PARLIAMENT MOTION ON GAZA : OIC TO COOPERATE WITH MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) will cooperate with Malaysia for the implementation of the
motion tabled in the House of Representatives last week regarding the Israeli
attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

OIC Secretary-General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that the motion,
which was unanimously approved, was very important because there was a need to
show to the world the commitment of great nations of the Muslim world in this
matter.

"We in the OIC were working on parallel lines and appreciate this statement
(motion) and we will cooperate with Malaysia for the implementation of this
decision" he told reporters after the conferment of an honorary degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Political Science by the International Islamic University
Malaysia (IIUM) at the IIUM Kuala Lumpur campus here Tuesday.

The degree was confered by the IIUM president and Chief Secretary to the
Government Mohd Sidek Hassan at a special convocation.

Ihsanoglu noted that Malaysia had a special place and role in the history of
the OIC and also in all the developments to date of the Jeddah-based 57-member
organisation.


"And that is why the voice of the nation through the Parliament and this
strong resolution -- the ideas and proposals in this resolution -- are very
important," he said.

The 15-point motion tabled by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak last
Monday called on the UN Security Council to condemn the Zionist regime under the
leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which had attacked the Freedom
Flotilla humanitarian aid convoy in international waters on May 31.

While expressing support for the international call for an independent and
accountable investigation into the attack, Malaysia also called on like-minded
countries to bring a resolution to the UN Security Council to refer the Zionist
regime's attack on the ship, "Mavi Marmara", to the International Criminal Court
(ICC).

It also proposed that like-minded countries bring a resolution to the UN
General Assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of
Justice (ICJ).

Replying to a question,Ihsanoglu said that Malaysia had contributed greatly
to the OIC and was one of the leading countries in the establishment of the
organisation in September 1969.

He also pointed out that Kuala Lumpur's chairmanship of the OIC from
2003-2008 was very successful.


He hoped that the Malaysian media would provide more space to OIC activities
and news.

He said the OIC could achieve more success if it received more political and
public opinion support for its projects and programmes.

Ihsanoglu said he was touched and honoured to be confered the honorary
degree for his humble service to the ummah.

"I have received many honorary doctorates from different universities...but
this is first time I received one for service to the ummah (community) from this
very
prestigious university," he said.

-- BERNAMA