OIC suspends Syria

By Lokman Mansor | news@nst.com.my

COLLECTIVE VOICE: Muslim world sends strong message, says Najib

MECCA: THE Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) yesterday suspended Syria from its 57-nation grouping. The decision was among three resolutions adopted at a special Ramadan meeting in this holy city.

The two other resolutions were giving recognition to Palestine as a sovereign state and championing the cause of the Rohingya in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who spoke at the summit, said: “The collective voice of the Muslim world sent a strong message in its decision to suspend Syria indefinitely.”

Having described the escalating violence in Syria as sad, shocking and shameful, he said the Syrian government must stop the blood-shed and seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis for the sake of its people.

“It is also hard to imagine, after so much killing and inflicting misery and hardship on his own people, a leader would continue to hold on to power without any guilt and accountability.”

He said this in his address at the 4th Extraordinary Islamic Summit of OIC, which ended here yesterday. More than 21,000 people, including women and children, have been killed in the 17-month conflict.

Speaking to Malaysian media later, Najib said OIC supported the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution adopted on Aug 3.

This paved the way for Syrians to decide the future of their country in a democratic manner.

The summit was held in Islam’s holiest city on two virtuous nights during Ramadan.

The 26th and 27th nights of Ramadan are often referred to as likely candidates for Lailatul Qadar (Night of Destiny), the anniversary of the night where Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

"This was an environment that made us (leaders) conscious of the huge responsibility entrusted to us to safeguard Islam and the interests of the ummah.

"The spiritual meaning of Ramadan made this gathering different from previous OIC summits."

On Palestine, OIC leaders condemned Israel's continued illegal occupation of land and sought to push for the Palestine state to be accepted as a member of UN in its general assembly next month.

OIC also denounced "the policy of brutalisation and violence by the Myanmar government against Rohingya Muslims" and would take action after receiving a fact-finding report from secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

OIC pledged humanitarian aid for the Rohingya, including US$50 million (RM156.5 million) from Saudi Arabia.

Najib said Malaysia joined many countries in supporting Saudi King Abdullah's proposal for a centre of dialogue on Islamic doctrine or different schools of thought as this would strengthen the ummah.

OIC is the second largest inter-government organisation after UN, with a membership of 57 nations, representing 1.5 billion Muslims.

Late last night, Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, returned home after attending the meeting.

The aircraft carrying Najib and his entourage touched down at the KL International Airport at 11.25pm.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak listening to Organisation of Islamic Cooperation secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu’s speech at its extraordinary summit in Mecca yesterday. Bernama pic

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OIC suspends Syria

COLLECTIVE VOICE: Muslim world sends strong message, says Najib

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