We, members of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), participants in the 24th Meeting of the Committee, held on Sunday, Dhul Qa'ada 16, 1431 A.H., corresponding to Oct. 24, 2010 in Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates; upon the kind invitation of H.E. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al-Ghurair Speaker of the Federal National Council of the State of the United Arab Emirates and President of the PUIC Council;
DECLARE the following:
1. Emphasizing the need to review and rationalize agenda items of the Council and Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) pursuant to Resolution No. 32/36 of 2009 concerning the rationalization of the agenda items of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and its resolutions aimed at achieving the efficiency required for the decisions of the Union.
2. 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), which renders the Union influential and effective in the works of the Organization of Islamic Conference, to effectuate the role of the Union within its Islamic milieu.
3. Necessity for the Union to conduct contacts with the Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) 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.
4. The importance of taking practical steps by the Union to strengthen its contacts with all international and regional parliamentary organizations and relevant international organizations 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.
5. Requesting the United Nations, all international and regional organizations 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 Nos.: 242 (1967); 338 (1973); 497 (1981); 1397 (2002); 1515 (2003) and 1850 (2008).
6. Welcoming the UN Human Rights Council's Statement made on September 30 as regards the threat to burn the Holy Qur'an, and calling 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 emphasizing the necessity of positive interaction with human values and divine laws as well as positivists laws which call for respecting beliefs, freedom of worship and human rights.
7. Rejecting all political and media allegations that link Islam with terrorism, and vilify its Islamic religions religious symbols, and that it is necessary to seek the propagation of Islamic teachings in all parts of the world as well as inform about the lofty civilizational values of our true religion. Also urging all people to continue action in order to stop insulting Islam in all forms, irrespective of its sources, and seeking the most effective means of defending Islamic sanctities through dialogue, wisdom and mild exhortation.
8. Emphasizing that the struggle and resistance of peoples under foreign occupation in order to exercise their right to national freedom and sovereignty shall not be considered in any way an act of terrorism. Also emphasizing the gearing of the mechanism of parliamentary diplomacy to uphold the legitimate rights of this Ummah and defend these rights in international and world for a in order to liberate Bait ul Maqdis and the blessed land of Palestine from the Zionists, and enable the valiant Palestinian people to have their self-determination.
9. Expressing our deep appreciation to the Federal National Council of the State of the United Arab Emirates for the good efforts which have been exerted to make this meeting successful and for the warm reception and generous hospitality.