ALL EYES ON OIC SUMMIT

Muslims putting high hopes on outcome of summit

ALL eyes, especially the Muslim world’s, are focused on the extraordinary Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit relating to the latest Palestine-Israel conflict, following the United States government’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Muslims are putting high hopes on the outcome of the summit, which comprises 57 nation members.

It is not only Muslims, but the world is also watching and awaiting the details of the Istanbul Declaration, expected to be announced today.

OIC leaders will gather at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Centre for the summit, convened by Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also OIC chairman, hoping to reach a consensus on the issue which had been greatly criticised, especially by Muslims.

The OIC has officially agreed on the United Nations’ two-state solution as the only viable way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.

When US President Donald Trump conveyed his support and instructed the US Embassy to be moved to Jerusalem, it triggered a new conflict and uproar among Muslims, which could jeopardise the long-standing peace plan.

According to a statement issued by OIC, senior officers and foreign ministers had their meetings yesterday and would continue today to reach a consensus on the issue and to deliberate on the US’ action, which would later be decided by the country heads to reflect OIC’s stand on the matter.

Legal aspects, political status and the history following the occupation of the holy city and Palestine as a whole were among issues discussed.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit here.

Accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and senior government officials, the prime minister was scheduled to arrive last night.

Malaysia’s participation in the summit reflects the country’s commitment and unwavering support for the Palestinians in their pursuit to attain their legitimate and inalienable rights for an independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The summit will start with Erdogan’s speech, followed by OIC secretary-general Dr Yousef Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas.

After that, the OIC delegation heads, including Najib, are scheduled to make statements, followed by the adoption of the Draft Final Communique of the extraordinary Islamic Summit conference on the US’ recognition of the occupied City of AlQuds Ash-Sharif as the so-called capital of Israel, the occupying power, and decision to transfer the US Embassy to Al-Quds.

This will be followed by the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration.

Meanwhile, Adnan al-Husayni, the Jerusalem governor of the Palestinian Authority, has suggested that the OIC should declare Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine in response to Trump’s action.

He was quoted by the Hürriyet Daily News on Saturday as saying that such a declaration could have a strong impact on a political level.

“He (Trump) wanted to show he is helpful to the Zionists and Israelis. But, it is within our capacity to speak about the future of Jerusalem, not Trump,” al-Husayni told the Turkish English-language daily.

The governor had vowed that the intifada would continue until positive steps are taken.

Al-Husainy made it clear that Tel Aviv and Trump must retract their decisions and the extraordinary OIC summit would not only be a beacon of hope for the Palestinians, but also to all Muslims and the world community.