© Presidential Press Service via AP, PooTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Kuala Lumpur Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
"I have suggested that we re-visit the idea of trading using the gold dinar and barter trade among us," the Reuters news agency quoted Mohamad as saying at the conclusion of a summit in Malaysia for Islamic states. "We are seriously looking into this and we hope that we will be able to find a mechanism to put it into effect."
Two years ago, Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar over allegations it was financing terrorism. Iran has been forced to deal with similar isolation due to crippling sanctions reimposed by the US in 2018.
"With the world witnessing nations making unilateral decisions to impose such punitive measures, Malaysia and other nations must always bear in mind that it can be imposed on any of us," the Malaysian leader said, lauding Tehran and Doha for weathering the sanctions imposed against them.
According to the Reuters report, the countries at the summit agreed to further develop business ties among themselves while also trading in alternative currencies.
Despite the reported agreement, no joint statement was issued by the countries as the summit reached a conclusion. Participants had gathered to discuss "major issues affecting Muslims," including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as Kashmir, Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and the plight of Uighur Muslims who are being placed in concentration camps in China's Xinjiang region.
Apparently referencing the situation in Xinjiang, Mohamad said that Muslims were being forced to undergo assimilation. "We support integration but assimilation to the extent of shedding our religion is unacceptable," he said.
However, he avoided criticizing the Chinese government directly over the issue. "We have to hear the state, we have to hear the people who complain, then only [will it] be fair."
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