations as to the root causes of the problem and the effect of the violence that took place in Rakhine State, and explored the conditions and various aspects of a prospective visit by the OIC Secretary General. Also it was part of the mission to make the necessary contacts regarding the ways and means for the OIC to carry out humanitarian assistance and relief operations in Rakhine State.
