|
|
||
|
|
Joint Meeting between the Arab Ministerial Delegation on the Arab Peace Initiative and the OIC Executive Committee
A joint meeting was held between the Arab ministerial delegation on the Arab peace initiative and members of the OIC Executive Committee on the margin of the 34th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held at Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
At a meeting held on Wednesday, 16 May 2007, the Arab ministerial delegation informed members of the Executive Committee of the action taken by the Arab League to explain the Arab peace initiative and to gain international backing for its implementation as well as the role that the Organization of the Islamic Conference could play in this regard.
The Executive Committee expressed its support for the Arab peace initiative and emphasized the necessity of action for its activation.
Jeddah: 16 May 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Ministerial Brainstorming Session on the Discrimination and Intolerance against Muslims and Defamation of Islam
A ministerial level thematic/brainstorming session on countering discrimination and intolerance against Muslims and defamation of Islam was held on Wednesday 15th May 2007 on the sideline of the 34th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) which is convening in Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan from between 15 and 17 May 2007.
At the outset, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, H. E. Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, introduced to the participants of the brainstorming session a working paper prepared by the General Secretariat on the subject and solicited their views on practical terms and how to proceed further on this issue.
The Ministers and head of delegations welcomed this interactive thematic session on Islamophobia and agreed that such kind of initiatives or brainstorming session on important issues have to be organized in future ICFM sessions. They unanimously applauded the Secretary General’s initiative and stressed the need for engagement in a continued and constructive dialogue in order to project the real image of Islam. The session endorsed the recommendations that the General Secretariat has in advance presented in the working paper, and called on the OIC Member States to strongly support the OIC’s Observatory body on the issue of Islamophobia. The participants also urged the Observatory to establish a workable and proactive strategy in a feasible roadmap in which all Member States are aware of their responsibilities.
Professor Ihsanoglu expressed his satisfaction over the support received from the participants of the session and appealed for financial assistance to come up with more practical and proactive actions to tackle the issue of Islamophobia.
Jeddah : 16 May 2007 PRESS RELEASE
The OIC Secretary General delivers his speech at the opening ceremony of the 34th ICFM session
Under the high patronage and in the presence of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H. E. Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the 34th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was officially opened at the gigantic Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, the capital city of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Session which started on Tuesday 15 May will conclude its proceedings on Thursday 17 May 2007.
At the opening ceremony, the OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu delivered a speech which covered his major activities and the various initiatives the OIC has undertaken during the last year pertaining to a number of Muslim World’s issues. Professor Ihsanoglu thanked the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for hosting the 34th ICFM Session and its constant support for joint Islamic action and its unswerving effort to champion the just Islamic causes. He also thanked the Republic of Azerbaijan for its commendable chairmanship of the 33rd ICFM Session.
The Secretary General outlined some of the major initiatives and reforms undertaken by the OIC General Secretariat in its move to implement the provisions of the Ten-Year Programme of Action. This included the revision of the Charter, restructuring of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the Islamic Solidarity Fund, International Islamic News Agency and the Islamic Broadcasting Organization. In addition, he highlighted the OIC’s efforts in countering acts of discrimination and intolerance against Muslims and defamation of Islam and fostering dialogue and tolerance.
He also emphasized the OIC’s reconciliatory initiatives to bring together political officials and religious leaders of Iraq to agree on the Makkah Document. On the issue of Palestine, he stated that the OIC has been an active party in bringing about reconciliation among sparring Palestinian factions through multiple visits to Palestine and numerous contacts with the Palestinian leaders. Professor Ihsanoglu appealed to the highest Palestinian authorities to put an urgent end to the inner fighting which has erupted in the last few days in order to maintain unity among the Palestinians in their common struggle to get rid of the occupation and attain the national aspiration. Furthermore, he outlined the initiatives of the OIC to find a way out of the issues of Somalia, Afghanistan, Kashmir, southern Philippines, southern Thailand and Cyprus.
In his recent working visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Secretary General stated that he had held discussions with H. E. President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan high officials. He added that he also inspected a number of projects financed by the OIC Special Fund for Assistance of Afghan People and witnessed Afghanistan’s dire need for peace, stability and reconstruction.
Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu concluded his speech by stating that the Muslim Ummah has a very long and arduous journey to reclaim its pioneering spirit and lofty position among the major contributors to the world’s progress and advancement.
Jeddah :15 May 2007
|
|
