The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) has appointed Tan Sri Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar, a former Foreign Minister of Malaysia, as the organization’s “Special Envoy for Burma,” according to an OIC statement issued on May 10.
Mr. Albar’s role as “Special Envoy to Burma” will be to advance the OIC’s diplomatic relations with Burma and other regional and international stakeholders in order to facilitate peaceful coexistence between religious groups and restore inter-communal harmony.
Mr. Albar was chosen because of his diplomatic skills and vast experience, which includes stints as a lawyer, a diplomat, and a member of Malaysia’s cabinet, where he has served as Minister for Law, Home Affairs, and Defense. In approaching his new assignment, Mr. Albar urged all OIC member states to provide their full support, according to OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani.
Mr. Albar will foster smooth diplomatic relations between OIC countries and Burma on the one hand, while also working with regional and international partners to achieve “peaceful co-existence [between religious groups and restore] social harmony through comprehensive dialogue,” said OIC Secretary General Madani.
The Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee (RARC) of Malaysia congratulated the OIC Secretary General for appointing Mr. Albar as “Special Envoy to Burma” in a statement released by RARC program coordinator Muhammad Sadek.
Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are hoping that Malaysia’s government will play the role of peacemaker between Burma’s diverse religious communities. For instance, one Rohingya leader in Malaysia said “We hope that Malaysia and its allies —ASEAN, OIC, USA, European Union and UN and etc. — [will facilitate] constructive engagement towards regional peace and stability, particularly the protection and safer lives of Muslim Rohingya and other Burmese Muslim Communities in Burma are highly desired.”
