AD Declaration rejects Islam-terrorism linkage
The members of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), who met in Abu Dhabi on Sunday launched the Abu Declaration, in which they rejected all political and media allegations on linking Islam with terrorism and vilifying Islamic symbols.
The declaration stressed the necessity of action to disseminate Islamic teachings in all parts of the world, and to inform about the lofty civilization values; exhorting on all to continue action to call for desisting from insulting Islam, in all forms, irrespective of its source, as well as to seek the most effective and best ways and means to defend Islamic sanctities by dialogue, wisdom and good discourse.
It also welcomed the UN Human Rights Council's Statement on September 30 regarding the threat to burn the Holy Quran, and called upon the international community to take practical steps to end all forms of religious intolerance, so as to promote cooperation and mutual respect among all religions and beliefs; and emphasising the necessity of positive interaction with human values and divine laws as well as positivist laws which advocate respect for beliefs, freedom of worship and human rights.
Referring to Palestine,the Abu Dhabi Declaration highlighted the importance of taking practical steps by the Union to strengthen its contacts with all international and regional parliamentary organisations and relevant international organisations to stop the ever-increasing Israeli settlement measures in Jerusalem, and the adverse effects which will ensue from the latest Israeli Government's decision concerning "Jewishness of Israel" on the demographic structure and nature of the Holy City, and its legal status.
It requested the United Nations, all international and regional organisations and international influential powers to shoulder their international and legal responsibilities for reaching a just and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian Cause in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions.
It stressed that the struggle of peoples under the yoke of foreign occupation aimed at exercising their right to gain their national liberty shall not be considered in any way an act of terrorism. Also stressing the necessity of gearing the mechanism of parliamentary diplomacy to hold to the legitimate rights of this Ummah and defend it in international and world fora for the sake of liberating Bait Al Maghdis, the blessed land of Palestine from the hands of Zionists and enable the valiant Palestinian people to have self-determination.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration called for the need to take all necessary steps for closer cooperation between the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States(Puic) amd the necessity for the Union to conduct contacts with the OIC Secretariat regarding the extent of its contribution to the work of the Group of Governmental Experts charged with submitting proposals for achieving peaceful settlements of all conflicts in the Islamic world, and promoting cooperation particularly in the context of pre-emptive diplomacy, and parliamentary good offices.
It expressed deep appreciation to the UAE's Federal National Council for the good efforts which have been exerted to make this meeting successful and for the warm reception and generous hospitality.