The Rohingya People

Who Are the Rohingya?

The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority indigenous to Rakhine State (formerly Arakan) in western Myanmar, whose population numbered approximately 1 million before the 2017 genocide forced over 740,000 to flee to Bangladesh in what the United Nations called "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing." Speaking Rohingya, an Indo-Aryan language related to Chittagonian Bengali, the Rohingya trace their presence in Rakhine to centuries of settlement, intermarriage, and cultural development, with historical evidence of Muslim communities in the region since the 8th century. Despite this long history, the Myanmar government stripped them of citizenship through the discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law, rendering them stateless—described by the UN as "the world's most persecuted minority." The Rohingya traditionally practiced rice farming, fishing, and trade in Rakhine's coastal regions, maintaining a distinct cultural identity blending Islamic practices with local customs. Since the 1970s, they have endured systematic persecution including military campaigns (1978, 1991-1992, 2012, 2016-2017), restrictions on movement, marriage, education, and employment, forced labor, and violent pogroms. Today, over 1 million Rohingya live as refugees in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, while those remaining in Myanmar face apartheid-like conditions. Their ongoing crisis represents one of the 21st century's most urgent humanitarian catastrophes.

Historical Presence in Arakan/Rakhine

The Rohingya's ancestors settled in Arakan (now Rakhine State) through waves of migration and local conversion to Islam over centuries. During the independent Arakan Kingdom (15th-18th centuries), Muslim communities thrived, with some kings employing Muslim titles and maintaining diplomatic ties with Bengal sultanates. British colonial rule (1826-1948) encouraged Bengali migration for labor, complicating modern identity questions. The Rohingya supported Allied forces during WWII while local Rakhine Buddhists often supported Japanese occupation, creating lasting tensions. After Burmese independence (1948), Rohingya initially participated in politics and were recognized as an ethnic group. However, the 1962 military coup began systematic marginalization. The 1982 Citizenship Law excluded them from Myanmar's 135 recognized ethnic groups, declaring them "Bengali Muslims" illegally residing in Myanmar—erasing centuries of historical presence and rendering an entire population stateless.

Culture, Language, and Religious Practices

The Rohingya speak Rohingya, an Indo-Aryan language distinct from Burmese (Sino-Tibetan) and Rakhine (related to Burmese), with vocabulary from Arabic, Persian, and Urdu reflecting Islamic influences. Traditionally written in Arabic script with a modified alphabet (Hanifi), efforts now promote standardized orthography. Rohingya practice Sunni Islam following the Hanafi school, with religious life centered on mosques, madrasas, and Islamic festivals. Traditional practices include khatam (Quran recitation), mawlid (Prophet's birthday celebrations), and Sufi devotional music. Women's traditional dress features colorful longyi (wraparound skirts) and headscarves, while men wear lungyi and prayer caps. Rohingya cuisine blends Bengali, Burmese, and Middle Eastern influences—dishes like mezban (curry), falooda (sweet drink), and rice-based meals reflect multicultural heritage. Despite persecution attempts to erase their identity, Rohingya maintain strong cultural cohesion through religious practice, language preservation, and oral traditions.

Systematic Persecution and Genocide

The Rohingya have endured decades of state-sponsored persecution escalating to what international courts recognize as genocide. Restrictions include: requiring permission to marry (often denied or delayed), limits on childbearing (two-child policy in some areas), movement restrictions requiring travel permits, denial of higher education access, prohibition from certain professions, and forced labor. Military operations in 1978 (Nagamin), 1991-1992 (Pyi Thaya), and 2016-2017 (clearance operations) involved mass killings, rape as a weapon, village burnings, and forced displacement. The August 2017 military crackdown following ARSA insurgent attacks resulted in systematic violence: over 24,000 killed, thousands of women raped, 392 villages destroyed, and 740,000 refugees fleeing to Bangladesh. Survivors report soldiers shooting fleeing civilians, burning people alive in houses, and throwing children into fires. The International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to prevent genocide and preserve evidence. The International Criminal Court investigates crimes against humanity. Myanmar's military leaders face accountability proceedings, though justice remains distant for survivors.

Refugee Crisis and Camp Life

Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh hosts the world's largest refugee camp complex, housing over 900,000 Rohingya in overcrowded conditions. Kutupalong-Balukhali mega-camp features densely packed shelters on hillsides prone to landslides and flooding during monsoons. Refugees face: inadequate sanitation creating disease risk, food insecurity depending on aid distributions, limited livelihood opportunities (legally barred from formal employment), restricted movement, and vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation. Despite these conditions, refugees demonstrate remarkable resilience—organizing informal schools teaching Burmese, English, and Arabic; establishing markets and small businesses; creating art and literature documenting their experiences. Youth and women's groups advocate for education access and rights. However, life remains in limbo with no clear pathway to citizenship, voluntary return (unsafe without guarantees), or third-country resettlement (minimal opportunities). Bangladesh, itself densely populated and resource-constrained, hosts refugees with limited international support, creating tensions. The Bhasan Char relocation to a remote island raises concerns about isolation and living conditions.

International Response and Path Forward

The Rohingya crisis has generated international condemnation but limited effective action. The UN Fact-Finding Mission documented genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, recommending prosecutions. The Gambia brought genocide charges against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. The ICC investigates crimes. Western countries imposed sanctions on Myanmar military leaders. However, geopolitical interests—particularly China's and Russia's support for Myanmar at the UN Security Council—prevent stronger international intervention. Myanmar's 2021 military coup further complicated the situation. Advocacy organizations like Fortify Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Rohingya-led groups work tirelessly documenting abuses and seeking accountability. Solutions require: Myanmar recognizing Rohingya citizenship and rights; guarantees of safety for return; accountability for perpetrators; addressing root causes of discrimination; international pressure and support; and expanding resettlement opportunities. The Rohingya's struggle for justice, citizenship, and dignity continues, with their resilience inspiring global human rights movements. Young Rohingya emerging as leaders, scholars, and advocates give hope that their people's suffering will not be forgotten and that justice, though delayed, may eventually arrive.