Pope uses word “Rohingya” as he asks them to forgive the world’s indifference

“The presence of God today is also called Rohingya,” Francis told sixteeen of them who had gathered around him on a stage at an interfaith gathering. “We are all close to you. And there is little we can do, because your tragedy is very hard and very big. But we make room in our hearts for you. On behalf of all these who have persecuted and hurt you, I ask you for forgiveness.”

In an unscripted comments the Pope explained: “In the Judaeo-Christian tradition God has created man in his image and likeness. We are all this image and also our brothers and sisters,” he said his voice undulating with emotion and asking them to find it in their hearts to 'forgive' what he said was the 'indifference of the world.'

Entering on a rickshaw, the Pope entered a large colourful tent in the garden of the Archbishop of Dhaka’s residence for an event that was designed to showcase inter-religious harmony. Seated close to the front of the stage were a group of Rohingya including Shawkut Ara, a 12-year-old girl who had lost both her parents and Mohammed Ayub, 32, whose three year old son has been killed by the Myanmar military.

The Pope started his south Asia tour in Myanmar, the country from where a million Rohingya have been driven out an into Bangladesh in what the United Nations have described as a “text book case” of ethnic cleansing. While in Myanmar, however, Francis refrained from using the “R-word” as it has become heavily contested in that country. 

Today was his chance to put names and faces to the Rohingya. Francis met each of the sixteen in the group individually, blessing them, clasping their hands and listening intently as they spoke (through an interpreter). When he met the 12-year-old girl he put his hand on her head to bless her.  

“We won’t close our hearts, and we won’t look over the other side,” Francis told the rest of the audience. “We continue to stay close to them so their rights are respected.” 

Before the event two of the displaced people spoke to journalists and said they wanted the Pope to mention them by the title of their group. 

“The Pope should say Rohingya. He is the leader of the world he should say the words as we are Rohingya,” Ayub said before the event. Abdul Fyez, whose brother was killed, agreed the Pope should use the “R-word.” He said: “We have been Rohingya for generations, my father and my grandfather.”

Tomorrow is the Pope’s final day of his visit. In the morning he is visiting a house run by Mother Teresa sisters, a 17th century church built by Portuguese missionaries and meeting with young people. His flight leaves Dhaka at 17.00 local time and lands at 23.00 Rome time.