Islamic Court, Army Proposed to Settle Muslim Disputes

Delegates to an Islamic conference called Saturday for a Muslim court of justice and a joint army to enforce its rulings.

Ministers and religious leaders from the Muslim world met for three days to discuss future roles of the 45-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League following the Persian Gulf crisis.

“The conference stresses the need to . . . set up an Islamic court of justice to look into disputes and conflicts, especially border problems between OIC members,” said a final statement by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Without mentioning specific problems, the delegates urged Muslim countries to solve their disputes peacefully in line with international laws until the proposed court is set up.

“The conference recommends . . . establishment of an Islamic military force which would carry out rulings issued by the Islamic court of justice and other arbitration bodies,” the statement said.

It also called for a common Muslim market, an Islamic development fund and greater investments in OIC member states.