KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2, (KUNA): Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said on Monday that it is imperative for all Arab and Muslim nations to unite now more than ever. “Without unity, the Muslims will never be able to face the urgent challenges posed by the incidents in Jerusalem,” Al-Khorafi told reporters here after inaugurating the Global Forum of Islamist Parliamentarians. “There is not difference of views among the Muslim nations as per vital issues on top of which is the liberation of Palestine,” he noted. Al-Khorafi expressed hope that the forum, being hosted by Kuwait between Nov 2 and 4, would provide a platform for an open dialogue among Islamist parliamentarians and lead to practical solutions of inter-Palestinian disputes. “The Palestinians must to double efforts to restore unity which is the only way to strengthen their stance in the face of the Israeli barbarism,” he urged. He expressed regret over the current differences among the Palestinian factions and some Arab and Muslim nations. “I put it honestly; without unity among our brothers in the occupied Palestinian territories, we can never move forward to liberate Jerusalem,” he made clear.

In a keynote address to the gathering Chairman of the Forum Dr Walid Al-Tabtaba’ie, a Kuwaiti Islamist MP, said: “The forum coincides with a new Israeli offensive on the Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem.” “Everybody have realized the intentions of the Israeli occupation authorities to judaize the holy city, the seat of Al-Aqsa Mosque which is the Muslims’ first “kibla’ (a point toward which Muslims turn to pray) and third holiest site,” he said.
Al-Tabtaba’ie raised his eyebrows at the inaction of Arab and Muslim governments towards the Israeli violations in the holy cities and other the occupied Arab territories in pursuit of what he dubbed as “fake peace.” He highlighted the importance of parliamentary action in reflecting the peoples’ will and conveying that will to policy-makers.
“The forum provides an excellent opportunity for Islamist parliamentarians from the Arab and Muslim nations to crystallize common views on the major issues, exchange parliamentary experience and build bridges of cooperation with international and regional parliamentary organizations.
“It will push for Islamizing the laws of the Muslim countries and defend the basic religious values of our societies,” he added.
The three-day gathering brought together Islamist MPs from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, and Yemen.