The following were quotable quotes from those who took the floor at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament Monday:

"Let's make it absolutely clear not only in words, but especially in deeds, that what we fight against is terror, not islam. That islamophobia is as abhorrent and dangerous as racism and antisemitisim and is to be suppressed by all legal means. That we all perceive islam as a shining diamond in the crown of mankind, along with other religions, cultures and civilizations. " -- Jan Hammacek, the president of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.

"Parliamentary democracy is worth the money, but people must have the opportunity to check and control. Parliamentary work is of course more than plenary sessions. Our work in committees should be thorough, extended and conscientious. " -- Siegfried Bracke, the president of the House of Representatives of Belgium.

"The peaceful nuclear program of Iran once again showed that bullying doesn't work anymore. Certain powers tried to impose sanctions on us but the great Iranian people chose the way of perseverance and ultimately their resistance became victorious over sanctions and intimidation and the difficult and intensive nuclear talks led to an agreement which is of course supported by us." -- Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Islamic Parliament of Iran.

"Nowadays, ethnic and political conflicts and civil wars dominated by violence and inhuman practices rocked many parts of the world in addition to the recent national disasters, climate change issues and successive financial crises that shook the economic development, led to recession, and retrogress in social and economic indicators in many countries if not all." -- Khalid Hilai Al Ma'awali, the chairman of the Consultative Council of Oman.

"In fact, parliaments being an expression of the will of people, they should be more representative and closer to the citizen, but above all, more innovative and productive, making the laws more accessible and understandable, so that the common citizen can apply them, contributing for the improvement of the social well-being." -- Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, the speaker of the National Assembly of Angola. Endit

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