MALAYSIA PROPOSES CONVENTION ON ISLAMOPHOBIA IN US

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has proposed that a large-scale
international convention sponsored by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) be held as early as next year to tackle the anti-Muslamic movement which
is rearing its ugly head in several developed nations.

Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Thursday that the OIC had asked
Malaysia to play a major role towards rectifying the misconception in the
Western society which was affected by Islamaphobia to the extent that they hated
the Muslim nations, as was evident from the protests against the construction of
a mosque in Cologne, Germany, recently.

The OIC's hope was conveyed to him by OIC secretary-general Prof Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu at their meeting on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United
Nations General Assembly here, he said.

He told Malaysian journalists that the OIC was confident that Malaysia
would
be able to take the initiative to counter the misconception towards the Islamic
nations because of Malaysia's commitment and effectiveness in past
endeavours.

He hoped that the convention would be attended by influential people like
leaders, department heads, intellectuals and non-governmental organisations
which support religious tolerance.

"Malaysia hopes that another window can be opened for a more universal
understanding of Islam to help in civilisation building," he said.

He said the United States was chosen as venue for the convention because of
the polemic on Islam in that country besides the wide media coverage that it
would get.

The proposal on the convention was made to the US representative to the OIC
during an earlier meeting in Kuala Lumpur, he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysia deposited the Instrument of Ratification on the
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) at the United Nations,
here Thursday.

"Malaysia's ratification of the UNCAC is testimony to the government's
commitment in promoting and strengthening measures to combat corruption at the
domestic, regional and global levels.

"It also reflects the intention of Malaysia to be a fully engaged member of
the Convention and a proactive member of the global anti-corruption community,"
Rais said.

He is scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly session on Saturday in
place of Deputy Prime Minister who had cancelled his trip to attend to pressing
matters in Malaysia.

Earlier, Rais had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Jordan, Dr
Salaheddin Al-Bashir.
-- BERNAMA