Kuala lumpur: The struggle to defend Palestine is not merely an act of sympathy but a moral and spiritual responsibility of Muslims, as a mark of rejecting tyranny, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. He highlighted Malaysia’s longstanding role as the moral voice of the world in championing the Palestinian cause.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im elaborated on Malaysia’s foreign policy, which is grounded on the principle of ‘neutrality with values.’ This means being neutral in the politics of major powers while clearly aligning with justice and humanity. He explained that this approach is executed through both hard and soft diplomacy. Speaking at the Launch of the Gaza 101 Encyclopaedia at Dataran Merdeka, Mohd Na’im emphasized Malaysia’s consistent advocacy for Palestine at international forums like the United Nations, where the nation has repeatedly stressed Palestine’s right to freedom, security, and sovereignty.
Furthermore, Mohd Na’im noted Malaysia’s active participation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), advocating for collective measures to halt violence against Gaza. He mentioned Malaysia’s support for the OIC emergency resolution in 2021 that condemned inhumane attacks on Palestinian civilians.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im praised the efforts of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) in documenting humanitarian missions by NGOs and Malaysians in Palestine through the Gaza 101 Encyclopaedia. He described the documentation as an instrument of narrative diplomacy, providing data, project records, photographic evidence, and authentic testimonies. Mohd Na’im highlighted that the book serves as a soft policy document, bolstering Malaysia’s arguments at the UN, OIC, NAM (Non-Aligned Movement), and other international platforms.
He concluded by stating that ‘Gaza 101’ reflects Malaysia’s nation branding as a moderate Muslim nation that consistently advocates for universal justice. It reinforces Malaysia’s moral authority globally, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to not only speaking out but also taking action and documenting the evidence.