RELIGION-RAMADAN/MIGRANTS Muslim migrants observe Ramadan in makeshift Indonesian refugee camp

Record ID: 151855

  • Title: RELIGION-RAMADAN/MIGRANTS Muslim migrants observe Ramadan in makeshift Indonesian refugee camp
  • Date: 20th June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) BANGLADESHI REFUGEE, AHMAD SUFOL, SAYING: "Aceh people are people (that) respect all Bangla people." REPORTER ASKING: SO YOU WANT TO STAY HERE? "Ok, stay." (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM AND POLICY OF MUSLIM CHARITY, IRFAN RAJPUT, SAYING: "On behalf of the community; international communities and individuals, the people, the civil society organizations, we would still request to the Indonesian government to reconsider their decision and see that if they can integrate these people, because they're people in need." VOLUNTEER FROM MALAYSIA, ROSLINA DAUD, COOKING FOR REFUGEES DAUD STIRRING LARGE POT/ POT PLACED OVER FIRE VOLUNTEERS STANDING AROUND POT WITH RICE RICE BEING SCOOPED INTO CONTAINER VOLUNTEERS SPOONING VEGETABLES OVER RICE VOLUNTEER SPOONING SAUCE OVER FOOD VOLUNTEERS PICKING DATES BAG WITH DATES IN IT BANGLADESHI REFUGEES SITTING IN LINES WAITING TO BREAK THEIR FAST BANGLADESHI REFUGEES SITTING/CONTAINERS WITH FOOD ROHINGYA REFUGEES STARTING TO BREAK THEIR FAST ROHINGYA REFUGEE DRINKING WATER ROHINGYA REFUGEE EATING AN APPLE VARIOUS ROHINGYA REFUGEE EATING
  • Embargoed: 5th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA53DQMEROW03ZXH7QDEEOF3M1C
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Over 600 Muslim migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh observed the holy month of Ramadan in a makeshift refugee camp in Indonesia on Friday (June 19).
    Separately, Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants gathered under a tent and inside a warehouse to say their prayers. The two groups had been separated shortly after arrival into the camp due to tensions between them, local media had reported.
    Kuala Langsa refugee camp in Indonesia's northwest Aceh province is the biggest among three camps in the country, together they accommodate more than 1,000 refugees that were brought ashore last month, as one of the worst human trafficking drama unfolded in Southeast Asia.
    The UN has said several thousand migrants, many of them hungry and sick, were abandoned at sea by smugglers following a Thai government crackdown on human trafficking.
    More than 3,000 people have been brought to shore in Indonesia and its neighboring country, Malaysia, since May 11.
    Most of the refugees were seeking a better life outside their countries. Many of the arrivals were Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar described by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.
    Abdul Rashid, a Rohingya refugee said he was glad he landed in Indonesia.
    "Thanks God we landed here in Indonesia, and the people of Indonesia help us without hesitation," said Abdul Rashid.
    Bangladeshi refugee, Ahmad Sufol, who left his home in search of a job was also grateful.
    "Aceh people are people (that) respect all Bangladesh people," said Sufol, "Ok, stay here," he added when asked if he wanted to stay in the country.
    Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to take in the boat people temporarily as they work on a "resettlement and repatriation" process that would be completed in a year.
    The move was welcomed by humanitarian organizations, as some urged the government of Indonesia to look into long term solutions to accommodate the people.
    "On behalf of the community, international communities which are individuals, the people, the civil society organizations, we would still request to the Indonesian government to reconsider their decision and see that if they can integrate these people, because they're people in need," Irfan Rajput, the director of program and policy of non-government organization, Muslim Charity, told Reuters in the camp.
    The organization is one of the many groups that provides food to Muslim refugees to break their fast during Ramadan.
    During the holy month, which is the ninth month on Islamic calendar, Muslims refrained from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.
    The month long fasting concludes with the biggest Islamic festival, Eid Al-Fitr in mid-July.
    With no indication on what will happen to the refugees in the near future, it is very likely that the Muslim refugees will celebrate next month's festival in the makeshift camp.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register