MALAYSIAN NGOs URGED TO HELP PALESTINIANS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) in Malaysia were urged to give their support and helping hand to the Palestinians.

Noorazman Mohd Samsuddin, the president of Haluan Palestin, an NGO, said
everyone regardless of their background, status, occupation and religion should
be united and act together on the Palestinian issue.

"We should not just give them food. There are Palestians who wish to pursue
their studies abroad, especially in Malaysia, but cannot do so because of visa
problem.

"So, we have to find a way to help them by providing them better
education...humanitarian aid is not just about giving food, but also freeing the
Palestinians from Israel's blockade," he said at the forum on "Lifeline 4 Gaza",
here, Monday.

Noorazman, who is also the coordinator for Malaysian Lifeline 4 Gaza, said
it was important to come up with strategic plans to end the siege in Gaza as the
Israelis were now under international pressure to do so.

"The issue of Palestine is not merely the issue of Arabs, but the entire
world population. It is about upholding human rights and respecting
international law," he said.

The one-day forum was organised by the International Islamic University of
Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA