KUALA LUMPUR: The Palestine-Kashmir Forum - The Struggle for Freedom & Self Determination - has concluded that the rights of Palestinians and Kashmiris for self determination are legitimate demands.
The declaration was read by Malaysian Consultative Council Of Islamic Organization (Mapim) president Azmi Abdul Hamid at the end of the forum held here today with the hope that the international community, especially the Muslims, will galvanize to support the rights of Palestinians and Kashmiris.
He said that the declaration will be presented to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tomorrow apart from various international institutions including the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
It will also be handed over to Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan and the diplomatic community here.
The forum was also attended by Pakistan Ambassador to Malaysia, Anna Baloch; her deputy, Atif Sharif Mian; International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) founding chief executive officer, Prof Dr Mohammad Hashim Kamali; IAIS deputy CEO, Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Aidil and Palestine Cultural Organization Malaysia director Muslim Imran.
The declaration among others noted that Kashmiris and Palestinians had to endure more than 70 years of occupation, denial and violation of human rights by foreign occupiers.
It reasserted that Kashmiris have the right for self determination.
"So do the Palestinians who must be given the right to return to their own lands.
"... Kashmiri and Palestinian quests for self determination are legitimate demands." it said.
The declaration also demanded that all the Indian troops to withdraw from Kashmir and return the territory to normality.
On Palestine, Mapim demanded that the right of return for all Palestinians be rendered unconditionally.
The declaration was endorsed by 15 organizations including Alliance of World Mosques in Defence of Al-Aqsa; Muslim Minority Affairs Center; Justice and Development Organization, Cambodia; Al-Aqsa Working Group Indonesia; Council for Coordinating Humanitarian NGO Network Office of Shehk Islam, Thailand and Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia.