Arakanese Rohingya patriotic singer dies

Kaladan News

November 24, 2009

Arakanese Rohingya patriotic singer dies

By Tin Soe

Jeddah, KSA: Arakanese Rohingya patriotic singer, Shabir Ahmed (Shobu) died on November 19, 2009 at about 9:20 am at the King Abdul Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), according to Ronnie, who works for human rights of Rohingya in Jeddah. He was 59.

Shobu died due to failure of both kidneys. He was going through dialysis for the last one year.

He was admitted to the hospital nearly two weeks ago, he said.

The Arakanese Rohingya patriotic singer, Shabir Ahmed (Shobu) son of Azhar Meah, hailed from Myoma Khayandan (Shidar Phara) village, Maungdaw.

Shobu left his home town Maungdaw in 1980 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for his performing arts given the oppression of the Arakanese Rohingya community by the Burmese military junta.

Shobu was the main singer of the Arakanese Rohingya theatre in Maungdaw and Buthidaung where they (he and some patriotic youth groups) explained about the Arakanese Rohingya and their situation through their artistic performance, said an elder from Maungdaw.

He was a patriot and imparted love and patriotism to thousands of Arakanese Rohingya through his wonderful songs. Tears would roll down people’s cheeks, when they heard his songs like “Arakanor Meri Herejohar…..”, said his best friend, Mohamed Alam who loved his songs and worked for his stage shows in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Shobu was a friendly person and worked for his community whenever he had time and composed songs of his community situation in Arakan, said Alam.

“His songs were an inspiration and a shelter to run away from the many untold suffering that the Arakanese Rohingya have to go through,” he added

Forced labor in Maungdaw as army practices target shooting

Kaladan News

November 21, 2009

Forced labor in Maungdaw as army practices target shooting

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Nasaka headquarters in Kawarbill in Maungdaw Township has been using forced labor from nearby villagers since November 1, even as troops practice target shooting in its headquarters, said a school teacher on condition of anonymity.

Since November 10, Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) has been into target shooting near the headquarters at the foot of a mountain. They are into target shooting in 10 places.

While the target shooting is on, Nasaka headquarters has been using forced labor. Daily, about 100 villagers have to work in Nasaka headquarters preparing tents, renovate roads, make and repair chairs, clean the headquarters and do other works, said a local elder requesting not to be named.

After 10 days the number of laborers was reduced to between 20 and 35. Forced labor is still on in the headquarters. The workers have to carry food from their homes.

Besides, villagers nearby are barred from going to the forest to cut bamboo and wood as about 100 Nasaka personnel patrol the forest for the target shooting.

This time, many Nasaka personnel have been participating in the target shooting. After 1992, “We have never seen so much target shooting in the camp,” said a local youth.

A village elder said, “Target shooting is done for the army’s own purpose but, villagers have to provide forced labor. So the forced labor is not related to target shooting.”

Another businessman from the locality said, “In the presence of Nasaka Director Lt. Col Aung Gyi, villagers are forced to work in the camp.”

There is international pressure on the ruling military junta to do away with forced labor, but the junta is not bothered, said a trader in Maungdaw town.

Deja VU Cafe.

14th November i was at Deja VU Cafe.The day after black Friday...I ordered Turkish coffee..before 25 year i ate same flavor pickle in my life. Which was made by Burma...Awesome coffee....Turkish coffee...first time in my life..

16th November Emily mailed me..Mark and Emily was on that cafe 3 years back before...

Thanks Mark and Emily to show me that cafe in BD...After meeting with both of you i learn how to survived....That cafe is one block far from my head office... But every time I didn't get any company to enter......At last i went alone...