Muslims and Buddhists have never clashed with each other, which makes the situation in Rakhine so distressing, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said on Friday.
During his visit to Myanmar with his accompanying "Contact Group on Rohingya" delegation from seven member states, Ihsanoglu emphasized the need to build confidence and trust within Buddhist and Muslim communities.
"There is a lack of confidence between the two communities", said Ihsanoglu, expressing a contrast that Buddhists and Muslims have never clashed with each other in history.
Warning against the repercussion effects the situation in Myanmar can make in other countries with similar demographics, Ihsanoglu said, "For instance, there had never been a strife between Muslims and Buddhists in Sri Lanka; but the crisis in Myanmar spreaded there too".
Ihsanoglu called all member states of OIC to give support to the organisation in its efforts to help the crisis end in Myanmar.
"People welcomed the delegation with enthusiasm; I hope that our contacts will create auspicious consequences", said Ihsanoglu.
Ihsanoglu also made remarks on the escalating sectarian violence in the Islamic world.
"Politicians are using sectarian differences to their own ends", said Ihsanoglu, emphasizing that the situation has gone far beyond sectarian or religious issues.
