Page 256 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

The Important of Muslim Unity

to World Peace

It is an honor for me and my delegation to be here, joining high-level Islamic political figures in
discussing relevant solutions for the problems facing our Ummah. On the outset, we would like
to convey our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Iranian and Bangladeshi people for the
loss of lives in recent tanker accident in East China Sea. As the head of Indonesian Delegation,
also allow me to extend our sincere gratitude to Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the 13
th
Session of PUIC Conference and related meetings. Our attendance reaffirms our full support
for the stability of Iran and our strong rejection to all forms of foreign intervention that may
potentially destabilize the country. I further fully believe that the country is able to handle the
situation smoothly and peacefully.

Without any doubt, the division among Muslims is a real threat to the future of Islamic world. It
also detrimental to the cause of Palestine, as Islamic nations’ common concerns particularly Al-
Quds Al-Sharif as one of the holiest sites of Muslims. Hence, it is not surprising that the Islamic
world’s reaction is powerless when the US Administration officially recognized Jerusalem as
the Israel’s capital.

I have to share here a recent study that revealed that half of global poverty resides in Islamic
world while the Muslim population is 24% of the total global population. I am worried about
the increasing poverty in Islamic nations that arguably contribute to growing terrorism and
other radical expressions. Some experts stand with that view.

Furthermore, some Muslim communities have long experienced persecution from repressive
regimes. In term of that, Muslim Rohingya regarded as the most persecuted minority and
world’s worst human tragedy throughout 2017. It is reported that Rohingya Muslim death
toll hit 6,700 in one month. Around 1,1 million Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar into
Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called a systematic “ethnic cleansing”.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 243