INTRODUCTION

1. At the kind invitation of H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly, the Conference of the PUIC held its Fifth Session, under the presidency of His Excellency, in Cairo, on 30 – 31 January 2008, and the high patronage of His Excellency President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt; with the participation of (42) Member Parliaments and eight observer delegations (List of participants in Annex No. 1); and in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, Secretary General of the PUIC, and H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, Assistant Secretary General.

INAUGURAL SESSION

2. His Excellency President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt kindly deputed H.E. Prof. Ahmed Nazeef, the Prime Minister, to attend the Inaugural Session and deliver a speech on behalf of His Excellency.
3. The Session began with blessed recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
4. His Excellency Koksal Toptan, President of the 4^th PUIC Conference, delivered the inaugural speech, which included the following points:

4-1-He extends thanks to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting this major Islamic conference under the sponsorship of H.E. President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak.

4-2-He hoped that our Union becomes a more strong and influential institution, playing a more effective role in finding solutions to the problems facing the world at present. He pointed out that standing against external diktats, needs development of the basic rights and freedoms, establishment of transparent governance regimes subject to accountability.

4-3-Turkey supported the endeavors to bring about the aspired change in the countries of the region and share its experiment with any country wishing to benefit from it.

4-4-Certain quarters in the West intentionally seek to attach terrorism to Islam either because of preconceived judgment or complete ignorance. We have to remove these preconceived judgments and to build bridges of friendships among communities of different cultures and religions. Due to its experience, Turkey managed to establish a parliamentary democratic regime based on pluralism and adherence to Islam.

4-5-He enumerated the problems facing the Islamic world in Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon and said that Grand National Assembly of Turkey assumes a pioneering role in finding solutions to international and regional problems, for example in the attempt to find solutions to the existing issues between Palestinians and Israelis. Turkey succeeded in organizing a meeting between Israel’s prime Minister and Chairman of the Palestinian Authority at the Grand National Assembly in Turkey on 13 November 2007.

5. Mr. Koksal Toptan, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and President of the 4^th Session of the PUIC Conference, invited Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the People’s Assembly in the Arab Republic of Egypt to take over the Presidency of the 5^th Session of the Conference.
6. H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, President of the Conference invited H.E. Prof. Ahmed Nazeef, Prime Minister, to deliver the statement of H.E. President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, of the Arab Republic of Egypt and sponsor of the Conference. The Statement includes:-

6.1. Welcomed the participants gathering in Egypt, the home of Al Azhar Al Sharif, the lighthouse of science and Islamic civilization and source of enlightenment world-wide. He pointed out to the representation by more than fifty countries extending from Indonesia to Cameroon and Senegal. This representation is a symbol of the geographic extension of our Islamic World, east and west of the globe and an endeavor of its peoples and States towards the unity of speech and stands in defence of its causes, interests and the future of its populations.

6.2.We are passing through a crucial phase amidst new regional and international challenges, crises, conflicts, outstanding issues, escalation of terrorism threats, extremism, prejudice against Islam, its sanctities and communities. The conflicts going on among sisterly Islamic States and internecine conflicts, strifes which waste out lives and resources, make a saddening scene.

6.3.We have to turn words into deeds in order to send a clear message that the Islamic world is not an easy prey and does not accept to be a target, or that its people and States remain victims of crises, conflicts and intervention. Let us send a clear message that lays the foundation of a true dialogue among world cultures, civilizations and religions, a serious dialogue based on equality, mutual respect, and acceptance of the other and common interests.

6.4.Today’s meeting in Egypt will push the Islamic world forward and will contribute at the Parliamentary level to give it a fresh momentum that enriches its movement and tributaries, assuring its nations of its ability to confront today’s challenges and achieve the ambitions of the future.

(His Excellency left the hall immediately after delivering his speech)

7- Presiding over the 5^th Session of the PUIC Conference, H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour delivered a speech that included:

7.1. Welcome of attendees in Cairo of Al Moaz whose population had been historically struggling to consolidate principles of freedom, equality, peace and stability; Egypt that resisted aggression and supported peoples in their freedom-fighting for national liberation and attainment of independence; Egypt of Al-Azhar Al Sharif, the source of science, culture and knowledge on which the peoples of the Islamic world had drawn in terms of religion and life, presenting to them the compliments of all Egyptians, President, government and people.

7.2. Today’s meeting posits values of parliamentary democracy in Islamic World as the basis for dialogue with the aim of preaching the language of free consultation, exchanging thought, and rearranging the Islamic house from the inside for the sake of elaborating clear-cut practical strategies involving political, economic, social and cultural dimensions in search of the most successful means of closing Arab ranks to confront the challenges facing our contemporary world that only recognizes force, a world satiated with problems and events affecting the life of peoples.

7.3.Attempts to prejudice Islamic religion are considered among the most crucial challenges ahead of the Islamic Ummah against a backdrop of deliberate confusion triggered by some to the effect of linking Islam with terrorism, stressing that we firmly support UN Initiative for Alliance of Civilizations in the bid to put right concepts related to Islam and throw further light on the true image of its principles and purposes.

7-4 Emphasis on common values of all cultures and religions and the necessity of curbing recently escalating phenomenon of “Islamophobia”. The responsibility shouldered by parliamentarians is markedly substantial and impressive to help reestablish international relations on even-handed bases and within a framework of values and fair rules. Therefore staunch attitudes of parliamentarians vis-à-vis democracy issues and frames, preservation of international peace and security, facing up to defamation of Islam, racial discrimination, support of human rights and combat of terrorism in all its manifestations and forms are but issues and stances that will certainly strengthen the role of Islamic Parliamentarians regionally and internationally and contribute necessary and required dimension to efforts made by our governments to establish characteristics of an international order ensuring security and welfare for all.

8- H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, Speaker of the Senegalese National Assembly read out a message on behalf of H.E. President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal to the Conference which included:

8.1.Extended a brotherly warm greeting to all the Islamic peoples on the occasion of the new Hijri Year, and underlined that the Senegalese people and leaders always feel proud to receive their brethren from the Islamic World, maintaining that this historic meeting will be revitalizing and activating the PUIC so as to face the challenges of the twenty-first century and remain true to the hopes and aspirations of our peoples.

8.2.That it is necessary to mobilize and rally all the energies of the Islamic peoples whose leaders will participate in the summit due to be held in Senegal for the sake of the causes of their peoples, especially the cause of the Palestinian people who are exposed to an unjust blockade in Gaza.

9. Hujjatul Islam wa Al Muslimeen Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, Senior Advisor to the Leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution and President of the Founding Conference of the PUIC delivered a speech which included:

9.1.Extending greeting, thanks and appreciation of the People’s Assembly of Egypt, and its Speaker His Excellency Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, for successfully holding this Fifth Session of the PUIC Conference.

9.2. Stating that this Conference highlights the Union’s activity which has been materialized by virtue of the effort and follow up of the parliaments of Member states and that the PUIC has become a source of benefit and blessing to the great Islamic Ummah. Furthermore, a decade has passed in the life of the Union of Islamic parliaments when the appropriate grounds have been made available to achieve its objectives and aspirations under the will of Member Parliaments which enable it to take significant strides to realize the objectives cherished by the Islamic world. Several documents and stances taken by the PUIC have been ratified.

9.3.Underscoring that the important issue and problems from which the Islamic World suffer confirm the necessity of unity and brotherhood among Muslims, holding to the course of Allah and avoiding disunity, and that if we do not act to decide our destiny by ourselves in the framework of solidarity coherence and closing of ranks, others will hasten, like demons, to fill in the vacuum and sow the seeds of dissension, discord and dispute among Muslim countries, and in region and impose control over its potentials.

10- H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglou OIC Secretary General delivered a statement in which he saluted the Arab Republic of Egypt, President and Parliament for hosting this important Islamic conference in the ancient Islamic capital and which still is one of the beacons of Islam and Islamic civilization. History testifies to its pioneering role in promoting the potentials of common Islamic action and defence of the Islamic World. He thanked and congratulated H.E. PUIC Secretary General commending his persistent and sincere efforts for building this important Islamic structure and strengthening its relationship with the OIC.

10-1. The OIC is looking forward to the PUIC to assume a key role in coordination of legislations that stress the fabrie, solidarity, cooperation, integration and unity of ranks among member states in all domains.

10-2.He commended the Agenda of the meeting because it covered all political economic, cultural and social fields. He said that the OIC looks forward to cooperate with the PUIC in implementing the ten-year plan adopted by the Makkah Extraordinary Summit through the combined efforts of the legislative authority in Islamic countries and the efforts of the Executive authority in order to accelerate the vital issues contained in this plan. This depends on the ability of the Islamic states, governments and parliaments to have the will and dedication to implement this ten-year plan as a multi-purpose clear road map leading the nation to attain its expectations in development and scientific advancement.

11- Arab League Secretary General H.E. Amre Moussa delegated H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Sobeih, Arab League Assistant Secretary General and Head of Palestinian and Occupied Arab Territories Sector. Mr. Sobeih delivered a statement in which he expressed his appreciation and pride in the meeting as it reflects the magnitude of cooperation among the Islamic assemblies. The Arab League, in view of the memorandum of understanding signed between the League and the PUIC which reflects the scope of cooperation and unity of objective and destiny for our Arab and Islamic nation, prompts him to address the suffering of the occupied Palestinian Territories because of Israel’s violations of the occupied people and land as well as committing massacres of the Palestinian people especially in the Gaza Strip where Israel went too far in starving its population by blockades and closures. This situation requires standing up to open the crossings, lift the unjust siege and guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people.

11.1.He enumerated Israel’s violations in the occupied territories and persistence in implementing the policy of settlement expansion, accentuating the concept of racism in the city of occupied Jerusalem and excavations going on there in the compound of Al Haram Al Sharif in desecration of its sanctity.

11. 2. He denounced the continuation of Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan and its practices of confiscating the land, stealing water and building settlements, in addition to actions against the occupied Southern part of Lebanon.

11.3.He pointed out to the deteriorating condition in Iraq, Sudan and Somalia elaborating on the incessant efforts of the Arab League to find peaceful solutions to those problems.

12- H.E. Mr. Jassem Al Saqr, President of the Transitional Arab Parliament delivered a speech in which he said:

12.1.Expressed his pleasure to attend this Islamic meeting in his capacity as President of the Transitional Arab Parliament as he hoped that the two bodies make up an effective grouping for support of Arab and Islamic causes. He talked about the problem which the Islamic nation faces in Lebanon, Somalia and Darfur, pointing out that these problems are tantamount to catastrophes.

12.2.He called for cooperation among Islamic states to realize the Islamic Common Market for solving many of the social and economic problems. He called for confronting the phenomenon of Islamophobia away from demagogy because all Muslims are against terrorism and need the culture of opinion so that the question does not turn into a conflict between East and West or between Islam and the West.

12.3.He called for supporting the Islamic minorities who suffer persecution in many parts of the world, whose human rights are widely violated by applying double standards.

13- Ambassador Mahmoud Auf, Assistant Foreign Minister for the People’s Assembly and Shura Council affairs delivered the statement of H.E. Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egyptian Foreign Minister.

It includes:

13.1.The Arab Republic of Egypt, government and people, welcomed the holding of the 5^th Session of the PUIC Conference in Egypt, the seat of Al Azhar Al Sharif. He wished success for the deliberations of the Conference to achieve progress and prosperity for the Islamic nation.

13.2.This conference attended by representatives of legislative bodies from all over the Islamic countries is a pursuance of Prophet Mohammad Order to the Islamic nation and its rulers to uphold the values of justice, fraternity, and rule of law, cornerstones of the true Islamic religion and its noble Sharia.

13-3 He called for more cooperation and solidarity among the Islamic states to confront the challenges imposed by 21^st Century in search of the appropriate means to boost trade and economic exchange among Islamic countries, activities of integration among these economies in order to compete in a world dominated by big economic groupings and blocs.

FIRST WORKING SESSION

Election of members of the bureau:

14. President of the Conference called for electing the other members of the bureau. The Conference agreed by applause on the election of H.E Mr. Luthfi Hassan Ishaaq, representative of the Indonesian Parliament, Vice President for the Asian Group; H.E. Mr. Hamadou Sali, representative of Cameroon Parliament, Vice President for the African Group; Dr. Zeinab Radwan, Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly was elected Rapporteur for the Conference.

Agenda and Programme of Work

15. The Conference reviewed and adopted its Agenda and Programme of Work (Annexes 2 and 3).
16. H.E. President of the Conference invited H.E. the PUIC Secretary General to present his report to the 5^th Session of the Conference. The Secretary General stated that the report covers the period since the convening of the 4^th Session of the PUIC Conference in Istanbul on 12-13 April 2006 until now. It focuses mainly on the political activities, namely:
17. 1. Declarations issued by the PUIC Member Parliaments which were translated by the General Secretariat and then dispatched by fax to all the members. They number (29) Declarations
18. 2. Statements issued by the General Secretariat in between the dates of holding the PUIC organs relating to events of special importance to the Islamic Ummah. They number (10) statements.
19. 3. Speeches delivered on behalf of the PUIC in international and regional fora. They number eight speeches.
20. 4. About 10 interviews with some personalities of special importance were held at world capitals. The report included the content of each of these interviews.
21. 5. The Secretary-General pointed to the holding of a consultative meeting prior to every Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in implementation of the Union’s Executive Committee decision in Kuala Lumpur (February 2007).
22. 6. The Conference adopted the report of the Secretary-General.

Adoption of the two reports of the 9th and 10th Sessions of the PUIC Council and their annexes:

17. The Conference adopted the report presented to it by the PUIC Council on its 9th Session held in Kuala Lumpur in February 2007, which the General Secretariat had earlier informed all Member Parliaments thereof, but received no observations from any of them in this regard.
18. It also adopted the report submitted to it by the 10th Session of the PUIC Council held in Cairo on 27-28 January 2008.

Consideration of the reports and draft resolutions presented by Rapporteurs of the following Standing Specialized Committees

19- Rapporteurs of the Specialized Standing Committees submitted their reports as follows:

19.1 Political and Economic Affairs Committee: Mr. Mahmoud Ali Al Gharaf, the Committee Rapporteur, stated that upon reflecting on items tabled on the agenda as well as draft resolutions sent earlier by the Members to the General Secretariat, the Committee prepared draft resolutions attached to the report, numbering (17).

19.2 Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Environment: Dr. Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al Atram, the Committee Rapporteur, noted that upon reflecting on items tabled on the agenda as well as draft resolutions sent earlier by the Members to the General Secretariat, the Committee prepared one draft resolution attached to the report.

19.3 Committee on Women, Social and Cultural Affairs: Mr. Swaileh Bu Gomaa, the Committee Rapporteur, upon reflecting on items tabled on the agenda as well as draft resolutions sent earlier by the Members to the General Secretariat, the Committee presented a report on its proceedings.

19.4 The three Rapporteurs delivered Reports of the Committee Meetings and draft resolutions to the PUIC General Secretariat which submitted them to H.E. the General Rapporteur, Head of the open-ended Drafting Committee for inclusion in the formulation of the Draft Cairo Declaration and draft resolutions presented to the Conference for adoption.

Formation of the Drafting Committee:

20. The Conference formed a Drafting Committee. H.E. the President of the Conference confirmed that it was open-ended. It was presided by Dr. Zeinab Radwan, the Conference Rapporteur and with the participation of the Rapporteurs of the three Specialized Committees. H.E. was to present the results of its proceedings in the morning of the following day to the General Secretariat for translation, processing and forwarding to the Conference to consider their adoption during the 3^rd Working Session in the evening of the 2^nd day of the Conference.

The General Secretariat distributed the working papers and draft resolutions received from Member Parliaments to the members of the three Specialized Standing Committees to enrich their work and facilitate the mission of the Drafting Committee.

21. H.E. Jassim Al Khorafi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait requested that the Conference consider the proposal of the National Assembly representative at the 18^th Executive Committee Meeting held in Cairo on 25-26 January 2008 to elaborate a reform plan for the development of the PUIC Statute and Regulations, and constitute a Committee to follow up the implementation of resolutions and recommendations issued by the PUIC organs.
22. H.E. the Speaker of the Federal National Assembly of the United Arab Emirates seconded the statement made by H.E. the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly under pinning the necessity of energizing the role of the PUIC.
23. H.E. the President of the Conference indicated that it became clear that there is desires to promote the PUIC work but can be considered only through a proposal presented by one of the Parliaments.
24. (25 delegates) requested to take the floor as follows:
25. 1. H.E. Safwat Al Sherif, Speaker of the Egyptian Consultative (Shura) Council.
    2. H.E. Jassim Al Khorafi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait.
    3. H.E. Dr. Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, Speaker of the Islamic Shoura Assembly of Iran.
    4. H.E. Engineer Abdel Hadi Al Magali, Speaker of the Jordanian House of Deputies.
    5. H.E. Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, Speaker of the Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia.
    6. H.E. Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Tahir, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Sudan.
    7. H.E. Mr. Abdel Aziz Abdullah Abdul Aziz, Speaker of the Federal National Assembly of the United Arab Emirates.

SECOND WORKING SESSION

25. The Conference resumed its proceedings by listening to the following speeches of their Excellencies heads of delegation:
26. 1. H.E. Aslan Mussin, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
    2. H.E. Mr. Agung Laksono, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia.
    3. H.E. Mrs. Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Representative of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.
    4. H.E. Sheikh Khalid Al Attiya, First Deputy to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of of the Republic of Iraq.
    5. H.E. Mr. Mohammad Medani, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Head of Algerian Delegation.
    6. H.E. Mohammad Mubarak Al Kheilaifi, Speaker of the Shoura Council of Qatar.
    7. H.E. Tan Sri Dato Seri Di Raja Ramli Bin Ngah Talib, Speaker of the House of Representative of Malaysia.
    8. H.E. Mr. Jaafar Basaleh, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Yemen.
    9. H.E. Mr. Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Zahrani, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Bahrain.
    10. H.E. Mr. Irfan Gundus, Head of Turkish Delegation.
    11. H.E. Mr. Francisco Benate, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea Bissau.
    12. H.E. Mr. Saleh Al Tobruki, Representative of the Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia.
    13. H.E. Mr. Hmadou Sali, Head of Delegation of Cameroon.
    14. H.E. Mr. Ahmed Hajji, Representative of the House of Representatives of Morocco.
    15. H.E. Khalid Mismar, Head of the Palestinian Delegation.
    16. H.E. Mr. Mohammad Omer Talha, First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional Parliament of Somalia.
    17. Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani, Representative of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
    18. H.E. Mr. Hassan Al Sagga, Representative of the Syrian People’s Assembly.

26. Two observer delegations took the floor of the Conference:

1. H.E. Mr. Alexander Dzasokhov, Deputy Speaker of BAPSEC.
2. H.E. Mrs. Fatma Ekenoglu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Turkish Cypriot State.

27. The speeches extensively expressed the views of Member Parliaments as regards the political, economic, cultural and social issues included in the agenda of the conference, especially those relating to the Palestinian issue, in general, and the situation in Gaza Strip, in particular, while lauding the humanitarian decision taken by president Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to open Refah crossing-point, as well

as Al Quds Al Sharif, situation in Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan, Darfur, the Muslim minorities in Cyprus and Western Thrace, combating terrorism, globalization, dialogue among civilizations, dialogue between Muslim and western parliamentarians, Islamophobia, the right of all states to possess modern technology and the advanced, peaceful nuclear technology, making the entire Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction, problems of poverty, specially in the African States South of the Sahara, the conditions of refugees in African states and the necessity of interdependence of rich states in the Islamic World with the poor states by writing off their debts and opening in them fields of investment.

It may be noted that the three Standing Specialized Committees chaired by her Excellency the Rapporteur have drafted the most important themes of these interventions in the Cairo Declaration and the resolutions adopted by the Conference.

28. The President of the Conference indicated that during the First Working Session on Wednesday morning 30^th January 2008 a number of delegations addressed the “reform of the PUIC as regards its Statute, Regulations and mechanisms of work”. I am of the view that the following draft resolution may be proposed:

Resolution on constituting an Adhoc Committee for reforming the PUIC by developing its Statute and Regulations

In response to the wish of many Member States to constitute an Adhoc Committee mechanism to draw up a plan for reforming the PUIC by developing its Statute and Regulations, and pursuant to a proposal from H.E. Prof Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly and President of the Fifth Session of the PUIC Conference, the latter decided as follows:-

FIRST: To constitute an Adhoc Committee, chaired by His Excellency President of the 5^th Session of the PUIC Conference to draw up a plan to reform the PUIC by developing its Statute and its Regulations, and membership of Their Excellencies:-

1. President of the 4^th Session of the Conference
2. President of the 6^th Session of the Conference.
3. Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran.
4. PUIC Secretary General.
5. OIC Secretary General
6. Three Speakers members of the three geographic groups (Arab represented by H.E. Mr. Jasem Al-Khorafi, Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, as well as a representative of the African Group and a representative of the Asian Group)

In case the Chairman of this Committee is unable to preside over it, for any reason, Chairmanship shall be assumed by the oldest Conference President attending the meeting.

Members of the Committee may nominate those who will deputize for them in the membership of the Committee.

SECOND: The Committee may seek the assistance of experts.

THIRD: Relevant proposals shall be sent to all PUIC Member States two months prior to the convening of the Sixth Session of the Conference to enable discussion and adoption thereon.

29. The Conference approved this proposal by applause.

THIRD WORKING SESSION

Organic Affairs:

Cooperation between the PUIC and the OIC in Implementing the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference.

30. His Excellency the Secretary General Presented the background to this subject since his bilateral contacts with H.E. the OIC Secretary General and holding a joint meeting in Jeddah on 22 January 2007. In this meeting the OIC requested the cooperation of the PUIC in implementing the Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Summit Conference in Makkah Al Mukaramah in December 2005, as well as specifying in name a number of economic agreements, as well as the total support offered by the 9^th Session of the PUIC Council in Kuala Lumpur and the latter’s decision to mandate the PUIC Executive Committee to constitute representatives composed of its President and members in addition to the Secretary General, for cooperation with the OIC. It was hoped to hold a joint meeting in Jeddah at the end of 2007 but Hajj circumstances precluded such a meeting. The Secretary General stated that on the occasion of appointing a new chairman and members of the Executive Committee, the august Conference is invited to designate the PUIC representatives from among the new Executive Committee in order to finalize this important task.
31. The Conference welcomed this significant cooperation and requested to pay attention to the continuation of cooperation with the OIC to implementing the Ten-Year Programme of Action. The Conference agreed on the formation of the PUIC Cooperation Committee with the OIC as follows:

1. H.E. Mahamane Ousmane, President of the 11^th Session of the PUIC Council, ex-officio Chairman of the 19^th Executive Committee- Head of the Cooperation Committee.
   2. H.E. Daadoua Al Ayashi, Member of the Executive Committee for Algeria, Member of the Cooperation Committee.
   3. H.E. Dr. Kazem Jalali, Executive Committee Member of Iran, Member of the Cooperation Committee.
   4. H.E. Abderamane Issa Youssouf, Member of the Executive Committee for Chad, Member of the Cooperation Committee.
   5. H.E. PUIC Secretary General.

Exchange of Observer Status between the PUIC and the Parliamentary Assembly of Commonwealth of Independent States (PACIS)

32. The Secretary General mentioned that he responded to the invitation from the President and the Secretary General of the PACIS to participate in its annual conference held at the PA Seat in Saint Petersburg in Russia, on May 31^st 2007.

32.1 Mr. M. Krotov, Secretary General of the Pa expressed their wish to engage in permanent cooperation with the PUIC, pointing out that four members, parliaments of the Assembly are also members of the PUIC. He proposed the exchange of the Observer Status between the two bodies and a Memorandum for Understanding (MOU) of Cooperation between them.

32.2 On the basis of the report submitted by the PUIC Secretary General to the Executive Committee at its 17^th Meeting in Khartoum (4-5 September 2007), the Committee welcomed this cooperation and recommended to consider approval of the exchange of Observer Status between the PUIC and the PACIS and to sign the proposed MOU.

32.3 The Conference decided to agree on the Observer Status and called upon boith the PUIC Secretary General and PACIS Secretary General to sign the MOU in the hall of the Conference. This was done at the start of the Third Working Session of the Conference amidst the applause of the honourable attendees. (Text of the MOU is Annex No.5)

Designating the Executive Committee Members:

33. H.E. President of the Conference invited representatives of the geographic groups to review what has been agreed upon during their Consultative Meetings today 31 January 2008 on the two names members of the Executive Committee from each group as follows:

Arab Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al Atram, Representative of the Saudi Shoura Council.
  • H.E. Mr. Daadoua Al Ayashi, Representative of the Algerian People’s National Assembly.

Asian Group:

• • H.E. Dr. Kazem Jalali, Representative of the Iranian Shourah Assembly.
  • H.E. Mrs. Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Representative of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.

African Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Wally Mamadou Zoumarou, Representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Benin.
  • H.E. Mr. Abderamane Issa Youssouf, Representative of the National Assembly of Chad.

In addition to the representatives of the PUIC Presidential Troika, composed of:

• • H.E. Dr. Zeinab Radwan, Representative of H.E. Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly.
  • H.E. Mr. Irfan Gundus, Representative of H.E. the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey.

- H.E. Mr, Baba Oumar Bore, Representative of. the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Mali.

The Committee will be chaired by H.E. Mr. mahamane Ousmane, Speaker of the National Assembly of Niger in his capacity as President of the 11^th Session of the PUIC Council.

34. Designation of Members of the PUIC Council:

H.E. the President of the Conference requested the delegations to inform the General Secretariat about the names of the two representatives of each of them to the PUIC Council for its 11^th and 12^th Sessions. The Conference approved the procedure. (Annex 6 contains the names of members of the new Council.)

35. Designation of the members of the Specialised Standing Committees.

His Excellency President of the Conference enquired about what has been agreed upon this morning in the consultative meetings of the three geographical groups as regards the Specialized Standing Committeess. The Representative of each geographical group presented the formation of the three committees as follows:-

35.1 Committee on Political and Economic Affairs was formed as follows:

Arab Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Nawar Mohammad Al Sihli, Representative of Republic of Lebanon.
  • H.E. Mr. Ahmed Hajji, Representative of Kingdom of Morocco.
  • H.E. Mr. Saad Al Gammal, Representative of Arab Republic of Egypt.
  • H.E. Mr. Yousef Obeid Al Naiemy, Representative of UAE.

Asian Group:

- H.E. Mr. Irfan Gunduz, Representative of Turkey.

- H.E. Mr. Saghynbek Tursunov, Representative of Kazakhstan.

- H.E. Mr. Luhtfi Hasan Ishaaq, Representative of Indonesia.

- H.E. Mr. Sabir Rustamkhanli, Representative of Azerbaijan.

African Group:

• • H.E. Mr Yaouba Dao, Representative of Mali.
  • H.E. Mr. Hamadou Sali, Representative of Cameroon.
  • H.E. Mr. Charles Nzoh Ella, Representative of Gabon.
  • H.E. Mr. Asuman Kiyingi, Representative of Uganda.

35.2 Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and the Environment:

Arab Group:

• • H.E. Dr. Abdellatif Ahmed El Sheikh, Representative of the House of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
  • H.E. Mr. Atef Al Trawnah, Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  • H.E. Dr. Qotbi Al Mahdi Ahmed, Representative of Sudan.
  • H.E. Mr. Mohsen Al Tamimi Representative of Republic of Tunisia.

Asian Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Meiry Gambarov, Representative of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.
  • H.E. Mr. Onalbay Sapiyev, Representative of r the National Assembly of Kazakhstan.
  • H.E. Dr. Kazem Jalali, Representative of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran.
  • H.E. Mr. Alim Isik, Representative of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

African Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Mactar Mbacke, Representative of the National Assembly of Senegal.
  • H.E. Mr. Yabre Dago Idrissa, Representative of National Assembly of Togo.
  • H.E. Mr. Bahamdi Lebchir, Representative of the National Assembly of Niger.
  • H.E. Mr. Serifo Balde, Representative of the National Assembly of Guinea Bissau.

35.3 Committee on Women and Social and Cultural Affairs:

Arab Group:

• • H.E. Mrs. Sanaa Al Banna, Representative of the People’s Assembly of Egypt.
  • H.E. Mrs. Zainab Ahmed Al Tayeb, Representative of the National Assembly of Sudan.
  • H.E. Mr. Habeeb Makki Hashem, Representative of the House of Representatives of Bahrain.
  • H.E. Mr. Soualih BouJomaa, Representative of the National Assembly of Algeria.

Asian Group:

• • H.E. Mrs. Govhar Bakhshalieya, Representative of Azerbaijan.
  • H.E. Mr. Lena Marliana, Representative of the House of Representatives of Indonesia.
  • H.E. Mr. Rosnah, Representative of the House of Representatives of Malaysia.
  • H.E. Mrs. Asken Asen, Representative of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

African Group:

• • H.E. Mr. Ibrahima Tawel Camara, Reprehensive of the National Assembly of Guinea.
  • H.E. Mr. Ouedraogo Sayouba, Representative of the national Assembly of Burkina Faso.
  • H.E. Mrs. Sofiath Schanou Arouna, Representative of the National Assembly of Benin.
  • H.E. Mr. Abel Erneato Safrao, Representative of the National Assembly of Mozambique.

Election of the President of the Sixth Session of the PUIC Conference:

36. H.E. President of the Conference explained that according to the geographic rotation system, the African Group is invited to inform the Conference of the name of the person elected by the African PUIC members as agreed upon by the group in its consultation meeting this morning Thursday 31 January 2008.

36.1 The African Group gave the name of the H.E. Dioncounda Traore, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mali Republic as President of the 6^th Session of the PUIC Conference. This election was applauded by the members of the Conference.

36.2 The President of the Conference enquired about the date and venue of the 6^th Session of the PUIC Conference. The Secretary General explained that the start of the term of the coming President will begin early 2010 and that the date and venue of the 6^th Session will be fixed in due time through consultation between the coming president and the General Secretariat which will inform the Council in its coming Session.

CLOSING SESSION

Adoption of the Final Report of the 5^th Session of the PUIC Conference:

37. The closing session was held Thursday evening on 31 January 2008.

37.1 The President of the Conference invited Dr. Zeinab Radwan, Rapporteur of the Conference to present the report of the 5^th Session of the PUIC Conference. 

37.2 H.E. the President of the Conference noted that the Draft Report was distributed to all august delegations, Members of the Session. Enough time was allowed to them for perusal and study. Therefore, to save time, he remarked that Members are kindly requested to make comments or observations for the General Secretariat, in collaboration with the Rapporteur, to take them into consideration on preparing the report of the 5^th Session in its final shape.

38. H.E. the Speaker of the Federal National Assembly of the United Arab Emirates Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Gharir stated that the intervention of his country’s delegation was not indicated in the Draft Report in the day before regarding the three Emirate islands occupied by Iran. He added that he understands this situation in regard of Islamic brotherhood and avoidance of disintegrating Islamic ranks inside the Conference. However he expressed hope the Islamic Republic of Iran would respond to the peaceful request of the Emirates and settle the dispute prior to the next conference. He also invited the Conference to assume its role set forth in its Statute, namely respect for the sovereignty of States and resolution of differences peacefully.
39. Using the right to respond, H.E. Dr. Kazem Jalali, Representative of Iran, reminded of the consensus reached during the 2^nd PUIC Conference held in Rabat in September 2001 with regard with raising contentious issues at the PUIC meetings, and that research should be dwelt on the Ummah’s fate-determining issues such as Palestine and others. He noted that the Iranian delegation refuses to raise or put forward this theme in any paragraph or item in the Declaration, pointing to the participation of H.E. President Ahmadinejad in the last Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, adding that according to the view expressed by the Iranian delegation the day before, it has been concluded that a settlement could be reached through dialogue between the leaders of the two countries.

Adoption of the Cairo Declaration and resolutions issued by the Conference

40- H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, President of the Conference, recalled that the draft Cairo Declaration was distributed to all. He requested that delegations having any observations shall put them forward in writing to the PUIC Secretary General to be taken into account, provided that these observations are relevant to amendments in drafting only. Concerning other observations related to the amendment of any of the themes cited in the Declaration, they must be forwarded in writing to the PUIC Secretary General for drafting in consultation with the Rapporteur of the Conference, and incorporated in the Final Report issued by the 5^th Session of the Conference without introducing any amendments in the Declaration.

41. The Conference also adopted 19 Resolutions relating to its Agenda. The texts of which are shown from number (1) to (19) in the Index of the Conference Documents

Motions of Thanks

Motion of Thanks of the African Group

42. H.E. Representative from the African Group expressed thanks to H.E. President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak, and H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the People’s Assembly of Egypt for hosting the proceedings of this Conference on the land of Egypt that always upholds Islamic issues, lauding in particular Egypt’s humanitarian role in alleviating the sufferings of Gaza Strip population and the Palestinian people.

Motion of Thanks of the Asian Group

43- H.E. Dato Seri Bin Ngah Taleb, Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives and Representative of the Asian Group voiced sincere thanks to the Arab Republic of Egypt, government and people, for hosting this crucial event on its land. He applauded the wisdom of President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak to the best interest of Muslims and in terms of addressing their issues. He added that this was only normal when it comes to Egypt, the country housing Al Azhar Al Sharif, the beacon of Islam in Islamic countries. He commended the efforts of H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, the PUIC Secretary-General and his Assistant H.E. Ambassador Peryovi in the process of laying down the solid foundations of the PUIC during their terms of office ever since its establishment.

Motion of Thanks of the Arab Group

44- H.E. Mr. Abdul Hadi Al Magali expressed profound thanks to the leadership, government and people of Egypt. He commended the success of this important Conference whose objective deliberations contributed to the materialization of the supreme and noble principles of Islam.

Farewell of the Conference to the Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General

45- H.E. Hamadou Sali, Representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Cameroon requested to take the floor to address a motion of thanks that hailed the SecretaryGeneral and the Assistant Secretary-General of the PUIC on the occasion marking the expiry of their term of office. He commended the dedicated and persistent efforts they made in the service of Islam and Muslims, with special emphasis on the political wisdom, and diplomatic prudence and vigilance that distinctly marked the PUIC performance during their mandates. His speech was received with the applause of the attending delegates.

45.1- H.E. Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, President of the Conference expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Conference of H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, Secretary General and H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, Assistant Secretary General, for their constructive efforts to build the edifice of the Union. It is recognized that the most difficult phase of building is laying the foundation and placing the initial set of bricks. Both Ambassadors have shown high-level ability to face this difficult task which was crowned with success.

45.2- H.E. the President of the Conference read out the proposal of the Head of Delegation of Cameroon that Conference issue a decision to extend thanks and appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, PUIC Secretary General and H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Peyrovi, Assistant Secretary General. The Conference approved the proposal by applause.

46- H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf replied that this thankfulness from all participants makes him feel grateful and that since mandating him with taking charge of the PUIC General Secretariat, he considered it a mandate to serve the Islamic Ummah, east and west. He stated that the great success of the PUIC cannot be ascribed to him and his colleague more than to the Union’s members who outpace each other to serve its superior objectives. He promised to employ all his experience during the remaining period of his term to pave the ground for his successor in order to assume the task of his office smoothly and easily.

47- H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, PUIC Assistant Secretary General replied by saying that he finds no words to express his feelings and sentiments. He wished his successor success in serving the causes of the Islamic Ummah.

Paying tribute to the late H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Al Ahmar

48- H.E. President of the Conference eulogized the late Sheikh Abdullah Al Ahmar, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Yemen. He said that we miss his presence, experience and firmness in defending the causes of the Islamic Ummah.

Concluding the procedures of the 5th Session of the PUIC Conference

49- H.E. the President of the Conference expressed thanks to all members of delegations and the General Secretariat as well as to the Technical Staff and Security Personnel for their great efforts which contributed to project the honorable image of all the statutory meetings of the PUIC organs.

50- H.E. the President of the Conference read out the cable of thanks addressed to H.E. President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

51- The proceedings of the Conference were concluded with blessed recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.