OIC Sent Strong Message To Syria: PM

MECCA – The collective voice of the Muslim world has sent a strong message in its decision to suspend Syria indefinitely from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

Describing the escalating violence in Syria as “sad, shocking and shameful”, the prime minister said Syria must take measures to stop the bloodshed and to embark on peaceful resolution of the crisis for the sake of the people of Syria.

“It is also hard to imagine after so much killings and inflicting horrendous miseries and hardship to his own people, how could a leader continue to hold on to power without any sense of guilt and accountability,” Najib said in his address at the 4th Extraordinary Islamic Summit of the OIC which ended here today.

More than 21,000 people, including women and children, have been killed in the 17-month conflict.

Speaking to Malaysian media later, Najib said the summit, held in Islam’s holiest city during the holy month of Ramadan, gave the leaders greater resolve on the significance of their decisions.

The 26th and 27th nights of Ramadan are often referred to as likely candidates for Lailatul Qadar or Night of Destiny, the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

OIC is the second largest inter-government organisation after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 nations across four continents, representing 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. - New Straits Times Online

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