OIC Journal Issue 17 English

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Time to act on reforms

No doubt the recent changes in the political landscape of some OIC Member States are a result of low economic development. Although definitely there are other fundamental governance-related reasons behind the popular uprisings and discontent, such as corruption, nepotism and injustice, but even those causes are in some way connected to lack of equal economic opportunities and poverty.

What is urgently needed is strong commitment and adherence to economic, social and political reforms based on human rights and the rule of law that would restore people’s confidence in their leaderships and raise their hopes for a better future.

It is saddening to see the level of poverty in some of our Member States despite the abundance of natural resources and capital flow in those States and all the OIC Member States in general. The United Nations’ list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) comprise of 48 states, almost half of them are OIC members. Most of the people in these states live on less than a dollar a day. A recent UN report warns of spiraling food inflation that could lead to riots around the world.

The developmental challenges facing peoples in the OIC Member States are enormous, particularly poverty, hunger, lack of access to basic health and education, youth unemployment, gender exclusion and social and political conflicts. Ignoring these facts or dallying in taking immediate action before the situation gets out of control is a great risk. Already the sounds of frustration are shaking the ground underneath us.

The OIC Ten Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted in 2005, initiated several capacity-building and poverty alleviation programs that address low and unequal distribution of income, absence of social inclusion and political turmoil. In accordance with the TYPOA, increased intra-OIC trade levels, investment-friendly regulations and transparency as well as strong, independent judicial system that guarantee the rights and protect the interests of investors and entrepreneurs are required to enhance socio-economic development and political stability.

The OIC had organized a forum in Turkey earlier in May on Building Capacities for Poverty Eradication. The Forum made several recommendations on capacity building, poverty alleviation, food security, micro-finance, vocational training, rural infrastructure, trade facilitation, and the role of the private sector and civil society as well as on other key issues related to economic development. I sincerely hope that the Member States take measures to support and implement the recommendations. Time is of the essence.

Ekmeleddin IhsanogluOIC Secretary General

OUR MESSAGE

Climate change is no jokeAccording to research studies climate change could induce sea level

to rise, thus increase the vulnerability of some OIC countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, to floods, which they have already suffered the devastating effects of in recent years.

Furthermore, the high sea levels will damage the agriculture sector by increasing salinity of soil and contaminating the fresh water resources. Some of the most vulnerable regions to this risk are the Nile delta in Egypt, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh, Maldives and Bahrain.

The damage to crops in turn will increase the specter of a food crisis, already being predicted by international organizations, such as Oxfam and the United Nations, as inevitable due to current rates of food inflation and high demand. Thus adding to the number of poor and hungry people around the world.

However, it is not an explosion in global population or the overconsumption of food and water resources that is behind the disturbing scenario. Rather, it is the excessive use of fossil fuel contributing carbon emissions and the irresponsible exploitation of natural resources, especially by the rich and developed industrial world, that is the real danger.

Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon the less developed and less industrialized world to take responsibility too for the impact of their policies on the environment. OIC Member States should endeavor to cooperate on developing policies and programs that would reduce the adverse consequences of climate change and to coordinate their environmental policies and positions in international environmental fora in order to protect their economic development from these consequences.

Maha M. Akeel

A WORD

The views expressed by the writers/

authors of the articles published in OIC

Journal do not necessarily represent the

views of the OIC, but are the personal

views of the authors themselves.

However, OIC reserves the right/

discretion to amend, revise, edit, delete

or scrutinize any part or portion of the

text as and wherever deemed necessary.

OIC JournalIssued byThe Organization ofthe Islamic Conference

Editor - in - ChiefIsam Salim Shanti

General Supervisor &Managing EditorMaha Mostafa Akeel

EditorsAhmed SalemAbdelhamid Salhi

Layout & DesignMohammed Abdelqader Qalaba

Advisory BoardAli Abolhassani ShahrezaHasan Oker Gurler

Address:Madinah Road, P.O. Box 178, Jeddah-21411 Tel: 6515222 Fax: 6512288 Telx.: 601366 Islami SJ.

Website: www.oic-oci.orgFor comments, enquiries and advertisementE-mail: [email protected]

OIC Permanent Observerto the UN New York Office320 East - 51st StreetNew York 10022 New York - [email protected] Permanent Observerto the UN Geneva OfficeICC-20 Route Pre-Bois-Case Postal 1818CH 1215 Geneve - SUISSEwww.oic-un.orgoic@oic - un.org

Subsidiary OrgansThe International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) www.fiqhacademy.orgThe Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) www.sesrtcic.orgThe Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) www.ircica.orgThe Islamic Center for the Development of Trade (CIDC) www.icdt-oic.orgThe Islamic University of Technology (UIT) www.iutoic-dhaka.edu

Specialized Institutions and OrgansThe Islamic Development Bank (IDB) www.isdb.orgInternational Islamic News Agency (IINA)www.islamicnews.org.saThe Islamic States Broadcasting Organization (ISBO) www.isboo.orgThe Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Rabat (ISESCO)www.isesco.org.ma

Affiliated InstitutionsIslamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) www.icci-oic.orgOrganization of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC) www.oicc.orgOrganization of the Islamic Shipowners Association (OISA) www.oisaonline.comWorld Federation of Arab Islamic International Schools (WFAIS) www.wfais.orgIslamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC)www.icyf.comIslamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS)www.ias-worldwide.org

OIC Related Links OIC Calendar: July – October 201112 -13 July: 2nd General Assembly of SMIIC – Istanbul, Turkey.

21- 25 September: 1st Cotton and Textile Fair of OIC Member States –

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

22 -25 September: First OIC Health Expo – Tunis, Tunisia.

29 September: 3rd Islamic Conference of Health Ministers – Astana,

Kazakhstan.

3 -6 October: 6th Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural

Development – Istanbul, Turkey.

9- 12 October: 2nd OIC Tourism Fair – Cairo, Egypt.

11 -12 October: Forum on Development of Agro-food Industries in OIC

Countries – Kampala, Uganda.

17- 20 October: 27th Session of COMCEC – Istanbul, Turkey.

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference and New Challenges of Our Time

Libya struggles under heavy fighting

OIC-Turkey Forum on Building Productive Capacities for Poverty Eradication

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In Focus

World Affairs

Culture

Environment

Economy

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Jakarta: Capital of Islamic Culture in the Asian Region for 2011

At Climate Change meeting: Ihsanoglu proposes “Green Fund”

OIC Water Vision envisages an incremental approach for cooperation on water

Ihsanoglu calls for a constructive partnership between the USA and Muslim world

Palestinians sign a National Reconciliation Agreement in Cairo

Rohingya leaders agree to form the Arakan Rohingya Union

7th WIEF focuses on building consensus to address socio-economic imperatives

Correction: In issue 16, pg. 25 a mistake was made in the name of the author. It should be Mevlut Cavusoglu. We apologize for the unintended mistake and thank Mr. Cavusoglu for his contribution.

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org April - June4

Washington DC, USA – The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was on an important visit to Washington DC when for the first time an OIC Secretary General was invited for an official meeting in the White House by the US President. During his visit on 10 -14 April the Secretary General also met with congressional leaders in the US House of Representatives and was a keynote speaker at the US-Islamic World Forum, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

The U.S.-Islamic World Forum is a highly prestigious international event designed to bring together leaders in the realms of politics, business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Islamic world.

Ambassador Martin Indyk, Vice President of Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution and former US Assistant Secretary of State introduced Secretary General Ihsanoglu as the first speaker of the 2011 US-Islamic World Forum.

In his speech the Secretary General discussed the need to boost mutual relationships between the Muslim world and the United States based on mutual understanding and respect.

Ihsanoglu pointed out to the profound transformation taking place in some parts of the Muslim world and noted that the people must be afforded the opportunity to translate their aspirations into the necessary political will to find home-grown solutions to their problems. He also raised the problems faced by Muslims in the West and noted that the growing anti Islamic feeling in the West is a contemporary manifestation of racism and must be addressed in that context.

Ihsanoglu called for dialogue, structured and sustained engagement to address the whole range of similar issues. In this context, he underscored the role of the OIC, which is driven by its vision of moderation and modernization,

and underlined that the OIC is engaged in implementing a diverse agenda including human rights, good governance and cultural diplomacy as stated in the Organization's Ten Year Program of Action.

He presented some proposals for consideration by the Forum, which included a call for a constructive partnership between the USA and Muslim world; giving prevalence for the Middle East Peace process in US-Muslim world relations; proactive role by the USA in OIC countries' initiatives such as fostering result-oriented dialogue for peace and tolerance; and working towards abandoning double standards and discriminatory practices like racial profiling.

Obama appreciates OIC-US cooperationAfter delivering his remarks to the opening session of

the US-Islamic World Forum the OIC Secretary General departed for the White House for an official meeting with President Barack Obama and senior officials including Deputy National Security Advisor Dennis McDonough.

During the meeting, President Obama expressed his appreciation regarding the ongoing cooperation and engagement between the US and the OIC, including political issues and in the field of eradicating polio, ensuring mother and child health, and combating intolerance. He also commended the OIC Secretary General for his balanced and constructive approach vis-à-vis a range of political issues in the agenda of the international community. He indicated that the US is and will continue to be sensitive to the concerns of the Muslims around the world in line with mutual understanding and respect. He also mentioned the US Administration’s willingness to have a continued dialogue and strong lines of communication with the OIC.

On his part, OIC Secretary General expressed his appreciation to President Obama for the willingness of the US Administration to further engage and cooperate with the OIC and with the Muslim World as a whole on a broad spectrum of issues in line with the vision set out in President Obama's

Ihsanoglu calls for a constructive partnershipbetween the USA and Muslim world

IN FOCUS

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Cairo speech in 2009. The Secretary General also indicated the requirement to find a just and sustainable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for solid and sustainable progress in the relations between the US and the Islamic World.

OIC Secretary General and the US President also exchanged views regarding the developments in the international arena and agreed to maintain constructive and regular dialogue between the OIC and the US Administration.

Meeting with Congress members yields positive resultsFollowing the meeting at the White House the Secretary

General was invited to meet with Congressmen Andre Carson and Keith Ellison at the Canon House Office Building, US House of Representatives. The Secretary General was also introduced to a large gathering of Congressional Staff and Advisors where he spoke about the work of the OIC, its history and achievements. This was the first time that any Secretary General of the OIC had addressed such a gathering at the US Congress.

The response from the Staff and Advisors was tremendously positive. Congressmen Carson and Ellison both expressed their deep appreciation to the Secretary General for his speech and strongly advocated that more regular encounters between the OIC and Congress be organized. They suggested that there be increased efforts by the OIC in Washington and provide briefings to members of Congress. Congressman Ellison also agreed to help introduce legislation in Congress that would raise the diplomatic status of the OIC in the United States.

US-Islamic World Forum ConferenceThe Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad

Al-Mahmoud said the US-Islamic World Forum was held in Washington DC after seven sessions held in Doha. “Today we are honored to participate in its proceedings, being inspired by hope and belief in the importance of succeeding in achieving the Forum’s goals and projects to the best interest of both the Islamic countries and the US.” He added: “Achieving development, fighting extremism and ensuring media role and responsibilities are among the ways to be followed to achieve more humane and powerful societies.”

For her part, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that over the years, the US-Islamic World Forum has offered a chance to celebrate the diverse achievements of Muslims around the world.

“This Forum also offers a chance to discuss the equally diverse set of challenges we face together around the world – the need to confront violent extremism, the urgency of achieving a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, the importance of embracing tolerance and universal human rights in all our communities,” she said.

The first plenary session of the forum examined ‘Geo-Strategic Issues in the Middle East and South Asia’. The other panel sessions were on the Libyan crisis and on democracy in the Muslim world.

Members of the OIC delegation accompanying the Secretary General attended the proceedings of the Forum.

Topics of the roundtable sessions included: The Status of the Middle East Peace Process; The Obama Administration’s Engagement with the Muslim World; How U.S. and Muslim

Perspectives Have Evolved Over the Last Decade; The Role of Youth in the Arab Upheaval; A Dialogue on Afghanistan and Pakistan; The Importance of the Private Sector in U.S.-Muslim World Engagement; Democratization and Political Reform; and The Challenges and Opportunities of the American Muslim Community.

A Special Working Group Session was held on ‘Muslim Minorities in the West: Their Issues and Roles in a Global Community’. It discussed the topic in the context of five major issues: integration and identity, the impact of media and politics, security and counterterrorism, the treatment of minorities, and interfaith relations.

Another Special Working Group Session discussed ‘America and the Muslim World: The Tale of Two Media’. This working group examined new initiatives that promote visual media programming aimed at correcting cultural misunderstandings, explore how visual media can promote interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding, and examined current business models of new media platforms, and recommend a set of best practice guidelines for designing a transformative visual media model.

And a third Special Working Group Session focused on ‘The Role of Entrepreneurship and Job Creation in U.S.-Muslim Relations’. It examined how certain mindsets and structural challenges must be addressed to overcome unemployment in the region; assess the current approaches of governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and presented recommendations for catalyzing sustainable, entrepreneurship friendly, and job-creating economies.

Regional organizations are better placed to address root causes of conflicts

On the sidelines of his visit the Secretary General delivered a speech at the George Mason University in Washington D.C. on the ‘Role of the OIC in Conflict Resolution Involving Member States and Muslim Communities’.

Ihsanoglu stated that when faced with conflicts and their security challenges, regional and sub-regional organizations are better placed to assess the root causes of conflicts and, accordingly, devise specific ways and means to tackle them, as they have an intimate understanding of the political, social, cultural and economic underpinnings of such conflicts and the ability to identify and mobilize existing home-grown mechanisms to address conflicts effectively and efficiently.

Ihsanoglu underscored that the OIC, which firmly believes that conflict prevention and resolution require a multi dimensional approach and not only the use of military means to guarantee sustainable peace, attaches enormous importance to identifying and addressing the root causes of conflicts and disputes. He noted that the main advantages of the OIC lie in its relative strength, honesty, credibility, neutrality, impartiality and its overall acceptance in the Muslim world where it also enjoys enormous respect.

The Secretary General reiterated that the OIC has consistently pursued a policy to engage in a pragmatic dialogue with the West to remove whatever misgivings there maybe between Muslims and the West and extended its hand of cooperation on issues of common concern.


SPECIAL MESSAGE

The Organisation of the Islamic Conferenceand New Challenges of Our Time

By Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem!This June, the ancient Kazakh land will be honoured to host for the first time in Astana the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). This will usher in Kazakhstan’s yearlong chairmanship of this political body. We take up this mission in a difficult time. The beginning of this new decade of the 21st century has become a time of great trial for the Islamic world.The financial crisis, dependence on food imports, lack of prospects for the youth, and other problems have ignited unprecedented turmoil in some countries of North Africa and the Middle East.Political regime changes in Tunisia and Egypt, and the humanitarian catastrophe Libya is facing today have set in motion a wave of many hundred thousand refugees.These events have also triggered dramatic radicalisation of public opinion in other OIC countries leading to an aggravation of internal contradictions, including between religious and ethnic groups.Today, when the threat of escalating conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa is growing, perils of international terrorism are becoming more real, and instability threatens too many countries of South and Central Asia.The entire Islamic world suffers losses from the raging instability in a number of countries. Enormous damage has crippled not only their national economies but also cut off trade and economic ties between countries. We all know that under conditions of globalisation a crisis in one country has a pernicious effect upon the wellbeing of others.

Economic problems of the Muslim community and the whole world are aggravated by a growing food crisis, manifested by an increase in the price of wheat, rice, sugar, meat and other commodities. One and a half billion people around the world, including in the Muslim nations, are starving.Under these circumstances, it is as important as ever to use the enormous positive potential of cooperation within the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. I am convinced that even at this complex and crucial historical moment there is no alternative to consolidation and integration.As the leader of a new nation that will mark only the 20th anniversary of its independence, I am calling upon world leaders to engage in an open dialogue and a joint search for ways to strengthen global peace and security. We have been persistently repeating this call from the first days of Kazakhstan’s independence.Twenty years ago we voluntarily gave up the world’s fourth largest nuclear and missile arsenal, closed down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and successfully initiated the idea of creating a nuclear weapons free zone in Central Asia.In April 2010, at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington I proposed to use this experience to raise the number of nuclear weapons free zones in the world, including the complex Middle Eastern region.Kazakhstan is one of the OIC’s youngest member states. This, however, does not prevent us from seeing enormous prospects for cooperation within the OIC. Ummah’s collective economic potential is inexhaustible. And we should combine our efforts in order to develop truly effective mechanisms of economic cooperation, mutual assistance and development promotion in the interests of each member state.I believe it is through implementation of effective trade, investment, technological, social, and other programmes that we should demonstrate Islamic solidarity as the main principle of our Organisation. Collective efforts by the OIC member states to broaden trade and economic ties, develop transit transport potential, establish interregional markets, and engage with the global business community to fully integrate Islamic economies with each other, and the global economy should become the cornerstone of our Organisation’s activities.Against this background, the Seventh World Islamic Economic Forum that took place on 7- 9 June 2011 in Astana – in the heart of Eurasia –– offered a unique opportunity to solidify partnership between the Islamic and Western business communities. For, the fact is, when global financial markets lack stability, the general interest towards the Islamic financial system, which has demonstrated impressive development rates and performance in the past decade, is growing especially fast. We believe it is necessary to take broad measures to advocate the principles of Islamic banking. This will raise awareness of them among global investors. Pursuant to this, Kazakhstan proposes to host the World Conference on Islamic Banking.Furthermore, we welcome the creation of an Islamic stock exchange. Kazakhstan is the first post-Soviet country that through law has approved a full package of tools of Islamic financing. We have opened a bank that operates on Shariah

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principles. Kazakhstan plans to issue and list sukuk and other Islamic bonds. In the nearest future we will adopt a law to allow our national companies to issue Islamic bonds.We have built efficient economy that over a span of 20 years of independence has grown 12-fold. And today Kazakhstan is one of the largest partners of intra-OIC trade. The volume of its turnover has already amounted to 5 billion U.S. dollars.We are one of the few countries capable to fend for oneself as well as develop export potential of our economy. Kazakhstan, for instance, is among top ten exporters of mineral fuel, foods products and non-edible raw materials to the OIC countries. We are determined to continue to consistently develop our trade with all interested countries.Kazakhstan clearly understands and shares its responsibility for sustainable and progressive development of Central Asia – an integral part of the Islamic civilisational space. Our region occupies a special geostrategic position and is blessed with large reserves of natural gas, oil and mineral resources. Its transit potential is enormous. Stability in the entire Eurasia, and on the global scale, depends on the stability in this region.That is why Kazakhstan has always sought to ensure strong regional security. In circumstances of an acute political crisis that took place in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan last year, our actions were a convincing testament to this.As the Chair of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), we ensured coordination of international efforts to resolve the internal conflict in the country. Thereby a threat of civil war, that could have been catastrophic for the Kyrgyz statehood, was averted. Kazakhstan continues to render assistance to the brotherly Kyrgyzstan that has already amounted to more than 20.5 million U.S. dollars.Our country makes a major contribution to reconstruction of civil peace in Afghanistan and to reviving its economy.We provide grant assistance to this country. Among other things, 1,000 Afghan students will study peaceful professions at our universities under an 8-year programme. We have assigned 50 million U.S. dollars from our budget to this end. The first group of almost 200 young Afghans already started their studies in Kazakhstan last September.In addition, we render the Afghan government assistance by reconstructing schools, hospitals and other economic assets destroyed by the war, and by constructing new ones.These are concrete examples of Kazakhstan’s active interaction with neighbouring Muslim countries. There should be no doubt that we will continue to intensify these efforts, also by harnessing OIC’s resources and mechanisms.Taking up the duties of the Chairman of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Kazakhstan shares the concern of OIC members with the growing anti-Islamic sentiments in the world. We consider increasing intolerance towards Muslims, their discrimination at labour and housing markets apparent in some countries outside the Ummah to be dangerous.We condemn the acts of vandalism and mockery at Islamic sanctities, incidents of violence and insult against Muslims in those countries.I strongly believe any manifestations of intolerance pose serious threat to the global peace and security. Islam preaches values of kindness, tolerance and justice common to all mankind. Therein lies its truly humanistic nature, no less important than in any other religion of the modern world. The true meaning of the Islamic doctrine has nothing to do with activities of various

extremist and terrorist groups that mask themselves through religious phraseology.I strongly disagree with attempts to identify Islam with hostility towards other religions and to present it as some deadlock branch of spiritual and social culture of the humanity.I believe all OIC countries should jointly promote the true, noble image of our blessed faith.I am convinced there are no preconditions for any inter-civilisational divides in today’s world. All religions in the world can and should live in harmony. This has been clearly demonstrated by the experience of Kazakhstan, a home to representatives of 140 ethnic groups and 46 religious confessions. For over two decades of our independence we have developed our own unique model of tolerance. At my initiative, Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions are regularly convened in Kazakhstan where spiritual leaders of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and other faiths take part. Owing to this, these fora have been recognised as an effective dialogue platform to foster peace and accord on the planet.In October 2008 in Astana, we held the Ministerial conference “The Common World: Progress through Diversity” with participation of high level representatives of countries of the West and the Muslim world.The Astana Declaration that was adopted at the conference reflected valuable ideas and recommendations to further promote inter-civilisational and intercultural dialogue.In 2010, Kazakhstan became the first Muslim country to lead the OSCE. We actively promoted the themes of interfaith dialogue at the helm of this organisation.Kazakhstan initiated the appointment of its senior diplomat as a Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. Astana successfully hosted the OSCE High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, attended by, among others, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.Embarking upon a new role as the Chair of the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Council, Kazakhstan will continue to promote dialogue between civilizations. We propose to hold in Astana a special OIC conference with the aim to work out an interaction plan with the West on issues of countering Islamophobia. We will count on the support of the United Nations in this matter.Today, the Great Ummah urgently needs peace and order, enlightenment and scientific-technical development.In our country we attach great attention to the development of education and science. Last year we opened the Nazarbayev University. This world-class educational institution offers programmes in engineering, natural sciences, and medicine. I am confident that the expansion of exchange programmes and scholarships for talented young Muslims will invigorate cultural and humanitarian cooperation among all OIC countries.Through almost four decades of its activities the Organisation of the Islamic Conference has proved its potential to be an important stabilising factor of today’s global architecture.Kazakhstan will invest all efforts to further raise the role, profile and authority of the Organisation, and promote stronger unity and cooperation of the Muslim community on the principle of Islamic solidarity. We are thankful to all our OIC partners for their confidence in us and the honour to head the Council of the OIC Foreign Ministers. We will firmly follow the motto of our chairmanship: “Peace, cooperation and development”.


SPECIAL REPORT

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The three-day Senior Officials’ Meeting preparatory to the 38th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), whose works kicked off on 15 May 2011 at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah, approved the draft rules to allow more countries to seek observer status in the OIC. Brazil is the latest nation to have asked for such status. Also, a proposal for changing the OIC’s name and emblem was discussed for adoption at the CFM. The meeting addressed various issues of political, information and organic matters, particularly the developments in some Member States.

In his opening speech at the meeting, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu reiterated his call to OIC Member States to implement the political reforms provided for in the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action, especially under the current developments taking place in the region. He said that the Islamic world is undergoing decisive transformations in its history, which require a great deal of wisdom and perspicacity. In this context, the Secretary General drew attention to the successive developments taking place in some Member States, which further affirms the dire need to speed up the process of concretizing peoples’ aspiration to good governance, the rule of law, human rights consolidation, broader political participation and dedicated national dialogue.

On Palestine, Ihsanoglu said that Israel’s illegal practices trigger serious concerns about the future of Al-Quds Al-sharif. He stated that Israel’s illegitimate practices continue to raise deep concern over the future of the city. Israel has persisted in its aggressions against this city and in its tampering with its landmarks and its Arabo-Islamic identity, with even more schemes and designs for its judaization through policies aimed at isolating it from the Arab world, as well as through

the forcible evacuation of its citizens, the extension of excavation works under its holy places, the demolition of homes, and the acceleration of settlement activities. The Secretary General considered all these practices as an open war declared on the Palestinian people and the Islamic world.

In the same vein, Ihsanoglu dwelt on the sixty-third anniversary of the nakbah in Palestine, emphasizing that this tragedy continues to cause untold pain for Muslims across the world, without any real hope emerging yet on the horizon for an end to this ordeal. He expressed his hope that the Palestinian reconciliation agreement will consecrate the Palestinian unity which the Palestinians need so much today to be

able to face up to the critical challenges ahead. He renewed his call to the OIC and the international community to take practical resolutions in favor of the emergence of the State of Palestine in the month of September at the latest, so that a new era may be ushered in that would enable the Palestinian people to enjoy their freedom and set up their long-awaited State with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

On another vein, the Secretary General mentioned the meeting he had with the US President Barack Obama at the White House on 11 April, specifying that the meeting addressed the Palestinian cause, cooperation with the OIC in different areas and international positions on the causes of the Islamic world. The Secretary General highlighted President Obama’s appreciation of OIC’s positions.

During the meeting, the delegations exchanged their views on a wide range of political issues representing mutual interest. The participants reviewed cooperation in such areas as fight against terrorism, defamation of religions, disarmament processes, protection of human rights in Muslim countries, disaster management, settlement of conflicts in the OIC region, as well as the implementation of the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action. Following animated discussions, the participants approved draft resolutions dealing with political, legal, information and administrative concerns of the Organization. The final decision on the agreed draft resolutions will be taken after the foreign ministers of the OIC Member States meet in Astana, Kazakhstan on 2830- June 2011.

The following pages provide a brief review of some of the activities of the departments in 2010 or main issues they are working on, which were presented to the meeting for the CFM.

Meeting of Senior Officials in preparation for the 38th CFM approve draft rules for observer status

Ihsanoglu invites OIC Member States to carry out reforms

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In addition to preparing for the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and for the brainstorming session on its sidelines on the Central Asia and Muslim World, the Political Affairs Department particiapted in the following activities in 2010:Somalia: Hosting of the International Contact Group on Somalia and representing OIC in different international conferences on Somalia in Istanbul, Madrid and NY.Sudan:

• Participating in the Doha peace process and in the meetings of the Consultative Forum on the Sudan.

• Opening channels of communication with South Sudan through the Meeting with South Sudan President in Khartoum and Juba. Participation in the OIC, IDB ISF delegation to South Sudan.Political consultations:

• Following up on political consultations with Russia • Holding political consultations for the first time with France Iraq: Follow up of the implementation of the agreement between the OIC and Iraq as well as Makkah Declaration.Participation in Summits:

• Participation in AU Summits and the second Afro-Arab Summit

• Participation in Third Africa-Europe Summit• Participation in Arab Summit in Tripoli and Sirte• Participation in Sahel and Sahara Summit (CEN-SAD)• The Secretary General’s participation in OSCE Summit in Astana and its Permanent Council in ViennaParticipation in international contact groups:

• Participation in the meetings of the Contact Group on Guinea

• Participation in the meetings of International Contact Group on Afghanistan Mediation:

• Participation in the mediation in Niger on the political crisisParticipation in monitoring elections in:Guinea - Comoros - Sudan - Uzbekistan - Bosnia

-KyrgyzstanActivities at OIC headquarters:• Preparation of the meetings of the expert group on the role of OIC in Peace and Security

• Organization of a joint workshop with the UN on Terrorism.

• Preparation and participation in the OIC-OSCE workshop on election monitoringInternational organizations:

• Preparation and participation in the biannual meeting of the Secretariats of the OIC and the UN organizations and their Specialized Agencies held in July 2010 at IRCICA Headquarters in Istanbul.

• Agreement with OSCE to intensify existing cooperation through increased interaction and consultations in the areas of common interest such as democratization, human rights and election observation.

• Participation and preparation in the Folk Berndate Academy conference on mediation

• participation and preparation in the OSCE training course on election monitoringParticipation in conferences:

• Participation of OIC- Kazakhstan Forum in Astana and Almaty

Department of Political Affairs

Department of Muslim Communities and MinoritiesThere are a number of pivotal issues which the department is dealing with, which are as follows:1. The issue of Peace in Southern PhilippinesThe Department is concerned with the issue of the full implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement concluded between the Government of the Philippines and the MNLF which was frozen for over ten years. The Department has started reactivating this issue on the ground with the convening of tripartite meetings involving the Philippine Government, the MNLF and the OIC represented by its peace committee for Southern Philippines. 2. Issue of the Patani Muslims in Southern ThailandSeveral meetings were held between the OIC and the Thai Government to discuss the improvement of the situation of Muslims in the border provinces and the 4-years Plan undertaken by the Thai authorities for the southern provinces. 3. Issue of Muslims in MyanmarThe Department is undertaking multiple initiatives in favour of direct contacts with the military Government in Myanmar where the Muslim community is facing discrimination and inhuman practices.

4. Issue of Muslim minorities in Western ThraceMuslims there seek to have their identity and civil and religious rights acknowledged in accordance with the 1923 Lausanne Agreement. 5. Issues of Muslims in other Non-OIC member States The Department is undertaking steps to create such conditions as to improve relations between these Muslims and their governments. General issuesIn implementation of the Islamic resolutions which call for sustained contact with the Muslim communities and minorities around the world, the Department is pursuing a twofold action.1. Organizing symposia on Muslim communities and minorities in non-OIC Member States- in Africa, in Latin America in Asia and in Europe- the last being held in Warsaw in December 2010. 2. Field visits to the Muslim Communities and Minorities. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu led a twelve-member delegation for the first ever official visit of an OIC Secretary General to the People’s Republic of China on 17- 21 June 2010.


Through the Department of Palestine and Al-Quds, the OIC has endeavored to keep pace with the developments in the occupied Arab lands in general and in the Palestinian cause in particular. On the Palestinian cause, the Department made interventions during the past three years on a number of sectors which could be summarized as follows:The Political Situation:The opportunities for progress in the political file decreased sharply as a result of the rejection of the occupying force, Israel, to the diplomatic efforts which were aimed at freezing settlements and also for resuming the final situation negotiations. In addition to obstructing the peace efforts, Israel continued, at the same time, its gross violations of the International Law and the International Humanitarian Law in the Palestinian arena. These political developments constituted the main concerns of the Secretary General and topped his priorities in the talks and political contacts he had made with the Heads of Government and with the influential organizations in the international community. The OIC is also continuing its efforts to support the Palestinian stance in the international forums.

• Confirming the importance of the Palestinian cause to the organization and to the Islamic Ummah as a whole, the Secretary General has stressed at all occasions and in his speeches and meetings the OIC's consistent support to the Palestinian cause. He called for the implementation of the UN resolutions calling for a just and lasting peace that would ensure the inalienable and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people including their right to self-determination, the right of refugees to return home and the establishment of a Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital on the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.

• The OIC focused its regional and international efforts on the support of the Palestinian cause through the coordination of attitudes and policies of Member States to adopt and implement the resolutions backing the inalienable and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. The organization also strongly called for adherence to the UN resolutions with all their political, legal and humanitarian context towards finding a solution to the Palestinian cause.

• Within the framework of international cooperation, the OIC participated in all activities and efforts aimed at supporting the Palestinian cause. Within this context, the organization participated in international conferences which were held in Annapolis, Sharm El-Sheikh, Paris and Vienna to support the Middle East peace process.

• Within the context of coordinating the stances of the Member States on the Palestinian cause, the Department of Palestine and Al-Quds followed up the implementation of the ministerial decisions and worked with the OIC's two missions in New York and Geneva to coordinate the stances of Member States at the level of ambassadors concerning the adoption of decisions and attitudes supporting the just demands and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

• Within the context of restoring unity and ending the

political rift among the Palestinians, the Secretary General made strenuous efforts to close ranks among the Palestinian factions. He made shuttle mediation tours between Ramallah, Damascus and Gaza for this purpose.

• On the Lebanese affairs, the Executive Committee held a meeting at the level of a Summit in Petrojaya, Malaysia, on 3 August 2006 following the Israeli aggression against the Lebanese people and the serious violation to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. They held Israel fully responsible for the aggression and its implications and consequences. The meeting contributed to driving the Security Council to issue its decision to halt the attacks. The organization also participated in the humanitarian assistance campaign to relief the Lebanese people.Developments in Al-Quds Al-SharifThe Israeli violations in Al-Quds Al-Sharif were the focus of attention and the cause of deep concern to the OIC. The Judaization policy continued unabated in Al-Quds Al-Sharif through the expulsion of its Palestinian residents, settling Jews in their homes, confiscating their lands, destroying their houses, imposing a geographical seclusion on the Holy City, the constructing the separating wall, the oppressive closure of Palestinian places, restricting Palestinian moves, practicing daily suppression, imposing huge fines on them, preventing them from making any new constructions, damaging their properties and doing anything to undermine their legitimate and inalienable rights.

• Within the framework of following up Israeli violations inside Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the Executive Committee held a series of extraordinary meetings at the level of Foreign Ministers in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to discuss the Israeli violations which reached their peak in the past few years.

• In the light of the continued early warnings of yet more perilous actions by Israel, the Secretary General sent written messages to the Heads of State and Foreign Ministers of influential countries and the concerned international organizations urging them to exert more efforts to compel Israel to stop its violations of the International Law in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

• Within the same context, the Secretary General addressed the Executive Council of the UNESCO asking it to adopt decisions condemning Israel and preventing it from harming the scared and historical sites in the Holy City.

• The Secretariat General, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, sent a joint delegation from the Department of Palestine and Al-Quds and the IDB in December 2009 to assess the needs of Al-Quds in the sectors of education, health and housing. The delegation wrote a report warning against the dangerous situation in the Holy City and calling for immediate intervention to develop the vital sectors in the city.

• The Technical Committee entrusted to study the vital sectors in the Holy City, which emanated from the extensive meeting of the Executive Committee, held a meeting on 13

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March 2010 during which it supported the development plan of Al-Quds presented by the Palestinian Authority.

• Within the framework of enabling the residents of Al-Quds and reinforcing their steadfastness, the Secretary General exerted concerted efforts to ensure the provision of the financial and developmental assistance to the sectors of education and health in Al-Quds through his direct contacts with development institutions. The Islamic Solidarity Fund, the Agency of Beit Maal Al-Quds and other institutions are still providing financial aids to finance development projects in Al-Quds and Palestine. The Secretariat General extended a financing in 2010 for the capacity building project of private youth establishments inside Al-Quds in cooperation with Faisal Al-Husseini Foundation.The Israeli Aggressions and Gaza StripThe Israeli attacks and violations were escalated against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip. Military invasions were repeated against Gaza. Israel has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Gaza since 2006. It launched an all out war against Gaza early 2009 which destroyed the basic infrastructure and led to the deterioration of the political, economic and social conditions of the Palestinians. Responding to deteriorating conditions, the OIC took the following measures:

• The Executive Committee held an extraordinary meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers on 18 November 2006 in response to the Israeli massacre crime against Beit Hanoun. The meeting decided to break the Israeli siege against Gaza and to organize humanitarian relief campaigns. The Secretariat General will continue its efforts to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

• Implementing the Final Communiqué issued by the Executive Committee, the Department sent messages from the Secretary General on 3 January 2009 to a number of

international officials including the US Secretary of State, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the UN Secretary General and the Presidents of the Security Council and the General Assembly urging them to move quickly to pressure Israel into stopping its aggressions against liaise with the OIC Mission in Geneva to coordinate the stances of ambassadors of Member States to adopt an international resolution containing clear condemnation of the Israeli crime and to form an independent committee to investigate Israel's attacks against Gaza. The committee was formed under Rev. Desmond Toto.

• In a related development, the Executive Committee held an extensive meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers on the third of January 2009 to deal with the implications of the Israeli military invasion of Gaza. The initiative of the organization and its efforts has succeeded in driving the Human Rights Council to constitute an investigation committee to look into the Israeli crimes under Judge Goldstone.

• After the war against Gaza, the Secretary General visited the Strip on 15 March 2009 at the head of a delegation from the Secretariat General and the institutions affiliated to the OIC to inspect the consequences and results of Israeli's blunt aggression.

• In the aftermath of the Israeli attack against the Freedom Flotilla heading for Gaza, the Executive Committee met on 6 June 2010. It decided to form a group of experts from Member States to discuss means and ways of uplifting the unjustified blockade against Gaza and to facilitate the process of reconstruction in the Strip.

• The Secretariat General organized the first meeting of the committee of legal experts in October 2010. The committee stressed in its recommendations that it would continue its future meetings.


The work of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) is mandated by two OIC framework documents. First, the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in December 2005. It gives a new vision for the cooperation of the OIC Member States to strengthen their economic and commercial cooperation. The TYPOA is articulated around four clusters: Economic Cooperation, Supporting the Islamic Development Bank, Social Solidarity in the Face of Natural Disasters, and Supporting Development and Poverty Alleviation in Africa. The second document is the ‘Plan of Action for Strengthening the Economic Cooperation among OIC Member States’, first adopted in 1981 at the Mecca-Taif Summit and was later revised and endorsed in 1994. This Plan is structurally composed of 10 sectors: Food, Agriculture and Rural Development; Industry; Energy and Mining; Foreign Trade; Transportation and Telecommunication; Tourism; Money, Banking and Finance; Technological and Technical Cooperation; Human Resources and Environment.Current Programs/Projects: Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security in OIC Member States receives a prominent place on the economic

agenda of OIC. The global food, energy and financial crises have created a situation whereby OIC countries would need to pool resources to mitigate the effects of these crises and reduce their food deficits, through increasing capacity-building, technological exchanges and increased productivity and competitiveness.To this end, the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Food Security and Agricultural Development held in Khartoum, Sudan, on 26- 28 October 2010 approved the immediate establishment of an ‘Executive Framework for Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security in OIC Member States’. The Task Force on Food Security set up by the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) is presently working on the establishment of the said framework, which will intensify joint OIC actions in diverse areas, including seed improvement, food reserve and capacity-building projects.OIC Rail Transportation Projects: Rail transportation has been adjudged as the most credible way to attain sustainable growth and encourage intra-OIC trade. Rail transportation is being given priority in OIC regional cooperation both in Africa, Central Asia and Middle East.There are two on-going projects in this sector: The Dakar-

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Port Sudan Railway Project and Turkmenistan-Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Railway. OIC is also collaborating with the RECCA process towards the construction of a railway link: Dushanbe - Mazari Sharif - Herat (with branch lines of Hayratan - Mazari Sharif and Kushka - Herat).Poverty Alleviation Funds – ISFD and SPDA: Poverty remains one of the biggest challenges to socio-economic development of a majority of OIC countries. Consequently, the objective of poverty alleviation has considerably inspired the economic component of the OIC TYPOA. To this end, the OIC established two poverty alleviation funds to address issues relating to micro-finance and poverty in OIC countries:1. The Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), a US$10 billion financing window, was established for targeted interventions to foster sustainable economic growth and job creation, reduce illiteracy, and eradicate contagious diseases and pandemics such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The ISFD has, since it started operation in 2008, extended financing amounting to US$590 million for 56 projects in critical sectors in 28 OIC Member States.2. The Special Program for the Development of Africa (SPDA), a five-year program (2008 -2012) with the targeted amount of US$12 billion, aimed at advancing pro-poor activities in the OIC Member States in Africa. The sectoral priorities under the SPDA are specifically geared towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and promoting economic growth and regional integration. The SPDA focuses on agriculture for food security, water and sanitation, power generation and distribution, transport infrastructure, education, and elimination of major communicable diseases. As of 1 June 2010, a total of 191 operations have been financed in Sub-Saharan African countries with a total value of US$1.848 billion in the past two years.

The OIC Special Program for Central Asia: The building of regional and international partnerships for the implementation of OIC economic cooperation programs has featured prominently in the Organization’s activities. The 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 18- 20 May 2010, through its resolution No. 4237-/POL, mandated the Secretary General to convene a High Level Regional Conference to prepare a detailed Plan of Action for Cooperation and Integration with Member States in Central Asia.The identified Priority Areas for this Special Program include, among others:

• Development of confidence building measures; • Promotion of active trade among the countries of the Central Asia and with other OIC Members;• Mobilization of intra-OIC technical and financial support for development activities and investment in specific areas of agriculture, food security, water and energy;

• Creation of a tailored program for inclusive private sector participation in the economic transformation of Central Asia;• Building available capacity in the area of investment and finance.

Plan of Action: A Working Group has been created comprising the OIC General Secretariat, the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Islamic Center for the Development of Trade (ICDT), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to:i) Identify existing and new programs;ii) Receive inputs from countries in the sub-region on the identified sectors;iii) Share these inputs with identified prime movers among OIC Member Countries and private sectors establishment; and iv) Develop a program for comprehensive cooperation in the short, medium and long terms for presentation to High Level Regional Conference on Central Asia to be held as soon as possible.Intra-OIC trade: Expanding intra-OIC trade to 20% by 2015 is one of the main objectives of the OIC TYPOA. Towards achieving this objective, a Roadmap for enhancing intra-OIC trade and its Executive Program were developed and adopted by OIC. This roadmap includes four components, which are 1) Trade financing; 2) Trade promotion; 3) Trade facilitation; 4) Development of strategic commodities; and 5) Capacity building.In the area of trade facilitation, the Framework Agreement for Preferential Trade System and its protocol: PRETAS are already in operation among OIC Member States. The third instrument: Rules of Origin, requires only an additional ratification to make the entire system operational. All parties to this Agreement would be able to enjoy tariff preferences for the movement of their products within the 1.5 billion-strong market provided by the entire OIC community. OIC Five-Year Cotton Action Plan (2007 -2011): is aimed at enhancing production efficiency and international competitiveness of cotton producing countries of OIC through cooperation, capacity building, strengthening trade and investment. Within the framework of this Action Plan, 27 cotton projects from several cotton producing OIC Member States and concerned institutions have been approved. A great number of these projects deal with research and industrial development and capacity-building.Vocational and Educational Training Program: The Ankara-based Statistical, Economic and Social Research Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), one of the subsidiary organs of the OIC, as well as the Rabat-based Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), a specialized organ of the OIC, have introduced several programs aimed at scaling up capacity-building in OIC countries and the development of knowledge economies. The OIC-VET Program, being implemented by SESRIC, is aimed at ensuring that the appropriate technology is transferred among citizens of OIC countries, in order to address the chronic skilled manpower shortages in these countries and to leap frog their stages of economic development.


The Ten Year Program of Action (TYPOA) accorded primacy to cultural diplomacy by mainstreaming issues like Human Rights, dialogue among civilizations and the need to combat Islamophobia and defamation of Islam. Inspired by the vision of ‘Moderation and Modernization’ outlined in the TYPOA, the Department of Cultural Affairs has been actively engaged in monitoring as well as countering the developments on matters of vital concern to the Member States while portraying the true image of Islam. In this endeavor, the Department works closely with the OIC subsidiary organs, and specialized and affiliated institutions in the OIC system.Some important areas of the Department’s work include:

Islamophobia:Islamophobia constitutes a contemporary manifestation of racism that forms a major concern of the OIC. The proliferation of discrimination against Muslims and distortion of Islam is due to the ignorance and lack of understanding of Islam in the West.The most disturbing and farfetched misperception lies in Islam being associated with terrorism. Such stereotyping leads to discrimination and violence defying justification on both political as well as economic grounds. It poses grave and multidimensional challenges to global as well as regional peace, security and stability. OIC has been clear and unambiguous in rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The situation merits a concerted effort on the part of the international community to evolve norms that would underwrite, promote and protect interfaith and inter-communal understanding, respect and harmony. OIC strategy is geared towards raising global awareness of the basic tenets of moderation in Islam and the dangerous implications of the phenomenon of Islamophobia on the entire global community. In implementing this strategy, the OIC is actively involved in various international inter-cultural and inter-civilizational events on dialogue. The OIC had pioneered the cause for Dialogue among Civilizations in 1998 and enjoyed the unanimous backing of the international community by declaring 2001 as the International Year for Dialogue among Civilizations.The OIC’s constructive approach to engage with the West was a productive endeavor and made some modest progress. OIC’s consistent pressure on the West had an impact on the political leadership and other stakeholders in Europe to disassociate from the Islamophobes and, in some cases, take preventive actions within their means. The leaders of many European governments and institutions have distanced themselves from the proponents of Islamophobia through official statements and public speeches.Islamophobia observatory:

Equipped with an Observatory that monitors Islamophobic events, acts and utterances around the world on a daily basis, the Department of Cultural and Social Affairs is engaged in a major effort aimed at removing misperceptions, countering defamation of Islam and forging a sustained, structured and result oriented interfaith and intercultural dialogue geared towards global peace, stability and security. Cooperation to that end with other relevant and important international establishments, like the UN Alliance of Civilizations (AOC), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Anna Lindh Foundation is noteworthy. The Resolution on Defamation of Religions:The defamation of religions Resolution has been successfully tabled by the OIC Group at both the Human Rights Council as well as the third committee of the UN General Assembly, over the past decade. The consistent pattern of safe-passage of the Resolution, voted for by a majority of

states beyond the OIC membership, lends international legitimacy to the concept of defamation of religions. The OIC believes in constructive engagement with the West aimed at resolving divergence of views on the whole range of issues pertaining to the defamation issue including the limits to the freedom of opinion and expression as stipulated in the international conventions like the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).The OIC has been sincerely and consistently engaged in an effort to accommodate concerns of negotiating partners as reflected by the text of the OIC sponsored Resolution that has evolved over the past decade to address defamation of all religions. The OIC believes that the issue needs to be addressed seriously - beyond the event-based calls for inter-faith harmony and inter-civilizational dialogue - through a structured and sustained engagement geared towards addressing the concerns of all parties.The Resolution on Religious Intolerance:The unanimous adoption of the OIC Sponsored HRC Resolution 16/ 18 entitled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against persons based on religion and belief” by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 21 March 2011 was a landmark achievement towards developing an international consensus on addressing the issue of combating defamation of religions, religious intolerance and incitement. Based on the eight point approach, proposed by the OIC Secretary General, for action by states, at the national and the international levels, OIC worked in close cooperation in the drafting process with the US and the

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European Union in bringing about this breakthrough. The OIC has demonstrated its ability to engage in a result oriented fashion on important issues and it now remains to be seen if the vital concerns that it seeks to draw attention to, regardless of the title or content of one or the other resolution, are duly and verifiably addressed and monitored by the Human Rights Council. It would now be most important to ensure that the practical steps – along the lines of the eight points that lie at the heart of the resolution - are taken by the states in the interest of implementing the resolution. As mentioned in the resolution, steps to end double standards and racial profiling need to be taken. Such acts must not be condoned by states but duly addressed through structured and sustained engagement. The consensus to be meaningful and enduring needs to stand the test of implementation.

OIC Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights (IPCHR)The OIC is in the process of establishing an Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights (IPCHR). A decision in this regard was taken by the leadership of the 57-member Organization at the Third Extra-ordinary Summit in Makkah in 2005 and accorded a statutory status at the next available 11th Summit in Dakar in 2008. The OIC has since been acting in taking concrete steps toward establishing the IPCHR.

The Commission will introduce a paradigm shift within OIC in the way universal human rights and freedoms flow together with Islamic values to offer a coherent and strong protection system aimed at facilitating the full enjoyment of all human rights in the Member States.The establishment of the Commission must be appreciated as a reflection of the collective will on the part of OIC Member States to engage constructively and substantively within the Organization on wide ranging issues pertaining to human rights. The Commission would provide the Member States with the necessary intellectual and legal support for this engagement. Islam places a premium on human rights by according primacy to ‘Hukook- ul-ibad’ or the rights of the people. It was the first religion in the world that called for full equality among people regardless of their race, language, ethnic origin, social status, etc. This equality has been associated with preserving human dignity, a concept that goes far beyond that of human rights.The statute of what is expected to be a commission of independent experts to be elected by the Council of Foreign Ministers has been finalized. What was envisaged to be achieved over a period of ten years is on the verge of being accomplished in half the stipulated time period, reflecting the strong political will on the part of OIC Member states to mainstream the human rights perspective in the programs and activities of the Organization.

The Fourth Annual report of the OIC Islamophobia ObservatoryThe Fourth Annual report of the OIC Islamophobia Observatory covers the period from May 2010 to April 2011. Building on the pattern followed in earlier reports, the currents trends of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims have been catalogued and examined. In terms of the overall analysis, the observatory noted a rise in Islamophobic discourse within both the public and political domains. Based on the Observatory’s daily monitoring during the reporting period, motivated individuals and groups in the West, including right wing political movements and parties, were taking advantage of peoples ignorance with regard to the true Islamic values and building upon Islam’s distorted image, depicted by the media since the tragic events of September 11, in fueling Islamophobia. An upsurge in Islamophobia, whether emanating from the social sphere or stoked by public figures and institutionalized policies, was witnessed both in Europe and more recently in the United States. The trend manifested itself in various forms, including direct attacks and desecration of Muslim places of worship, cemeteries and other Islamic centers; a growing public perception that Muslims constituted a threat both to the culture and well being of “Western society”, and that Islamic religious symbols, particularly the headscarf and the “burka”, should be strictly limited, or even completely banned. A frequency of such events was

monitored by various surveys and, in the European case, lead the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to speak out against the dangers of intolerance and the worrying state of religious freedom in the continent. The Observatory also noted that a key role in promoting and disseminating an anti- Muslim culture was assumed by Western Media. For instance, studies have highlighted how often terms such as: “terrorism”, “terrorist”, “extremist”,

“fanatic”, “radical” and “fundamentalist” were associated with Islam and Muslims in general. This was in line with a consistent disinformation campaign using the basic technique of repetition in order to anchor in people’s mind, both consciously and subconsciously, the idea that Islam was a threat that all need to stand to against and ultimately eradicate. Another serious prejudice commonly suffered by Muslims was discrimination in employment. Studies and complaints received by competent bodies left no doubt that, statistically speaking, Muslim were discriminated against both in terms of equal access to job opportunity and ill treatment within their work environment.The report ends with set of recommendations outlining a strategy to combat Islamophobia and growing intolerance and prejudice against Muslims through concerted international action.


The OIC Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in December 2005 and the new OIC Charter adopted by the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in March 2008 in Dakar, Senegal emphasized the importance of promoting women’s rights, youth and children’s rights.Furthermore, various sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) and Islamic Summit Conferences took note of a proposed mechanism to cater for family affairs and took into account the teachings of our magnanimous religion, which give special priority to the family as the foundation of Muslim society and its moral and religious structure. The 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Damascus, Syria on 23 -25 May 2009 adopted resolution No.836-/ORG on the Establishment of Department of Family Affairs. The Department became officially established in 2010. To this end, the Department’s efforts are mainly focused on: a) Protecting the rights of women; elimination of all forms of discrimination against women; achieving gender equality and empowerment of women; raising women’s participation in decision making; providing quality education; b) Status of Children in the Muslim world and their childcare and protection, c) Education and rehabilitation of the Muslim Youth and Sports d) Quality school education.Alongside the Member States, the OIC General Secretariat’s activities in this regard were supplemented by those of the OIC subsidiary organs, specialized agencies and affiliated bodies. Ministerial Conferences on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member StatesThe 1st Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States, hosted by Turkey on 20 -21 November 2006, provided an excellent opportunity for coordination among Member States in order to find out ways and means to prepare strategies, standards, programs and goals to advance the status of women. The 2nd Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of the OIC Member States was held in Cairo, Egypt on 24 -25 November 2008. It was a landmark event by the adoption of ‘OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women’ (OPAAW) also known as ‘Cairo Plan of Action for Women’. The Conference deliberated intensively on the issues and challenges faced by women in the OIC Member States and the issues mentioned in the OPAAW. The 3rd Ministerial Islamic Conference on Women took place in Tehran, Iran on 19 -21 December 2010. It adopted a mechanism for the implementation of the OPAAW.

OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of WomenPursuant to the decision made by the First Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC

Member States in Istanbul, two meetings were held at the level of experts and senior officials on 6- 7 April 2008 and 12 -14 October 2008 at the OIC Headquarters to develop the ‘OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women’, which was submitted to the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Women's Role in the Development of OIC Member States. The OPAAW mainly discusses issues such as; a) eradication of poverty, b) achieving gender equality and women empowerment, c) raising women’s participation in decision-making, d) providing equal opportunities for women, and 4) elimination of all forms of discrimination against women including violence.The expert group meetings also discussed the statute of the Women Development Organization to be established in Cairo with a view to ensuring the implementation of the OPAAW. The statute of the said Organization was adopted by the 37th CFM in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2010.Childcare and protection in the Muslim world As for the children, the OIC continued its efforts to promote childcare and protection in the Muslim world in pursuance of the provisions of the ‘Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam’ and the ‘OIC Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam’, which stresses on the importance of the rights of the child, as well as Ten-Year Program of Action and the Tenth Islamic Summit decisions on children.The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Islamic Conferences of Ministers in-charge of Childhood, which were held respectively in Rabat, Khartoum and Tripoli in 2005, 2009 and 2011 in coordination between the OIC General Secretariat, ISESCO and UNICEF, adopted Rabat Declaration as well as Khartoum Declaration and Tripoli Declaration on the issues of Children in the Islamic World. OIC General Secretariat along with its subsidiary, affiliated and specialized bodies as well as Member States continue to have a fruitful cooperation with UNICEF for the benefit of child’s survival, protection and development in the Muslim world. Education and rehabilitation of Muslim youth The 1st Islamic Conference of Youth and Sport hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in 2007 welcomed and adopted the Working Paper presented by Saudi Arabia on future challenges and the mechanisms for promoting and protecting Muslim youth and enhancing their status in the society.Cooperation on drug and psychotropic substance abuses and their illegal production, processing and traffickingThe Islamic Summit Conferences and the CFMs have expressed concern over the spread of drug abuse, and illegal drug production and trafficking so as to threaten the health of millions of people, particularly the young, and jeopardize the social and economic structures of affected countries. They called for greater efforts to be exerted by the Member States and relevant international organizations to eradicate drug and psychotropic substance abuse, trafficking, and smuggling to the Member States.

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The mision of OIC Department of Humanitarian Affairs (ICHAD) is to mobilize emergency relief, humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance, as well as promote disaster risk reduction activities in OIC countries and countries with Muslim communities.

Afghanistan: The OIC Assistance Fund for Afghan People (OIC/AFAP) has been implementing since 2003 a string of projects ranging from education, general healthcare, vocational training, gender awareness, agriculture, environment, income generating schemes, etc. Pakistan: Following a large influx of IDPs in the Swat Valley where thousands of persons fled their homes, a joint OIC-IDB field mission was sent there. Likewise, both the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) provided funding for meaningful projects to help restore capacities and institutions. The OIC also played a leading role in rallying support to this country when it was struck by large-scale floods in 2010. Several initiatives were taken including the convening of an emergency humanitarian conference in Islamabad. Yemen has also received visits from OIC humanitarian delegations following civil strife on its Northern border, which forced thousands of people to flee their homes. A field hospital had since been erected in the Mazrak IDPs camp and several medical activities are under way through the OIC and MSF to help alleviate the suffering of needy people in the field of healthcare. The same was done when the country suffered heavy floods.Sudan: The OIC organized an international donors’ conference for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Darfur in Cairo on 21st March 2010 under the joint-chairmanship of Egypt and Turkey. Several donors subsequently made substantial pledges exceeding $800 million. In Somalia, a milestone MoU has been signed between the OIC and World Food Program (WFP) to distribute food to the displaced people living in the Afgoye Corridor, which could benefit close to 400,000 people following a field visit made to Mogadishu. The OIC has also been very active in Gaza mobilizing resources from Member States and its civil societies for both the relief and recovery phases through its Al-Ariesh Coordination Office. Several projects are being implemented with major NGOs and different stakeholders so far exceeded an amount of $50 million. An eye specialized hospital has been opened and many humanitarian caravans have been sent there.Niger had an acute food shortage in 2010, which threatened the livelihood of 7 million people representing half of its entire population. The OIC distributed 2,000 tons of cereals (millet) to 5 districts and funded 2 medium-scale projects in the field of irrigation and environment. An OIC Development and Coordination Office have been operational in the capital Niamey since Mid-July, 2009.Comoros: The OIC joined hand with the Arab League to

organize an international donors’ conference in late 2009 hosted by Qatar. Sierra Leone: The OIC Fund for Sierra Leone has managed to achieve some progress despite its meager resources. Tangible projects have been implemented in war-ravaged villages. An international Donors Conference for Sierra Leone was held in London in November 2009 in collaboration with DFID-UK. Bosnia and Herzegovina: The OIC Bosnia Fund has been involved in helping the returnees and displaced to go back to their homeland and to make them productive and encourage them to stay. Thousands of houses have been built or rehabilitated. Agricultural and micro-projects activities have also been on the increase.Indonesia: After the huge Tsunami tidal waves that hit Indonesia in late December 2004, many children lost their parents and ended up being orphans. The OIC launched an ambitious scheme to assist Tsunami orphans in the Province of Banda Aceh. Local and external NGOs are currently working with the OIC Office in Banda Aceh so as to sponsor more children until the age of 18. The OIC also intervened in Padang in West Sumatra where disaster struck in 2009. Kyrgyzstan: OIC played a pivotal role in coordinating assistances following civil disturbances that took place in this country by liaising with Islamic NGOs and various stakeholders.The OIC dispatched missions to countries hit by natural disasters or suffering economic hardships to assess and mobilize support, these included Burkina Faso and Guinea and Comoros. OIC also made numerous appeals to the Islamic Ummah and the international community at large in favor of Haiti, Tajikistan, Benin, Chad, Bangladesh, Algeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Djibouti, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, etc. when natural disasters hit these countries.

International cooperation At the local level, much focus and lots of energies were put on establishing an OIC NGOs Forum. Meetings were convened in 2008 in Saly, Senegal, at the margins of the 11th Summit. Similar meetings were held in 2009 in Libya and 2010 in Qatar. Major inroads were made in the field of harmonizing policies and strategies with regard to humanitarian assistance. A code of conduct was adopted and a network of NGOs established.

At the international level, the OIC has widened its scope of cooperation with many international humanitarian organizations such as OCHA, UNHCR, UNDP, WFP, DFID, UNISDR, Swiss Development Agency (CIDA), the Saudi Red Crescent Society, the Turkish International Cooperation Agency, Qatar Red Crescent Society, MSF, Muslim Aid, the Yemeni Red Crescent, IIRO, IGAATA, etc. To this end, several MoUs have been finalized or are about to be signed.

Department of Humanitarian Affairs (ICHAD)


Science and TechnologyEnhancement and development of science and technology and encouragement of research and cooperation among Member States in these fields, is listed in the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) as one of the important objectives of the Organization. This is based on the realization of the critical role of knowledge, learning, science and technology in the advancement of the developmental objectives of the OIC Member States.The Vision 1441 H for Science and Technology (Vision 1441 H), adopted by Tenth Islamic Summit held in Putrajaya in 2003 and the Ten Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted by the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005, place special emphasis on Science and Technology. These two landmark documents, together with the resolutions and decisions of the Islamic Summit Conferences and sessions of Council of Foreign Ministers and the OIC Standing Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH), spell out specific targets, actions and programmes to be pursued by Member States, OIC General Secretariat, subsidiary organs as well as specialized and affiliated Institutions in the area of Science and Technology (S & T). The projects and activities being pursued by the Department of Science and Technology are:Atlas of Islamic-World Innovation: The Atlas of Islamic World Innovation is an initiative to map key trends and trajectories in science and technology-based innovation in the OIC Member States. It will look in detail at a geographically and economically diverse sample of OIC countries, and offer an independent assessment of how their innovation capabilities are changing, and the opportunities and barriers to further progress. The report of the project of the Atlas of Innovation of the OIC will include recommendations for governments, industry and higher education. Early Harvest Projects (EHP) and Mega Projects:Early Harvest Projects (EHPs) and Mega Projects were launched with a view to promoting R&D activities as well as encouraging public-private partnership in commercializing R&D results.Early Harvest Projects (EHPs): Under the EHP concept, project proposals could be selected for venture financing

for the commercialization of R&D products with identified developmental and socio-economic benefits.Mega Projects: Through Mega Projects, the limited resources and current capacities, capabilities and strengths available and scattered in a number of the OIC countries could be pooled together. Furthermore, they could create new opportunities for trade, open new common markets, provide new employments, facilitate professional and expertise interchange, promote scientific exchange and direct research and development in the OIC member states to focus on demand oriented areas. Feasibility studies for the Mega Projects on cars, planes and satellites have been completed. S & T Conference and Exhibition:Three conferences were held: in parallel to the 34th CFM (Islamabad, May 2007); in parallel to 11th Islamic Summit Conference (Dakar, March 2008); and during the 36th CFM (Damascus, May 2009). Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology:The OIC General Secretariat, IDB and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to pursue joint projects in Cancer Radiotherapy and Sterile Insect Technique for Eradication of Mosquitoes in Sudan. The IDB has approved US$ 5 million for the Sterile Insect Technique for Eradication of Mosquitoes project in Sudan.The OIC, IDB and IAEA have also agreed to consider Investment Projects under IDB Technical Cooperation program, work together to enable Member states to take advantage of the Capacity Building Finance Facility of IDB and hosting of Awareness Raising Seminars.

EnvironmentThe OIC Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted by the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005, Islamic Summit Conferences, Council of Foreign Ministers meetings and Islamic Conferences of Environment Ministers have adopted several decisions in the domain of environment that range from concerns like water, desertification and climate change to combating natural disasters and alleviation of poverty. The last Islamic Conferences of Ministers of Environment, held in Tunis in October 2010, decided to establish an Islamic Environment Information Center.The Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment set up a Technical Committee for the Environment and Development; a “High-Level Task Force” to monitor international developments and initiatives in the field of climate change and establish H.R.H. Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Special Chairs for Environment studies in Universities of the most vulnerable OIC countries exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change. OIC Water VisionThe OIC General Secretariat organized a special meeting of the OIC Ministers responsible for water on the sidelines of the 5th World Water Forum held in Istanbul in March 2009. The meeting mandated the OIC General Secretariat to

Department of Science and Technology

SPECIAL REPORT

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prepare the OIC Water Vision for solving the water issues facing the OIC Member States and establishment of an OIC Water Council.The OIC General Secretariat is in the process of preparing the OIC Water Vision in collaboration with the IDB and ICBA and with the assistance of water experts from the Muslim World. The Water Vision document is expected to be adopted by an OIC Conference of Ministers responsible for Water, which Turkey has offered to host during the latter half of 2011.

Health The OIC General Secretariat is involved in a range of activities in the domain of health. It is responsible for convening the Islamic Conferences of Health Ministers (Kuala Lumpur 2007 and Tehran 2009) and closely coordinates with the Steering Committee on Health which was established by the 2nd Islamic Conference of Health Ministers to monitor the implementation of the decisions of the Health Ministers Conferences. Polio eradicationThe General Secretariat has established close contact with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Secretariat in Geneva as well as the US to enhance collaboration on polio eradication. In this regard the OIC and GPEI have finalized a work program for 2009 and beyond. Cooperation with the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the OIC General Secretariat and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was signed by the OIC Secretary General and the Executive Director of the Global Fund in 2009. Elimination of Malaria The General Secretariat is also cooperating with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM). Vaccines and drugs productionIn 2007, the High Level Consultative Committee (HLCC) decided to launch a Mega Project on production of biotechnology-based drugs and vaccines. This decision was welcomed by the 11th Islamic Summit Conference. The ICCI/Foras is engaged in identifying the interested partners in this project.OIC-US cooperation on mother and child healthThe OIC General Secretariat with the assistance of the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepared a project entitled “Reaching Every Mother and Baby in the OIC Emergency Care”. The OIC and the US Government signed a Cooperation Framework on 1st December 2008 to implement the project. As a follow up to the Cooperation Framework, the two sides agreed in August 2010 to launch pilot projects on Mother Child Health in two OIC countries namely Bangladesh from the Asian region and Mali from the African region.

Higher Education Pursuant to the Vision 1441 and TYPOA and other relevant decisions of the OIC Summit Conferences, sessions of the

Council of Foreign Ministers and Islamic Conferences of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the OIC General Secretariat is involved in various activities in the domain of Higher Education. Key Performance Indicators for Universities in the Islamic World The General Secretariat, with the assistance of experts from Member States and in collaboration with the relevant OIC institutions, is working on a document on “Key Performance Indicators for Universities in the Islamic World”. This document will serve as a useful tool for promoting excellence and enhancing quality measures across the OIC Member States’ universities. It will provide guidance and criteria for universities in OIC Member States seeking support in competing with world class universities.OIC-Affiliated UniversitiesThe General Secretariat maintains close liaison with the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Islamic University of Niger (IUN) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). OIC Secretary General is the Chancellor of IUT and member of Board of Governors of the IUIU, IUN and IIUM.The General Secretariat, the three universities in Niger, Uganda and Malaysia, as well as the Member States have worked closely for the establishment of and raising funds for the Waqf Funds for the three universities. The IUT is in the process of establishing a Waqf. Quality of EducationAs a follow-up of the decision of the 36th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (2009) to network OIC Member States on quality assurance system and accreditation of higher education, a Roundtable Meeting of Quality Assurance Agencies of the OIC Member States was held in November 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. The Roundtable Meeting decided to establish an association of quality assurance agencies and authorities responsible for higher education quality among the countries of the Islamic world to be tentatively known as Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World. Higher Education Scholarships OIC Member States have a number of ongoing scholarship programs pursued on a bilateral or regional basis. In addition to such bilateral scholarship programs, and those conducted by the OIC institutions such as IDB, states have offered scholarships for students from OIC countries through the OIC General Secretariat.OIC Inter-University DebateAn OIC wide inter-university debating event will be held periodically with the objectives of promoting debating as an activity for students in institutions of higher learning in the OIC Member States, to bring awareness among the youth about the socio-economic issues affecting the Muslims.The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) organized and hosted the first inter OIC-University Debate in December 2010.


OPINION

No doubt that the 38th meeting of the Council of the Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Astana, Kazakhstan is going to be peculiarly important. Among many important issues that will need the attention and supervision of the ministers in this meeting the issue of unrests in many of OIC Member states is expected to be present.

The kickoff, spreading and continuity of unrests since the start of the Year 2011, not to mention the prospects of new ones, in several Muslim countries of which all related to political, socio-economic, development, educational, and media backgrounds cast critical questions to the esteemed 38th CFM meeting in Astana. These questions are directly and understandably related to the issue of the urgency for implementing comprehensive reforms in many Muslim states.

The OIC, in this regard, has introduced the Ten-Year Programme of Action (TYPOA) in 2005 calling its member states to embark on comprehensive reform plans to help them encounter the dramatic developments and changes witnessed worldwide. The New Charter of OIC in 2008 also called for reforms in the member states. The objectives of the Reform plans are to contribute to overcoming the outdated economic, developmental, political and educational systems replacing them with modern and effective ones capable of catching up with the advanced systems of other members of the world community.

Yet, the unrests that are taking place in many Muslim countries over the past six months have caught the attentions of many strategic and political analysts and academics in the Muslim World about the expected role of OIC, being the legitimate umbrella and representative of the Muslim World, and its capacity to deal with new situations and circumstances as they emerge within its member states. In fact, many Muslim voices, and others, have called for more involvement by the OIC in issues related to the implementation of the TYPOA, calling the OIC to lead the international efforts, which inevitably should lead to the

preservation of sovereignty, security, and prosperity in the OIC World.

Being the largest intergovernmental organization in the world after the United Nations the OIC should be accepted and provided with all kinds of support by its Member states to enable it to carry out its role in accordance with the expectation of the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world, not to mention the international community. After all, the OIC is expected and should be expected to be more involved in the business of the Muslim World than any other international organization based on numerous legitimate considerations.

Over the past six years the OIC has proved to be able to improve its overall work dramatically and to execute many projects of multifaceted nature including humanitarian, and succeeded to earn the respect of many key countries in the Muslim World and outside as well as the respect of all international organizations. For instance, The United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and many other key countries have appointed special representatives and envoys to OIC, and many other key countries are seeking observer and/or permanent membership. Today, the OIC's voice and image enjoy high credibility and respect of officials as well as peoples around the world.

Having said that it is legitimate for the peoples of the Muslim World to invite the 38th CFM to seriously envisage the future role of the OIC, including its role in the field of peace and security in the Muslim World, peace keeping forces, Muslim Security Council, and effective and influential Muslim media apparatus and institutions, in addition to the need to empowering the existing political, economic, and financial institutions to better serve the existing objectives determined in the OIC’s official documents.

Watching non-Muslim international institutions and organizations conducting business in the Muslim World is welcomed and appreciated, though seen not as a malign indicator by many Muslims around the world. For decades, Muslims have been asking a clear and legitimate question that is: “why the peoples of the Muslim World should wait and rely on the international community when the Muslim World enjoys many strategic resources of all kinds? This, of course, does not mean that Muslims are not willing or anxious to cooperate and deal with the outside world at all levels. After all, today’s world is more connected than ever and Muslims understand the necessity of openness and exchangeability.

The issue at hands nowadays is to comprehend the need and urgency to better furnish Muslim institutions and organizations with all kinds of support and equipments that enable them to render better services to their communities and peoples at all levels.

The Significance of the CFM Meeting in Astana

Dr. Isam Salim ShantiChief Editor

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Cairo, Egypt - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Meshaal pledged on May 4, 2011 to end years of division at a ceremony in Cairo. The agreement, inked by the two sides among 13 factions, aims to put a stop to the animosity which has split the Palestinian territories – West Bank and Gaza Strip – into opposing camps since December 2006.

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu participated in the signing ceremony of the Palestinian National Reconciliation Agreement. This participation comes in continuation of OIC’s efforts to support the Palestinians, such as its shuttle visits to Ramallah, Gaza, and Damascus to heal the rift between Fatah and Hamas.

The deal between the two Palestinian sides was brokered by Egypt. Forging Palestinian unity is regarded as crucial to reviving any prospect for an independent Palestinian state. The two sides agreed to form an interim government composed of independent figures that would start preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections.

In statements he made to the press on the margins of the ceremony, the OIC Secretary General welcomed the reconciliation agreement considering it a historical achievement. This reconciliation will re-establish the momentum and presence of the Palestinian issue in the international arena, after a decline due to the division. He said the Palestinians should overcome previous conflicts calling on the agreement parties to implement its provisions.

The Secretary General praised Egypt’s sponsor of the Reconciliation Agreement and its efforts in removing the obstacles standing in the way of the agreement. At the same time, he valued the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia

in 2007 which yielded the 2007 Makkah Agreement, in addition to the commendable efforts exerted by many OIC Member States.

Ihsanoglu stressed that the OIC will continue supporting the Palestinians in the international arena, emphasizing that the coming few months will require persistent and serious Palestinian efforts to re-organize the internal Palestinian house.

Ihsanoglu held consultations with the Palestinian side after the signature, related to supporting the reconciliation agreement. He met with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and the head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khaled Meshaal. Ihsanoglu assured that the OIC plans to provide two types of support for the

Palestinians: the first is in the international arena and the second in the humanitarian and developmental programs of the Gaza stripe.

The Secretary General said the OIC has noticed with interest the statement made by the American President Barack Obama, in the last meeting of the UN General Assembly, where he expressed his desire to see a Palestinian state as a member of the United Nations by next September. The Secretary General added that in the collective recognition of many Latin American states, the promises announced by European states for recognizing the Palestinian state, as well as the reports by the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank which state that the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority are ready to establish a state. Therefore, the OIC “see those as good indications of its efforts through the Islamic Group in the UNAG to support establishing a Palestinian state whenever the Palestinians want to.” The Secretary General had indeed exerted vigorous efforts in more than one capital city to support the Palestinians’ resolutions in the UNAG and the resolutions that condemned Israeli violations at the International Human Rights Council in Geneva.

On the other hand, the OIC has effectively contributed during the siege on Gaza and is still contributing in facilitating the entry of huge relief assistance and providing developmental programs in the form of small project to the families of the Strip, as well as inaugurating an eye hospital. It has also worked with European relief organizations in delivering medical aids and facilitating the entry of a number of doctors to perform surgical operations in Gaza for those unable to leave the Strip.

Palestinians sign a National Reconciliation Agreement in Cairo Ihsanoglu: We will Continue supporting

the Palestinians at all levels

PALESTINE FILE

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (centre left) speaking withHamas leader Khaled Meshaal (centre right) in Cairo, Egypt, 4 May 2011 (epa)


PALESTINE FILE

OIC confirms its continued support for the Goldstone Report

UN slams Israel’s use of deadly force on demonstrators

Egypt opens Rafah crossing permanently

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) renewed on 4 April 2011, its position in support of the Goldstone report, which contained clear accusations to Israel for committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip in December 2008. The confirmation came in response to the statements made by the investigating Judge Richard Goldstone where he changed his position on the report that carries his name.

In an op-ed article published in the Washington Post on April 1, Judge Goldstone expressed regret over the critical report he authored on the 2008- 2009 Israeli large-scale military operation on Gaza Strip, apparently succumbing to Israeli pressure.

In response, the OIC said it still adheres to the contents of the report adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, with the support of the Islamic Group, and it continues to provide all the support required for the report at the General Assembly of the United Nations, after the Islamic Group had pushed for the adoption of a resolution by the Human Rights Council urging the General Assembly to forward it to the UN Security Council. The OIC confirmed that it has already begun coordination within the Islamic Group in the General Assembly, in order to support efforts to refer the Goldstone report to the Security Council.

The OIC also confirmed the continuation of its commitment for the report to be given due international care and to adopt its content since it is an international document that does not represent a particular opinion or a personal viewpoint linked by a particular time. The OIC noted that the OIC Secretary General would spare no effort in supporting the report, as he always did since October 8, 2009 in Geneva when he met with the Human Rights High Commissioner and representatives of the Islamic Group in order to review the report after the postponement of its adoption in the Human Rights Council. It was re-submitted to the Council where it was adopted with a majority vote of 25 countries and referred to the UN General Assembly, which adopted its recommendations by majority vote.

The OIC stressed that the report had included factual accounts, noting at the same time that the recent remarks by Judge Goldstone will not change the facts cited in the report, or the fact that Israel has committed crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. It also added that the Goldstone report is not the first of its kind in condemning Israel for committing war crimes as it was preceded by a report by Desmond Tutu on the massacre of Beit Hanoun, in a long series of Israeli violations against international law and the Geneva Conventions.

Beirut, Lebanon – A UN representative said Israel used “disproportionate, deadly force” when its soldiers fired on demonstrators marching toward the country’s borders.

The statement made on May 16 by UN special coordinator for Lebanon was forceful. He said he was “shocked” by the number of deaths.

Thousands of Arab protesters marched toward Israel’s borders with Syria, Lebanon and Gaza on May 15 in an unprecedented wave of demonstrations during “Nakba” day rallies. Meanwhile, Israel said it filed a complaint with the presidency of the Security Council and Secretary General of the UN against Syria and Lebanon for violating its borders.

Gaza Strip – Egypt on May 28 reopened its Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip permanently, effectively easing Israel’s four-year blockade of the territory. Rafah is the only crossing that is not controlled by Israel.

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, welcomed Egypt’s decision to open the Rafah Crossing permanently. The Secretary General has extolled this wise decision, which would contribute to alleviating the burdens of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. He expressed his hope

that this would assist commencement of the reconstruction of the destruction wrought on the Gaza Strip by the Israeli aggression.

Washington DC, USA – US President Barack Obama, in a major Mideast policy speech on May 19, which touched on the political changes in the Middle East and North Africa, called on Israel to withdraw to pre-1967 borders.

Obama said the US endorses the Palestinians’ demand for their future state to be based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Middle East war.

“The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on

the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves and reach their potential in a sovereign and contiguous state.”

He called on the leaders of both sides to seize an opportunity for peace.

Obama: Palestine should be based on pre ’67 borders

Palestinians walk past the Rafah Egypt- Gaza bordercrossing after entering Egypt, on 28 May 2011 (epa)

23

OIC condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeliextremists and the burning of a mosque in the West Bank

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, made a telephone call with the Grand Mufti of Al-Quds, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, and was reassured on the conditions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque following the attack on the mosque by Jewish extremists. The Secretary General condemned this act on 8 June 2011, saying that the attack affects one of the Muslim Ummah's dearest and most sacred holy sites, and called for standing in the face of such act to prevent its recurrence.

Ihsanoglu called upon the Muslim Ummah to be vigilant towards the attacks directed against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that the Muslim Ummah will not keep silent about repetition of such acts.

The OIC Secretary-General also condemned the arson perpetrated by Israeli extremist settlers against a mosque in the village of Mughayyer in the West Bank. He considered the arson a horrendous act that demonstrates the violence perpetrated on daily basis by Israeli settlers against the

indigenous Palestinian population in the occupied territories. He called upon the UNESCO, UN Security Council and its Muslim countries members to shoulder their responsibilities in preserving international security and peace and to force Israel to stop extremists' aggressions and to prevent them from creating tension in the region.

Taking advantage of his New York accent while addressing Congress in May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an eloquent speech offering only more obstacles to a lasting and just peace in the Middle East. He not only failed to provide a vision for the peace process in a changing Middle East, but also introduced new terms and phrases that will probably hamper any peace efforts in the future.

While Mr. Netanyahu demanded that a final agreement not be made along “indefensible lines,” he failed to define what borders he would consider “defensible.” Indeed, defining this term alone would require several rounds of negotiations. This issue of defensible borders is particularly complicated in today’s world, where technology plays an increasingly important role, as mentioned by President Obama and as evidenced by the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions.

Even if one follows the traditional definition of defensible boundaries, it remains unclear what would satisfy Netanyahu’s definition. This vagueness sets a dangerous precedent, which is capable of providing a pretext for Netanyahu to annex the entire Palestinian territories and still argue that the borders are not defensible.

What are generous offers and painful compromises'?

Though he has categorically rejected them in the past, Netanyahu also referred to the “generous offers” made by two Israeli Prime Ministers to argue that peace is not possible with the Palestinians. What he considers to being a “generous offer” is in fact what the Palestine Papers revealed to be merely a map presented to Palestinian President Abbas, which he was reportedly allowed to take down on only a napkin.

Netanyahu’s treatment of this as a “generous offer” sets yet another dangerous precedent. Since the Israeli prime minister has rejected such border offers in the past, he is now likely referring to an offer that is most likely to be even less generous than a map on a napkin.

Furthermore, Netanyahu repeatedly used the term “painful compromises” without ever explaining what the phrase meant. Netanyahu’s political history does not indicate to what extent he would be willing to engage in what he calls a “painful compromise” to reach peace with the Palestinians.

For someone with his right-wing political agenda, withdrawal from any part of the West Bank could be seen as a “painful compromise.” This deliberate ambiguity makes the quest for peace even more elusive, as we are left to chase definitions of terms rather than begin negotiations on final status issues and create a possible peace plan.

* The article was published in the Christian Science Monitor on May 25th, 2011.

Permission was granted by the author for publication.

** Ibrahim Sharqieh is the deputy director of the Brookings Doha Center in Qatar. He is an expert on Middle Eastern politics and international conflict resolution. He holds a PhD from George Mason University’s Conflict Analysis and Resolution Institute.

Netanyahu's Congress speech could set Middle East peace back another 18 years

** By Ibrahim Sharqieh


PALESTINE FILE

Gaza (dpa)- Bijansa Zimait is a 20 year old lady from Malta who devotes all her time for solidarity with Palestinians in weekly protests against Israeli actions.

Zimait moves between Gaza Strip and the West Bank. She lives with Palestinians and shares their demand of putting an end to Israel's occupation, freezing settlements growth and confiscation of lands without thinking of going back to her normal life in her country.

"Here, I feel deeply happy and proud. My presence in Palestine is a really important part of my humanitarian life," said Zimait.

Several international support groups flock from different European countries and Israeli peace activists to the Palestinian lands to engage in the weekly protests condemning the separation wall and settlements in the West Bank.

These groups commit to emulating the protests’ support methods by wearing the Palestinian koffiyah and raising the Palestinian flag along with a sign demanding the removal of the separation wall and dismantling Israeli outposts.

A number of them also started going to Gaza Strip since a year ago for similar weekly protests there to denounce Israel establishing a 300-meter wide security isolation zone along the Strip’s borderline.

"A group of my friends and I came to Palestine to participate and support Palestinians put an end to Israel's occupation and to establish independent Palestinian state," said Zimiat.

Zimait and her friends said that they came at their own expense to defend the Palestinian cause and draw the world's attention to the Palestinians' daily sufferings because of the Israel's arbitrary actions against the Palestinians' rights.

Usually the foreign support activists decide to stay in the West Bank when accompanying human rights organizations

during inspection visits whereas others arrive individually.

Local Palestinian institutions and foreign activists in the Palestinian territories face immense problems during their activities because Israeli authorities withdraw the licenses and entry visas of the international volunteers. Moreover, many of them suffer injuries and get arrested.

Zimait said she fainted several times during her participation in the weekly protests when Israeli Defense Force (IDF) used tear gas on the protesters. But that did not deter her, instead, made her more determined to continue protesting.

She records and takes notes of all Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories.

She and several international support groups also assist the Palestinian farmers

in planting olive trees in their lands which are threatened by the settlements.

The protests witness violent clashes between the Palestinians peace activists on the one hand and the IDF on the other. It ends with injuries, suffocation cases, and sometimes dead people from the protestors' side.

The Statistical Palestinian General Committee registers the killing of 32 and injury of more than 700 protestors during the IDF oppression of peaceful marches since its launch five years ago.

It also registers arrests by the IDF of 250 activists from the People's Committee which arranges the weekly protests.

An American peace activists Rachel Corrie, was crushed to death eight years ago in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, by an IDF bulldozer when she was standing in front of a local Palestinian's home, acting as a human shield, to prevent the IDF from demolishing the home near the borders of the Strip.

Mostafa Al-Barghouthi, the Palestinian Parliamentarian and the Secretary General of the National Initiative, says the general and peaceful resistance are the most important Palestinian forms of resistance.

Ghazan Al-Khatib, General Manger of the Palestinian Authority Governmental Media Center, says the Palestinian Authority urges the foreign supporters for more participation and on wider spectrum for "exposing Israeli actions against the Palestinian people's rights."

He said that the Palestinian Authority considers these peaceful protests "a civilized way of expressing the Palestinians' people aspirations in putting an end to Israel's occupation on their territory. These protests are in conformity with the International Law and express refusal of the illegal occupation.

International volunteers join Palestiniansin protests against Israel's occupation

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Israel has been for the past few months trying to bank on the preoccupation of the world with the winds of change blowing across the Middle East region to stealthily pass plans slated to firm up its occupation of Al-Quds city [Jerusalem]. Within this perspective, Israel has feverishly engaged in creating a de facto reality likely to serve its efforts toward further judaization of the holy city of Al-Quds and to fudge the city’s history and present state. Any observer monitoring the developments in occupied Jerusalem would realize that Israel and the settlers’ associations are enacting judaization steps that are unprecedented both in terms of gravity and timing. The following three developments showcase clearly the severity of these steps.

The Israeli occupation authorities has recently inaugurated a new settlement called ‘Ma'ale Zeitim’, at the very heart of the Palestinian neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, overlooking Al-Aqsa Mosque from the eastern flank. The new settlement currently hosts 14 families, a figure set to pick up to 110 families over the coming period. In the past, settlers’ associations used to carry out discreetly their settlement activities without much hue and cry, but this time around the launch of ‘Ma'ale Zeitim’ settlement was draped in a show involving officials of the Israeli government and settler leaders.

The second embodiment of this settlement program is the Israeli government’s decision to allocate a top-up budget for the judaization of the occupied city of Jerusalem. Israeli authorities have constantly poured huge funds and beefed up twofold the budgets allocated for the implementation of their judaization schemes in the holy city under different appellations. It held a ceremonial government meeting in Al-Qalaa [citadel] Mosque on the 44th anniversary of the occupation of Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque, or what Israelis falsifyingly dub as ‘Jerusalem’s Liberation Day’. In fact, the Al-Qalaa Mosque has been turned by the Israeli occupation authorities into a museum called David's Citadel Museum.

The Israeli government endorsed during that special meeting a plan laid down by the Israeli government for the judaization of Al-Quds city. Approval was also sealed during the same meeting for an additional budget to the tune of US $100 million spanning a five-year period from 2011 to 2016 in order to support ‘the economy of the city of Jerusalem,’ in diversified fields, including tourism and research, and lending support to the settlement plans in the vicinity of the western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment [waqf] and Heritage disclosed that this plan is bound to be implemented with the participation of the Israeli government, the Israeli occupation municipality of Jerusalem, and the so-called ‘Jerusalem Development Authority’ (JDA).

As a matter of fact, the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage has made it clear that the earmarking of such a

substantial budget shows that Israel seeks a full-fledged judaization of the occupied city of Jerusalem, embracing diverse façades, including espousing slogans of economic support and scientific research.

Just as limpidly clear is that this measure goes hand in glove with the pursuit of the Israeli occupation authorities to judaize the very character of Arab and Islamic monuments and landmarks in the occupied city of Jerusalem, and to obliterate, if not actually ensure that many of them get bulldozed down, while displacing Palestinians from their land and homes, and choking the Palestinian economy. The danger lurking in this measure lies in its focus on intensifying settlement construction in Jerusalem and judaizing the area immediately adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, more specifically in the area of the Buraq Wall [Western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque]. Perhaps convening a meeting of the Israeli government in Al-Qalaa Mosque, an iconic historical edifice at the heart of the Old City of Al-Quds, carries significant implications that point up quite clearly the future lot in store for the city of Jerusalem and its holy Islamic and Christian sites as well as landmarks. Worse, the meeting held in Al-Qalaa Mosque is a blatant violation of the sanctity of the mosque and the endowed Islamic land.

The third development takes shape in the form of a draft law mooted by a lawmaker from the ruling Likud party to supplant names in Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem with Hebrew names. The bill seeks to put an end to the practice of using Arabic names for neighborhoods, streets and alleys, and to use instead Jewish names which would reflect what Israel terms the ‘Jewish heritage in Jerusalem’ and incorporate the Jewish names in all official transactions and the media.

The three measures cited above provide flagrant examples of the depth and nature of the zealous settlement campaign slated to tighten Israel’s occupation grip over the city of Al-Quds. For its part, the timing of these steps indicates the unprecedented intensity with which Israel seeks to judaize occupied East Jerusalem. Suffice it to say that these steps, with all the grave threat they represent for the city, have unraveled over just one month, which confirms beyond any shred of doubt the determination of the Israel to carry through its schemes to judaize East Jerusalem at ever faster pace.

A second point that should not pass unnoticed is that the implementation of these steps occurred during and after the visit of Israeli Prime Minister to Washington DC and the wide-ranging campaign of misinformation that accompanied it. The visit in itself was designed to mobilize support for the Israeli government’s endeavors to cement its occupation and for its attempts to thwart the Palestinian quest to enlist international recognition for a Palestinian State which would comprise within its borders all Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem, which reflects all too plainly Israel's disregard for international law that prohibits it from engaging in such violations.

What Israel is enacting on the ground in East Jerusalem is a set of advanced measures meant to forcefully tack a Jewish character on everything Arab and Islamic in order to fabricate a forged and falsified Jewish history and heritage inspired by an illusory biblical narrative. Israel’s undertakings should serve as a powerful impetus for the Muslim Ummah [nation] to move promptly and do whatever it takes to pluck its holy sanctuaries and history from the claws of judaization and enforced forgery.

Last but not least, we should, emphatically, not bury our heads in the sand and just wait and watch while Jerusalem and the destination of the Prophet's (PBUH) Night Journey [Israa] runs a real and imminently most negating danger. Time is for swift action, for the judaization clock is ticking real fast.

Can Muslims afford to bury their heads in the sand on Al-Quds?!

Dr. Shaher AwawdehDept. of Palestine & Al-Quds, OIC


Tripoli, Libya- Daily reports tell of the struggle and suffering of Libyans under the heavy fighting between NATO forces supporting the opposition and Muammar Qaddafi’s forces trying to put down the uprising that began in February against his four-decade rule. The country seems to be divided in half with the rebels controlling the east and pockets in the west but unable to advance on the capital Tripoli in the west despite air strikes by a western alliance working under a UN mandate to protect civilians. The city of Misrata in the west, Libya’s third largest city and the scene of some of the fiercest fighting, is battle-scarred as it is occupied back and forth between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Libya said some 1.6 million people inside Libya need aid because fighting has disrupted basic services and depleted food and medical stocks. An additional 500,000 who have crossed borders to Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the region also need humanitarian assistance. International donors are asked for $408 million to fund aid for Libya through September. The OIC has opened a humanitarian coordination unit in the Libyan city Benghazi to assist in the relief efforts and has also managed to arrange air transportation to relocate displaced people on the Tunisian-Libyan borders. The evacuation operations are financed by Islamic humanitarian organizations from the Republic of South Africa, including the Organization of the Islamic Waqf. In another development, on May 16, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor asked judges to issue arrest warrants for Qaddafi and two other senior members of his regime- his son Seif Al-Islam Qaddafi and intelligence chief Abdullah Al-Sanoussi- accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by targeting civilians.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are focusing on cease-fire deal. However, the rebels are rejecting a deal without Qaddafi leaving the country. Western leaders have also called on Qaddafi to leave.

Call for a political solution The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic

Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu participated in the International Contact Group on Libya, which was held in Rome, Italy, on 5 May 2011. Ihsanoglu emphasized the need for a political solution to the Libyan crisis as the only way to bring lasting peace to Libya and reaffirmed the strong commitment of the OIC to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. He reiterated the readiness of the OIC to join all genuine endeavors that would contribute to realizing the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people.

The Secretary General underlined that the OIC is of the view

that any initiative seeking to restore peace, security and stability in Libya should take due account of the will of the Libyan people and their demands for democracy, justice, and political reform. In this regard, the political solution should be achieved through an inclusive process where all the segments of the Libyan society would be included.

Twenty-two nations and international organizations met in Rome to figure out how to help the Libyan fighters, who say they need

up to $3 billion in the coming months for military salaries, food, medicine and other basic supplies. The conference agreed to establish an internationally monitored fund the fighters can access to provide basic things like food and medicine.

The OIC had also participated in the International Contact Group Meeting on Libya held in London on 29 March, in Doha on 13 April, in the meeting on Libya in Cairo on 14 April, and in the consultative meeting of the representatives of regional and international organizations concerned with the situation in Libya that was held on 30 May 2011, at the headquarters of the Arab League.

In all these meetings the OIC reiterated the importance of a political solution for the Libyan crisis on the basis of credible, verifiable ceasefire which should also be linked to the political process during the transition period.

Meanwhile, NATO allies agreed to extend their military campaign in Libya until the end of September.

Humanitarian aid pledges of $1.1 billionAt the Third Meeting of the International Contact Group

on Libya, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on June 9, the Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanogu, welcomed the important statement made by the delegation of the Transitional National Council and commended its activities aiming at getting more international support and recognition.

He urged the international community to intensify its efforts to protect civilians from the ongoing violence and to bring the necessary support to the refugees and the displaced Libyan population. The Secretary General stated that the OIC supports the call for establishing a humanitarian post in particular in Misrata and the Western Mountain, including establishing humanitarian corridors, to facilitate delivery of the humanitarian assistance.

The participants pledged more than $1.1 billion of aid at the conference that focused on the end-game for Muammar Qaddafi and the country’s civil war.

NATO warplanes relentlessly bombed Tripoli as the rebels said they hoped to restart oil production, stopping short of giving a date.

Libya struggles under heavy fightingWORLD AFFAIRS

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Situationin Yemen

deterioratingSanaa, Yemen – Clashes between

fighters from Yemeni tribes, who have joined the popular uprising against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the security forces have escalated the crisis in Yemen bringing it to a gridlock with Saleh refusing to leave and the protesters insisting he does.

Efforts by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to broker a deal between Saleh and the different factions failed so far when Saleh repeatedly refused to sign the agreement reached.

With the protesters going to the streets by the hundreds of thousands almost everyday demanding the ouster of Saleh, and scores of people getting killed or injured during clashes with the security forces, the situation in Yemen is deteriorating, raising international concern over a possible civil war.

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Yemen resulting in the loss of civilian lives.

While calling upon the Yemeni authorities and all factions of the Yemeni society, including the tribal leaders to show restraint and refrain from use of force against innocent civilians, the Secretary General warned against the potential danger of reaching a point of no return in the country. He stressed the need to resolve issues through dialogue and understanding for the best interests and stability of Yemen.

He also reiterated the OIC’s support for the initiative of the GCC and urged all Yemeni parties to respond positively to this initiative.

On June 3 the Yemeni President was severly injured when his palace was shelled and he had to be flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment where he remined in critical condition leaving the country under the care of the Vice President.


WORLD AFFAIRS

Djibouti - In response to the invitation addressed by Djibouti to the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Conference to participate in the observation of the presidential elections, the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu dispatched a team from the General Secretariat to monitor the elections held on 8 April 2011.

The General Secretariat team participated in election monitoring alongside with a number of other observation missions from regional and international organizations, most notably, the African Union, the League of Arab States,

Organization of la Francophonie, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in order to support and instill democracy in Djibouti.

In a joint statement, the International Observer Mission, comprising the OIC team, expressed its satisfaction with the election, which was found to be peaceful, calm, fair, and transparent, and took place in dignity. The International Mission congratulated the people of Djibouti on the successful election.

Incumbent President Ismail Guelleh won a third term.

Cairo, Egypt - The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Dr. Nabil Al Arabi, Foreign Minister of Egypt, held a working session at the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on 16 April 2011 in the presence of their senior aides.

The two sides applauded the excellent relations between the OIC and Egypt and the unflagging support the OIC General Secretariat receives from the Egyptian authorities.

They equally commended the OIC’s activities in the political, social and humanitarian fields, as well as the desire of the two sides that the twelfth session of the Islamic Summit Conference be held in Egypt as soon as possible. The two sides then reviewed the situation in the region and stressed the need to find peaceful solutions that would guarantee the rights of the peoples of the region to change and reform, in line with the OIC’s Ten-Year Program of Action adopted by the Makkah Summit in 2005.

OIC mission monitors elections in Djibouti

OIC Secretary General holds talks with Egypt’s Foreign Minister

Carthage, Tunis - The interim President of the Republic of Tunisia Fouad M’Bazaa received at the Republic Palace in Carthage on 7 May 2011 the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who was on a two-day official visit to Tunisia from 6 – 8 May 2011. It was Ihsanoglu’s first visit to Tunis since the eruption of its Jasmine Revolution. The visit came as emphasis of the support of the OIC to the Tunisian political leadership and to bolster the spirit of cooperation and solidarity with Tunis.

The OIC Secretary General congratulated the Tunisian political leadership on the success of the dignity revolution, which opened the door for change and reform in the region, in the scope of the Ten-Year Program of Action adopted by the Makkah Al Mukarramah Summit in 2005.

The Secretary General affirmed the OIC‘s support for the reform and development process in Tunisia and its readiness to participate in the monitoring of the parliamentary elections to be held in Tunisia on 24

July 2011.For his part, President M’Bazaa

commended the ongoing efforts of the Secretary General in promoting the modernity and reform approach in the Muslim world and in responding to attempts to defame the religion of Islam.

Ihsanoglu also met Beji Caid Essebsi, the Prime Minister and discussed with him the OIC’s intended humanitarian program in Tunisia in the areas of reform and development. The Secretary General expressed the OIC’s appreciation to Tunisia for its support and care for Libyan refugees and foreign workers fleeing Libya, hosting them and providing them with aid and relief. He also recalled the assistance provided by the OIC to enable more than 10,000 foreign workers to return to their countries.

In his meeting with Maouludi El-Kafi, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim government, discussions touched on existing cooperation between the OIC and the Tunisian government and how it can be improved. He stressed that it was important for Tunisia to ratify the

OIC Charter and agreements on trade cooperation. The discussion also covered the situation in the region.

At another level, the OIC Secretary General presented a cheque for an amount of money in the form of assistance to the Tunisian Red Crescent Society when he received the Society’s president, Dr. Ibrahim El-Gharbi.

In Tunis: Ihsanoglu congratulates Tunisians on the dignity revolution

Ihsanoglu with Tunisian President M’Bazaa

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OIC welcomes the results of the Darfur Stakeholders Conference

Doha, Qatar - The General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) took part in the ‘All Darfur Stakeholders Conference’ held in the Qatari capital Doha from 27 to 31 May 2011, with the participation of other international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, as well as representatives of the Government of the Sudan, the rebel movements, civil society groups, political parties, the IDPs, elected leaders and representatives of Darfuris in the diasporas.

The conference addressed important issues such as human rights, justice and reconciliation, power sharing, and wealth sharing as well as compensation, return of IDPs and refugees, permanent ceasefire and final security arrangements, and Darfur internal dialogue and consultation.

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud in his opening statement reviewed the stages of Darfur negotiations he had begun along with the UN-AU joint mediator Djibril Bassole through the Doha Forum, within the framework of the Arab-African Ministerial Committee. This is also authorized by the United Nations and the African Union to resolve the Darfur issue, under the understanding that “war does not serve the interest of Sudan and that a negotiated solution remains to be the only option available for the settlement of the conflict.”

He pointed out that in the context of achieving this he and the joint mediator began efforts agreeing first that the negotiating platform should be a comprehensive one that did not exclude anyone.

“We had exerted all possible efforts and contacted all in the movement, without exception, with some of them responding to the call, some promised (to respond) and some had their own excuses, but contacts are still continuing,” he said. Al-Mahmoud stressed the need for the contribution of all stakeholders in the peace process, including the displaced and refugees and all civil society and nomadic segments, as well as all political parties and government officials, each according to his ability and vision.

“We in the mediation (team), after consultations with our

regional and international partners, see the need to prepare a comprehensive peace document to serve as a framework for resolving the Darfur issue.”

The document will be based on the outcome of a series of negotiations and talks between the parties, as well as consultations held in Doha, Darfur and with other partners, he underlined.

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu urged all negotiating parties and stakeholders in Darfur to engage in a serious dialogue within the framework of the peace process aimed at finding a compromise acceptable to all parties to the conflict in Darfur.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary General, Ambassador Habib Kaabachi commended the conscious efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to reach a comprehensive solution to the problem of Darfur. He also stressed that the meeting provided a new opportunity to continue the hard work to reach a definitive solution to the crisis and achieve the desired goals of restoring security and peace in Darfur within the framework of Sudan's unity, sovereignty and stability.

Furthermore, he pointed out that in over two years , the mediation achieved an important work, which was reflected in the thorough consultations held with all parties concerned including armed movements, the Sudanese Government, the Darfur civil society and representatives of displaced persons and refugees.

Ihsanoglu invited all parties to show genuine political will to resolve the crisis in Darfur peacefully and to place the legitimate demands of the citizens of Darfur above all other considerations, indicating that achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace is a prerequisite condition for launching the reconstruction and development processes in Darfur.

He also reaffirmed the OIC preparedness to continue its efforts to contribute with the Government of the Sudan and all Darfur parties to the restoration of sustainable peace, reconciliation and the realization of social development.

The OIC has been closely involved in all international efforts aiming at finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the Darfur conflict. Back on 21st March 2010 the OIC organized in cooperation with Egypt and Turkey a successful donors’ conference in Cairo, Egypt, for the reconstruction and development of Darfur.

The conference adopted the Doha draft document for peace as a basis to reach a permanent cease-fire and a comprehensive peaceful solution that includes all stakeholders and guarantees Darfur’s peace and stability. The communiqué welcomed Qatar’s willingness to host the signing of an agreement between the Government of Sudan and the armed movements of Darfur based on the outcome of the conference. The conference agreed to form the Darfur Committee headed by Qatar and includes two international partners to follow up the implementation. Qatar will work with the African Union and the United Nations to help the parties reach and implement the peace agreement.

AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassol (CL) and Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed al-Mahmud (CR) addressing the representatives of

displaced persons and the civil society in Doha, 28 May (epa)


WORLD AFFAIRS

Brussels, Belgium – The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) participated for the first time in the global dialogue on Kashmir held in Brussels, signifying the important role it plays in resolving the dispute over Kashmir between Pakistan and India.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the OIC on Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Abdullah Abdur-Rahman Alim, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, participated in the Fifth Session of the Global Dialogue on Kashmir, which was hosted by the European Parliament and organized by the International Human Rights Council – Kashmir Center in Brussels and the All Party Group for Kashmir (APJK) on 3 and 4 May 2011.

In his statement to the meeting, Ambassador Alim highlighted cooperation and coordination between the OIC and the European Union, stressing the importance of continuing and institutionalizing such cooperation within the framework of promoting joint efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute which has been festering over six decades.

Ambassador Alim also reiterated the OIC firm position supporting the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination.

The OIC Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir called on the international community to contribute effectively to creating conducive conditions, which would motivate the parties concerned with the Kashmir dispute to resume the composite dialogue process and to work seriously to reach a solution to this chronic conflict to serve the interests of the region of South Asia.

First launched in 2004, the Global Dialogue on Kashmir held its four previous sessions with the participation of representatives of Pakistan and India along with Kashmiri leaders from Pakistani and Indian parts of Kashmir and a

number of members of the European Parliament, with a view to formulating a set of confidence-building measures and facilitate dialogue between the parties concerned with the Kashmir dispute.

The conclusions of the Fifth Global Discourse on Kashmir included: “There must be a dialogue which involves the main protagonists, including Kasmiris, India and Pakistan. Kashmir Valley must be demilitarized in order to make substantive progress. International organizations such as the EU and OIC have an important role to play in formulating a solution, and there is a need to create great awareness within the international community.”

Dialogue with IndiaEarlier on 22 April 2011 Ambassdor Alim visited

Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir where he met with high level Pakistani and Kashmiri officials including Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani and Kashmir President Zulqarnain Khan.

The Prime Minister “hoped that the renewed process of dialogue (with India) would be uninterrupted and it would be constructive for the resolution of contentious issues like the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which is imperative for the long-term peace, stability and progress of South Asia,” an official statement said. At the same time, Gilani said the international community should urge India to respect the fundamental rights of Kashmiris and alleged atrocities against Kashmiris should be stopped forthwith.

Alim hoped that with the resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue and the warming up of their bilateral relations it would be possible for him to visit the Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir in future.

Amb. Alim also conducted a field visit to one of the main refugee camps in Muzafarabad (Azad Jammu and Kashmir) as well as to the Line of Control (LoC) originally known as the “Cease-fire Line” between Pakistan and India.

Alim stresses OIC cooperation with EU on Kashmir

Ambassador Abdullah Alim (C), OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir, and Ambassador Ali Abolhassani Shahreza (L) called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Gilani (R) at PM House, Islamabad on April 22, 2011

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Astana, Kazakhstan - Upon the invitation of the Government of Kazakhstan, a high level delegation of observers from the OIC General Secretariat took part in the monitoring of the presidential elections held on 3rd of April 2011.

The members of the delegation were able to meet different candidates and to monitor all stages of the vote. They took note of the massive turnout of voters out of the desire of the Kazakh people to perform their civic duty in calm and discipline, thus showing the spirit of responsibility and involvement in the enforcement of the political and democratic institutions in their country.

The OIC delegation met with several senior Kazakh

stakeholders to whom the members of the delegation conveyed the greetings and support of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who has been closely following the positive developments towards the reinforcement of democracy, good governance and the rule of law in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is an important member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and will assume the OIC ministerial chairmanship in June 2011.

The Secretary General congratulated the people of Kazakhstan for their political maturity and the President Nursultan Nazarbayev for the great victory, which reflects the confidence of the people of Kazakhstan in his able leadership.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received in his office at the OIC Headquarters on 27 April 2011, Kemal Dürüst, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and his accompanying delegation.

Both sides had extensive exchange of views on the ongoing cooperation between the OIC and the Turkish Cypriot State, an observer member of the OIC, and the ways to further enhance the OIC-TRNC relations. They agreed to maintain effective solidarity and continue to strengthen cooperation between TRNC and the OIC and its Member

States including in the field of higher education, research, sports and economic activities, with a view to putting an end to the unjust isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in the international fora.

The Minister invited the OIC Secretary General to visit the TRNC at a mutually convenient time to further discuss the issues of common interest.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Secretary General has followed with great attention the reported killing of Osama Bin Laden who was responsible for many unjustified bloodshed and attacks against innocent civilians.

Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 by a United States special forces military unit. The operation was ordered by the US President Barack Obama. The raid on Bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan was launched from Afghanistan. After the raid, US forces took Bin Laden's body to Afghanistan for identification, then buried it at sea within 24 hours of his death.

The Secretary General reiterated the principled OIC

position on condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Terrorism is against the teachings of Islam and is considered as one of the most serious crimes for which Islam has set the most severe sanctions. The OIC has stated on many occasions the necessity of bringing those who are responsible for terrorist acts to justice.

The OIC believes that counter-terrorism activities should address the real causes of terrorism rather than dealing with its external manifestations. The most important of these causes are political injustice and the denial of the right of peoples living under foreign occupation to self determination.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received in audience at the General Secretariat on 23 April 2011, a seven-member parliamentary delegation from Bangladesh.

During the meeting both sides exchanged views on the issues of common concern.

Ihsanoglu commended the democratic progress in Bangladesh and hoped that the existing relations between the OIC and Bangladesh would be further strengthened in the coming years.

OIC congratulates Kazakhstan for the successful Presidential Elections

Turkish Cypriot Education Minister visits the OIC Secretary General

Osama Bin Laden killed

OIC Secretary General receivesParliamentary Delegation from Bangladesh


WORLD AFFAIRS

by Abdulazeem Dafa'AllahThe OIC Secretary General, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu

concluded a week-long tour of some West African OIC Member States on 7th June 2011. The tour, which took him to Cotonou, Lome, Freetown, Bissau, Banjul, Dakar and Niamey, was the Secretary General’s third African tour since his assumption of office in 2005.

During his trip, the OIC Secretary General held official discussions with the Presidents of these countries, during which he discussed with them of the implementation of the OIC Ten Year Programme of Action, with specific reference to the political, socio-economic and humanitarian activities of the Organisation.

The OIC Secretary General also availed himself of the audiences with the West African leaders to review the political situations in some Member States of the OIC as well as the progress made on the execution of the various OIC development projects in their countries.

On their part, the Presidents expressed their respective appreciation for the historical significance of the Secretary General’s visits being the first ever by any OIC Secretary General to their countries. They also re-affirmed their support for the OIC consensus on the Palestinian issue as well as the OIC bold initiatives on the issues of good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The leaders also expressed their satisfaction with the content and scope of the OIC economic programs, such as the Trade Preferential System (TPS-OIC), the various trade financing windows under the ITFC, ICD and ICIEC, the OIC Framework for Agricultural Development, the OIC Cotton Rehabilitation Programme, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, the Special Program for the Development of Africa and the OIC Dakar-Port Sudan Railway project. While congratulating the Secretary General for his bold initiatives and reforms, the Presidents also acknowledged the effectiveness of such other programs in the area of human capital development and socio-economic inclusion, particularly the OIC Trust Fund in Sierra-Leone and the activities of the OIC Humanitarian Development Office in Niger.

In addition to his meetings with the West African leaders, Ihsanoglu also held official talks with Foreign Ministers of the countries visited and conferred with members of the legislature, judiciary, Private Sector and Civil Society.

His first stop of the tour was Benin on 31st May where he was received in audience by the President of Benin, Thomas Yayi Bonni. The discussions focused on OIC intra cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, science, agriculture, trade, politics and technology.

The President of Togo Faure Eyadema, during the Secretary General’s meeting with him, commended the initiatives of the Secretary General through the various development projects which are aimed at improving the welfare of the Togolese people.

In Sierra Leone, which was the first visit ever by an OIC Secretary General, Ihsanoglu discussed with President Ernest Bai Koroma the best ways and means to further develop and strengthen existing ties between the OIC, its affiliated and specialized organs and Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has expressed interest in the developmental programs of the OIC especially in the domain of agriculture, health, tourism, education, housing and infrastructure development.

The visit to Guinea Bissau was also a first by an OIC Secretary General. Ihsanoglu had a fruitful meeting with the President of Guinea Bissau, Mallam Bacai Sanha, on 3rd June.

In Gambia, Ihsanoglu was received in Banjul, on 4 June by Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of Gambia. The Secretary General briefed President Jammeh on different OIC programs in favor of Gambia and other West African Member States, including those aimed at promoting cotton, building capacity on agro-food industries and strengthening the capabilities of Member States in combating poverty.

On the 6th of June the Secretary General and his accompanying delegation, were received in audience in Dakar by the President of Senegal and Chairman of the 11th Summit, Maître Abdoulaye Wade. The Secretary General discussed the ongoing activities of the OIC and raised a number of issues relating to intra OIC cooperation. The Secretary General further exchanged views with the President on the latest political developments in parts of the Muslim world.

In his intervention, President Wade stressed the importance of solidarity among the OIC Member States. He informed the Secretary General of some initiatives he had taken seeking to resolve the political crisis in some Member States.

At the last leg of his tour, the Secretary General met the newly elected President of Niger, Mouhamadou Issoufou at the Presidential Palace in Niamey.

The Secretary General on official tour of West African Member States: Reviews progress in political, socio-economic and humanitarian activities

Ihsanoglu (C) meeting with President of Gambia (R)

33

OIC participates in Consultative and ICG Meeting on Somalia

Nigeria conducts Presidential Elections, violence erupts

OIC Delegation concludes visit to Cote d’Ivoire

Nairobi, Kenya - At the invitation of the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, the OIC participated in a two-day High Level Consultative Meeting on Somalia on 1213- April 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The consultative process was aimed at re-establishing dialogue, consultation and cooperation among Somali institutions and other stakeholders with a view to agreeing on the way forward to end the transition in accordance with the Djibouti Peace Agreement and determine post- transition arrangements.

The meeting was attended by delegations from the Transitional Federal Parliament, the regions of Puntland and Galmadug as well as the Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

A two-member OIC delegation headed by Ambassador Mahdy Fathalla, Director General of the OIC Political

Affairs Department, also participated in the 19th Session of the International Contact Group (ICG) Meeting on Somalia which took place in Kampala over 23- June 2011.

During the meeting the OIC underlined the urgent need to find a peaceful solution to the Somali crisis and expressed its full support to the Somali Peace Process under the Djibouti Agreement. The OIC announcement of opening up its Humanitarian Office in Mogadishu was highly appreciated.

The meeting was very important and crucial for Somalia as it took place at a time when AMISOM gained significant territory in and around Mogadishu. The presidents of Uganda, Somalia and Burundi who addressed the meeting called upon the stakeholders to continue the political process and dialogue.

Denmark will host the next ICG Meeting on Somalia in October 2011.

Nigeria - OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has commended the peaceful conduct of the April 16, 2011 presidential elections in Nigeria.

Ihsanoglu, while congratulating President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his victory, hoped that the mandate would enable him consolidate national unity and promote socio-economic programs for the benefit of all Nigerians. He also expressed the desire of the OIC and its institutions to continue to work closely with the Government and people of Nigeria to accelerate the process of socio-economic renewal and development in the country.

Unfortunately, violence erupted across Nigeria’s north in anger at the election victory of President Jonathan who is from the south. Observers have called the poll the fairest in decades, but supporters of beaten Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler from the north, accused the ruling party

of rigging.The Secretary General conveyed his condolences to the

Government and families of the victims of the post-electoral violence in Nigeria, and appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint and address all electoral contentions through legal and constitutional means.

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire - A high level OIC delegation headed by Ambassador Mahdy Fathallah, Director General of the Political Affairs Department, visited Cote d’Ivoire from 27th April to 3rd May 2011.

The delegation was received in audience by the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, to whom it delivered a special message from the Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. President Ouattara appreciated the solidarity demonstrated to his country by the OIC in its hour of need and commended the principled position adopted by the OIC during the post-electoral dispute. The delegation further held talks with the Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs, Economic Infrastructure, Development and Planning, Humanitarian

Affairs as well as the Minister in the Office of the President.

In its various meetings with the Ivorian authorities, the latter conveyed their appreciation to the OIC Secretary General for sending such a high-level mission just a few weeks after the return of political normalcy in the country. They also

outlined the priority areas that required urgent assistance from their international partners.

During the stay in Cote d’Ivoire, the delegation also interacted with representatives of The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the African Union. It further undertook field visits to Internally Displaced camps for the assessment of the critical humanitarian situation facing Cote d’Ivoire arising from the post-electoral crisis.

Ambassador Mahdy Fathallah, Director General of the Political Affairs Department, speaks with President Ouattara


WORLD AFFAIRS

Rohingya leaders agree to form the Arakan Rohingya Union

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – A convention attended by Senior Rohingya Leaders was held at the Headquarters of the OIC in Jeddah. It issued a joint statement which included the formation of the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) to seek a political solution to the problems faced by the Rohingya people. In his speech, which was delivered by Talal Daaous, Director of the Department of Muslim Minorities in OIC, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu reiterated the OIC’s solidarity with the Rohingya people and reassured them of the support of the Organization.

The Secretary General highlighted the importance of the Meeting of Senior Leaders of Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and the Euro-Burma Office (EBO), which took place in the OIC Headquarters on 30 and 31 May 2011.

He noted that this second meeting of its kind in Jeddah aims to unite the efforts of the Rohingya people, which stem from a resolution adopted by the Thirty Seventh Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2010.

Ihsanoglu underlined that the meeting stresses on coordinating the work of Rohingya Muslim organizations and uniting their ranks under a united coordination council and for the OIC to continue in these efforts to reclaim Rohingya Muslims' rights. The Secretary General clarified that an agreement was reached in the first meeting on 9th June 2010, which established an organizational and coordination structure known as the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) with the aim of uniting Rohingya peoples' efforts. He stated that the meeting seeks the same purpose.

Ihsanoglu also reaffirmed that the OIC supported the return of the refugees and the restoration of their rights and privileges, which were taken from them by the Burmese authorities.

The convention was attended by Senior Rohingya Leaders representing many Rohingya Associations from various countries around the world and with the participation of the Euro-Burma office in Brussels, to discuss the difficulties faced by the Rohingya people and find ways and means to assist them.

The convention issued a joint statement which included the formation of the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), composed of twenty five organizations, to seek a political solution to the problems faced by the Rohingya people. The ARU was formed on the agreed principles of an indivisible

Arakan State within the territorial integrity of the Union of Burma to seek peaceful Co-existence, Democracy and Human Rights, and Federalism. The ARU Congress will seek to include representatives of all Rohingya organizations.

The convention also agreed upon the establishment of an ARU Council comprising of ten members from different countries to oversee the affairs of the ARU. The Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), which will endeavor to register itself as a non-profit organization in the USA, formed a Secretariat to be run by Dr. Wakar Uddin who was elected as Director General of the Secretariat for an initial period of 18 months.

The participants in the convention, who agreed to establish a Charter, expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of the OIC Secretary General, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and the OIC General Secretariat's Department of Muslim Minorities and Communities for convening this historic convention of Senior Rohingya Leaders in order to bring peace, prosperity and hope for the future of the Rohingya people.

“This is an important meeting because of the great work done towards a common cause. In the past we had great difficulty bringing everyone together," said Harn Yawnghwe, Executive Director of the Euro-Burma Office (EBO), to the OIC Journal. EBU has been working on this since 2000, and in 2008 the OIC became more involved with great results after three years.

“The difficulty now is in implementing the strategy everyone agreed to,” said Yawnghwe, adding that the new union would have to work with the OIC and other international organizations to achieve its goals.

“We will be working to demand that the Burmese government reinstate the citizenship rights of Rohingya people taken from them in the 60s, and to have better life conditions of our people inside and outside Burma who are living as refugees,” said the elected Director General of ARU Dr. Wakar Uddin to the OIC Journal.

Dr. Wakar Uddin will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the ARU with the help of four assistants. The challenge is to coordinate the activities while each is living in a different country but he hopes that with electronic communication it will be possible. The bigger challenge is to gain the support of the communities and international organizations, and to generate media attention and publicity to the plight of the Rohingya people.

35

by Abdulazeem Dafa'AllahStrasbourg, France - The Security Council Counter-

Terrorism Committee, with the support of the Council of Europe, held a special meeting on the ‘Prevention of Terrorism’ from 19 to 21 April 2011 in Strasbourg, France. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the OIC was a keynote speaker at the opening session where he called for a meaningful dialogue and partnership among the OIC, the UN and the Council of Europe on combating terrorism.

It was the sixth special meeting in the Committee’s 10-year history. Special meetings, most of which are held outside New York, give the Committee an opportunity to discuss various elements of the United Nations’ counter-terrorism framework with international, regional and sub regional organizations. Representatives from more than 50 States and 40 organizations and entities took part in the meeting in Strasbourg. The list of participants also includes seven experts drawn from civil society.

Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 1963 (2010) call on Member States to take a number of steps to counter terrorism, progressively paying more attention to preventive measures and factors that lead to terrorist activities.

In 2006, the General Assembly expanded the legal framework with the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which, among other things,

requests Member States to address the factors conducive to terrorism. These might include unresolved conflicts, discrimination, violations of human rights and lack of good governance.

In his address OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu underscored the strong and principled position of the OIC advocating moderation and modernization. He spoke out strongly against the scourge of terrorism and its incompatibility with the principles of Islam. He made reference to the OIC strategy on combating terrorism as underlined in the OIC Ten Year Program of Action and the amended OIC charter. He also mentioned that effective prevention of terrorism cannot be achieved simply by killing terrorists but by addressing the root causes; investing in social and educational institutions; raising awareness of terrorism as affront to human rights, civilization and human dignity; and rehabilitating those involved to realize their mistake and bring them back to the mainstream of society to lead a life of moderation.

Finally, the Secretary General called for a meaningful dialogue and partnership among the OIC, the UN and the Council of Europe on combating terrorism. While recalling the 1999 OIC Convention on Terrorism which includes a definition of terrorism, the Secretary General proposed to hold an international all-embracing conference in order to establish an unequivocal and consensual definition of terrorism so as to help align visions and activities in the face of this scourge. He also proposed intensifying efforts in the fields of security and law enforcement, to further deprive terrorists of financial resources and mobility, and to strengthen the legal regime and build on existing international counter-terrorism instruments.

The Chairman of the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, hailed the statement of the OIC Secretary General and the strong message therein. He added that there could not be any two interpretations of Islam except that it was a religion of peace. Any other interpretation would be to distort the message of the Islamic faith.

During his visit to Strasbourg, the Secretary General had bilateral meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Thornbjorn Jagland and the Chairman of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee Hardeep Singh Puri. In his meeting with Jagland, the Secretary General expressed the OIC’s willingness to institutionalize relations with the CoE including through practical cooperation on areas such as countering intolerance and anti-Islam sentiments in Europe as well as on election observation.

In his meeting with the Chairman of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee the two sides exchanged views on the current developments in the international scene and discussed the ways to further enhance cooperation between the UN and the OIC. They agreed to maintain regular dialogue on combating terrorism.

OIC takes part in a special meetingon counter-terrorism in Strasbourg


WORLD AFFAIRS

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Ambassador of Brazil to Saudi Arabia and Yemen handed the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu an official request from the Foreign Minister of Brazil indicating Brazil’s interest in getting observer status in the OIC. Ihsanoglu had received in his office on 16 May 2011 Sergio Luiz Canaes, who presented the request to him.

The Foreign Minister in his letter reiterated their

willingness to build closer ties with the Organization. The Secretary General welcomed the desire expressed by Brazil. He informed the Ambassador that soon the OIC is going to finalize the criteria for granting observer status and the same would be communicated to the Government of Brazil for necessary action at their end towards obtaining the observer status.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The OIC has prepared a comprehensive study on the aspects relating to its future role in peacekeeping, security maintenance and conflict resolution. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement, delivered on his behalf by the Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Ambassador Abdullah Alim, that the study covers the rationale, the internal and external questions, the context and the strategic objectives of establishing a peace and security department within the General Secretariat and with latter’s available resources.

Ambassador Alim presented the study to the 3rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts to Consider

the Future Role of the OIC in Peacekeeping, Security Maintenance and Conflict Resolution, which was held at the OIC Headquarters on 18 May 2011.

In his statement, the Secretary General pointed out that in the light of the ongoing political unrest in some OIC Member States; the latter are facing new challenges which require a forward-looking approach to find solutions to these conflicts. He stated that now is the best time to address this issue, pointing out to the initiatives being conducted by the Organization in some of its Member States.

The study on peacekeeping, security maintenance and conflict resolution includes, among other things, the establishment of a dedicated department.

Bali, Indonesia - The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) emphasized its keenness to foster cooperation with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in a bid to achieve the common goals of both organizations in realizing peace, security and economic development.

This position was highlighted in a statement delivered by Ambassador Abdallah Alim, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, before the 16th NAM Ministerial Conference, which was held in Bali, Indonesia, over 23 -27 May 2001, coinciding with the commemoration of NAM’s 50th anniversary.

Ambassador Alim pointed out that joint membership in both the OIC and NAM calls for joint cooperation to face up to the challenges of the contemporary world, notably globalization, protection of the environment, climate change, the food crisis, the fight against poverty, and the unrest plaguing some Member States, along with issues of good governance, human rights, terrorism, natural disasters, and the UN reform.

Ambassador Alim pointed out that the failure to work out a just solution to the Palestinian issue, being the core conflict in the Middle East region, poses a threat to international peace and security.

On another level, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs took part in the ‘Special Meeting on the Issue of Palestinian Political Prisoners in Israeli Jails and Detention Centers’, convened on

the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting. Ambassador Alim emphasized in his statement before the meeting that the issue of Palestinian prisoners reflects the injustice meted out to the Palestinian people for more than six decades. He pointed out that Israel’s detention of over ten thousand Palestinians, subjecting them to various forms of torture and oppression constitutes a grave violation of the international law and the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions. He further stressed that Israel’s behavior calls for condemnation by the international community. The statement called for mooting the issue of the Palestinian prisoners on the international scene to articulate a clear position on the violations suffered by Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

Brazil officially requests becoming an observer to the OIC

A Study on the Role of OIC inPeacekeeping and Security Maintenance

Boosting cooperation with NAM to achieve common goals

Ambassador Alim at NAM conference

37

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The 55th Session of the Islamic Solidarity Fund’s Permanent Council held its two-day proceedings on 2nd April 2011, at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah.

In his opening statement, the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called for the enhancement of the role of the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) and for the mobilization of adequate resources such as to notch up the Fund’s project-related budgets through voluntary donations, over and above the consolidation of its mandatory operating budget. The increased budgets, the Secretary General added, would enable the ISF and its Executive Organ to finance significant developmental projects to meet the needs of the Muslim peoples at the social, educational, health-related and economic levels. Such projects would bring about real social mutuality, reduce poverty and spread the spirit of tolerance and high morals advocated by the noble Islamic faith, he said.

The OIC Secretary General called on Member States to step up their efforts in support of the Fund’s Waqf in conformity with the resolution issued by the Second Islamic Summit Conference (Lahore, Pakistan 1973), which authorized the establishment of a Waqf for the ISF to the tune of US$100 million. The Secretary General pointed out that “only 75% of the envisaged amount have been raised and I, therefore, appeal to all Member States to intensify their effort and increase their donations so that the Waqf in question may reach the fixed benchmark which has been raised since to US$200 million by virtue of a resolution issued by the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 2010.”

On the other hand, Ihsanoglu urged the ISF Permanent Council to consider the issue of emergency humanitarian intervention in favor of Somalia and to allocate US$500,000 out of the emergency fund for the benefit of the Somali

people, as there are no international organizations in Somalia now other than the OIC’s humanitarian office.

In concluding his statement, the OIC Secretary General expressed profound gratitude to the Governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Libya, for their generous donations this year in support of the ISF resources and Waqf. The Secretary General’s thanks were also extended to all other States that benefited the ISF with their donations in the past and urged them to keep-up such donations so as to offer the ISF diversified resources and enable it to assume its tasks.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants approved the renewal of the Permanent Council of the Fund with its current composition until June 2014. The resolution adopted at the meeting exhorted Member States to commit themselves to make donations annually to the budget of the ISF and the capital of its Waqf. It also exhorted the Member States which had announced their contributions to expedite action in paying these contributions.

The meeting approved the Permanent Council’s adoption of the estimated projects budget of US$20 million for the Fund for the financial year 2011 and 2012.

The meeting called upon Member States to pay their statutory contributions to the operational budget of the Executive Bureau for the financial year 2011, which was approved by the Permanent Finance Committee at its 39th session in December 2010 which amounts to US$1.2 million.

The participants expressed appreciation to the Emergency Committee for its rapid response, with its available financial resources, in dealing with catastrophes and natural disasters affecting the Muslim countries. They exhorted Member States to endeavor to make contributions for the purpose of making resources available to the Fund to strengthen this aspect of its activities.

Ihsanoglu calls for increasingthe budget of the Islamic Solidarity Fund

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

(L-R) OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu, Chairman of ISF Council Sheikh Nasser Al-Zaabi and ISF Executive Director Ibrahim Khozayem


Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Disasters in the Muslim world make big headlines in the news. An environmental disaster strikes at least one of the OIC Member States every year whereby thousands of people die, get injured and become homeless, in addition to the destruction of the infrastructure it causes in the country. This made the issue of environmental disasters a priority on the agenda of the OIC activities.

The consecutive flooding disaster in Pakistan in July and August 2010 may have been the biggest in terms of the destruction it left behind in recent times, as well as the Tsunami that hit Indonesia in December 2004 which caused huge loses.

The OIC have found a way to tackle the disasters through joint Islamic action with the help of civil society organizations, particularly, if they mobilized and agreed upon a joint Islamic effort, and displayed it collectively with the coordination and under the supervision of the OIC to achieve the aspired goal.

At the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah, the Third Expert Group Meeting on Humanitarian Affairs was held on 30 April 2011. In a speech read on his behalf by Ambassador Atta El-Manane Bakhiet, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, the Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that the Muslim world in 2010 suffered 97 humanitarian crises in 32 countries, which represents 60 percent of the Member States of the OIC. The Secretary General revealed that international studies indicate that the number and size of disasters are set to triple in the next decade.

Meanwhile, Ihsanoglu stated that the civil society had become a key player in the developments in the Muslim world. He therefore called for a practical mechanism which would put the civil society organizations within the OIC system as is the case at the United Nations. This is to harness their efforts and coordinate their work to deliver collective and committed humanitarian work and to create a greater impact in the delivery of humanitarian assistance in time of major disasters.

The Secretary General drew attention to the importance of the resolution of the OIC Foreign Ministers Conference in Baku in 2006, by virtue of which observer status was granted to civil society organizations in OIC Member States.

He described the resolution as a major step in the direction of boosting cooperation with civil society organizations and as recognition of the role of the civil society in the humanitarian and developmental arena.

The Third Expert Group Meeting on Humanitarian Affairs included experts and permanent representatives of OIC Member States who in the course of two days discussed a draft paper on the responsibilities of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs at the OIC General Secretariat. In particular, it discussed providing a clear strategy, formulation of principles and guidelines for Islamic relief work guided by good practices of Member States and organizations in the domain of relief efforts. Moreover, it works for promoting the ability to address the humanitarian aids and coordination with the Member States on the relief efforts of the countries which suffer from or are threatened by the environmental disasters or any other emergency cases.

The meeting discussed promoting the mechanisms of the Member States in the areas of providing humanitarian aids, protecting civilians and workers in this field, strengthening social solidarity between Member States facing humanitarian crises, and raising awareness on such crises and the strategies for tackling them.

The meeting also discussed the means for strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of Member States to respond to emergency cases and minimize the effects of environmental disasters, in addition to supervising all operational procedures with the Member States, international organizations, non-governmental organizations legally recognized and the OIC funds and programs for humanitarian aid, and motivating them and organizing the relief efforts exerted.

The meeting also looked at the sub-paragraph on assessing and, specifying relief needs and issuing consolidated appeals in accordance with a unified planning process and following up the developments of a crisis in coordination with the shareholders and governments concerned. Preparing a database for workers in the humanitarian domain in OIC Member States, along with a list of non-governmental certified organizations, service providers, and specialized volunteers, was also proposed.

Expert Group Meeting on Humanitarian Affairs Searches for Solutions Ninety-Seven Disasters struck Muslim Word in 2010

Amb. Bakhiet and OIC Advisor Amb. Bakary Drame


39

Baghdad, Iraq - An OIC delegation, headed by the Ambassador Atta El-Manane Bakhiet, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited Iraq on April 25, 2011 with the aim of assessing the humanitarian situation there and specifying what could be provided in aid.

In this regard, the OIC and the Iraqi Government agreed through various meetings in Baghdad on the essential points of habilitation work program targeting in the present time two categories: orphans and widows. This program opens the door for more cooperation and coordination in the humanitarian and developmental field in Iraq.

The OIC delegation, conducted a fruitful round of

talks with several ministers in the Iraqi government, few weeks after an official visit by the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu that aimed at expanding cooperation between both sides.

Bakhiet and Nassar Al-Rubaie, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, agreed on having discussions to launch the welfare program involving the orphans category and another for habilitating widows and divorced women.

The meeting held in the headquarter of Iraq's Labor and Social Affairs Ministry yielded to a tentative agreement with the OIC whereby the OIC provides advice and help in formulating new laws the ministry intends to launch, as well as helping in designing curriculums for people with special needs, and students of professional disciplines. Al-Rubaie clarified that his country suffers from several problems such as two million and six hundred thousand widow and divorced woman who are in essential need for welfare, which could be offered through small projects, as well as the problem of around a million unemployed.

From his side, Bakhiet emphasized that the OIC is committed to effectively contribute in the face of these challenges. He highlighted the fact that the program which the OIC will start as a humanitarian act in several Iraqi provinces will be designed in coordination with Baghdad during the following weeks because they are waiting for the approval of the CFM in Kazakhstan in June.

OIC, Baghdad agree on a welfare program for orphans and widows

Ambassador Bakhiet and speaker of theIraqi Parliament Al-Najifi in a meeting in Baghdad

Cairo, Egypt – The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) participated in the Second Humanitarian Coordination Meeting on Libya organized by The Humanitarian Forum on May 8, 2011 in Cairo. The first meeting was held on 24 March and attended by 42 organizations. At that meeting the OIC and the League of Arab States (LAS) joined forces to organize the first collaborative aid convoy to Libya engaging 20 different humanitarian agencies from Egypt, Libya and the UK.

On 8 May, The Humanitarian Forum convened a follow up meeting hosted by the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Conference, which brought together 80 representatives from 57 organizations from UN, Red Cross movement, western international NGOs, Islamic NGOs and from Egypt and Libya.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdelaziz Hegazy, former Egyptian Prime Minister, called on OIC and LAS and donor community to immediately create a humanitarian relief fund for Libya crisis. “There are costs to many lives if we procrastinate,” he said.

Dr. Ahmad Hussein, Head of OIC Humanitarian Unit in Al-Ariesh, Egypt, brought greetings from the OIC Secretary-General and said that “the humanitarian situation in Libya has become dangerous and very critical.”

Ahmed Ben Moussa, Head of the Libyan National Transitional Council's humanitarian aid committee, gave a first hand briefing of the humanitarian situation in different parts of the country and said that “Libya is on the verge of

collapse”. The meeting concluded with commitments from OIC

and LAS to play a leading role in coordinating humanitarian efforts alongside UN OCHA and others. OIC and LAS will also organize a second humanitarian convoy involving 50 humanitarian agencies.

Both the Libyan National Transitional Council Humanitarian Aid Committee and UN OCHA called all attending humanitarian agencies to jointly influence governments and regional bodies to:

• improve operational humanitarian coordination and regularly share information with the Committee and UN OCHA;

• increase funding for humanitarian aid at all stages of rescue, relief and recovery;

• guarantee protection of civilians from armed violence;• provide all humanitarian actors with safe access to

civilians in all areas of Libya.Oxfam offered to be a resource for influencing and

passing on messages to European and African Governments, media and other stakeholders.

Supporting Libyan Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was deemed a priority, particularly for the emerging democratic women and youth movement. The Humanitarian Forum and the Islamic Development Bank express their commitment to build the capacity of newly formed CSOs and support networking between them.

OIC participates in Second Humanitarian Coordination Meeting on Libya



Dubai, UAE - The 4th World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists brought together leading figures in the field of government, diplomacy, academia, finance, and philanthropy to initiate a dialogue around the potential roadmap for Muslim Philanthropy in the next decade.

One of the main priorities of the forum was to delineate a comprehensive strategy for philanthropy that will foster social and economic development, strengthen philanthropic institutions, and empower individuals, particularly the young generation, to play a constructive role in advancing positive social change in their societies. The discourse was enriched by the collective wisdom and experience of distinguished public and private sector leaders, philanthropists, and intellectuals who gathered in Dubai on March 23, 2011.

Among the prominent speakers were Ambassador Rashad Hussain, President Obama’s Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference; Ambassador Atta Elmanan Bakhit, the Assistant Secretary General for OIC Humanitarian Affairs; H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the Mentor Foundation of Saudi Arabia; Muhammad Jusuf Kala, former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia; Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick, Global Head of Citizenship and Diversity, KPMG International; Arif Masood Naqvi, Founder and Group CEO, Abraaj Capital, the UAE; Former President of Portugal and currently High Representative of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Jorge Sampaio; Dr. Abdulaziz Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic, Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization; Former US President Jimmy Carter; and Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid, Chairman of Malaysian Airlines and Bank Muamalat Malaysia, and a Senior Fellow at London School of Economics.

At an evening banquet, The Muslim Philanthropy Awards for 2011 were awarded to H.R.H. Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (Personality) for demonstrating outstanding civic and charitable responsibility; Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia (Grant-maker) for showing long-standing commitment to economic empowerment, human dignity, and institutional building; and Abraaj Capital, UAE (Corporation) for demonstrating longstanding leadership in advancing strategic philanthropy, creativity in responding to societal problems, and having significant

positive impact on corporate giving in MENA region.The 4th World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists

culminated with a call for a new social compact in the Muslim world. The Declaration states:

At a time of change and uncertainty, philanthropy is challenged to help facilitate dialogue among all sectors of society and provide the resources for implementing creative solutions to problems. Old approaches to giving that operated in isolation or only addressed the symptoms of social ills will no longer suffice. Philanthropy around the world has an opportunity to make sure that its efforts going forward are complementary and mutually reinforcing. The gathering of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists is about rising to meet this challenge.

The gathering challenged fellow philanthropic institutions to revisit their funding priorities in the Arab and Muslim world.

“We urge philanthropies to invest in locally generated agendas for change, whether these involve support to young social entrepreneurs with a vision for the future of their societies, or to Arab and Muslim researchers studying their own countries and developing coherent plans for progress.”

The Declaration called on governments to invest in quality services such as education, and creating jobs, especially for youth, and to formulate economic investment policies that lead to broader development opportunities for all citizens.

It urged Islamic finance institutions worldwide to use the techniques and instruments at their disposal to address the issues of social justice, wealth redistribution, poverty alleviation and prevention of exploitation. In particular, these institutions can help unlock capital embedded in the Waqf, can enhance management of Zakat and can fight financial exclusion through Islamic microfinance.

“We strongly believe that these are the types of initiatives that will lead towards our common goals of advancement, through rule of law, human development and economic growth in a coherent and integrated manner,” stated the Declaration. “We must not leave any parts of our societies behind, and in serving equitable development, we will also achieve peace, stability, and hope for the future.”

Philanthropists call for New Social Compact in the Muslim world

IDB’s philanthropic $130 million Program kick starts in BangladeshDhaka, Bangladesh - President of

the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank Group Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali attended in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the signing of an agreement to finance shelter, water supply and sanitation projects in the cyclone Sidr-affected areas under IDB’s US$130 million philanthropic “Fael Khair” Program. The donation of US$130 million

was made to IDB by an anonymous philanthropist to support the victims of cyclone Sidr, which hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh in 2007. The cyclone killed thousands and rendered millions homeless.

The President visited Sidr-affected Sharankhola Upazila in Bagerhat District to lay the foundation stone of a school-cum cyclone shelter to be

implemented under the $130 million grant. He also visited some successful agro-input program beneficiaries. Of the total grant, US$110 million will be spent for constructing around 440 cyclone shelters-cum-primary schools. The remaining amount is expected to be spent for the rehabilitation of agriculture and fisheries in the cyclone-damaged areas.

41

Council of OIC Funds choose Qatar to chair Board of Trustees

OIC opens Humanitarian Coordination Office in MogadishuMogadishu, Somalia - The Organization of the Islamic

of the Conference (OIC) has opened its humanitarian work coordination office in the Somali capital, Mogadishu in April. The opening of the office was in implementation of the pledge earlier made by the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu during a meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia, held at the OIC Headquarters last year. It was also in the framework of implementing the recommendations and decisions of relevant OIC meetings in this regard.

The Government and people of Somalia warmly welcomed the opening of the office, more so because it took place in the exceptional circumstances Somalia is going through. It also bears considerable significance in that it took place at a time when all international organizations have withdrawn from Somalia, making the OIC the only humanitarian agency working in the humanitarian field in the country.

The office seeks to achieve a set of objectives at the center of which are mobilizing humanitarian support for

the Somali people and acquainting Member States with ongoing humanitarian developments. It will also work at determining renewed humanitarian needs and extending relief assistance, mobilizing basic resources and providing intervention mechanisms for providing urgent relief assistance in times of crises.

In the medium term, the office seeks to rehabilitate the Somali community and shall work strategically to be involved in the long-term development sphere, which would pave the way for peace, stability and confidence building among various parties in Somalia.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General reiterated his urgent appeal to OIC Member States and civil society organizations in the Muslim world to extend urgent assistance to the Somalians suffering catastrophic humanitarian crisis affecting three million people. Ihsanoglu also called on agencies concerned to provide their assistance through the OIC office in Mogadishu. He underscored the commitment of the OIC to provide coordination and necessary logistical support to carry out the humanitarian tasks in Somalia.

Doha, Qatar - The first meeting of the Council of OIC Funds held in Doha on 17 April 2011 chose Qatar to chair the Funds’ Board of Trustees. The meeting saw the signing of an agreement between the Qatar Red Crescent and the Afghanistan Assistance Fund to execute some charitable projects in Afghanistan in the areas of health, water production and sanitation. The OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Ambassador Atta El Manan Bakhit said that the meeting decided to carry out structural reforms of the Funds and the Board of Trustees, and to develop relations between the Fund and the beneficiary countries as well as to select Qatar as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Emirates as Deputy Chair. Bakhit added that the goal of the meeting and the development of the work system is to take precautions against disasters that would threaten a number of Member States in the next ten years. There is therefore a need for greater mechanisms that would translate Islamic cooperation from words to deeds.

During the first meeting of the Council of OIC Funds, which was designed to support humanitarian activities in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sierra Leone and Niger, discussions took place on the humanitarian activities conducted in the places mentioned and the difficulties facing these Funds. A new approach was also discussed that would enable the Funds to discharge the important role expected of them. In the speech he delivered at the opening of the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Funds, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, said that the State of Qatar, whether represented by the Government or charitable organizations, would have a major role in supporting these Funds.

After lengthy deliberations, the meeting agreed that the old system requiring a separate Board of Trustees for each Fund was no longer practical; it therefore recommended

the composition of a single Board of Trustees that would cover all the donors and carry out the work of the current three Boards. The Board would meet once a year to approve work programs and to assess the works of the Funds, but would have the right to convene more than once a year when the need arises. The Board would also appoint its chairman and vice-chairman from among its members while the OIC General Secretariat would assume the position of rapporteur.

The meeting agreed that the chairman should have a secretariat to be based in Doha, which would undertake all secretarial duties, and liaise with the Funds and the OIC General Secretariat. It would also perform the public information and public relations roles of the Funds and undertake preparation for the meetings of the Board of Trustees. A proportion of the Fund, income not exceeding 8%, would be dedicated as running cost of the secretariat. The chairman and the vice-chairman would make all financial approvals concerning the Funds, while the entire budgets of the Funds would be subjected to the supervision of the Finance Control Organ of the OIC. The chairman, the vice chairman and any other member of the Board they propose would promote the work of the Funds, search for financiers and new partners in order to secure more resources for the Funds to discharge their humanitarian and developmental role in the beneficiary countries. The beneficiary countries would be involved in the programs that concern them when there is the need for such. The meeting also recommended that the Funds should liaise with beneficiary countries before developing programs they might wish to execute in the country concerned so that the activities of the Funds would assist in realizing the developmental plans put by the states.


Organization of Islamic Conference programs - what should be done for Europe?Dr. Enes KaricProfessor, University of SarajevoBosnia and Herzegovina

IntroductionWe in Bosnia and Herzegovina remember well the role of

the Organization of Islamic Conference during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The OIC dedicated several of its conferences to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which resulted in a great amount of help.

Secretary General of the OIC Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu got involved in the preservation of the cultural heritage and manuscripts in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war (19921995-) when he was Director General of IRCICA in Istanbul. He alarmed the international academicians of the horrific tragedy of the scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina at that time.

Immediately after the war, Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu actively engaged in the projects of reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was to his merit that numerous traditional mosques were rebuilt, especially in Herzegovina and the city of Mostar. Also, the renovation of the ‘Old Bridge’ in Mostar was a great victory of the peace initiatives of Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu.

Hereby, I have great honor to point out that Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu, as a prominent member of Al-Furqan Fondation of Ahmad Zaki Yamani, worked to preserve and digitalize extraordinary valuable manuscripts from Gazi Husrev-bey's library.

The assistance of Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu to the University in Sarajevo as well as to the Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Institute for Oriental Studies is enormous. Several key research studies on the history of the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire were published owing to his help. All these facts testify that the OIC has valuable experience for all future efforts not only in the Balkans, but also in Europe.

As a Muslim, European and citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is understandable that I wish to point out some of the possibilities and programs that OIC could create in Europe and in the European context in the future. It is known that OIC so far has had its own activities in Europe. By this I mean diverse conferences and cooperation of OIC on political, economic and cultural issues, noticing and observing Islamophobia in Europe and in the West, etc. OIC has been present through these and other projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Balkans for already two decades, and especially by helping the educational institutions through the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and also by lessening the effects of recent wars during the period 19911999- on the West Balkans, etc.

Still, as a Muslim and as a professor who is on a certain

level acquainted with the European context, I think that OIC should be more engaged in educational, cultural and religious fields in Europe.

Educational field There is no need to explain that both sides of the

Mediterranean, and the Mediterranean itself, present areas of great intellectual exchange during many millennia of the human history. Islamic period of the Mediterranean intensified many models of Mediterranean exchanges in the educational field.

OIC has a great opportunity to help departments for Islamic and Oriental studies through its educational programs. There is a great need for a systematic help to the chairs for study of “the three traditional languages (al-lugat al-thalathah)”, Arabic, Turkish and Persian at many European universities. Through its educational programs, OIC would be able to systematically contribute to collaborations and projects of European universities and Arabic, Turkish and Persian ones. Of course, this includes universities of the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent, and Malaysia and Indonesia also. The study of languages and literatures would enable a study of various traditions of Muslim peoples. Thus, the true academic study of Islam, as a living faith, culture, civilization and tradition in our everyday life, would be improved, modernized and strengthened in Europe, which is also a homeland to many Muslims, apart from the fact that it is a very important neighbor of Islam and Muslims.

The role of culture We consider the cultural field in OIC programs as one of

the most important fields, and especially when it comes to the European and Western context. Let us take only one example. This year marks the 900th anniversary of death of Abu Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali (1111 – 2011). Al-Ghazali has been known in the West for centuries under the name Algazel; and his works have been studied and translated into many European languages. Here lies a great opportunity to speak in Europe about Al-Ghazali as an authority who is addressing us from the past. ”Al-Ghazali days” should be organized throughout Europe, but in a way suitable to the academic public of Europe.

Similar anniversaries could be planned for other remarkable persons or epochs, but it should not be done spontaneously, rather, systematically and in a planned manner. The OIC can have a special role in organizing such cultural events throughout Europe and the West on the condition that in its programs it rises above the partial interests of Muslims. Unfortunately, today the European continent is a battlefield of unnecessary madhab and sectarian battle among Muslims. These battles are imported into Europe from the Middle East. It creates an ugly picture for Islam and Muslims. Also, we consider that without programmed and systematic actions of OIC, it is not possible to overcome tribal promotions of the Islamic faith and culture in Europe.

Multifaceted fields of religion Before, religions were in human hearts and in traditional

places of worship. However, today we live in a world of media, and through it all the religions have moved to the front and became a media reality. When it comes to the media treatment of Islam in Europe (and the West in general), the research that have been carried out shows that Islam is the most present religion in the so-called cyber space. Positive results monitored by the OIC of media treatment of Islam in Europe and the West

CULTURE

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should be acknowledged. However, in its future programs OIC could do more in

media spaces throughout Europe and the West. We mean the media creation of a universal picture of Islam as a religion.

What does this mean?A transfer of inter-Muslim competitive fights and rivalries

(from the Lower and Middle East) into the Muslim media space in Europe is very malicious and harmful. We cannot hereby discuss in length many examples of harmful presentations of Islam in European public media by the Muslims themselves. They include very disadvantageous discussions about the caliph, sultan, dar al-islam, dar al-harb, etc. Today in Europe there is an enormous media production about an Islam that no longer exists, a so-called fossilized Islam from “the golden Muslim past”.

With its programs, OIC could help European Muslims to adjust their interpretation of Islam to their own European needs and their European reality.

When we previously mentioned that OIC should encourage

academic presentations of Islam in education, culture and civilization, we aimed that the themes of caliph, sultan, jihad, dar al-harb, dar al-Islam will be discussed in an academic atmosphere.

In our European discourse on Islam as a religion, it is important to keep many elements in mind, for example, separating the idea of Islam from its historical realization. This applies also to the Islamic institutions, for example, separating the various historical realizations of the institution of caliph from the idea of caliph and from the institution of caliph as such.

In the context of Europe, I wish to express urgent appeal for appreciation of our European Muslim needs in our discourse on Islam, and for appreciation of our European reality which is happening inside many forms of pluralism.

OIC can be very helpful in this respect by its programs, structures, and finances. I would conclude by saying that the presence of OIC in Europe is a great advantage for Muslims.

Dakar, Senegal - The Conference of the Ulema of the Muslim world, held in Dakar on 8 June 2011, concluded with the adoption of the "Islamic Covenant on Joint Action between Muslim Ulema".

The Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu addressed the inaugural session of the Conference on 6 June stating: "This blessed meeting, the first of its kind, is held with the purpose of addressing the conditions in the Islamic world in order to analyse the situation of Islam and Muslims in the eve of the new Millennium and in view of our perception of the future and our willingness to address the challenges to come."

Ihsanoglu pointed out that "with the overwhelming flow of developments witnessed by the ever-expansive human thought, there has emerged a pressing need for a modern-day Islamic thought.

The Conference was held under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal and the Current OIC Summit Chairman, and the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The Conference called on Muslim rulers and peoples to strive to strengthen unity and armour the Muslim Ummah against acts of aggression and plots to stir strife among its people. It also urged for shedding light on and extending all forms of financial and moral support to the Palestinian cause as a central issue, and for promoting the unity of Palestinians. By the same token, it called for the recognition of the independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds as its capital.

Furthermore, the Conference stressed the need to prevent bloodshed among Muslims and address the problems occurring in some Muslim countries through setting in motion Islamic reconciliation mechanisms as instructed in the Holy Quran and Prophetic traditions (Sunnah).

The participants called on both Senegal’s President Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, Current OIC Summit Chairman, and the Conference’s Patron, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, to establish a committee of

Muslim scholars to investigate the causes of and remedies for Fitna (strife), and determine how to improve relations among Muslims.

The Conference also underscored the need to engage in constructive dialogue, utilise the role of Muslim minorities and new Muslim converts, closely connect and qualify them with a view to enabling them to best adapt to their immediate surroundings. Similarly, the participants stressed the need to expand cooperation and exchange with relevant centres and intellectuals, particularly academics, in western societies.

Also on the to-do list: setting up a follow-up and coordination committee of sponsors and international bodies active in joint Islamic action, including OIC, ISESCO, IDB and the Muslim World League, to accelerate establishment of a League of African Ulema, as in other continents, comprising regional leagues and coordinating among scholars across all African regions.

In addition to promoting Quran education, using up-to-date tools and methodology for a sound education of younger generations, the Conference called for the revival, intensification and promotion of charitable waqfs, and devoting them to philanthropy in general, and learning and education in particular. It also invited the OIC and its specialized institutions to conduct large-scale Islamic endowment projects, in particular, in developing Islamic countries. To this end, it was suggested to convene an international conference dedicated to Islamic economics and endowment.

Ulema Conference adopts Islamic Covenant on Joint Action


CULTURE

Jakarta: Capital of Islamic Culture in the Asian Region for 2011The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)

has designated the cities of Tlemcen in Algeria, Conakry in Guinea and Jakarta in Indonesia as Islamic culture capitals for the year of 2011 in the Arab, African and Asian regions, respectively.

The capital and largest city of Indonesia, Jakarta, is located on the northwest coast of Java Island. It has always been a gateway to Indonesia. This important city was in the past a modest port town. The spice trade and exquisite handicraft have made Jakarta popular and placed it on the world map as a developed city. Jakarta is sprawling with numerous malls, shopping centers and traditional markets. It also has several old historical mosques and wonderful tourist attractions.

The city has a number of historical milestones. The Istiqlal (independence) Mosque, for instance, which is situated in the northeast corner of Medan Merdeka (Merdeka Square), is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. This architectural masterpiece attracts people from all over the country who come to it for prayer. The National Monument or Monumen Nasional (MONAS) as referred to in Indonesian language, is a 137-meter tall marble obelisk topped with a flame coated with 35 kilograms of gold that was built during the Sukarno era to honor Indonesia’s struggle for independence from 1945 to 1949.

Jalan Surabaya, one of Indonesia’s main attractions for tourists and Indonesians alike, is another popular antique open-air market that is lined with several stalls selling all sorts of souvenirs, artifacts, real and fake, wooden and stone statues, and countless other timeless pieces of antiques that reflect the popular heritage of the Indonesian people. It is as popular as the bazaar district of Khan El-Khalili in Egypt. Sunda Kelapa is one of the main and oldest harbor areas of Jakarta which is used for transport of goods to all Indonesia’s islands. Today, a popular tourist destination in the world, the port accommodates many traditional wooden sailing ships, as a link between past and present. The Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari), located in the old Sunda Kelapa seaport, focuses on the maritime history of Indonesia.

Pulau Seribu which means a ‘Thousand Island’ is another touristic landmark. It consists of a large string of small islands located in the Bay of Jakarta. The fresh air, surrounding waters and golden beaches make Pulau Seribu an ideal spot for recreation away from the pressures of city life in Jakarta. Several restaurants serving genuine seafood in many of these islands are also popular among tourists and Indonesians.

The chief among the objectives of ISESCO Islamic Culture Capital Program, which was adopted by the Fourth Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers held in Algiers on 15 -16 December 2004, is to increase Islamic solidarity as a solid foundation for joint Islamic action, to expand cooperation between the Member States, particularly on the cultural level, and to allow for greater cultural interchange between capitals of Islamic culture.

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By Ahmed SalemOn 11th March 2011, Yahya Ould Hamedn, the eminent

Mauritanian researcher who worked for the well-reputed French Center for Scientific Research in Paris, departed from this world. With his death ends a scientific journey rife with achievements for over thirty years during which Hamedn produced about 100 research papers and mathematical theories, out of which 95 research documents are accessible on the official website of Paris VI University. Hamedn’s mastery of mathematics was so remarkable that his students say that, “sometimes we think that he viewed extremely complex mathematical axioms as self-evident to all humans."

Yahya Ould Hamedn, very much like other Muslim scholars from whom the West has handsomely benefited and whose contributions have unfortunately remained virtually unknown in their countries of origin, made early attempts upon their graduation to land a teaching job in their home countries and did their best to try to improve, if just slightly so, the reality of their countries. The point is that this reality compelled him like others to change the course of their lives and move to settle in the West as a result of the deplorable conditions in which the Muslim researcher is caught up in his own country.

It seems evident from the calls run by some Western countries through various media their strenuous quest to lure expertise and talents, along of course with capital investors, from the Third World countries and encourage them to migrate to the West.

Figures speak louder than rhetoric Statistics indicate that the rate of the brain drain from the

Third World countries generally, including OIC Member States, has known a dramatic rise in recent decades, suggesting that this phenomenon which started to unfold on the heels of World War II is set to deepen the scientific gap between developed countries and their counterparts from the Third World.

Reports released by the League of Arab States, the Arab Labor Organization, and the United Nations (through the Arab Human Development Reports), shed light on facts and figures of the Arab brain drain to foreign lands. The reports highlight that Arab societies embody an environment that is repulsive to scientific talents. Arab brain drain makes up some 31 percent of the total brain drain from developing countries. There are more than a million Arab experts and specialists bearing post-graduate degrees as well as skilled professionals who emigrate to work in developed countries. America and Europe host some 450 thousand Arabs holding advanced degrees, according to reports issued by the Arab Labor Organization. These reports confirm that only 5.4 percent of Arab students who study abroad ever return to their home countries, while others tend to settle definitively abroad.

Conversely, the various statistical indicators on the African continent show that there is an ongoing squandering of the continent’s talents and competencies which opt to settle in developed countries. The UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates that 10- 20 thousand highly qualified Africans leave annually the continent to search for better horizons elsewhere. The World Bank, for its part, believes that the number of highly qualified persons who leave the continent is much higher than the oft-cited figures.

Calls to end the hemorrhage The sub-section on “Higher Education, Science and

Technology” of the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) that was adopted by the Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005, urges the Member States to

assimilate highly-qualified Muslims within the Muslim World, and develop a comprehensive strategy in order to utilize their expertise and prevent the brain migration phenomenon.

The OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on, in various occasions, for the need to address the brain drain phenomenon. In a statement before the International Symposium on Youth and the Future organized in Tunis on 14th January 2010, Professor Ihsanoglu emphasized the need to effectively address the phenomenon of migration of young people abroad, to the West in particular, as this phenomenon leads to a brain drain amid young people and depletes Muslim societies of their young talents.

In a speech before the 1st Knowledge Conference which was organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Foundation on 28th October 2007 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Professor Ihsanoglu called for the need to strive towards attracting, nurturing and providing scientific talents with a suitable environment conducive to achieving excellence, creativity and real development and prosperity.

Could the brain drain be reversed? It seems that if appropriate measures are taken and a suitable

environment is created, it would then be possible to reverse the brain drain. Indeed, Taiwan and South Korea did succeed in achieving this reversal of trend in the seventies of the twentieth century, just as did China, India and Brazil. These countries have managed to join the ranks of emerging economic powers; better still, they pose today an economic challenge to the United States and Europe.

At the level of the Muslim world, Malaysia has proved able to achieve considerable success to entice migratory talents in the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century thanks to the tremendous efforts it had invested and a host of special programs it had put together to achieve this goal. Likewise, Turkey and Iran have both achieved some success in this regard.

In the event the brain drain phenomenon is not reversed, the Third World countries, including Muslim countries, will have to bear the brunt on two fronts: high unemployment among young people due to the mismatch between the quality of their graduates and the demands of the labor market; and suffering from the waste of competencies they so desperately need.

Among the priorities that should figure on top of any national agenda of the OIC Member States is to work out ways of reversing this dangerous trend. Concerned authorities ought first and foremost to fully realize the seriousness of the phenomenon and the catastrophic implications it carries for the future of their countries.

It is just as necessary and vital to endeavor towards retrieving migrated talents. A key factor bound to contribute to the accomplishment of this objective lies in promoting a climate of freedom, encouraging innovation, and eliminating red tape that tends to frustrate youth and to suffocate the spirit of creativity and inventiveness.

A last note … Recent events that are still sweeping across some of countries

in the region prove that human development and the achievement of a scientific renaissance have a security dimension not always taken into due account. It seems certain in this context that there is a need for reforms that include fostering the principles of good governance, human rights, and tackling the growing challenges in the political, social, and economic fields, as well as striving to reform and fully restructure the current educational system.

The Muslim brain drain...An unceasing hemorrhage


Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on 3 April 2011 in Jeddah signed a cooperation agreement with the Effat University of Saudi Arabia. The Director General of Administration and Finance Dr. Mustafa Deniz signed the agreement on behalf of the OIC, while the President of the Effat University Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail signed on behalf of the University.

The agreement is aimed at establishing a strategic alliance between the OIC and Effat University through the implementation of long-term joint programs in various fields, including training. The agreement meets the growing need in Saudi Arabia for the enhancement of training programs and community service.

Dr. Deniz said in his welcoming statement that in signing these kinds of agreements, the OIC relies on the 2005 Makkah Al Mukarramah Declaration and the Ten-Year

Program of Action, which emphasize the promotion of such activities as science and technology, education and trade development, together with good governance. They also call for wide-ranging reforms and the protection of human rights, especially those of the child and women.

Dr. Jamal Al-Lail pointed out in her statement that the agreement serves three main goals which the University seeks, namely, the Islamic identity, reaching internationality and achieving balance between those two. She stressed that the main objective is creating job opportunities and international training programs for the students.

This was the first such agreement signed between the OIC and a university. The OIC seeks to sign similar agreements with other universities in Saudi Arabia where the OIC is headquartered.

OIC and Effat University sign Cooperation Agreement

Baku, Azerbaijan - The Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan in cooperation with the UN Alliance of Civilizations organized the First Convention of the Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations (GYMAoC) in Baku on April 9, 2011.

The OIC was represented in the convention by Ambassador Samir Bakr, Assistant Secretary General for Palestine and Al-Quds, who delivered a statement on behalf of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

A High Level Conference on Youth held in Baku in November 2007, set the concept of GYM AoC based on the Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative developed by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC), an affiliated organ of the OIC that is active in pursuing dialogue among the youth, as a way to support the objectives and principles set forth in the AoC High Level Group Report.

The OIC Ten Year Program of Action adopted by the Heads of State and Government gives special attention to the development and progress of youths. In this context, the OIC Secretary General said that the OIC have been coordinating with the Member States to implement this important

and forward looking Program of Action through various means, including investing in the youths, strengthening and reforming the existing educational institutions as well as curricula and creating equal opportunities and access to social and education facilities and employment. In line with this vision, the Department of Family Affairs has recently been established within the OIC General Secretariat to particularly deal, inter alia, with the issues related to the youth in close coordination with other OIC bodies active in the field of youth, including the Islamic Solidarity Sport Federation (ISSF), International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS), and ICYF-DC.

Furthermore, in line with the OIC vision of moderation and modernization, Interfaith and Inter-civilizational dialogue has been among the priority areas of its mission. To promote this dialogue, the role of the youth is of vital importance.

“Our aim is to work with the international community to engage in a result oriented dialogue that will bring together different religions and foster mutual respect and understanding for the sake of international peace and security,” said Ihsanoglu.

The First Convention of the Global YouthMovement for the Alliance of Civilizations (GYMAoC)

YOUTH

President of Effat University Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail and Director General of Finance and Administration at OIC Dr. Mustafa Deniz sign the MoU

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Follow-up Committee Meeting discusses preparationsfor Information Ministers Conference in Libreville

The potential of the media to bridge the gap inmutual perceptions and overcome stereotypes

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Supervisory and Follow-up Committee of the 8th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (ICIM) held its meeting on 22 and 23 May 2011 at the level of experts at the Headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah. The Committee, which consists of membership of Morocco as Chair, Saudi Arabia, Gabon and the OIC General Secretariat as members, reviewed the progress achieved so far in implementing the resolutions of the 8th Session of the ICIM which was held on 27 -28 January 2009 in Rabat, Morocco. The Directors General of the International Islamic News Agency (IINA) and the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU) were invited to present progress reports on the restructuring process of the two institutions. The Committee also reviewed the OIC Secretary General's report which highlighted the main achievements since the last session of the ICIM.

A brief explanation on the preparations for the forthcoming Islamic Conference of Information Ministers in Libreville, Gabon was made by the Representative of Gabon Ali Radjoumba who reiterated his country's readiness

to organize the ministerial conference in the first quarter of 2012, which will be the first OIC conference of its kind to be held in Gabon at the ministerial level.

The meeting also expressed its appreciation for the proposal made by Turkey on the establishment of an OIC Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities Forum (IRAF) during the 9th Session of the Standing Committee

on Information and Culture and called for finding ways to materialize such proposal, including requesting for a progress report on this proposal to be prepared by the relevant authority in Turkey.

Prior to the opening session of the meeting, the Committee members were received by the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at his office who thanked them for convening the follow-up meeting which assesses the progress in tackling information-related issues as stipulated by the last ICIM. He also discussed with them ways and means to improve the functioning of the OIC media arm, namely IINA and IBU, especially in light of the challenges they both face in finalizing their restructuring process.

Cairo, Egypt – The League of Arab States (LAS) organized an event on April 6, 2011 under the title “A New Decade in Arab West Relations: The Potential of the Media to Bridge the Gap in Mutual Perceptions and Overcome Stereotypes”. The forum was co-organized by the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the Anna Lindh Euro Mediterranean Foundation and the C-1 World Dialogue Foundation. The OIC was a participant in this forum. Ambassador Sayed Kassem El-Masry, Special Envoy of the Secretary General delivered a statement on his behalf.

Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stated that “the OIC in launching the idea of dialogue among civilizations has moved to tell the world that we aspire to an international community without enemies… that we should accept diversity and work against our common enemy, namely intolerance”.

“Relations between the Arab and the Western Worlds are unique in international relations. The two worlds are both formidable forces and strategic players in international relations and this has fostered a close partnership between the two,” said Ihsanoglu. “At the same time, they have not

been able to overcome suspicions and misunderstandings that have impeded on the development of a climate of mutual confidence for each other.”

Unfortunately, mass media has played a crucial role in that regard by promoting negative stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims.

“I strongly believe that the media must have the moral obligation to exercise restraints when it senses incitement, stereotyping or denigration of peoples or religions, said Ihsanoglu.” This goes for professional media personnel and individuals using the new communication technology and new media forums.

The recent developments in some Arab countries were an opportunity for western media to project Arabs in a different light and present their issues and views in a more objective and balanced way, particularly the Palestinian issue.

In conclusion, the Secretary General said, “the driving motivation for a meaningful engagement in Arab-West Relations must be without any bias or prejudice if the gap is indeed to be bridged

MEDIA


MEDIA

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - A meeting was held on 20 April 2011 at the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah between staff members of the OIC General Secretariat’s Information Department and a delegation from the Worldview Broadcast Channel (WBC) which is headquartered in the city of Cyberjaya, Malaysia. The WBC delegation was on a tour to a number of OIC Member States in the Middle East to forge cooperation and sign memoranda of understanding with TV stations in those countries.

The Head of WBC delegation Datuk Hajah Zaleha Hussin explained the objectives of establishing the WBC and sought moral support from the OIC. According to her, the Channel, which is the first Islamic channel of its kind in the Muslim world, is meant to serve the Muslim Ummah and contribute towards fairer news on OIC countries, noting that 60% of the Channel’s content will be news while 40%

will be talk shows and documentaries. She outlined that the main reason for establishing the WBC was to create a news channel that can rely on local sources and broadcast news almost real time as they occur in the Muslim world instead of depending on foreign news agencies which usually add their insights and perspectives to the news. Furthermore, she emphasized that the Channel, which will initially broadcast over the internet in two months, will promote moderation and modernization.

The WBC delegation extended an invitation for the OIC Secretary General to attend the official launching ceremony of the Channel which will tentatively be held in October 2011. It was agreed during the meeting that the Channel could consider broadcasting OIC programs such as “OIC Review” in which issues and projects undertaken by the OIC in different parts of the world could be elaborated and publicized.

WBC and OIC discuss future cooperation

The tenth edition of the Arab Media ForumDubai, UAE - The tenth edition of the Arab Media Forum

exceeded 2,800 visitors, pegging an increase of 17 per cent from the last year. The participants included overseas guests from nearly 40 nationalities, announced organizers Dubai Press Club (DPC).

Themed ‘Arab Media: Riding out Storms of Change’, the forum additionally drew more than 23,000 online viewers who followed the live streaming of the proceedings on www.arabmediaforum.ae and through mobile phones. Direct broadcast of the event on 10 television channels also drew in a significant audience base.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Forum examined the changes in the media landscape that have resulted from the recent political and social transformations in the Arab world. It also highlighted the impact of the changing environment on the future of the media industry and aimed to determine a set of guidelines for the industry’s future.

The forum gathered over 60 speakers comprising key decision-makers and prominent figures from a spectrum of media channels, including George Kordahi, MBC Anchor, Nabil Al Khatib, Editor-in-Chief of Al Arabiya News Channel, Mona Al Shazly, Dream TV Anchor, Sultan Al Qassemi, writer for The National newspaper, and Mohamed Krichen, Anchor for Al Jazeera News.

A panel discussion titled ‘Egyptian Media Post 25 January’ highlighted the opportunity that is currently presented to the Egyptian media in the new political environment to restore its region-wide influence. The abundance of talent and creativity in Egypt, and its remarkable history in the fields of culture, arts and literature were also cited as other key contributing factors to the development of the Egyptian media.

A workshop titled ‘Entertainment Space, Blurring the

Red Lines’ concluded that red lines in the media will stay as long as there are traditions and ethics in the society because media cannot impose a certain culture that is not consistent with societal values.

The thought-leaders contributed a wealth of knowledge over a range of sessions and workshops, achieving a holistic analysis of the status of the media in the Arab world and the appropriate action to encourage growth.

The three-day forum concluded on 18 May at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai with the Arab Journalism Awards 2011, the region’s most coveted distinction for journalistic excellence. The awards which were extended to online media last year honored outstanding work in 12 categories.

During the award ceremony, a special award was presented to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in appreciation and gratitude for his visionary direction and support to the Arab media, as well as his patronage to the Arab Journalism Awards and the Arab Media Forum over the past 10 years.

Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, his Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Arab Media Forum 2011 (epa

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Jasmin Revolution injects freedom into Tunisian pressTunis (dpa) - Following the overthrow of the former

Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011, the Tunisian press has broken free from the shackles and chains that had tethered it for 23 years.

The French Organization ‘Reporters Without Borders’, which monitors freedom of expression, had for many years placed the deposed President Ben Ali on its black list of the Heads of State considered as enemies to and predators of

“the freedom of expression and of the press and the freedom of surfing the internet”.

In his last address to the Tunisian people on January 13th, the deposed President said, “I have decided to accord full freedom to the media with all its outlets and not to block websites and to reject any form of control over them, subject to the respect of our morals and the Code of Ethics of the Journalistic Profession”.

However, Tunisians were fed up with “false” promises, particularly in the area of freedoms, did not give their president this “last” chance. They brought him tumbling on January 14th following a massive uprising that has come to be known as the ‘Jasmine Revolution” which brought with it the winds of freedom to the Tunisian press.

A remarkable shift in the “official” mediaThe official media (particularly the radio, television

and news agency) has been turned upside down after the downfall of Ben Ali who had mobilized the media outlets throughout his rule to campaign for his regime and glorify himself and his spouse Leila Trabelsi and those close to the governing circle.

The first TV channel, formerly named Channel 7 (the digit 7 being the most used during the era of Ben Ali who had arrived to power on 7th November 1987) changed its name to “The Tunisian National TV” and with that embraced a completely new information line.

The channel’s journalists staged a protest against the managers who had been designated during the rule of Ben Ali. They elected Editorial Boards to run work in a “democratic” way, and thus the TV channel started broadcasting all that is taking place in the country as and when it happened, and transmitting all opinions without exception.

As for the Tunisian Press Agency “TAP” (the official news agency), it has turned into a main source of information for news agencies reporters and international media, now that its news output has risen up to international standards of professionalism.

Winds of freedom blow over private mediaThe winds of freedom have also affected the private

media outlets, which have shut down due to the long list of prohibitions and redlines that used to fetter them. Even private media outlets owned by people close to Bin Ali changed course.

Lifting the ban on the Internet network and on censored books

Since the evening of the 13th January the authorities

lifted the ban on all websites that were made inaccessible during the era of Ben Ali, particularly those transmitting from outside the country, such as “Tunisia News” which is considered by the controllers as one of the most prominent local opposition and critic of the deposed President, and the official website of “the Ennahda Movement” (banned in Ben Ali’s time and officially recognized Islamist party after his overthrow).

The authorities also lifted the censorship on famed social networks such as “Daily Motion” and “YouTube” and the electronic site of the Qatari Al Jazeera Satellite Channel.

'Reporters Without Frontiers' issued on the occasion of the International Day Against Censorship’ corresponding to 12 March, a report on the freedom of information on the Internet, in which it removed Tunisia’s name from the list of the enemies of the Internet, though it kept the country under observance.

In another context, the Tunisia Interim Government lifted the ban imposed by the old regime on the publication or import of books, particularly those with political criticism against the regime of Zaine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Reconciliation between the public and the pressAn opinion poll carried out by the Tunisia public TV

recently, indicated that Tunisians had reconciled themselves with their country’s media, particularly the TV stations.

Fathi, a newsstand seller in the district Al Manar told dpa that he had achieved record sales of newspapers since the downfall of Ben Ali and the lift of the ban on the entry of foreign “well-established” newspapers such as the French daily “Le Monde” and “Courier International”.

Media hypocrisy and “Turn coats” Observers noted that media outlets such as the weekly

magazine “The Event”, which was known during the era of Ben Ali to specialize in slamming opponents of the regime, had suddenly made a full turn about and started attacking the former ruling party and the symbols of corruption in the time of Ben Ali.

Bubakar Seghyar, owner of the magazine “The Observer”, which used to be a mouthpiece for the regime of Ben Ali, made direct critical declarations against the ousted regime.

Bechir Ali Seghayri, a journalist in the Tunisia Radio, told dpa, “the prominent figures of the defunct regime, including pandering and hypocritical journalists, have to be removed from the media world once and for all, as the safeguarding of freedom required new voices and pens known for their integrity and dedication, and which do not turn their coats as the wind blows”.

Khaled Haddad, a journalist at the daily “Al Shoruk” told dpa: “The freedom of the press is the greatest achievement” gained after the downfall of Ben Ali and stressed the need for “the press to sustain its role as the real guardian of the revolution” and to “expose any diversion away from realizing the aspirations of the masses” that had stood behind the revolution.


At Climate Change meeting: Ihsanoglu proposes “Green Fund”

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called for early implementation of the “Green Fund” to combat the effects of climate change on the Muslim world, and for negotiations to begin on the size of its budget and sources of financing.

The Secretary General called on participants at the open-ended meeting of OIC experts and relevant institutions, ‘Climate Change Collaboration among OIC Member States’, which kicked off at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah on May 7, to focus on the opportunities available for practical cooperation. Such opportunities include capacity building programs, exchange of experiences and best practices, technology transfer as well as projects in areas such as green technologies, renewable energies, water resources management, agricultural sufficiency and diversification, disaster monitoring, as well as urban management and planning.

In his opening address, read on his behalf by the Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology Ambassador Abdul Moez Bokhari, Ihsanoglu declared that focus should be placed on adaptation which is an issue of common concern for developing and developed countries alike. He noted that cooperation on adaptation could include an assessment of the impact of,

as well as vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change.

Member States’ capacities must be built to benefit from funding mechanisms and means available under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol as well as other relevant instruments. “Arrangements on priority areas should be a prelude to the formulation of a viable OIC vision on climate change and environmental issues.”

He explained that the OIC General Secretariat had decided to establish the ‘HRH Prince Turki Ibn Nasir Ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud’s Chair on Environment Studies’ at universities of OIC Member States most vulnerable to the adverse effect of climate change. He declared that climate change and environmental issues are high on the agenda of the OIC, whose Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) calls upon the Member States to coordinate their environmental policies and positions in international environmental fora so as to prevent any adverse effects of such policies on their economic development.

The Secretary General had praised the efforts of Bangladesh, which submitted a concept working paper that was discussed at the two-day meeting. He emphasized that there was need to identify common concerns and interests of the OIC Member States which could

lead to a common OIC position on climate change issues, and to reach a final agreement on a draft resolution proposed for submission to the next session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Meeting stressed the need for the elaboration of a framework for strengthening cooperation among Member States in the areas of climate change and environment protection, including sharing of experiences and best practices, with the involvement of relevant OIC institutions. It reiterated the need for better coordination of OIC positions in relation to multilateral negotiations on climate change, including the 17th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP17) in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011, and the United Nations Earth Summit meeting “Rio+20” to be held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 14 -16 May 2012.

While agreeing on the need for more in-depth consideration and examination of the relevant issues by experts, the meeting decided to recommend a mechanism of regular coordination among the representatives and experts of OIC Member States accredited to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Nairobi, as well as OIC coordination meetings on the sidelines of international climate change meetings.

ENVIRONMENT

The glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, the highest tropical chainof the world have fallen by 30 per cent in the last 40 years due to climate change (epa)

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Istanbul, Turkey - The Second International Water Forum on Regional Cooperation for Water held in Istanbul on 3 May 2011, emphasized the need for cooperation among countries and regional organizations to ensure water access.

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu who participated in the Forum said that the challenges of reliable access to water for health, livelihoods and production, as well as the management of unpredictable water-related risks, are becoming more pronounced due to population growth, depletion of resources, environmental degradation and the phenomenon of climate change, emphasizing that these challenges necessitate collective responses within a framework of cooperation at all levels, global, regional and sub-regional.

Ihsanoglu underlined that regional and sub-regional organizations can play a critical role in promoting regional cooperation for addressing challenges and finding solutions to problems including water-related issues. He noted that the OIC member states have 8,379 km3 of renewable water resources which represent only 15.3 percent of the world renewable water resources and many OIC countries are suffering increasing water scarcity as their total renewable water resources (TRWR) per capita are lower than the threshold level of 1,700 m3 per year. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he mentioned that twenty-one OIC Member States have TRWR per capita of less than 1,700 m3 per year. Since 1992 TRWR per capita in the OIC countries has declined by 22.8 percent and climate change will further exacerbate water availability in these areas leading to a decline in agriculture, he added.

Ihsanoglu noted that climate change will increase the vulnerability of some OIC countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, to floods, stating that this phenomenon has induced sea level rise may be up to 59 cm or even more by the year 2100. As a result, it will damage the agriculture sector by increasing salinity of soil and contaminating the fresh water resources. He underlined that some of the most vulnerable regions are the Nile delta in Egypt, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh, Maldives and Bahrain.

Furthermore, he said that in some regions of the Muslim world, water availability is predicted to be cut in half by 2050 even without taking into consideration the effects of climate change.

The Secretary General declared that the OIC has established an advisory panel of experts comprising water experts from the Muslim world. He announced that the OIC General Secretariat is in the process of preparing the ‘OIC Water Vision’ in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) to envisage an incremental approach and growth of cooperation in all aspects of water. He emphasized that cooperation within the framework of OIC Water Vision and the OIC Water Council will lead to building of trust, confidence and understanding within the OIC membership and beyond.

According to Loic Fauchon, the President of the World Water Council, which organized the Forum, the time of

“easy water” is over, and past efforts by countries to increase water resources were no longer sufficient.

“We need to also decrease the demand for water, and develop regulation of demand policies,” he said at the Forum, calling on states to also increase their priorities on water-related issues. “Water issues are more a priority today than 15 years ago, and we need to make them a priority for real, not just a priority in speeches.”

The world’s water consumption will increase by 40 percent over the next two decades and efforts to meet this demand must increase radically, according to Oktay Tabasaran, the Secretary General of the 5th World Water Forum.

“Water consumption will increase by 40 percent in the coming 20 years, reaching 6.9 trillion cubic meters per year (compared to 4.5 trillion used currently), and an amount of $200 billion must be spent annually in order to afford this”, Tabasaran said in his opening speech.

He said such figures indicated the urgent need for countries to engage in efficient cooperation with each other to address water-related issues.

OIC Water Vision envisages an incremental approach and growth of cooperation in all aspects of water


Gaza (dpa)- Jamal Al-Ghafri endures daily difficulties because of polluted water surrounding his home.

Al-Ghafri is a 45 years old man who lives near Gaza's valley stream, in the center of the poor coastal Gaza Strip, and has five children, all suffering from living near the polluted water stream.

“I live 70 meters from the valley's stream and my children are affected by the dirty water. They suffer from fungi, parasites, and itching from the mosquitoes and flies. They also suffer from other diseases."

In the coastal Gaza Strip, thousands of liters of untreated sewage are disposed in Gaza valley. As a result, polluted water seeps through the residential areas towards the sea, which threatens the health conditions of many families who live near the valley, and pollutes the coast and threatens the biological diversity.

This dirty water is carried directly to the sea shore through sixteen pipes set up along the Strip. The unhealthy living conditions is considered another source of worry for the residents of Gaza Strip because many houses in poor neighborhoods are not connected to the sewage pipe network, which causes a never-ending daily misery for hundreds of families.

Another example of the miserable living problems is the family of Maysa'a Khelah who live in Al-Moghraqa village in the center of Gaza Strip.

In this village, the houses of two hundred families are not connected to the sewage pipe network, and the families have to buy their own drinking water due to the salinity of tap water.

Maysa'a is a 37 years old woman who lives with her husband and seven children in their house for over 20 years. Her unemployed husband says whenever he finds a temporary job as a fisherman he is paid an extremely low wage that does not feed him and his family.

“I exert effort to maintain my homes' cleanliness, but because we are not connected to the sewage pipe network, the water used for cleaning the house and washing the clothes leaks directly to the street,” said Maysa'a.

She adds, “The flies are inside and outside the house

24 hours a day, and the toilet's water accumulates in a hole near our house where the sewage water pours. My husband disposes of the sewage water from the toilets once every two months."

Under the absence of any long-term development guarantees for the deteriorating water and sewage sectors, the public health and environment problems will continue to pose a threat to the people.

Dr. Jamal Al-Tayeb from Al-Nasr Hospital for Children explains that the sewage water negatively affects the health of children living or playing near it, they become vulnerable and at risk of Guardia and Ameba, two of the most common parasites in the polluted water.

The International Red Cross Organization says the Israeli restrictions on the import of construction material and spare parts since the siege on Gaza in July 2007 prevents local efforts to provide basic services for the residents.

Local officials also say Gaza Strip faces extreme shortage in freshwater. They warn from a steep decline in the quality of water in Gaza considering that a huge amount of it comes from the coastal aquifer which is unsuitable for drinking because it contains high levels of nitrate and chloride, 7 times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Gaza Strip residents use the water supplied to their houses for housework. They are obliged to buy their drinking water from distributors selling purified and distilled water, which adds to their financial burdens.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says the Strip's water situation “is deteriorating drastically because Israel steals the coastal aquifer, destroys the infrastructure, and builds wastewater treatment plants over Gaza Strip's freshwater reservoirs.”

Mahmoud Daher, Head of the WHO office in Gaza, said that 80 to 90 percent of drinking water in Gaza Strip is unsuitable for drinking.

Furthermore, the UN assures that the water in Gaza will not be enough for all the residents in 10 to 15 years, pointing out that Gaza has the highest population increase compared with nearby regions.

Gaza Stripresidents

struggle to have clean

unpollutedwater

ENVIRONMENT

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Cloud Computing simply defined as variety of services that are delivered over the internet. The users who most often benefit from this technology are large companies, organizations, educational institutes and very limited number of ordinary internet users.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the US Department of Commerce define the Cloud computing as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

There is no doubt this new technology revolution in near future will change the course of dealing with devices (e.g., laptops, cell phones, desktops, PDAs and etc). Those devices will be just a transit station for accessing to the cloud computing server that contains your storage space, documents, and applications to deal with your data over the internet.

The Cloud Computing infrastructure depends on providing large storage space, data centers, and networks. Its role is offering programs and applications as services for the users, and relies heavily on technology of Web 2.0.

1. Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing Like anything else cloud computing has advantages and

disadvantages and limits. Below I will cover some of these points.

a. Pros• Cost Saving: it reduces the purchase of

equipment. • Limitless computing and storage: There is no limit

to the storage and processing on the cloud theoretically, but there are some obstacles in practice.

• Focus on core business instead of IT: Business owners need to focus on their core mission rather than trying to process and manage information technology.

• The provision of resources and more dynamic: Users can provide the computing resources they need at any time and in a dynamic way.

• More effective: It does not matter the whereabouts of your “machine” the most important is to operate it well and that service is available constantly.

• IT-friendly environment: the cloud computing and virtual environment in general play very important and

effective role in the development of the "Green IT". These new techniques of the cloud computing will reduce the amount of energy emitted from the physical servers by hosting the applications on the virtual machine to perform the same tasks on physical server. In addition, it will reduce the amount of the energy that you need to cool or operate the data center content on those servers.

b. Cons • Security: is a very annoying word for cloud

computing business. Leaking out confidential information and data through the cloud computing system might cause huge loss and risks to the corporation. Therefore, security issues is one of the major demerits of cloud computing.

• Requires continuous Internet access: if you lose your internet connection that means you are OFF, out of work.

• Lack of control: when the cloud goes down the IT managers will be helpless because there is no visible infrastructure.

2. Challenges impeding the cloud computing Cloud computing pose many obstacles in the way of those

who want to use it;• Can it be trusted as storage?• If terrorists initiate cyber-attacks on some number of

clouds computing what will happen to your business?• Privacy is still not a clear term in cloud computing. • Ownership of the data? • How to guarantee that level of service is meeting the

real business needs? • Does it provide this service always? What about

service level agreements?• Network Connectivity? • What about the Internet and connection to the network

access servers and the various services on the cloud?• Joint action and integration of services between the

clouds.• Is there a possibility to move from a vendor service

to another without the need to change the text and the environment in which the work is done? Cannot prove or compliance review afterword.

3. Skills required for the change to the cloudIt is not possible to operate without a cloud computing

technology; companies will need IT professionals to work more to provide basic business functions. Most companies will run into some technical elements of the cloud and other elements outside, which require the cooperation and fruitful creative services for the management of differences between internal and external work. For example, some institutions will need to put some regulations on the Internet and combine some of the services and network engineers will also need to solve some problems, direction and management and to address various challenges. All of these elements in the work of IT will blend within the environment of the cloud.

Therefore, there is a need for well-trained IT professionals in order to accommodate this kind of changes, and also by learning new techniques of controlling infrastructure, observing the virtual machines, development platforms and the way in which application is published and made available to any provider of cloud.

Cloud Computing; is it the near future technology?

Wajdi Al-QulitiDirector of IT Departement, OIC


SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

First meeting on OIC Communication Satellite Project held

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The First Meeting of the Stakeholders in the OIC Mega Project on Communication Satellite was held in the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh on 30 May 2011. The meeting was attended by representatives from Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia along with the OIC General Secretariat, the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) . The

meeting was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Turki S. Al-Saud, Vice President of KACST.

Addressing the meeting on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, Ambassador Abdul Moiz Bokhari, Assistant Secretary General, stated that the vision 1441 H for Science and Technology and the OIC Ten Year Program of Action (TYPOA) adopted in 2003 and 2005 respectively attach great premium on excellence in science and harnessing new and emerging technologies. Keeping in view the significance of space technology and its applications for socio-economic

uplift, the Communication Satellite Project will contribute to developing satellite manufacturing and services industry in the OIC Member States.

In view of the positive findings of the feasibility study, the meeting agreed to take further steps to develop the project. It also mandated KACST to conduct survey of the requirements for communication satellite services, space capacity commitments and technical capabilities available within the OIC Member States.

Electronic war - the future war

Dr. Khaled Bin Sulaiman Al GhathbarDirector, Centre of Excellence in Information Assurance (COEIA)King Saud University,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

States rush to protect their territories and capacities with appropriate military armament, usually with aircraft and tanks. But with our use of and reliance on technology everyday, means of protection and invasion as well as the logical rules of wars have become varied. What is required now to attack a state or paralyze its activities or even to defend it is a computer system and a smart mind.

Many of the advanced states have become aware of this danger and have started to take measures in readiness for this future danger. The American Air Force in 2008 established an electronic space brigade and holds competitions in computer and network hacking in order to attract and recruit hackers to this new brigade. Many other countries have followed suit such as Canada, Britain,

France, Russia, Australia, North Korea and other countries that are aware of this danger.

Entire countries, such as Estonia and Georgia, have been paralyzed electronically by computers from various parts of the world through computer attacks masterminded by groups of people. In fact, North Korea where the Internet is non existent in 2009 launched an electronic attack against the United States and South Korea. Similarly the Stuxnext Virus was able to reach and affect the Iranian nuclear reactor systems. Furthermore, French warplanes could not take off after the spread of Conficker Virus because the planes depended on ground computers infected by the virus.

Here we are, from time to time, hearing about hacking incidents of vital government and private organizations resulting in the leakage of information or incidents the extent of damage of which is not mentioned.

States must pay attention to this new kind of wars which require the necessary synergy of human, technical and organizational efforts. Readiness for this kind of war requires advanced training from early stages by information security engineers not only in ministries of defence but also in all vital governmental and commercial facilities. There should also be total enlightenment of all members of the society about the computer risks to which they could be exposed, directly or indirectly.

There should also be coordination among states and the development of necessary legislations to address and limit those wars and their dangers.

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Washington DC, USA - International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) released a report on April 13 that calls for urgent action to tackle the unemployment challenges faced by Arab youth. In a region with the world’s highest youth joblessness rate, millions are out of work because the education they receive leaves them unprepared for the marketplace.

The report “Education for Employment: Realizing Arab Youth Potential” provides a roadmap and a way forward. It shows that the private sector can be a powerful force for positive change by complementing public efforts to ensure that the region’s youth gain the right training and skills for the jobs being created. The solution requires a comprehensive remedy and the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders: governments, employers, education providers, civil society, and students.

The report outlines the views of multiple stakeholders toward education for employment (e4e). It identifies investment opportunities for the private sector and practical, effective e4e models. The need for e4e is vast —25 percent

of youth in the region are unemployed, costing the region about $50 billion each year. The region also needs better education standards, more access to finance for students, and stronger “matchmaking” between students and potential employers.

IFC and the IDB Group will work with partners to mobilize $1.5 billion to $2 billion from the regional and international community to be invested in e4e programs in the Arab world over the next five years.

“IFC and the Islamic Development Bank are calling on all stakeholders to act decisively in designing appropriate e4e solutions," said Lars Thunell, IFC Executive Vice President and CEO. "By implementing a robust e4e initiative, the energy of the region’s young people and the dynamism of its private sector can be brought together to build a brighter social and economic future for all.”

“We are ready to support the region in designing e4e solutions, and we expect and trust that other stakeholders will join us”, said Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, IDB President.

“We must act jointly. We must act now. The future of the region depends on it.”

Call to action by IFC and IDB on realizing Arab youth potential

Greater labor market flexibility, improving infrastructureand diversifying microfinance key to tackling unemploymentJeddah, Saudi Arabia - Experts from the Islamic

Development Bank (IDB) countries as well as regional and international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Labor Office (ILO) and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), participated in a two-day Expert Group Meeting (EGM) at the IDB Headquarters in Jeddah to diagnose the unemployment problem in the post-financial crisis world, address the challenges, bridge the gaps at the national and regional levels and find solutions to tackle the employment issues in IDB countries.

Chaired by IDB Vice-President Ahmed Tiktik, the EGM underlined that the recession which followed the global financial and economic crisis has exacerbated employment insecurity in the world; and lack of productive jobs is currently an issue in many IDB countries, citing the dire need to resort to employment-tailored approaches across multiple sectors and develop interventions with critical impact at community level.

Ralph Chami, Chief of the Regional Study Division for Development of Middle East and Central Asia at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), spoke about growth and the labor market responsiveness in the MENA region. He explained that slow growth in the MENA region over the past three decades could be partly traced to underperformance by the financial sector.

Poor infrastructure, low labor productivity, mismatch of skills and labor market requirements, low quality education

and training, and lack of long term strategies for creating job opportunities were issues touched upon by the EGM. Also, data and methodology inadequacies, high operating costs, non-conformity of conventional microfinance loans to Islamic principles, under-investment in female education and vocational training specially by the private sector as well as benchmarking and mutual learning were seen as amongst the challenges and constraints to creating thriving employment opportunities in IDB member countries.

The meeting wrapped up its work on May 10th, 2011, presenting a number of recommendations at national, regional and IDB levels to overcome the existing constraints. The recommendations urged for greater labor flexibility, upgrading higher education quality, expansion and diversification of micro-finance, and establishing workable cooperation mechanisms under the COMCEC to follow up OIC decisions on employment, labor mobility and capacity enhancement.

Developing key infrastructure, boosting cross-border communication and transport links, minimizing regulatory obstacles to investments and providing productive regional infrastructure to foster movement of economic resources also featured on the list of the EGM’s recommendations. For the IDB Group, the experts put forth several recommendations, including strengthening the preparation of Country Poverty Assessment (CPA), and Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS).

ECONOMY


Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey hosted the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries on May 9- 13, 2011 with the participation of around 10,000 delegates.

The goal of the meeting was to promote ways to reduce poverty and hunger in impoverished countries, in coordination with international partners. South-South cooperation and social issues such as gender equality were also discussed. Hundreds of business executives attended, based on the view that least-developed countries, or LDCs, offer high potential for investment despite their vulnerability to civil unrest, disease and other grave challenges.

The OIC-Turkey Forum on Building Productive Capacities for Poverty Eradication was held on 11 May as a special event of the Conference.

Madické Niang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, chaired the Forum, which heard speeches from OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, as well as presentations by representatives of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu pointed out that statistics show that 21, out of the 48 countries listed by the United Nations as Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are members of the OIC and most people in the LDCs live on as low as one dollar a day.

He highlighted in his speech the situation of poverty in LDCs among the OIC Member States where domestic savings are very low at about 10 per cent of their GDP.

He highlighted the various developmental challenges facing peoples of the OIC Member States, notably poverty, hunger, lack of access to basic health and education, youth unemployment, gender exclusion and social and political conflicts.

Ihsanoglu reviewed the various measures adopted by the OIC leaders with regard to consolidating intra-OIC economic solidarity. He stated that the various poverty

alleviation programs, including Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development and Special Program for Development of Africa, have continued to support national economic actions aimed at financing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and improving incomes of a good majority of OIC populations through building productive capacities.

In the same vein, the Secretary General outlined the richness of OIC region in natural resources, in particular the conventional energy resources, oil and natural gas, and other main commodities and raw materials. He stressed that human development should reach each and every one and each and every home.

Ihsanoglu discussed intra-OIC trade among OIC Member States and noted, “Among the deliberate demarches to mobilize intra-OIC resources are the increasing of intra-OIC trade and investment which will play a great role for poverty alleviation”. He concluded that the OIC target of increasing intra-OIC trade to 20% in 2015 remains achievable, and called for further and urgent measures to remove the various obstacles to the movement of goods and services along OIC Member States' common borders, including full implementation of the OIC Trade Preferential System, which stipulates that the participating States shall extend special concessions in favor of the OIC-LDCs.

As for Davutoglu, he urged members of the OIC to contribute to the economic progress of LDCs noting that half of OIC members had LDC status. “We cannot stay indifferent to them,” he said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister called on OIC members to engage in self-criticism on the problem. “We have to be the voice of economic justice,” he said. “Both the richest and poorest countries are in the OIC. Something is missing here. We have to work to change this and create economic justice,” said Davutoglu.

The Minister also said the terminology of LDC should change, “We should find a positive name that does not undermine the potential of these countries.” He suggested

‘future developing’ or ‘potential developing countries’ adding that he had conveyed this idea to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Recommendations:At the end of its proceedings, the Forum supported the

on-going comprehensive approach to poverty eradication, through adoption of food security, productive capacity building, social services and peace-building measures. To this end, it emphasized the need to continue implementation of micro-finance and vocational education, and to introduce such additional measures as rural infrastructure and trade facilitation, including increased public sector investments for poverty alleviation and appropriate political will to implement inclusive socio-economic reforms

The Forum expressed support for creation of enabling atmosphere for popular and inclusive participation of the Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations in the socio-

OIC-Turkey Forum on Building Productive Capacities for Poverty Eradication:Agreement to implement OIC Executive Framework for

Agriculture, Rural development and Food Security

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (C) and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (L) during Fourth United Nations Conference of the Least Developed

Countries in Istanbul, Turkey on 9 May 2011 (epa)

ECONOMY

57

economic processes through socio-economic reforms, privatization, joint ventures and good governance. In this regard, it commended the on-going OIC programs on women empowerment and called on members of the international community to support such programs.

On international cooperation, the Forum hailed the growing participation and partnership of many UN and other international organizations in the OIC poverty alleviation programs. It called on all stakeholders to encourage foreign direct investments in OIC countries, including increased capital flows to SMEs.

The Forum agreed to accord importance to immediate implementation of the OIC Executive Framework for Agriculture, Rural development and Food Security. It

acknowledged on-going efforts within the OIC to encourage investment in the agricultural sector in land-rich Member States of the Organization, and invited all relevant multilateral institutions to collaborate with OIC in this regard, including elaboration of a code of conduct to enhance corporate social responsibility on the part of prospective investors.

The Forum also emphasized the need for global trade expansion through flexible rules of origin for the benefit of LDCs, and promotion of regional trade and access to developed countries’ market. It also agreed on the necessity of overcoming “culture of poverty” by promoting hard work, industry, efficiency and peoples’ socio-economic empowerment.

Istanbul, Turkey – Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen, the permanent observer of the OIC to the UN in New York, participated in the South-South Development Roundtable on May 11, 2011 in Istanbul organized by the UNDP’s Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (SUSSC) under the theme ‘Building productive capacities of Least Developed Countries through South-South, Triangular and Public-Private Partnerships’. The event was held within the framework of the Global Business Partnership Forum on the occasion of the Fourth United Nations Conference on LDCs.

Amb. Gokcen was among the speakers in the first segment of the agenda, which was moderated by Mr. Yiping Zhou, Director of SUSSC. Amb. Gokcen said that the topic of the roundtable was a priority for OIC because all of its 57 Member States are in the South or emerging economies. Therefore it recognizes the relevance of the concept of South-South cooperation, and of Triangular cooperation, to the Member States’ national and collective self-reliance and development. Thus, the OIC and its concerned institutions, namely the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have taken some serious and determined steps towards that end. In some of these endeavors the OIC attracted the cooperation and partnership of UNDP, particularly its SUSSC.

Amb. Gokcen took the opportunity to announce the launch of a joint program of OIC-SUSSC collaboration in support of OIC Member States, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), recovering from the effects of major conflicts, natural disasters and critical humanitarian situations, using South-South cooperation modalities in the effort.

“Under this program, it is envisaged that the OIC and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation will jointly raise contributions for country-specific projects, and channel the funds to the projects in the countries-in-need through the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation that has been established by the General Assembly with support from the OIC Member States and others,” said Amb. Gokcen.

Under this program, the first joint campaign being launched is for Somalia, a LDC where the conflict-ridden situation has seriously affected the country’s education and health-care systems, and the people are in dire need of livelihood recovery and rehabilitation. The Joint OIC-SUSSC program would address some of these needs through South-South cooperation arrangements between Somali institutions and those of other OIC member countries that are in a position to help. For this, a target of $20 million is being raised through voluntary contributions. Amb. Gokcen extended an open invitation to Governments, UN organizations and the private sector to join in this worthwhile cause. The private sector, particularly, could play a significant role in the livelihood recovery and rehabilitation effort in Somalia. By undertaking job creation and small entrepreneurial development initiatives, especially for idle youth and young women through training and small grant schemes, they can make an invaluable difference to the welfare of the conflict ridden population of the country.

Following Somalia, the intention is to focus on other countries critically in need of such assistance, such as the flood-affected areas of Pakistan, and post-conflict recovery situations in Afghanistan, Darfur in Sudan, and possibly Iraq, said Amb. Gokcen.

Launch of a joint OIC-SUSSC program in supportof the Least Developed Countries starting with Somalia


ECONOMY

Sharjah, UAE - The 14th Private Sector Meeting for the Promotion of Trade and Joint Venture Investment among Islamic Countries was held in Sharjah on 24- 26 April 2011. The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the IDB GROUP organized the Meeting.

It was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Federal Council and Ruler of Sharjah; and was inaugurated and attended by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The 14th Private Sector Meeting was attended by 450 delegates, representing 30 OIC Member States, and some non-OIC Countries, as well as the representatives from General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Coordination Office of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of OIC Countries (COMCEC), the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), International Islamic Trade and Finance Corporation (ITFC), Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization, Turkey (KOSGEB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, Pakistan (SMEDA) and South-South Global Assets and Technology Exchange, China (SS-GATE).

In his welcome address Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Member of Board of Directors of the Federation of theUAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of SCCI welcomed the participants in Sharjah and stated that the strengthening of economic ties among OIC Member States is based on the success of the chambers of commerce in supporting the private sector, to undertake its due role in this significant process. He further underlined the importance of direct bilateral contacts and business networking in enhancing

the Intra-OIC trade and joint venture investments.Dr. Bassem Awadallah, Secretary General of Islamic

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his address touched upon objectives pursued by ICCI, such as putting much emphasis to the revival of Islamic ethics and values in business, adherence to Halal in all aspects and principally to the food products. For this, he said ICCI is contributing effectively to the drafting of Halal Standardization as well as all related measures for certification and accreditation. He also mentioned that ICCI works for creation of Waqf Fund and promotion of Awqaf culture, effective utilization of Zakat funds as means for poverty alleviation.

Dr. Waleed Al-Wohaib, CEO of the ITFC, delivered the address of Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB). He highlighted the significance of increasing intra-Islamic trade, as an important means for development at large, as well as utilizations of resources and assisting in poverty alleviation. He underscored the significance of SMEs and their impact on trade and investment and as a result on the overall development.

Ambassador Ahmed A. Al-Haddad, Director in the Department of Economic Affairs delivered the message of Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Meeting (OIC). He said that the capital of the private sector in Islamic countries exceeds US$ 200 billion, which enables it to act as the major driver of investment. He said that a significant increase has been achieved in intra-OIC trade. The volume of intra-OIC trade exchanges reached US$ 426.75 billion in 2009 amounting to 16.65% of their total trade, which represents a 2.2 percentage point increase over 2004 intra-OIC trade figure of 14.44%. He mentioned that efforts are being intensified currently with a view to achieving the ultimate objective outlined in the Ten-Year Program of Action, namely reaching the percentage of 20% of intra-OIC trade by 2015.

Focus on SMEs:The main focus of the meeting was on the ‘Small and

Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Opportunities and Challenges in the Economies of the Islamic Countries’. During the deliberations of the Meeting, two specialized workings sessions were held on the “Opportunities and Challenges in the Business Sector in Islamic Countries” and the “Role of SMEs in developing Islamic Economy: Public and Private Sector Experiences”, where expert speakers deliberated on challenges and obstacles facing investment in Islamic countries.

They discussed whether, weakness in resources and capacities or weakness in investment is the main factor constraining Islamic countries’ economies. Thereafter, representatives of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Sudan and the UAE made presentations on their experiences in developing SMEs and highlighted trade and investment opportunities in their respective countries.

In view of the looming food security issues and in line with the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action, discussions were

The 14th Private Sector Meeting for the Promotion of Trade Focus on the opportunities and challenges for

Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi (L) at the inauguration

59

also held on the role of SMEs to achieve a better level of food security, in countries where it is of concern. The ideas put forward were to start with rehabilitating agricultural lands and investing in them and rationing of water.

On the second day, business-to-business (B2B) meetings were arranged in various categories. During the networking session, in depth negotiations were held among participants on areas of mutual interest, services and joint ventures opportunities. Business deals were discussed between the businessmen from all the 30 attending countries.

Recommendations:After panel discussions and the papers presented during

the working sessions, the Meeting put forth recommendations within the framework of the Sharjah Economic Declaration. Among the recommendations is a need for an enabling environment, such as necessary legislation, that would promote and support the SMEs in view of their significant role in accelerating the economic development process. Also, an emphasis on the need for public private sector partnership, and to replicate organizational entities dealing with SMEs, in those OIC countries where there is no such body, with competence and resources to guide entrepreneurs on regulatory matters, management issues, transfer of technology, product development, marketing, financing, technical and managerial training, social security and other related areas of SME development.

In view of the benefits of clustering SMEs, the Governments were recommended to adopt a program of encouraging SMEs to form clusters. In doing so the concept of ‘One Village One Product’ is introduced to develop specialization and distinct identities of enterprises of a particular village. This will help in exploiting the traditional skills of entrepreneurs and in giving a boost to local products, besides improving the local economies.

Taking into consideration the financial difficulties faced by SMEs, due to lack of relevant financial institutions in many OIC countries, it was believed that a general awareness and effective utilization of the IDB funds for the development of SMEs is important. In this context, the participants called upon IDB to create more awareness among the OIC countries regarding the utilization of the fund. They also called upon IDB to explore the possibility of providing trade finance lines through the local banks for the benefit of the private sector of OIC countries, with particular focus on the Central Asian and African countries.

The Sharjah Declaration also urged participating in the projects and programs of the Islamic Chamber, such as the International Zakat Organization, the Business Owners Union, for the development and promotion of SMEs.

The participants also recommended setting up technology incubators to channelize innovations among OIC countries and business incubators to promote trade between the member countries.

On food security, they called upon the relevant agencies to adopt best ways to achieve a better level of food security by rehabilitating agricultural lands, investing in them, rationing of water consumption and to channel water to neighboring countries, where needed. In addition, they called upon the private sector to develop the agriculture industry through smallholder farmers and thereby contribute to the economic growth and food security of the member countries, and to promote investments in OIC countries in agriculture and agro-food industry sectors.

The Forum called upon the need of the OIC Member States to encourage their private sector to utilize the OIC Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC covering tariff and para-tariff preference, which would facilitate access to wider range of products and an expanded OIC market.

Realizing the significant role of media and IT, the Meeting called for the effective utilization of these tools for the promotion and development of the status of SMEs and what is required and how to provide the solutions.

The participants have highly valued the call of H.H. Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al-Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, for adopting a comprehensive vision, to expand perspectives of economic, cultural and social cooperation among the OIC member countries. H.H. emphasized on the importance of tabbing the existing opportunities and potentials that would strengthen the status of these countries at both regional and international levels. The participants have also emphasized on the necessity of taking the needful follow-up with the General Secretariat of the OIC for realizing this call.

The participants also underlined the need to indentify the required tools and mechanisms for utilizing the OIC strategies including multilateral agreements that are aimed at strengthening the Islamic cooperation at all the specified areas. They also called upon the National Chambers and Federations to cooperate with the ICCI in encouraging their respective members to make this vision a success.

Furthermore, the participants underlined the significance of enhancing adherence to the quality standards in manufacturing and services sectors of the Islamic countries. They expressed their profound appreciation for the initiative launched by Sharjah, through Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, regarding the setting up of a permanent Islamic Trade and Exhibition Center, in the Emirate of Sharjah, for promoting and marketing products and services of member countries.

The participants emphasized the importance of insurance of export as essential mechanism for promoting commercial exchanges among OIC Member States. They called upon the member countries to establish national guarantee agencies and to enhance their cooperation with the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Exports Credits (ICIEC), so as to benefit from its services for the exporters, investors and financial institutions.

and Joint Venture Investment among Islamic CountriesSMEs in the economies of the Islamic countries


ECONOMY

OIC Secretary General commends growing working relations with ECO

IDB, ISESCO joint commission focus on education, S&T, and Al-Quds

IDB launches scholarship program with Oxford University

IDB prices US$750.0 million fixed-rate Trust Certificates issuance

IDB Prize winnersfor 2011 announced

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Modalities for consolidating working cooperation between OIC and ECO were the focus of the audience held by Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference with Mohammed Yahya Maroofi, the Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 24 April 2011.

The ECO Secretary General, who was on a working visit to the General Secretariat of OIC, expressed satisfaction with the regular consultations between the two organizations, including coordination of policies and actions for the implementation of

their joint socio-economic development projects. Ihsanoglu also commended the growing working relations between the General Secretariats of the OIC and ECO, emphasizing that such cooperation is in the over-all interest of their common Member States.

Specifically, the two sides agreed to pursue joint actions in the areas of trade promotion, transportation, capacity building and infrastructure development. They requested their officials to work out a credible Plan of Action to facilitate the implementation of these joint programs.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The joint commission of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), in its meeting held at IDB Headquarters in Jeddah, discussed ways to promote cooperation between both institutions reporting to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The meeting focused on the promotion of cooperation on three areas: namely, education, science and technology (S&T) , and Al-Quds.

In the area of education, the two sides discussed mounting technology-based sensitization campaigns on health and population issues, and providing support to Niger’s Regional

Literacy Center, ISESCO’s Educational Center in Chad and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Project on Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language. In science and technology they discussed networking science parks, and pursuing joint implementation of activities scheduled for 2011, As for programs geared to Al-Quds Al-Sharif, they looked at making legal and field studies on protection and maintenance of archaeological and Waqf sites in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, supplying educational institutions in Al-Quds Al-Sharif with technical equipment, and providing technical tools and training to cultural institutions specializing in the maintenance of manuscripts and old collections.

London, UK - Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group and Prof. Andrew D. Hamilton, Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oxford University to launch the joint Islamic Development Bank-University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships. The

signing of the MOU took place at the University of Oxford. The joint program is launched within the scope of the IDB Merit Scholarship Program for Science and Hi-Technology and Clarendon Fund of the University to place talented and meritorious students from IDB member countries for 3-year Ph.D. study and research programs at the University.

London, UK - As part of its Resource Mobilization Plan, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), rated Aaa/AAA/AAA (with stable outlook) by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, conducted a Road Show to Asia, Middle East and Europe.

The road show kicked off in the United Arab Emirates and reached London where the Bank has successfully priced, on May 18th, US$750.0 million, 5-year, Trust Certificates (Sukuk) issued at par with a 2.35% semi-annual profit rate under its US$3.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Program. BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank acted as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners.

Despite the volatile economic environment around the world, IDB achieved both a larger deal size as well as tighter pricing, with the deal pricing 3 bps (basis point) inside the secondary market levels. This is indeed an achievement and an evident outcome of IDB’s continued efforts in positioning itself closer to its supranational peers.

The Trust Certificates will be listed on the London Stock Exchange and Bursa Malaysia.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) announced on May 18 that the Islamic Foundation in the UK is declared the winner of the IDB Prize in Islamic Economics for the year 2011 in recognition of its substantial contribution to the promotion of Islamic economics. The Prize will be awarded to the winner during the IDB’s 36th Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to be held on 27 -30 June 2011. The IDB also announced that the Selection Committee for the 2011 IDB Prize for Women’s Contribution to Development selected ladies from Morocco and Niger, and a women-founded organization from Indonesia as the laureates for this year’s Prize winners. The Individual Category Prize, which includes a cash award of US$ 50,000, will be equally shared by Professor Zoubidah Charrouf from the Science Faculty of the Mohammed V University in Morocco and Ms. Seydou Ramatou Boubacar, a researcher in Food Technology from the National Institute of Agronomic Research in Niger. The Chemistry Foundation of Syiah Kuala University in Indonesia was selected as the recipient for the Organization Category Prize and will receive a cash award of US$100,000.

61

IDB and Indonesia officially inaugurate Strategic Partnership

First Session of the OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom) is held

Jakarta, Indonesia – The Islamic Development Bank and the Government of Indonesia formally inaugurated their strategic partnership during IDB Group Day in Jakarta through the Member Countries Partnership Strategy (MCPS). The Memorandum of Understanding for MCPS was officially signed on May 11, 2011 by the President of (IDB) Group Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Ali and Minister of Finance of Indonesia (IDB Governor for Indonesia) Agus Martowardojo.

The MCPS is implemented in accordance with the medium-term strategic priorities under the IDB vision 1440H (2020) and development priorities of member countries. The work for MCPS was initiated in 2010 by the IDB in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. Indication of national financing for MCPS for the period of 2011 -2014 was estimated to range between US$3- 3.3 billion to reach numerous beneficiaries in the Provinces of South Sumatera, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi, and later extended to those in Java, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara.

MCPS is focused on harnessing the potential of Indonesian regions in five work program areas. The programs include development in education and health, especially higher education; infrastructure and energy sector, including the Public Private Partnership (PPP); poverty alleviation, including the community empowerment program (PNPM); agriculture sector and rural development; and cross-sector issues, which will be focused on the enhancement of Islamic Finance and Capacity Building.

After the inauguration of the MCPS, agreements were also

signed between the Islamic Cooperation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Bank Exim Indonesia and Bank Muamalat as part of IDB role to assist Indonesia in Islamic Finance; Murabaha Agreement between International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and CV Arvis Sanada and between ITFC and CV Ujang Jaya for purchase of coffee beans for exportation as part of IDB role to develop agriculture and rural development; and ITFC and Bank Muamalat on collaboration and coordination for Trade Finance.

The organizing of IDB Group Day is an joint activity between the IDB and the Ministry of Finance as host of the IDB Group's Day event where the Finance Minister who is currently held by Agus Martowardojo, also served as Governor of the IDB.

Istanbul, Turkey - The First Session of the OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom), organized jointly by Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), was held in Istanbul, Turkey on 11 -12 April 2011.

Delegates of the National Statistical Organizations (NSOs) of 30 OIC Member States participated in the First Session. Additionally, nine international / supranational organizations, including the OIC General Secretariat, the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS), EUROSTAT of the European Commission, International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and the World Bank attended the meeting.

The First Session of the OIC-StatCom focused on defining the direction, objectives, goals and expected benefits as well as the fields in which the Commission will generate a value-added contribution to statistical systems of the OIC Member States.

At the end of their deliberations, the members of the OIC-StatCom identified their expectations from the Commission and elaborated on the future directions of the OIC-StatCom. The

delegates endorsed the Rules of Procedure for the Commission; appointed SESRIC as the Secretariat of the Commission and stated their expectations from the Commission.

The OIC-StatCom decided to establish several working groups on different issues:

• A working group on the statistical indicators specific to OIC Member States, which will develop common standards and methodologies for these indicators and report the outcomes to the next session of the Commission. Jordan was elected as the lead country for this Working Group.

• A working group to develop a strategic vision for the OIC-StatCom towards more effective statistical systems and elaborate short, medium and long term plans to achieve this vision. Indonesia was elected as the lead country for this Group.

• A working group to develop an accreditation program for statistical professionals. Bahrain was elected as the lead country for this Group.

The Commission called on all members to actively participate in the undertakings of all Working Groups.

Furthermore, the OIC-StatCom mandated the Secretariat of the Commission to develop and maintain the OIC-StatCom Website with comprehensive statistical information on OIC Member States.

The next session of the OIC-StatCom will be in Istanbul in April 2012.

IDB President Dr. Ali (L) with Indonesian officials


ECONOMY

Tunis (dpa) - The Libyan “revolution” has deepened the wounds of the Tunisian economy which is already facing huge difficulties following disturbances witnessed in the country before, during and after the “revolution” that toppled the former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011.

Libya is Tunisia’s primary Arab and African trading partner and the fifth internationally after France, Italy, Germany and Spain. The annual volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounts to about US$1 billion.

Economists fear that the adverse effects of the deteriorating situation in Libya on the Tunisian economy might worsen.

Libya is located on the south eastern side of Tunisia and both countries share a 495 kilometers-long land border. Along this border are two crossings – the main crossing “Ras Jdir”, and the secondary crossing “Dhahbiya”.

The majority of Tunisia’s exports reach Libya through the Ras Jdir Crossing. According to Tunisian official statistics, every day during peak hours, before the outbreak of the

“revolution” in Libya and Tunisia, about eighteen thousand persons, seven thousand cars and four hundred trucks travel in both directions of the border. Tunisian sources say that about 60,000 Tunisian citizens live in Libya, but unofficial sources put the figure above 100,000. Thousands of these Tunisians were forced to flee Libya urgently for fear of their lives, leaving behind their money and property.

About 1 million Tunisians benefit directly or indirectly from “parallel” (unregulated) trade with Libya. “Suitcase” Tunisian traders buy products imported into Libya from China, South Asian countries and Turkey (clothes, vehicle tires, cigarettes, electronic products, etc) from their Libyan counterparts to sell them in markets scattered across many Tunisian cities called

"Libyan markets.”The biggest Tunisian market for Libyan goods is the City

of Ben Gardan, located 500 kilometers south east of Tunis.Libya is the only economic lifeline for the Tunisian city of

Ben Gardan with a population of 60,000, most of who live on the parallel trade with the Jamahiriya.

Ben Gardan has today become the safe haven for tens of thousands of foreign refugees fleeing the explosive security situation in Libya.

One unionist, Husein Batayeb, who lives in Ben Gardan, described the economic situation in the city to dpa as disastrous following the obstruction of trading activities with Libya.

Decline of Tunisian exports to LibyaThe Director General of External Trade at the Tunisian

Ministry of Trade Naser El Waslati said that Tunisian exports to Libya dropped by 22.5% in the first two months of 2011, tumbling to 115 million Dinar (58 million Euro) from 149 million Tunisian Dinar (about 75 million Euro) in the same period of 2010.

The President of the Tunisian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce Ali Al Dhawadi told dpa that 1200 Tunisian businesses trade with the Libyan market, most of them being medium and small enterprises.

Al Dhawadi noted that many of these enterprises were hit by complete paralysis because of the deteriorating security

condition in Libya. He pointed out that the businesses that trade exclusively with the Libyan market and the contracting companies executing projects in Libya were the worst hit by the worsening security situation.

The state of insecurity in Libya has disrupted the export and import business and brought chaos to the activities of Libyan banks and economic institutions that could not make payments to Tunisian companies. As a result, these companies faced liquidity crisis making them unable to pay workers’ salaries and settle banks’ debts.

Damage to tourism and health services In recent years, the inflow of large numbers of Libyan and

Algerian tourists contributed to saving the Tunisian tourism sector from the lean years caused by drop in European tourist arrivals.

The government says that Tunisia receives about 1.5 million Libyan tourists annually, and that the Libyan tourist spends more than the European tourist.

The sharp drop in Libyan and foreign tourist arrivals to Tunisia affected the government’s tourism receipt which declined by 40% in the first two months of this year.

Libyans visit Tunisia not only for tourism but also for therapy, as tens of thousands of them visit Tunisian private hospitals to benefit from advanced health facilities in Tunisia.

Abubakar Zakhama, the President of the Tunisian Chamber of Private Hospitals said that medical treatment of Libyans in Tunisian hospitals provides the country an annual financial income of 350 million Dinar (about 150 million Euro).

These hospitals, according to him, face massive difficulties and are “threatened by bankruptcy.”

The Government searching for solutionsThe Director of the Tunisian Trade Representation Al

Habeeb Al Mahami announced in Tripoli that the Tunisian Export Promotion Centre established in early March “a support unit” to provide assistance to Tunisian enterprises that wish to know about the conditions for export to the Libyan market.

Naser Al Waslati, Director General of External Trade at the Tunisian Ministry of Trade, announced that the government would intervene to support 80 businesses that together secure 50 % of Tunisian exports to Libya.

Ali Al Dhawadi, President of the Tunisian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce, proposed a rescheduling of bank loans owed by Tunisian businesses which are affected by obstruction of exports to Libya and delay payment of social security obligations.

Libya’s revolution deepens the wounds of the Tunisian economy

63

Astana, Kazakhstan - The 7th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 7 -9 June 2011, amidst challenging global conditions.

Highlighting the theme “Globalizing Growth: Connect, Compete, Collaborate”, the Forum focused on building a consensus on practical and innovative approaches to address socio-economic imperatives impacting the Muslim world.

The Forum, which was opened by H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, also saw the attendance of H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Prime Minister Karim Masimov of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov of Tajikistan, Vice President Prof. Dr. Boediono of Indonesia, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ros Nuri Shawels of Iraq and First Vice Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov of Kyrgyzstan, former leaders, the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Ministers, chief executives of leading corporations, thought leaders from the private and public sectors as well as representatives of the creative arts.

The Forum attracted more than 2500 delegates from 42 countries and saw constructive discussions on developing leadership, supporting entrepreneurship and SME’s, empowering businesswomen, globalizing Islamic banking and finance, enhancing food and energy security, tapping into Halal industry, investing in infrastructure development, harvesting alternative energy and innovating SMEs.

“We propose to create a dialog platform for top ten Islamic economies on the basis of the WIEF. Our country's resources allow us to create a powerful financial pool for investment cooperation. Considering that some of the Islamic countries are lagging behind the leading scientific and technological trends, I propose to create an international innovations center with participation of the interested countries of the Organization for Islamic Conference,” Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in his opening speech.

The President noted that support of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) requires creation of a special WIEF work group and discussion of a special SMBs fund under the IDB.

“We are interested in cooperation with Islamic countries and attraction of Islamic financing. According to experts, the Islamic investments inflow into Kazakhstan can potentially reach $10 billion in the coming years. Availability of transportation, communication and logistics systems is an important condition for expansion of the trade-economic cooperation of our countries. Kazakhstan is actively using its geo-economic location to develop the international transit corridor between Western Kazakhstan and Western Europe,” Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

The President offered the IDB to take part in financing the construction of the 963-km Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railroad. Overall cost of the project is estimated at $1.5 billion.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev suggested creating a ‘Regional Fund for Food Aid’ within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

"For strengthening food security I propose to elaborate the system of food aid within the OIC. It may be based on establishment of a regional fund on the model of FAO in the structure of the Islamic Development Bank Group and food pool of the OIC Member States."

The Head of State offered to locate the fund's headquarters in Kazakhstan, in the country, which actively develops the export food potential.

Kazakhstan also suggested establishing within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Council of Scientists who would offer consultations to the Halal committees around the world. The Council would include not only religious scholars, but also specialists in the field of medicine, genetics, standardization, certification and other industries.

The Forum recommended the adoption of the following key priorities to achieve the Forum’s theme of ‘Globalizing Growth’ to realize both sustained growth and equity:

i. Good governance must be institutionalized and practiced by both governments and the private sector;

ii. Further liberalize trade, investment, knowledge, culture and labor flows within Muslim countries on a regional and sub-regional basis and with the rest of the world;

iii. Social entrepreneurship as an altruistic social development initiative be propagated and developed in Islamic societies and resources be committed to promote such an initiative particularly for the benefit of youth and women;

iv. Muslim countries and sub-regional groupings should collaborate to develop ‘Green Growth’ roadmaps, which encompasses energy, food security and environment;

v. Support the development of a Halal economy through the collaborative development of Halal integrity standards and convergence with the mainstream economy;

vi. Development of a harmonized regulatory framework to accelerate the growth of Islamic banking and finance globally – including Shariah compliant micro-finance;

vii. Strengthen public-private sector partnerships for infrastructure development, tourism, healthcare, education and skills development in developing economies to enable efficient implementation and delivery;

viii. Emphasize innovation, competition, collaboration and knowledge transfer as key thrusts to develop successful SMEs and entrepreneurs.

The Forum welcomed the offers from the President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to assess the potential for a

‘Science and Technology Innovation Hub’ and from the IDB President to work with WIEF and member countries to both identify additional specific projects and to prepare an annual report to the Forum on their progress.

7th WIEF: Building consensus toaddress socio-economic imperatives


ECONOMY

Amman, Jordan - The Board of Governors of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), chaired by Sheikh Saleh Kamel, decided at the conclusion of its meeting held in the Jordanian capital, Amman on 19 -21 May with the participation of 30 Islamic countries, to set up a committee under the chairmanship of Ahmad Al-Wakeel, ICCI Vice-President, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers. The Committee would work to upgrade the ICCI Statute to meet the expectations of the Muslim Ummah by achieving economic integration among OIC countries, and increasing intra-OIC trade from about 12% of the volume of their global trade to more than 25% over 3 years, through the establishment of new mechanisms which would allow the promotion of trade and investment opportunities available in Islamic countries, and provide appropriate funding for such opportunities.

The Board of Governors decided to retain the ICCI Headquarters in Karachi while opening a headquarters for operations in the Qatari capital, Doha. The State of Qatar

shall bear all establishment and running expenses of the headquarters. For his part, Sheikh Saleh Kamel, President of the Islamic Chamber, allocated 7 million Saudi Riyals as a Waqf (endowment) to generate funds for the ICCI, to be invested in accordance with Sharia rules, confirming his ability to invest this amount with an annual rate of return of no less than 10%.

The ICCI Board of Governors called OIC Member States to activate the OIC trade preferential system, and expedite its ratification to advance economic cooperation between Islamic countries.

At the conclusion of its deliberations, the ICCI said that unemployment among Arab and Muslim youth is the prime motive of all revolutions and uprisings in the region. It held the business community responsible for providing employment opportunities through increased investment and reconstruction.

Amman, Jordan - The participants in the ‘Conference on investment in Islamic States’, held in Amman on 21 May 2011, recommended the establishment of a fund to assist the persons displaced from Libya and to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to them.

The participants in this Conference, which was organized by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), recommended further efforts to be exerted between Islamic States to achieve economic integration and develop practical solutions to face up to the challenges imposed by economic developments in the global arena.

They further called the OIC Member States to adopt joint economic strategies to achieve greater cooperation and implementation of all OIC agreements relating to economic and commercial affairs, which constitute the basic framework for economic and commercial cooperation among Member States.

They also underlined the need to find mechanisms and to promote joint investments in industrial and service-related areas through the development of projects, strategic partnerships and development programs aimed at improving the standards of living and optimizing opportunities.

They also noted the importance of opening up new prospects for economic, trade and investment cooperation among Islamic countries and building partnerships between businesses and financial institutions in development and service sectors within the framework of a clear vision for strategic investment of energy and resources.

In addition, they called for addressing the challenges facing investment and investors in these countries and

resettling Islamic investments given their positive effects on the economies of Islamic countries in terms of raising investment and GDP, and reducing unemployment rates.

They also stressed the need for the business community to shoulder its great responsibility by providing employment opportunities through increased investment and reconstruction, combating corruption in all its forms, and removing barriers and restrictions imposed on trade and investment among the Islamic countries.

They further stressed the importance of Islamic instruments in reviving the economy by providing an opportunity for governments and companies in the private and common sector to receive Sharia compatible funding which would help them in expanding their activities and achieving rewarding returns for investors and finding a Sharia compatible alternative of investment certificates and bonds.

Furthermore, they underlined the need for conscious efforts to be exerted by stakeholders and supervisors to reconcile the Sharia related views on issuing Islamic bonds (sukuk) and the continued government promotion of adopting Islamic bonds (sukuk) in attracting and using resources.

The participants noted the importance of seeking Islamic instruments’ classification by recognized international rating institutions with a view to reducing risks and taking into account the different risks of Islamic instruments when released in order to provide an Islamic financial product at low risk.

They also stressed the need to promote the participation of women in business and investment to reduce poverty rates in Muslim countries.

Upgrading the statute of the IslamicChamber to increase intra-OIC trade

The Conference on Investment in Islamic States recommendsthe establishment of a fund to assist displaced persons in Libya

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Dakar, Senegal - More than 250 participants from international and regional organizations, public and private sector companies attended the Opening Ceremony and Working Sessions of the Donors Conference on the Regional Project of “Sustainable Tourism Development in a Network of Cross-Border Parks and Protected Areas in West Africa”, which took place in Dakar, Senegal from 27 to 28 May 2011.

The Conference was held under the patronage of H. E. Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal and current Summit Chairman of the OIC.

The major objective of the two-day Conference was to present the portfolio of funding opportunities in West African Cross-Border Parks to interested donors and investors so as to secure funding commitments for the proposed project activities. Several international organizations and financial institutions presented the opportunities of financing under many windows in their respective organs, and requested the project owners to

present their proposals through their traditional channels. In his message to the Forum, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu,

Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, emphasized that the project will promote cross-border ventures, such that it will greatly contribute to fostering inter-communal understanding among the various local communities in the participating countries. Ihsanoglu reiterated that the huge potentials in the OIC Member States could be mobilized in favor of enhanced investments in the relevant sectors of the economies of countries participating in the project.

The networking sessions focused on such critical sectors as energy, tourism, transport, agriculture and construction; and witnessed the active participation of officials from the various funding partners, including the international organizations, public/private companies as well as concerned OIC institutions.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is currently studying Jordan’s mega rail project with a view to garnering international financial support to the project, the total cost of which is estimated at $45 billion. Once it becomes a reality, the project is expected to link Jordan’s major economic zones with regional and international economic hubs in the region such as Syria and Turkey, and the Gulf Countries like Saudi Arabia, as well as the European rail network.

Bearing in mind the huge potential of this project as a key regional integration tool, IDB has initiated negotiations with

a number of regional and international finance institutions including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank as well as Arab, Japanese and European funds.

According to feasibility studies, once operational, the rail project will spur economic growth and job opportunities not only in Jordan but also neighboring IDB member countries, including those in Asia and Europe.

The IDB Group has large presence in Jordan with significant portfolios in the areas of transportation, power generation and the private sector.

Ankara, Turkey - In a message read on his behalf at the opening of the 27th Session of the COMCEC Follow-up Committee meeting held in Ankara, Turkey on 1st June 2011, the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu further reiterated his call on OIC Member States to increase ownership of the various programs and projects under the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) saying that ownership on the part of Member Sates was identified as one of the critical challenges facing the implementation of TYPOA during the Mid-term Review of the Program carried out in 2010.

On increasing intra-OIC trade, Ihsanoglu highlighted the efforts being exerted by the relevant OIC organs and institutions in this respect, and said that discussions were underway with various regional economic groups to ensure a rapid take-off of TPS-OIC. He further called for consideration of invoking the mechanism already approved by COMCEC to dispatch a high-level Mission under the authority of H.E. President Abdullah

Gul, Chairman of the COMCEC, to Member States concerned to explain the need for urgent action on the implementation of the TPS-OIC.

Ihsanoglu informed the meeting of the measures being taken by the OIC and its relevant institutions to implement the recommendations of the Economic Summit held on 9th November 2009 in Istanbul regarding the activation of cooperation in the areas of agriculture, tourism and transportation.

On poverty alleviation, the Secretary General observed that while the relevant Funds, namely the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) and the Special Program for Development of Africa (SPDA), had made significant interventions in the critical areas, capitalization of these Funds still poses a big challenge that requires from all to come up with practical measures to improve resource mobilization for these Funds.

Donors Conference in Dakar mobilizes funds fortourism projects in ten West-African OIC countries

IDB is studying Jordan’s mega rail project

COMCEC is urged to energize its activities, reviewand rationalize its agenda and resolutions


Muscat (dpa)- When deciding to discover the history of Sultanate of Oman, your desires should lead you to the province of Sohar where the most famous Omani forts towering near the sea in Al-Batinah region. The Fort has witnessed the twists and turns of Sohar's history over the ages. Nowadays, it is considered one of the most significant museums.

Fort Sohar is described by the historian Al Maqdisi as "the gateway to the east" during the years of war. Sohar prospered under the hands of Al-Busaid (the Royal family in Oman), particularly, Imam Ahmed bin Said bin Al-Busaidi.

The Fort is located in Sohar- the oldest city in Oman- and played an important role in mining and trading copper to the old world countries. Due to its location on the coastal Gulf of Oman, it was used as a port to connect between the ports of the Gulf, India and China. The legend of Sinbad started there, people say. The city along with its importance was mentioned in books of many historians and geographers. It witnessed very important events such as receiving the messenger of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to Oman Amr bin Al-Aas.

The Fort dates back to the end of the thirteenth and beginning of the fourteenth century. Archaeological excavations carried out (in 1980) around the Fort confirmed that it was completed in the fourteenth century. The building’s current features were built during the rule of the Portuguese. The Fort has many drinking water wells, towers for observing and defending the city whenever needed.

A tunnel of 35 km was one of the most significant features of the Fort. It was used during war sieges as an entry-exit passage.

Currently, the Fort includes a museum that was inaugurated in 1993, which showcases many archeological and historical aspects of Sohar and other sultanates of Oman’s regions. This museum also features the important role played by copper trade and the relationship of the city with the city of Canton, in China. It also includes various artifacts found during the archeological excavations in the Fort and in different locations in Oman.

The museum content is showcased in the rooms of all three floors of the Fort. On the main entrance, particularly, on the doorstep, the name of Imam Azzan bin Qais (one of Oman’s

renowned imams) was carved. This entrance leads to a long corridor in the first floor which leads to different rooms.

The first room was used for laundry and bathing, and the second displays artifacts including a cooper dragger and bracelet found in a grave going back in time to the second millennium BC and a copper alloy of 1,700 g dated

back to the third millennium BC. In this second room, there is also information about the civilization of Sohar before history, during the geological formation dated back to millions of years, and on the other side, the story of the legend of the king "Judea" is written down and the statue he ordered to be carved from the stones of Oman. The statue is on display now at the Louvre in Paris.

The third room contains the grave of Thuwaini bin Said bin Sultan who ruled during the period 1856 to 1866. It also includes the history of Sohar before Islam and the city's ancient history. There are also various pieces of pottery dated back to the fourth and fifth century, and a display of the steps of how silk is manufactured from silkworms.

As for the second hall, the first room has a map explaining the old routes of silk trade and the legend related to the trade of silk and its manufacturing is exhibited. In addition, there are some coins with the names of the places they were used in carved on them, dating back to the sixth, eighteenth and nineteenth century; they are evidence of the commercial prosperity of Sohar.

The second room shows a copy of a letter by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to the people of Oman inviting them to Islam. It also includes Al-Maqdisi's description of Sohar in the tenth century and the story of the arrival of the Portuguese to Sohar in September 16, 1507.

The third room includes a model of how the Fort was in 1960 and 1980, the old bomb models, some Portugal-made weapons, and the 1992 renovations done on the Fort.

The third hall is the old court of Justice and is known as "Al-Birzah."

Sohar Fort with its eminent building, history and museum is considered one of the most important destinations by tourists from different regions and countries.

Fort Sohar: When History tells its tale of WisdomTOURISM

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KAZAKHSTAN

COUNTRY PROFILE

Full Name: Republic of KazakhstanCapital: AstanaPopulation: 16,004,800 (2009 census)Area: 2,724,900 square km.Official Languages: Kazakh (state language),Russian (usage allowed in administration)Monetary Unit: TengeOverviewKazakhstan is a transcontinental country mostly located in

Central Asia, with a relatively small portion in Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country and its territory is greater than Western Europe. Kazakhstan is one of the six independent Turkic states and also one of the active members of the Turkic Council and the Turksoy community which is currently being directed by the former Minister of Culture of Kazakhstan. Its neighbors are Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and also borders on a significant part of the Caspian Sea. The capital was moved in 1997 from Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, to Astana. Kazakhstan declared itself an independent country on 16 December 1991. Since then Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced foreign policy and worked to develop its economy, especially its hydrocarbon industry. The country is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Kazakhstan is one of six post-Soviet states which have implemented an Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO. In 2010, Kazakhstan chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Kazakhstan is ethnically and culturally diverse. There are 131 ethnicities in the country, which is formed of Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, Ukrainian, German, Tatar, Korean, Azerbaijani, Uyghur, and many other ethnicities. Kazakhs are the largest group in the country.

EconomyThe economy of Kazakhstan is the largest in Central Asia.

Oil and gas form the leading economic sector in the country. Kazakhstan possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as minerals and metals. It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe lands accommodating both livestock and grain production. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a relatively large machine building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural

machinery, and some military items. The country also developed space infrastructure, which took over all launches to the International Space Station from the Space Shuttle. Since the year 2000, Kazakhstan's economy grew sharply, aided by increased prices on world markets for Kazakhstan's leading exports, oil, metals and grain. GDP grew 9.6% in 2000, up from 1.7% in 1999. Since 2001, its GDP has been among the highest in the world. In 2006, extremely high GDP growth had been sustained, and grew by 10.6%.

The banking system of Kazakhstan is developing rapidly. The National Bank has introduced deposit insurance in its campaign to strengthen the banking sector.

EducationEducation in Kazakhstan is universal and mandatory

through to the secondary level and the adult literacy rate is 99.5%. In addition to the three main educational phases (primary education, basic general education, and senior level education), at present, there are universities, academies and institutes, conservatories, higher schools and colleges. With the adoption of the Laws on Education and on Higher Education, a private sector has been established and several private institutions have been licensed. The Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan runs a highly successful Bolashak scholarship, which is annually awarded to approximately three thousand applicants to study abroad.

CultureBecause livestock was central to the Kazakhs' traditional

lifestyle, most of their nomadic practices and customs relate in some way to livestock. Kazakhs have historically been very passionate about horse-riding.

Traditional Kazakh cuisine revolves around mutton and other types of meat as well as various milk products. There are many traditional dishes in Kazakhstan. Et, for instance, is a dish consisting of boiled mutton or other type of meat and is the most popular Kazakh dish. It is alternatively known as besmarmak (“five fingers”) because of the way it is eaten. Et is usually eaten with a boiled pasta sheet and a meat broth called sorpa, and is traditionally served in Kazakh bowls called kese. In addition to traditional nomadic practices and the internal development of Kazakh food and cuisine, other countries and ethnic groups have had a large influence on the food and food culture of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan features a lively music culture. Almaty is considered to be a centre of musical industry in Central Asia.


Over the last few decades the Muslim World has been afflicted by bad fortunes resulting from acute socio-political and economic difficulties rarely experienced before. Many external quarters scramble to feed upon Muslim world’s depleting resources, while at the same time unleashed a campaign to smear Islamic culture and values. At the home front the forces of extremism and dogmatism tarnish, through their deeds, the image of Islam, and apostatize their fellow moderate Muslims.

All these factors seem to have driven many Muslims into an era which could be called the “age of frailty of will”, whereby Muslims are left feeling as if they are being locked up in a “siege mentality”, and experiencing a sense of “negativity and victimization”.

In this state of mind many Muslims started to take refuge in the past. They nostalgically and romantically yearn and long for the golden Muslim age convinced that it was a “lost paradise” which ought to be retrieved. Others adopt in an obsolete and uncompromising views. They refuse to adapt to the values of modern times and allege that they hold time-tested and ready answers to the problems of our age. They also claim to have the absolute and eternal truth while accusing others of being renegades or heretics.

Some Western intellectuals and pundits spread their malicious rhetoric against Islam by promoting the idea of the ineluctability of a clash of civilizations and scaring the Westerners to believe in an alleged Islamic tidal wave of Islamization threatens to utterly submerge Europe and alter its identity. They also propagate ideas to the effect that Islam is inherently flawed, and cannot cope with the developed and modern Western civilization. These developments gave free rein to the phenomenon of Islamophobia in the West that has grown into a stupendous, hostile and discriminatory drive that targets Islam, which has come to be dubbed as a fascist and bloody ideology.

There is no denying that deficient development in Islamic world has a clear impact on its failure to keep pace with the developed world. Some countries of the Muslim world suffer from lack of resources dedicated to scientific research. These countries do not offer an environment conducive to free scientific research. The level of education is quite low, and illiteracy is rampant while cultural, scientific and technological developments are lagging.

Lumped together, all these factors have restricted the size of Muslims’ contribution to building a modern civilization. When you add to that the deficit in democratization, good governance, the lack of scientific thinking, the marginalization of the role of Women and the unceasing brain drain, one can understand why

Muslims’ contribution in the current global politico-economic sphere is negligible.

This state of frailty has moved U.S. President Barak Obama to highlight this acute impediment in his recent speech titled “A moment of opportunity – President Obama’s address on Middle East and North Africa” delivered on 19 May, 2011. The American President indicated that “if you takeout oil exports, this Region (i.e. the Middle East) of over 400 million people, exports roughly the same amount as Switzerland”.

Based on this gloomy picture, it was only natural that frustrated and disappointed youth in many Arab/Muslim countries, sharing a strong bond of common objectives and willing to rid themselves and their countries of the shackles of under-development and undemocratic institutions, revolt against their despotic rulers and lead a nationalistic and visionary revolution aiming at bringing a genuine remedy to their long drawn-out plight.

Parallel to these developments, the world is going through fundamental changes with historic proportion that may be sharply felt sooner than one can realize. Expectedly these changes may shift the world’s balance of power.

While economic power houses full with bright promises are emerging in China, India, Brazil and other countries, the United States is undergoing a challenging financial crisis with a collateral and unprecedented debt crisis. There are also reports claiming that as Europe is suffering from a graying population and a shrinking young labor force, the old continent will turn into small protrusion extending from a developed Asia. These moves are set to modify global economic realities beyond the Asians continent.

It is a well known fact that Japan, considered until recently the second largest economy of the world, out of desire to respond to the Western complaints regarding the flooding of their markets with Japanese products, and in order to find alternative markets to its products, has injected over the past twenty years massive investments in some Asian countries like South Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia with a view to creating what was called an “Asian Zone of Prosperity” capable of competing with, if not surpassing, European and American markets.

In these circumstances, a historic opportunity lies before the Muslim world to make the best of the global situation that will unravel in the near future if only Muslims demonstrate a sense of discernment and courage.

It is incumbent upon Muslims today to move closer to the spirit of Islam, which urges knowledge acquisition from the cradle to the grave. Attention should be given to research and development, while stemming extremism and backwardness and embracing modern thinking and critical approaches.

How beneficial the case would be if Muslim economic organizations with substantial financial assets, huge young human resources and rich natural potentials follow the lead of Japan in the eighties of the past century, by pumping huge investments in the economies of Muslim countries and creating a “thriving Muslim Zone” that would elevate the Muslim world once again to a pedestal position on the international scene.

It behooves the Muslim world to tap into the wealth and potentials it has at its disposal today to gear up for the consolidation and unification of its economic, cultural, scientific and technical efforts through a serious and responsible implementation of the provisions of the OIC Ten Years Program of Action (TYPOA) and make sure it does not squander this unparalleled and historic opportunity which it may not afford ever again, as a prelude to joining the rank of the rising global powers.

VIEWPOINT

The Muslim World…Involution or Evolution! Ambassador Saadeddin TaibAdvisor to the OIC SecretaryGeneral, OIC

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OIC Journal Issue 17 English

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