Dharamshala — Concerned about the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar which has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to Bangladesh, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
"I hope the leaders of Myanmar will work on a political solution, which would be in the interest of all concerned parties," His Holiness wrote.
"Meanwhile, in order to address the urgent humanitarian crisis, and as a token of my sympathy and concern for the well-being of these displaced people, I have asked the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama to make a donation towards the relief and rehabilitation efforts being led by your Commission."
His Holiness has been outspoken regarding the treatment of the persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar, previously calling on the government to aid the Rohingya minority community, saying, "They should remember, Buddha, in such circumstances, Buddha would have definitely helped those poor Muslims."
Almost 90% of Myanmar's population are Buddhists, according to government figures, while the Rohingya have long been marginalized for their Muslim faith.
