The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) today called for the setting up of the Secretariat for Peace Initiative and Muslim Unity under the auspices of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

In its memorandum to the head of states attending the OIC meet in Putrajaya, the movement said the secretariat should assume a mediator role, negotiating as representatives of the Muslim world in cases involving Muslim countries.

"Peaceful resolution of conflicts shall provide us windows of opportunities to focus on meaningful development of the Muslim world, buttressed by strategic natural and human resources," it said.

Abim said the condition of Muslims around the world was a cause for concern.

"While some are suffering from pressure as a result of differences with their respective governments, others are subjugated to human rights violations by encroaching states that covet their territory and natural resources; thereby extending their repressive hegemony over the Muslim land.

"The misfortunate engulfing Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Philippines, Burma and Aceh are cases in particular; not to mention the experiences of Muslims in various other parts of the world," it added.

'War against Islam'

In view of these developments and the ongoing 'war against terrorism' - which Abim said has turned into a 'war against Islam and Muslims' - it was imperative for the OIC to galvanise Muslim unity and solidarity to withstand the impending challenges.

Besides the setting up of the secretariat, the memorandum also outlined recommendations and plans of action with regard to the political and human rights issues in those countries to be consequentially considered by the OIC.

These include calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestine territory, urging the Burmese government to relax various restriction on the Rohingya Muslims, withdrawal of foreign occupying forces in Chechya; United Nation (UN) to conduct an impartial referendum for the Kashmiri people and to renegotiate the Tripoli agreement for the implementation of genuine autonomy for provinces in Muslim Mindanao..

"The Muslim predicament in other parts of the world such as Afghanistan and Iraq are also equally pertinent to request OIC's urgent and firm commitment. The 57-member countries are strategically positioned to chart concrete efforts aimed at solving intra-Muslim problems.

"We always hold the view that there is no substitute for the unity of the ummah, and the OIC is still the most viable vehicle for the Muslim unity," said the movement.