KUALA LUMPUR: Tens of thousands of people have thronged the Titiwangsa Stadium here for the Rohingya Solidarity gathering, with some arriving as early as 7.30am.

The venue was filled with supporters, made up largely of Myanmar nationals and Malaysians of every race and religion, carrying placards with messages of support for the persecuted minority group.

Shouts of ‘Hidup Rohingya’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ were also heard throughout the stadium.

The gathering was organized to demonstrate Malaysia’s concern over the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine and Arakan states.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Pas leader Datuk Seri Hadi Abdul Awang are expected to deliver speeches at the event.

The Myanmar government is facing growing international protest over reports that a violent campaign against the Rohingya, amounting to an “ethnic cleansing”, has intensified in the country.

As a result of fleeing Rohingya, Malaysia is now home to more than a million Rohingya refugees.

Among VVIPs present are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Pas Youth Chief Nik Abduh Nik Aziz.-nst