Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Thursday sought Pope Francis’ help in sending back the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland and keeping up the pressure on Myanmar to resolve the protracted crisis. The president came up with the call as Pope Francis, the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, held a private talk with him after a reception hosted by the president in the evening. “During the meeting, the president categorically sought Pope’s active role so that different countries and the international community put pressure on the Myanmar government to settle the issue,” President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin quoted the president. Thanking Pope’s stance on the Rohingya issue, the president hoped that Pope Francis will play a positive role to ensure their (Rohingyas) safe and dignified return to their ancestral land. Welcoming Pope Francis, Hamid said his visit to Bangladesh is recognition of the history of religious tolerance and harmony and the age-old tradition of peaceful coexistence by the people of different religions in Bangladesh.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 30, 2017 16:07 UTC