REPORT OF THE TENTH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION OF THE OIC MEMBER STATES (PUIC) Cairo – Arab Republic of Egypt, 19 – 20 Muharram 1429 H 27 – 28 January 2008
REPORT
OF THE TENTH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION OF THE OIC MEMBER STATES (PUIC)
Cairo – Arab Republic of Egypt,
19 – 20 Muharram 1429 H
27 – 28 January 2008
Introduction
Upon a kind invitation of His Excellency Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the PUIC Council held its 10th Session in Cairo, Egypt, on 27-28 January 2008, presided over by His Excellency Ahmed Ibrahim Al Taher, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Sudan and President of the 10th Session of the PUIC Council.
The meeting was attended by (36) Member Parliaments, therefore the quorum of (25) members was fulfilled, as well as by His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, Secretary-General of the PUIC and Assistant Secretary-General Muhammad Peyrovi. (List of Participants in Annex -1).
First Working Session
1- The Session was opened by reciting versus from the Holy Quran.
2- His Excellency Ahmed Ibrahim Al Taher delivered an exhaustive inaugural address which included:
n Welcome of the attending Council members and voicing of thanks to His Excellency President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt for his patronage of the proceedings of the meetings hosted by the People’s Assembly of Egypt under the supervision of His Excellency the Speaker Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour.
n Recalling the previous Kuala Lumpur Meeting hosted by the Malaysian Parliament, and deliberations held then by members of the Council on issues and concerns that burden the Islamic world, guided by cherished sublime principles motivating Muslims to promote their unity, and commitment to concepts of cooperation in Islam in favor of benevolence and piety, in affirmation of the Quran-ordained consultative (Shura) principles.
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n Reference to the fact that today’s Meeting comes ten years after the establishment of the PUIC, at a time when the Islamic world has fallen prey to the claws of evil-doers who seek to dismember it and violate its sanctities, while acting to preoccupy each of its states with its own concerns to keep it away from lobbying for causes of unity and helping one another, and to distract it from fulfilling its sublime message of realizing justice for mankind, thus envisaging these states as complainants and petitioners and rendering them in a position of renunciation and repugnance.
n Conditions in Islamic countries are deteriorating day by day. For it was declared lawful to shed Muslim blood, to usurp their territories and wealth, to violate numerous parts in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan… (Speech of His Excellency in Annex 2)
3- His Excellency the President of the Council gave the floor to Prof. Zeinab Radwan, Deputy-Speaker of the Egyptian Peoples’ Assembly and its representative to the PUIC Council who welcomed the Council members to Egypt on behalf of His Excellency Prof. Ahmed Fathi Sorour, wishing this meeting all success in its deliberations.
4- His Excellency the President paid tribute to the late Palestinian freedom fighter Dr. George Habash as well as the former Indonesian President Sueharto who were deceased on the eve of the meeting.
5- His Excellency the President of the Council requested the Secretary General to kindly present his report to the Council in its 10th Session.
6- The report of the Secretary General included the following:
6-1 This report covers the period from the date of the meeting of the 9th Session of the PUIC Council in Kuala Lumpur on 15, 16 February 2007 up to this meeting of the 10th Session of the PUIC Council in Cairo on 27, 28 January 2008.
6-2 This report does not include political affairs which were covered in detail in the report of the Secretary General to be submitted to the forthcoming 5th Session of the PUIC Conference.
7- The report indicated that the Parliaments of two Islamic States, namely the Transitional Parliament of the Republic of Somalia and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Afghanistan, have requested membership in the Union. Upon the presentation of this matter to the Executive Committee in its 17th meeting in Khartoum, the meeting recommended to submit it to the PUIC Council in its 10th Session and to recommend approval of this accession.
8- His Excellency invited the African Group to agree among themselves on nominating a new President for the Eleventh Session of the PUIC Council from among the African States which are regularly paying their financial contributions to the budget of the Union in view of the fact that the term of the present Council, will expire by the end of its Closing Session in the evening of 28 January 2008. The Group shall kindly inform the Secretary General about this nomination in writing in twenty-four hours prior to the closing session of the Council which has to ratify this nomination.
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9- His Excellency invited the members of the Council to nominate two members from each geographical group to occupy its respective two seats in the new PUIC Council whose new two-year term of office will commence as of the 29th of January 2008, so as to enable the new PUIC Council to hold a procedural meeting on the sidelines of the Conference in the morning of January 31st 2008 to elect the remaining members of the Bureau – other than the President – which is composed of two Vice-Presidents from the Arab and Asian Groups as well as a Rapporteur.
10- His Excellency invited the Council members to consider the Draft Agenda of the Fifth Session of the PUIC Conference (Annex No. 5) following the inclusion of all the amendments which have been proposed by the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Meetings of the Executive Committee.
11- His Excellency introduced the subject of the election of a new PUIC Secretary General and a new Assistant Secretary General by the Union’s Council as the term of office of the current Secretary General will expire in early May 2008 and the Assistant Secretary General in early March 2008. His Excellency reviewed the details of the procedures and steps which ought to be followed in order to realize this matter during the meetings of the current Tenth Session of the Council as well dedicating a Consultation Session of the PUIC Council in the morning of 28th January, 2008 for this purpose to facilitate the work of the Council in its Closing Session in the evening of the Session of the same day.
12- Concerning the PUIC Headquarters Agreement, efforts are still underway by the General Secretariat to have it signed together with the competent authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
13- His Excellency the Secretary-General reviewed the financial position of the PUIC as follows:
13.1- Accounts of fiscal year 2006 and the report of the Financial Control Committee which examined these accounts and which concluded by recommending that the Council consider the adoption of the report, and the request of the Secretary-General to the Council to absolve him of any financial responsibility upon the submission of the report of the fiscal year 2006 in pursuance of Article 17 of the Financial Regulations of the PUIC.
13.2- Fiscal year 2007: His Excellency the Secretary-General has made it clear that figures indicated in the report cover the period up to 15/11/2007, the date of preparing this report to be timely sent to member parliaments for study. The report cited total collected contributions by 73% of the budget, and contributions in arrears by 27%, despite repeated PUIC requests to parliaments to pay their due contributions.
His Excellency added that a number of Member Parliaments with relatively large shares who have settled their arrears at the end of December 2007 and January 2008 has relieved the General Secretariat from its previous request to borrow from the general reserve of the PUIC.
13.3- These accounts include also actual figures of expenses till 15 November 2007, making it clear that for the first time since the establishment of the PUIC no surplus has been realized in order to add to the Union’s general reserve at the end of the financial year.
13.4- Regarding Member Parliaments defaulting on payment of their shares in the Union’s budget, His Excellency referred to the recommendation of the Executive Committee in its 17th Meeting held in Khartoum on 4-5 September 2007 to the effect of submitting the matter to the 10th Session of the PUIC Council to be discussed in detail for taking an appropriate decision thereon.
13.5- Financial Year 2008:
His Excellency the Secretary-General reviewed the Union’s Draft Budget of the financial year 2008 in line with budgets adopted in previous years, divided into the 4 budget chapters (annex 6), and invited the august Council to consider its development in the light of final view on the Union’s use of the Euro currency in place of the US dollar while taking into consideration the increase decided by the OIC to its budget at the rate of 45% since the first of July 2005 as well as the resolution of the Second Session of the Council in 2000 fixing the budget of the PUIC by 10% of the contribution of the OIC Member States.
14. The Secretary-General underlined that the 2-year mandate of the Financial Control Committee composed of the Assembly of Counselors of Morocco and the National Assembly of the Republic of Mali expires upon the approval of Council of its report on the Union’s accounts for financial year 2006. He called on the Council to designate another two of member parliaments that are regular in paying their annual shares to form a new Financial Control Committee for examining accounts of the Union for fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
- He proposed to agree on fixing the fees of the local external auditor who will be in charge of auditing the Union’s accounts for 2007 to be within the amount of 5000 US dollars.
15. His Excellency moved on to the issue of the Union’s use of Euro in lieu of US Dollar. He spoke of the difficulties and risks faced by the Union as he was compelled to carry the dollar amount as liquid money in the company of a General Secretariat’s delegation across borders from Kuwait to Tehran, due to the unfair US ban imposed on any transfers of dollar funds to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
15.1 His Excellency recalled the recommendation of the 17th Khartoum Meeting of the Executive Committee on 4-5 September 2007 to the august Council to consider approval of the use of Euro as the Union’s budget currency instead of the US dollar in terms of income and expenditure.
16. His Excellency introduced the Kuwaiti proposal on the investment of the Union’s funds in the Watani KD Money Market in compliance with the provisions of Islamic Law (Sharia). His Excellency submitted the relevant detailed study conducted by the Union’s General Secretariat in direct contact with officials of the National Bank of Kuwait (Central Branch). His Excellency concluded that the matter needs a specialized study of the issue in view of the risks of speculations linked to this sort of investment, and to kindly absolve the Secretary General of the financial responsibility in advance for probably losses resulting from investment in this form..
Adoption of the two reports of the Executive Committee by the Council
17- The Council adopted the two reports of 17th and 18th meetings of the Executive Committee and their annexes.
Accession to the PUIC Membership
18- The Council adopted the recommendation of the 17th Meeting of the Executive Committee in Khartoum regarding the two requests submitted by the Transitional Parliament of the Republic of Somalia and the House of Representatives of Afghanistan for accession to the PUIC
Adoption of the Closing Account for the fiscal year 2006 by the Council
19 The Council adopted the report of the Financial Control Committee (FCC) regarding the closing accounts of the fiscal year 2006 and absolved the Secretary General from ant financial responsibility for the year 2006.
Adoption of the Estimated Budget of the PUIC for the financial year 2008 by the Council
20-1 The Council discussed and adopted the Budget proposed by the General Secretariat for the fiscal year 2008 which amounts to US$1,133,873.69. However in the forthcoming years, consideration must be taken to provide comparative lists of actual and detailed revenues and expenditures of the two years prior to the year subject of the Estimated Budget.
20-2 The delegate of the Saudi Shoura Majlis enquired about the sizable item proposed in the budget as rental for the residence of the Secretary General (US$ 72,000 annually). He opined that it would be better to purchase a special house for the Secretary General to be owned by the PUIC. The value of such a house may be paid through hire-purchase. However, the Secretary General gave a detailed review of the conditions for estate ownership in Iran and the inclination for prices to rise continuously and substantially. Furthermore, buying through hire-purchase does not exist in Iran and therefore, there is the need to earmark a huge amount of money independent of the budget in order to buy the required house.
21- The Council took note of the financial position of the PUIC for the fiscal year 2007 up to 15/11/2007.
Using the Euro by the PUIC instead of the US Dollar
22- Following exhaustive study of this subject, the Council approved the principle to use the Euro by the PUIC instead of the US Dollar, in revenue and expenditure, as of the beginning of the fiscal year 2008 and subsequent years. In order to enable the General Secretariat to keep a definite budget from the beginning to the end of the fiscal year, the Council decided also to adopt a rate of exchange between the dollar and the Euro on
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the first January 2008 (value date 1.1.2008) to transfer the figures of the approved dollar based Estimated Budget, in revenue and expenditure, as well as the current dollar balance of the Union into the Euro according to this rate against a certificate of rate of exchange on 1.1.2008 from Kuwait National Bank. The Council mandated the Secretary General with providing each member parliament with the amount of its annual contribution to the PUIC Budget for the financial year 2008 in Euro after transferring it from the dollar according to the above rate of exchange on 1.1.2008.
The Council charged the FCC with assisting the General Secretariat to implement the above-mentioned arrangement.
Designation of the two members of the Financial Control Committee (FCC)
23- The Council designated the two members of the new Financial Control Committee from among the Member Parliaments which regularly pay their contribution for the next two years to audit the closing accounts of the Union for 2007 and 2008. The Committee is therefore composed of Mr. Naci Arikan representing the Grand National Assembly of Turkey – and Mr. Habib Hashem Makki.representative of the House of Representatives of Bahrain.
Fixing the fees of the local external auditor
24- The Council approved to fix the fees of the local external auditor for the financial year 2007 within the limits of US$ 5000 or its equivalent in Euro.
Position vis-à-vis Member Parliaments in default of paying their annual contributions:
25- Extensive discussion of this subject took place and concluded by applying the financial treatment envisaged by the resolution adopted by the OIC in 2003 on dealing with members in default of paying their annual contributions to the budget; this has been done pursuant to a proposal by H.E. the delegate of the Federal National Assembly of the State of the United Arab Emirates.
Adopting the Draft Agenda of the 5th Session of the PUIC Conference
26- The Council adopted the Draft Agenda of the Fifth Session of the PUIC Conference following the introduction of all amendments made by the 18th Meeting of the Executive Committee in Cairo on 25-26 January 2008. The Council approved the proposal offered by the Federal National Assembly of the State of the United Arab Emirates to consider decreasing the items of the agenda of the forthcoming sessions of the PUIC Conference so as to be limited to seven major topics and a single emergency item.
SECOND WORKING SESSION
Transferring the PUIC deposit with the National Bank of Kuwait to the NBK Investment fund according to the Islamic Sharia
27- Exhaustive discussion took place in which several Council members participated whose views varied between those opposing the move pursuant to non-concurrence among the religious scholars concerning banking interests i.e. whether they are usury or investment, and those supporting this step being in conformity with the resolutions of some Fiqh academies which consider them as usury. The discussion concluded by: Approving to transfer the PUIC deposit with the National Bank of Kuwait to the NBK Sharia-based Investment Fund, and that the deposit shall be invested in low-risk fields even though revenues may be little, while totally absolving the Secretary General of responsibility for any losses which the invested capital may incur. The Council shall constitute a committee of financial experts from the parliament of Bahrain and the parliament of Turkey to assist the General Secretariat in this respect.
CLOSING SESSION
The Closing Session of the 10th Session of the Council was held in the afternoon of Monday 28th January, 2008. It was opened by H.E. the President of the Council who requested the meeting to discuss the remaining items of the Agenda as follows:-
Election of the PUIC Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General
28. Pursuant to the consultation meeting of the PUIC Council, held on Monday 28th January, 2008, and chaired by His Excellency Jassem Abdul Mohsen Al Khorafy, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, and in view of the expiry of the term of office of the Secretary General next May and Assistant Secretary General next March and pursuant to the provision of the PUIC Statute whose Article 13 paragraph 2 stipulates as follows:-
“The Secretary General shall be appointed from a country other than that hosting the Headquarters, for a four year, once renewable, term of office.”
The Council decided as follows:-
28.1 Expressing thanks and appreciation to the General Secretariat, the Secretary General His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Auf and the Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi for exerting efforts that have resulted in the establishment of the Union, organizing its work, linking it with similar institutions, and deploying all efforts to realize success for its various meetings.
28.2 Convening an extraordinary session before the expiry of the term of office of the Secretary General next May in the Republic of Turkey pursuant to the invitations extended by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in order to elect the new Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General.
28.3 Submitting candidacies for the posts of the new Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General at least one month before the date of holding the extraordinary session through a letter addressed to the Secretary General together with the CV of the candidate to each of the two posts.
28.4 The Council approved to permit the Secretary General to issue a decision appointing Mr. Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi as an adviser to the Secretary General for three months as of the day following the expiry of his germ of office as Assistant Secretary General i.e. on 1st March, 2008.
Election of the President of the 11th Session of the PUIC Council
29. Based on the nomination of the African Group, the Council welcomed the assumption by H.E. Mr. Mahamane Ousmane, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Niger, of the Presidency of the 11th Session of the PUIC Council for one year as of 29 January, 2008. It also expressed thanks to His Excellency the Representative of Niger to the Council.
Adopting the report of the 10th Session of the PUIC Council
30. His Excellency Dr. Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, representative of the House of Representatives of Bahrain and Rapporteur of the Council reviewed the report of the 10th Session of the Council. The report prompted some of Their Excellencies the Members to raise some enquires and observations. The Meeting concluded by the Council’s adoption of the report and its nine annexes. The Council requested the Secretary General to submit this report to the 5th Session of the PUIC Conference.
31. Most of Their Excellencies members of the Council took turns to extend thanks to H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Auf and H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, Assistant Secretary General on occasion of the oncoming expiry of their term of office. Their Excellencies august members indicated in their speeches the great and sincere efforts which H.E. the Secretary General and his Assistant exerted in order to promote the functioning of the PUIC according to firm foundations which ensured holding all three levels of the PUIC organic meetings. Furthermore, he sought to inform all the parliaments about matters of interest to them so as to enable them to pursue effective participation in the proceedings of the Union. The Speakers requested to offer thanks in writing to Their Excellencies the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General as an expression of gratitude by the Council for the enormous role which he played to consolidate the pillars of the Union as well as his contacts with international and regional organizations.
32. H.E. the Secretary General asked permission to address the attendees. Highlights of the address included:
- Expressing thanks to His Excellency the PUIC President and Their Excellencies the august members for their praise and commendation.
- Maintaining that the effort he has exerted may be considered a modest contribution to the service of the Islamic Ummah.
- That the achievement realized during the term of his office is not due only to him or to His Excellency Ambassador Peyrovi but to the Member Parliaments which offered support, backing and encouragement to them, thus giving the march forward the chance to proceed. In this respect he singled out the headquarters state which provided the Seat for the PUIC General Secretariat and facilitated all its efforts.
His Excellency also saluted the several parliaments and capital cities which hosted the various PUIC Organs and all its subsidiary committees offering all capabilities, love and friendliness.
In conclusion His Excellency called on the youth present to ceaselessly act in order to make the huge Islamic homeland into one nation without borders or barriers. (Speech of His Excellency Annex No. 7)
His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, PUIC Assistant Secretary General requested to address the meeting. He thanked the President of the Council and expressed his profound appreciation to all the present t representatives of the Ummah. He indicated that he has deployed all his energy in order to fulfill his duties and responsibilities. He expressed his sincere thanks to the members of PUIC General Secretariat for their genuine cooperation which has led to achieving the goal cherished by the Union during the past 8 years (Text of the Speech of His Excellency is in annex-8).
33. His Excellency Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Al Taher, President of the Council, expressed thanks and appreciation of the tolerant spirit of concordance shown to the Union by all the Islamic Parliaments. He thanked them for honoring him with the Presidency of the 10th Session of the PUIC Council. He ascribed the success of the Council during his presidency to the honest cooperation of all the members. He singled out for thanks His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Auf, PUIC Secretary General and His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Peyrovi, Assistant Secretary General, the members of the General Secretariat and Technical Staff for their sincere role in the success of the proceedings of the 10th Session of the Council. (Text of the Speech of His Excellency in Annex No.9)
34. The Session was concluded by blessed recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.