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OIC not an organization of Islamic States or a former communist, godless  and atheist Russia cannot apply to be a member Statement (3) - when launching the DAP’s 46th National Day Celebrations and the  “Defend Secular Malaysia” campaign at the Tanjong Bungah market by Lim Kit Siang (Penang,  Friday): Malaysia is hosting the 10th Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Putrajaya on Oct. 16 – 18, and it is important that Malaysians, both Muslims and non-Muslims, should understand that the OIC is not an organization of Islamic States or a former communist, godless and atheist Russia cannot apply to be a member.  When Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Malaysia last month, he expressed Russia’s interest in being part of OIC, either as a full member or at least an observer.  This was revealed by the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar who said that the matter was brought up during Putin’s discussions with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.  Hamid said that Russia’s request was subsequently discussed in the Cabinet. As decisions on observer status or membership in OIC are based on consensus, this will have to be decided at the OIC meeting in Putrajaya next month.  Hamid said Malaysia had no objections to Russia’s participation in OIC if it could foster better understanding of Islam and Islamic countries, as there are other countries within OIC that are not totally Muslim countries but have become members.  This is the best proof that the OIC is not an organization of Islamic states  or  an ex-communist, godless and atheist Russia would not qualify to participate in OIC if being an Islamic State is one of the pre-conditions of membership or participation.  Russia has more than 20 million Muslims, constituting about 15% of its population of 144 million –more Muslims than Malaysia, which has about 14 million Muslims.  It is wrong therefore for anyone to  contend that the world had  recognized Malaysia as an Islamic State after the “929 Declaration”  that Malaysia was an Islamic State by Mahathir at the Gerakan National Delegates Conference on Sept. 29, 2001 and that this was the reason why  Malaysia was asked to host  the 10th OIC Summit next month.   This is completely baseless as Mahathir had pointed out in many international Islamic conferences that the majority of OIC member nations are not Islamic States. (5/9/2003) * Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman