Muslims leaders urged to engage other faiths

Jan 28, 2017

Legislators expressed concern over the surge in political violence in different parts of the world

Legislators from Parliaments of the Organisation of Islamic Conference member states (PUIC) have rallied behind Uganda to support a call to engage non-Muslim leaders in the fight against extremism and violence in the world. 

The proposal, tabled by Abbas Agaba Mugisha, the leader of the Parliament of Uganda's delegation to the 12th Session of the PUIC in Bamako, Mali, called on leaders of Muslim communities not to work in isolation as extremism spreads, according to statement issued Friday in Kampala from Parliament. 

"Violence and extremism affects all our communities. We cannot solve this as the Muslim community alone. Our political and religious leaders need to reach out to leaders of other faiths to preach the dangers of intolerance, discrimination and extremism" Agaba told delegates on Wednesday. 

While addressing the PUIC Political and Foreign Relations Committee, Agaba noted that non-violent resolution of conflict and fostering co-existence of the people will help spread peace to the entire world. 

Legislators expressed concern over the surge in political violence in different parts of the world where innocent lives have been lost and millions of people displaced. 

They resolved to criminalize the intentional financing of groups engaged in terrorist activities and the payment of ransom to terrorist groups as it encourages the vice. 

MPs also rallied OIC Parliaments to enact strong laws against terrorism and provide adequate protection to the victims of violence.

They proposed the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction from the Middle East and to strengthen the observation and implementation of the treaty on non-proliferation of chemical weapons. 

The proposals were scheduled to be tabled for adoption before the 12th Session of the PUIC Conference on Friday.

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