Thousands of people marched to Parliament yesterday in solidarity with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who have fled Myanmar.
The march organised by the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) was commemorating the thousands who marched to Parliament in 1989 calling for an end to apartheid 28 years to the day.
It was also to send a strong message against the Myanmar government's treatment of the mostly Muslim minority
Rohingya.
On Monday, Morocco sent humanitarian aid to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the Moroccan foreign ministry announced.
The aid was sent after directives from King Mohammed VI to support Bangladesh’s efforts to cope with the influx of Rohingya refugees who have fled Myanmar, the ministry said.
The aid includes tents, covers, basic food and medicines.
Thousands of Rohingya have fled violence in Myanmar, seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.
Yesterday, more than 2000 people joined faith organisations, including the Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum, the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative and the Worker’s International Organisation, to hand over a memorandum to the government to put
pressure on Myanmar.
MJC deputy president Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie said they were proud that South Africans came out in support of the Rohingya.