Rohingya Community of Chatham, Ontario, Canada

10/13/2026

Salam everyone,

The Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent (RCCK) is pleased to announce that our monthly general meeting will be held this Saturday from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM sharp.

I kindly request all members to make every effort to attend and participate in this important meeting. Your presence, ideas, and contributions are valuable to the growth and unity of our community.

Agenda Request:
Please share any topics, concerns, or suggestions you would like to discuss during Saturday’s meeting so we can include them in the agenda.

Special Note:
We will have a guest visiting us from Kitchener to observe our community activities and learn about the work we are doing. I hope everyone will give him a warm welcome and demonstrate our community’s unity, cooperation, and hospitality.

Let’s work together to build a stronger, more united, and supportive Rohingya community in Chatham-Kent.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, Insha’Allah! 🤝

10/01/2026

🚨 Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent Condemns the Prosecution of Rohingya Human Rights Activist

The Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent expresses our deep concern and condemnation over the prosecution of Mr. Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, President of the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (MERHROM), who has dedicated years of his life to advocating for the rights, dignity, and protection of the Rohingya people.

Mr. Zafar has recently been charged in Malaysia under the Societies Act in connection with the operation and representation of an allegedly unregistered organisation. He has pleaded not guilty, and the case is scheduled to return to court on October 30, 2026. (Free Malaysia Today)

For decades, Rohingya refugees have faced persecution, displacement, discrimination, and denial of fundamental rights. Human rights organizations have also documented the lack of a comprehensive legal framework for refugee protection in Malaysia. (Human Rights Watch)

We believe that Rohingya refugees and human rights defenders should be able to raise their voices peacefully, advocate for their communities, and seek protection for vulnerable people without being silenced through intimidation or unnecessary criminalisation.

Mr. Zafar has long spoken publicly about the safety and rights of Rohingya refugees, including calling for protection for those facing persecution and forced return. The United Nations has previously documented his work as a human rights defender advocating for refugees and Rohingya rights. (SP Communication Reports)

We therefore call for:

🔹 Respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of Rohingya refugees.
🔹 Fair and transparent legal proceedings for Mr. Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani.
🔹 Protection for peaceful human rights defenders and community advocates.
🔹 Meaningful dialogue between Malaysian authorities, Rohingya representatives, UNHCR, and relevant humanitarian organizations.
🔹 Policies that allow refugees to organize peacefully and advocate for their communities without fear of retaliation.

The Rohingya community has already endured decades of persecution and displacement. Our voices should not be silenced. Our dignity should not be criminalised. Our peaceful advocacy should not be treated as a threat.

The Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent stands in solidarity with Rohingya human rights defenders and with all those who peacefully advocate for the rights and protection of refugees.

Justice, dignity, and human rights belong to everyone.

🤝 Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent
📍 Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada

09/28/2026

🇷🇴 Celebrating Rohingya History, Culture, and Traditions in Chatham-Kent! 🇷🇴

Alhamdulillah! Yesterday, our main office at 45 Richmond Street, Chatham, was honoured to host Brother Mayyu Ali and his dedicated team for a meaningful and educational gathering focused on Rohingya history, culture, traditions, and the many aspects of our identity that have been denied, suppressed, and deprived from our people for generations.

We sincerely appreciate Brother Mayyu Ali and his team for their valuable time, dedication, and tireless efforts to preserve our history, share our cultural heritage, and strengthen the identity of the Rohingya people for future generations. Their commitment to our entire community is truly appreciated.

Special thanks to Brother Abdullah Hussain, who travelled all the way from Toronto to join us and help make this event a success. Your presence, support, and dedication mean so much to our community.

We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent and all its members for welcoming our distinguished guests with open hearts, warm hospitality, and delicious food. Your unity, generosity, and community spirit made this gathering even more special.

Events like this remind us of the importance of preserving our history, passing our traditions to the next generation, and standing together as one community with dignity, pride, and unity.

May Allah bless everyone who contributed to this successful gathering and reward you all for your sincere efforts for the Rohingya people.

Together, we preserve our history, protect our identity, and build a stronger future for generations to come!

❤️ One Community. One Identity. One Future. ❤

09/26/2026

Assalamu Alaikum, Chatham-Kent!

We are delighted to welcome Brother Mayyu Ali and his team to Chatham-Kent tomorrow, September 27, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Brother Mayyu Ali is a dedicated writer and community advocate who has been working tirelessly to support the Rohingya people. We are honoured to welcome him and his team to our community.

Let’s come together to show our appreciation, unity, and warm hospitality. Your presence and support will make this visit even more meaningful.
Welcome to Chatham-Kent, Brother Mayyu Ali and team!

With respect and warm regards,
Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent (RCCK)

08/30/2026

We sincerely appreciate you for taking the time to meet with and support our Rohingya community in Chatham. Your time, effort, and genuine interest in our community mean a great deal to us.

Your willingness to listen, understand our community, and contribute to building stronger connections is truly appreciated. We are grateful for your support and for the valuable time you have dedicated to our Rohingya community.

On behalf of our community, thank you for your kindness, commitment, and continued support. We look forward to strengthening our relationship and working together for the betterment of our community and Chatham-Kent.

JazakAllahu Khairan, and thank you once again! 🤝❤️

It was a pleasure to meet with members of the Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent (RCCK) to learn more about their organization, the important work they are doing, and the priorities of their growing community.

Thank you to the Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent for the warm welcome and thoughtful discussion. I look forward to continuing our conversation and working together to support a welcoming and vibrant community for all.

08/23/2026

🕊️ IN REMEMBRANCE OF 25TH AUGUST
🇨🇦 ROHINGYA GENOCIDE DAY 🇨🇦

Organized by:
Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent

On this solemn day, we remember the victims of the Rohingya genocide and honour those who lost their lives, homes, families, and futures.

🕊️ Together, we remember.
⚖️ Together, we stand for justice.
🤝 Together, we stand in solidarity.
🌿 Together, we hope for a better future.

Let us continue to raise awareness, preserve the memory of those we lost, and stand together for justice, dignity, and a peaceful future for the Rohingya people.

📞 Contact: (226) 739-8260
📧 Email: [email protected]

25th August — Rohingya Genocide Day
We remember. We stand. We hope.

07/23/2026

Meeting with Our Member of Parliament

Today, representatives of the Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent (RCCK) had the honour of meeting with our Member of Parliament, Dave Epp, for a productive and meaningful discussion.

During the meeting, we introduced our growing Rohingya community and shared the opportunities and challenges faced by Rohingya families in Chatham-Kent. We also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration and ensure our community has access to the resources and support needed to successfully integrate and contribute to Canadian society.

We sincerely thank MP Dave Epp for taking the time to meet with us, listen to our concerns, and engage in a constructive conversation. We appreciate his openness and look forward to building a positive working relationship for the benefit of our community and the broader Chatham-Kent region.

Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and welcoming community.

Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent (RCCK)
July 23, 2026

07/19/2026

19 July – Martyrs’ Day (79th Anniversary)

Today, the Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent joins in remembering General Aung San and all those who lost their lives on 19 July 1947 in the pursuit of a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Myanmar.

As we commemorate this solemn day, we also remember the countless lives affected by conflict and injustice throughout Myanmar, including the suffering endured by the Rohingya people. We honor the sacrifices of the past while renewing our commitment to peace, justice, equality, human dignity, and the protection of the rights of all communities.

May this day inspire unity, reconciliation, and hope for a future where every person can live with freedom, security, and dignity.

Never Forget. Never Give Up.

The Rohingya Community of Chatham-Kent

07/16/2026

Heartbreaking to learn over 500 people, mostly Rohingya passengers seeking to find safety and protection, are feared to have been aboard two boats that reportedly capsized off the coast of Myanmar.

This is yet another reminder that too many people are still forced to risk deadly sea journeys because they have nowhere safe to turn. Escalating conflict in Myanmar and limited opportunities for refugees continue to push people to make desperate decisions for themselves and their families.

No one should have to risk their life at sea to find safety.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM - UN Migration are working with national authorities to strengthen protection and solutions for refugees, migrants, and stateless people moving along key routes, including in South and South-East Asia.

https://www.iom.int/news/iom-and-unhcr-deeply-concerned-reports-maritime-incidents-myanmar-coast-over-500-feared-dead

07/16/2026

⚠️ An Orange Level Air Quality Warning remains in effect for Chatham-Kent due to wildfire smoke, resulting in temporary changes to several Municipal services and facilities on Thursday.

The following Municipal service adjustments are in effect:
🔷All Municipal Waste Depots will be closed Thursday, including:
🔹Wallaceburg Waste Depot
🔹Harwich Waste Depot
🔹Chatham Leaf and Yard Depot

🔷All outdoor pools in Chatham-Kent will remain closed for the day.
🔷Blenheim and Wallaceburg indoor pools will remain open and operate on their regular schedules.
🔷Splash pads will remain open. Chatham-Kent Public Health recommends that families exercise caution, monitor air quality conditions, and limit outdoor exposure where possible.
🔷Municipally-operated day camps, including CK Recreation and CK Arts & Culture day camps, will continue to operate, with programming adjusted to remain indoors throughout the day.
🔷The EarlyON outdoor event in Ridgetown has been cancelled. All registered participants have been notified. All indoor EarlyON programming will continue as scheduled.

The Municipality will continue to monitor conditions and make service adjustments as necessary to protect the health and safety of residents and staff.

Full media release: https://ow.ly/m0tA50ZojuH