Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Rohingya accepted Jesus Christ in Rakhine State in 2004 through the missionaries of Mizo. After the conversion they got much persecution from neighbors, such as they used to spite them, allowed them not to drink water from ponds, gave them no livelihood, and spread hatred against them. They bribed the authorities and persecuted Rohingya Christians. Yet, from 2004 to 2011, Christians increased to about two thousand in Buthidaung, Thaung Chaung, and Maung Daw. Though some revealed themselves as Christians, many did not reveal due to the fear of the society.
In 2012, Rohingya Muslims and Rakhines fight between each other, which goes beyond the control of the government. When Muslims and Rakhines clash, they murder one another. Muslims destroyed Buddhist temples, while Rakhines destroyed mosques. Our people, the Rohingya, used to persecute us at that time as well. "We should kill Rohingya Christians first," they said. Accusing Rohingya Christians of destroying their faith by becoming Christians. Some Rohingya Christians left Myanmar due to the persecutions.
In 2016 and 2017, Rohingya Christians got double persecutions, from ARSA and Myanmar Military. Due to severe persecution, Rohingya Christians also left the nation, fleeing to Bangladesh, India, and other places, much like Rohingya Muslims did. Some Rohingya Christians abandoned their faith because of fear in refugee camps. And camps authorities had declared that no Rohingya Christians be increased.
Rohingya Christians faced persecution in the camp on the 27th of January 2020; their church was broken, they demolished their houses, tore the Bible, and broke the cross, injuring many, kidnapping the pastor, who is still unfound. Some sent to prison with false allegations. They got scolded by the people, and their children cannot go to school because Muslim people hate them. We are sad that the camp authorities support the persecutors indirectly.
Currently, the situation of Rohingya Christians is serious. A Facebook page, named ‘Language Learner.’ is spreading hatred and false news against Rohingya Christians. This page is run by some Rohingya activists and teachers from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, etc. They are sending false information to the Bangladesh government and spreading hatred through WhatsApp groups and other social platforms. Their main demand is that there cannot be Christians among Rohingya people. They are posting posters, demanding hangings for some Christian leaders.
Dear brothers and sisters, we want to ask you, is there no right for Rohingya Christians to live?
We, the Rohingya Christian Community from Asia, request human rights activists and the UN and the countries that love Rohingya to stop the activities that are going on against us and to give us proper rights to live peacefully.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, pray for Rohingya Christians so that they may strengthen their faith even in the midst of trials. Their persecutions are unseen.
Thank You,
Rohingya Christian Community, Asia
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