T HE Philippines has announced it is ready to help thousands ofstateless seaborne stranded Rohingya people did anyone feel shame on this humanitarian gesture from a poor Catholic country? Both Indonesia and Malaysia, with their robust and stable economies, have refused to rescue these unfortunate starving souls who are fighting for their lives, while water and food have almost finished on their boats.

According to earlier reports, even fishing boats in the Malacca Strait have officially been told not to extend any helping hands to Rohingya. This is a crisis; where are the UN, UNHCR, Asean and OIC? Other than sending out help messages, the UN and UNHCR have done nothing much to prevent this catastrophe unfolding in the sea.

Rohingyas have been living in Myanmar for centuries; when their forefathers have fought alongside the allies in World War H, then what is the point of punishing their children and grandchildren for that? In 1982, Myanmar`s communist regime stripped them of citizenship. That triggered decades of persecution and widespread action against Rohingyas. They were declared Bangladeshis and pushed across the borders, beside repeated massacres and looting of their villages.

Myanmar`s commitment to democracy has opened up doors for trade with the outside world, including the West. No point in expecting any helping hand from the Muslim world, nor Myanmar feels any economic threat from Muslim countries.

Thank you Philippines for picking up the mantle of humanity.

Masood Khan Jubail, Saudi Arabia