The “Rohang Heritage Center,” established in Camp-6 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, aims to preserve the history, language, and cultural identity of the Rohingya community. The center is collecting old citizenship documents, historical books, maps, photographs, coins, and linguistic materials.
The initiative was developed through the efforts of Camp-in-Charge Gazi Shariful Hasan, RRRC Commissioner Mizanur Rahman, and educated Rohingya volunteers. According to the organizers, no international NGO funding was used in establishing the center.
Organizers say that years of displacement have left many younger Rohingya disconnected from their roots and historical background. The center seeks to help the new generation understand and reconnect with their identity.
The exhibits include Myanmar-issued citizenship records from 1948 to 2017, photographs of historical sites in Arakan, maps, and Rohingya language materials. It also features information related to ongoing genocide-related proceedings in international courts.
As part of the initiative, a reading club for Rohingya children and teenagers has been launched, where participants engage in regular discussions on Rohingya history and culture.
However, some critics argue that elements of political messaging may overlap with cultural preservation. Human rights advocates and analysts, on the other hand, emphasize that preserving language, history, and collective memory is essential for communities facing prolonged persecution and displacement.
With repatriation prospects still uncertain, many see the Rohang Heritage Center as more than a museum — it represents an effort to preserve Rohingya identity and historical memory in the midst of exile.
