The Barisan Alternatif youth movement launched its 10-point "Universal Declaration of Peace" at a peaceful rally held at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

The rally, led by PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub and Keadilan Youth head Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, was held minutes after Friday sermon inside the mosque.

The declaration, innocuous though it may sound, targets the Muslim leaders gathered at the OIC Summit held in Putrajaya and urges them to truly uphold democratic principles and improve human rights.

Today is the second day of the 10 th OIC Summit hosted by Malaysia which saw the largest gathering to date of heads of Muslim nations.

Thousands present

Introductory speeches made by various political activists present at the rally effectively set the tone for Salahuddin's reading of the declaration, addressing an audience that numbered into the thousands who had attended the Friday prayers.

PAS deputy youth chief Idris Ahmad, said that the declaration enshrined the hopes and grievances of the Muslim masses suffering oppression and excessive government control.

"It is we who represent those who are oppressed and suffer injustices. We do not represent the oppressors and the arrogant."

Ezam compared the double standards of Western governments to the hypocrisy of certain Muslim government leaders.

"What's the difference between the lies and injustices of George Bush and Tony Blair and the lies and injustices of the rulers of this country?"he asked.

Also present was Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Tian Chua, who also spoke of Muslim rulers who practised double standards.

"We cannot condemn the United States, while at the same time detain our own people for expressing (dissenting) views."

The pitch of the speakers voices rose as many in the audience looked down over the mosque balcony to the riot police on the ground, who had arrived in three to four truckloads, while a police helicopter hovered above the mosque.

Perhaps it was also the resounding cries of "Allahu Akbar," and the intermittent slogans of "Reformasi!" that heightened the speakers' assertiveness and set the stage for Salahuddin to read the 10-point declaration.

Demands on Muslim leaders

Seven of the ten points, in fact, were resolute 'demands' targeted at leaders of OIC member nations:

Three demands called on Muslim leaders to truly practise Islam, democracy, and good governance, whereas four called for the protection and guarantee of fundamental human rights and liberties, including the repeal of all draconian and oppressive laws and media independence.

Two other points called for inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue as well as sound education "free from prejudice and antagonism between different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups."

One point urged for a just and equitable distribution of wealth and called for the rejection of economic systems founded upon corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

Also present at the rally were, among others, PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli and Keadilan youth information chief Dr Badrulamin Bahron.

There were no 'untoward' incident in connection with the rally proper but former ISA detainee Lokman Adam, on bail for three charges of illegal assembly, was handed a warrant of arrest by police officers for failure to attend a recent court hearing.

The BA youth leaders hoped to present the Declaration of Peace to the OIC secretary-general next week.