NGOs Support Mahathir's Decision to Ban Israeli Athletes

Putrajaya, MINA – The Malaysian Islamic Consultative Assembly (MAPIM) together with 45 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supported Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Mahathir who expressed rejected Israeli athletes entering Malaysia to take part in the World Paralympic Swimming Championship in next July.

“MAPIM has advocated a safe demonstration in front of Malaysia’s Putra Putrajaya Mosque after completing Friday prayers which were attended by around 500 people consisting of various NGOs,” said MINA correspondent Dudin Shobarudin in Malaysia who took part in the action on Friday.

In his speech, MAPIM President Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid called for full support of Mahathir’s move to ban Israeli athletes from participating in the World Paralympic Swimming Championship.

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Mahathir’s decision made Malaysia fail to host the championship.

In addition to conducting peaceful demonstrations, MAPIM and 45 NGOs included the Al-Aqsa Working Group (AWG), the World Mosque Federation in Defending Al-Aqsa Mosque (MANAR), the Shari’ah Secretariat for Asian Scholars (Shura), the Indonesian Teacher Working Group, and others declared the statement ‘Malaysian People’s Declaration’.

According to Azmi, all NGOs and the Malaysian people stand firm behind Mahathir.

“We will meet Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to deliver this Declaration to him and will be disseminated to 222 parliamentarians and we will also meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bring this declaration to the founding of Malaysia and be supported by other countries,” Azmi said.

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The contents of the declaration, MAPIM and 45 NGOs unanimously agreed that any regime that commits genocide, ethnic cleansing, deprivation and denial of rights does not qualify for recognition and support from Malaysia.

“We also criticized the IPC for being a tool for Israel and subjected to the country’s desire for Malaysia’s attitude to ban their athletes from entering Malaysia. And we urge the government to review all direct or indirect trade with Israel,” he said.

In addition, MAPIM urged all Islamic Conference Organizations (OIC) to emulate Malaysia and take action as shown by Malaysia. (TL/Ais/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)