Perak Sultan urges Muslim countries to do more to help refugees
Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak has urged Muslim nations to do more to help Muslim refugees.
At the closing of Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019, the ruler stressed that Muslim nations must place the issue nationless Muslim refugees as a priority issue to be resolved.
"We are facing a crisis of mounting severity. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports more displaced persons in the world now than at any time since the end of the Second World War...
Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak has urged Muslim nations to do more to help Muslim refugees.
At the closing of Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019, the ruler stressed that Muslim nations must place the issue of stateless Muslim refugees as a priority issue to be resolved.
"We are facing a crisis of mounting severity. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports more displaced persons in the world now than at any other time since the end of the Second World War.
"There are around 70 million displaced persons worldwide. Of these, almost 26 million are refugees. Nearly 10 million of the refugees, well over a third, come from Muslim-majority countries," he said at the closing of the four-day Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019 today.
While noting that many Muslim countries offered shelters to millions of refugees, he said Muslim countries still needed to do more.
"How can we use the progress that we continue to make in the areas of development and national sovereignty to help the desperately needy beyond our own borders, to give homes to the homeless and voices to the voiceless?
'Because at present, the harsh reality is that Islamic nations simply are not doing enough," he said.
"Summits such as this, which build bridges between Islamic nations across the world, could act as a springboard for Muslim countries to act more earnestly to tackle the problem," he said.
"I believe that a great deal of positive change could be achieved if the plight of the nationless is foregrounded at this summit going forward," he said.
Sultan Nazrin also pointed out that one of the reasons refugees seek shelter in Europe is because they believe the continent will afford them greater opportunities, better education and financial security.
The refugees believe that they have freedom, dignity and human rights that they were stripped of in their home countries.
"In this sense, our focus on development at this summit has huge potential to improve the lives of Muslim refugees the world over.
"As Muslim nations become more prosperous, more stable, more developed in terms of technology, education, and work opportunities, they become better placed to offer hopeful, safe and productive lives to refugees seeking fresh hope and new homes," the ruler said.
He added that the Muslim countries will be able to fund more humanitarian efforts and even command greater power and sway on the world stage.
Sultan Nazrin also announced that the KL Summit, which was first held in 2014, will be known as the "Perdana Dialogue" at its next gathering.
"I believe that a hugely significant name change will reaffirm this summit’s commitment to the power of collaboration and conversation, while at the same time emphasising the responsibility that befalls us all to ensure that the outcomes of these discussions are implemented without delay.
“Let us take this mutual commitment to transform words into action most seriously. Let us not neglect this pledge to continue the good work which we have started," he said.
The summit was attended by Muslim leaders and scholars worldwide to discuss the problems faced by Muslim countries.
It was reported that the event attracted 450 delegates from 56 countries.
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