The Federal National Council (FNC), in a bid to enhance cooperation and integration with Islamic countries, on Sunday launched the Islamic Parliament Project.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Federal National Council members and officials with panel of experts representing Islamic parliaments at their meeting in Dubai on Sunday. — Supplied photo

Chaired by FNC member Marwan bin Galita, a panel of experts representing nine Islamic parliaments are meeting here in Dubai for two days to discuss and prepare the project of the Islamic Parliament Proclamation.

The nine participant countries include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Senegal, Cameron, Turkey, Indonesia and Iran while Syria regretted attendance. Professor Mahmoud Eroul Glij, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is attending the conference.

FNC Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr said the move will help tackle the challenges facing the stability and development of the Islamic world. “The mega scheme comprises a five-part work plan from 2012 to 2017. A special code for social solidarity among Islamic countries against natural disasters and poverty shall be prepared as well,” he said.

The project was initiated in the 27th meeting of the executive committee of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Countries in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation held in Palembang of Indonesia in January.

The initiative raised by the parliamentary commission of the FNC is basically aimed to set up an Islamic parliament, encourage respect and integration among civilisations, boost education and scientific

research, and confront misconceptions and malpractices against Islam, its symbols and Muslims in general. “The parliamentary proclamation will contain two main frameworks. The first regulates the relationships among Muslim countries through certain principles, including non-interference in each others’ internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, none-adoption of force, respect of national sovereignty and cooperation against natural disasters, poverty and famine, all in view of the teachings of the Holy Quran,”

“The other framework streamlines the relationships with other countries, civilisations and cultures, affirming that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism,” he said, noting the importance of laying down programmes to work on these issues.

Al Murr said the project shall also protect and boost the noble values of Islam, such as peace, tolerance, equality, justice, and dignity. “These are added to the distinguished role of Islam across the world, particularly in international peace and security.” Al Murr said all the disputes rising among Islamic countries shall be peacefully settled under this project in line with the teachings of Islamic Shariah and accord of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

“We need to adopt and upgrade the latest trends in technology and communication. More coordination shall be adopted in terms of fatwa (religions provisions) issuing bodies to avoid misleading opinions against the peaceful and tolerant teachings of Islam, and steer away from fanaticism and extremism,” he said.

Prof Glij said the Islamic Parliament Proclamation is an independent legal entity. “We should all avoid whatever controversial issues contradicting the statute of the parliament. The issues to be discussed should also be executive and can be followed.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com