OIC Journal Issue 13 by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

About OIC The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various peoples of the world. The Organization was established pursuant a decision adopted by the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 12th Rajab 1389 AH/ 25 September 1969 AD, following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. In 1970, the first ever meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (ICFM) was held in Jeddah. It adopted the decision to establish a permanent secretariat in Jeddah headed by the organization's secretary general. Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is the 9th Secretary General who assumed office in January 2005 after being elected by the 31st ICFM Session. The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The Charter was amended to keep pace with the developments that have unraveled recently across the world. The 11th Islamic Summit held in Dakar in March 2008 endorsed the new Charter, which has become the pillar of the OIC future Islamic action in line with the requirements of the 21st century. The new Charter provides for the dissemination and safeguard of Islamic teachings and values based on moderation and tolerance, as well as the need to strive for the projection and defense of the true image of Islam. The ne Charter also called for encouraging inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue. Over the last 40 years, the OIC membership has grown from its founding members of 30 to 57 states. The Organization has the singular honor of galvanizing the Ummah into a unified voice and representing Muslims by espousing all causes close to the hearts of over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. The Organization has consultative and cooperative relations with the UN and other inter-governmental organizations to protect the vital interests of the Muslims and to work for the settlement of conflicts and disputes involving Member States. In safeguarding the true values of Islam and Muslims, the organization has taken various steps to remove misperceptions and have strongly advocated elimination of discrimination against Muslims in all forms and manifestations. It has also engaged in fighting Islamophobia by setting up a dedicated observatory to track and monitor the phenomenon and its disturbing manifestations The Member States of the OIC face many challenges in the 21st century. To address these challenges, the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit held in Makkah in December 2005, laid down a blue print called the Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) which envisages joint action by the Member States, promotion of tolerance and moderation, modernization, extensive reforms in all spheres of activities including science and technology, education, and development of trade. It also emphasizes good governance and the promotion of human rights in the Muslim world, especially with regard to the children's and women's rights as well as family values enshrined in Islamic Shariah [law]. One of the outstanding achievements since the adoption of the Ten-Year Programme of Action (TYPOA) has been the recent reinvigoration and restructuring of the various OIC bodies. Among the OIC's key bodies the Islamic Summit, the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), the General Secretariat, in addition to the Al-Quds Committee chaired by the king of the Kingdom of Morocco, as Al-Quds remains the paramount issue on the OIC's agenda, and three permanent committees, one of which is concerned with science and technology (COMSTECH) that is chaired by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the second committee is concerned with economy and trade (COMCEC) which is chaired by the President of the Republic of Turkey, while the third one is concerned with information and culture (COMIAC) which is chaired by the President of Senegal. The OIC has subsidiary organs, notably Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for the Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) and the Islamic Center for the development of Trade (ICDT). Other specialized organs operating under the OIC include the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). There are also affiliated organs such as the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS). The OIC subsidiary, affiliated and specialized organs play a vital role in boosting cooperation in various fields among the OIC Member States. For more details, visit the OIC website at www.oic-oci.org the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Our Message

Viewpoint ‘It was they (Muslim scholars) who sowed the seeds of the Renaissance, 600 years before the birth of Leonardo da Vinci. From the way we heal the sick to the numerals we use for counting, cultures across the globe have been shaped by the Islamic civilization’ Jonathan Grupper, ‘Islam: Empire of Faith’ There is no gainsaying that the world, and more particularly the West, owes much to Muslim civilization. Evidence for this unchallengeable truth comes from the horse’s mouth. Sir William Osler, one of the greatest icons of modern medicine and described in western scientific circles as the father of modern medicine, said in a lecture on 'The Evolution of Modern Medicine' delivered at Yale University in April 1913: ' Before the ninth century had run to its close, the Arabs were in possession of all the sciences of the Greeks; they had produced from their own ranks students of the first order, and had raised among their initiators men who, without them, would have been groping in the dark; and they showed from this time an aptitude for the exact sciences, which was lacking in their instructors, whom they henceforward surpassed.' Muslims scientists excelled in both traditional alchemy and early practical chemistry, leaving behind an unmistakable footprint in the lexicon still used today in these fields. Take, for instance, the terms ‘alcohol’, ‘alkali’ (from Arabic ‘al qal?y’, i.e. Calcined ashes, referring to the original source of alkaline substance), ‘alembic’ (from Arabic ‘Alinbiq’, i.e. an alchemical still consisting of two vessels connected by a tube), ‘elixir’ (from Arabic ‘Al-Ikseer)…and the list goes on. Sterling contributions by Muslim chemists stood out prominently in chemical processes, such as liquefaction, purification, crystallization, oxidization, evaporation and distillation. They also produced new chemicals elements, notably potassium sal-ammoniac (nushadir), Nitric acid (aka ‘aqua fortis’ and ‘spirit of nitre’) and mercuric chloride, and many other chemical components. By the year 900, Muslim scientists managed to conduct smallpox inoculation which was also practiced by Indian and Persian physicians while the West had to wait for some nine centuries before it introduced smallpox vaccination. Medieval Muslim scientists are rightly considered the founding fathers of ophthalmology as an independent discipline in its own right. Europeans benefitted from the ‘Memorandum Book for the Oculists’ penned by tenth-century Muslim oculist Ali ibn Isa of Baghdad (cir. 940-1010 AD). The book was used as a reference for European ophthalmologists up until the nineteenth century. As for pharmacology, known during the Roman Empire as ‘materia medica’, Muslim physicians initiated the use of ‘penicillium fungi’ as anti-bacterial ointment, reflecting substantial awareness of the power of organic antibiotics in fight80

A second peek into the trove of Muslim contributions to world civilization

Ambassador Saadeddin Taib Advisor to the OIC Secretary General ing bacteria, albeit experimentally. The West owes it to Muslim scholars to have medical schools established in Europe, foremost among which is the reputed Montpellier School of Medicine. In England, Islamic medical research, especially the essays and treatises authored by Muhammad ibn Zakariy? R?z? (865– 925 AD), werere-published and taught well into the nineteenth century. It is a well-established historical fact that Algebra as known and used in our word today finds its original roots in alKhw?rizm?’s ‘Al-Kit?b al-mukhtasar f? h?s?b al-?abr wa’l-muq?bala (Arabic for ‘The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing’), which presented the first systematic solution of linear and quadratic equations. Omar Al-Khayyám (1048-1131 AD) put together a taxonomy for most algebraic equations, including ‘third degree equations’, which French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes built upon five centuries on to set forth the foundations of analytical geometry. AlKhayyam’s seminal ‘Treatise on Demonstration of Problems of Algebra’ (1070 AD) was translated in French and was maintained as a reliable reference until 1857. Ibn Khaldun (1332 - 1406 AD) was a Muslim polymath, who stood out as astronomer, economist, historian, Islamic jurist, theologian, mathematician, military strategist, nutritionist, philosopher, social scientist and statesman. He is considered a forerunner of several social scientific disciplines. He raised the problematic of man’s position in history and politics, just as the Italian philosopher/ writer Niccolò Machiavelli would do in his sixteenth-century book ‘The Prince’. The renaissance in Spain was certainly not inspired by northern barbarous hordes of peoples who were constantly on the move. The Arab conquest of

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Spain was instrumental in creating the right conditions and environment for the values of justice, equality and tolerance to bloom and blossom. The AraboIslamic conquest made it also possible for ancient cultures to rise from what could have been their burial ashes and to keep alive and thrive. In the early ninth century, an era during which Europe was slumbering in deep darkness and ignorance, Caliph al-Mamun (786 – 833 AD) established Bait al-Hikma [The House of Wisdom] as a library and translation institute in Abbassid-era Baghdad. It was a key institution in the ‘Translation Movement’ and considered to have been a major intellectual center hosting all the master books from ancient civilizations. In Cordoba, the Ummayad Caliph AlHakam (914–76 AD), possessed a rich library comprising one hundred thousand volumes while French King Charles V, known as ‘The Wise’ (At the time ‘wise’ meant ‘scholar’) could boast, four centuries after the death of Al-Hakam, of no more than a thousand books. Similarly, Muslim scholars were keen on advancing astronomical geography and on fathoming the deep recesses of the science of the stars, known today as astrology. They built the first large reflector telescopes in Samarkand, Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo and Cordoba. They further developed the astrolabe as imagined by Claudius Ptolemaeus by introducing angular scales and adding circles indicating azimuths on the horizon. The astrolabe proved to be a highly useful instrument for mariners well into the eighteenth century in determining the latitude of ships at sea by measuring the sun's declination or the meridian altitude of a star of known declination. Arab geographers and astronomers set maps that helped them better manage their lands, taking into account the circularity of the earth, an argument that was vehemently rejected by Christian theologians who would suspect anyone holding that belief of heresy and would thus be condemned to the stake. In the twelfth century, Muslim cartographer Sharif al-Idrissi (1100 -1166 AD) drew the first complete and scientifically-based map of the world, which was used by European explorers for over 300 years. Al-Idrissi’s maps set out from the premise that the earth is spherical in shape. Marco Polo’s exploratory journeys have enchanted the West. Yet, an Arab author recounted in his travelogues back in 831 AD long before Marco Polo by 425 years his journey to China during which he reached the fringes of Canton, China, and probably sailed even to Korea and Japan. It would indeed take bulky volumes to capture all original contributions made by Muslims in the edification of human sciences and civilization. The bottom line is to offer an overview, if only a bird’s view, on Muslim and Arab history away from perspectives tainted by supercilious colonial stereotypes. Such an approach is more needed today than ever, as Europeis no longer the kingpin of the world.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu OIC Secretary General

An initiative for the unity of Sudan

The referendum scheduled for 2011 on self-determination of South Sudan, represents a major challenge and a serious threat, not only to the future and unity of the Sudan but also to the other states in the region. The real concern is that an overwhelming vote in favor of secession by the people of South Sudan would not only create a dangerous precedent for many countries, but that it would also encourage some ethnic and tribal groups in these countries to follow suit and resort to armed struggle against the central authority and seek self-determination and separation, thus creating chaos, violence and loss of human lives. Several regional leaders echo similar concern. The serious and dangerous implications of such an outcome could destabilize peace and security and contribute to the spread of terrorism and violence linked to ethnic and religious motivations. The OIC, the African Union (AU) and the League of Arab States (LAS) attach utmost importance to respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State of the three organizations. I think that the three organizations should take the lead, in a concerted move, and in coordination with the Government of National Unity in the Sudan, to sensitize the people of South Sudan on the importance of maintaining Sudan's territorial integrity and unity, and subsequently warn them of the grave dangers which could result from secession. I also urge regional and international financial as well as developmental institutions to mobilize substantial aid and assistance for the funding and implementation of development projects and programs aimed at contributing to the progress and development of the economic and social infrastructures. Such programs and projects would contribute to achieving a comprehensive and sustained development for the benefit of the population in South Sudan. Within its commitment to support Sudan, the OIC had organized an international donors' conference on the development and reconstruction of Darfur, under the co-chairmanship of Egypt and Turkey, whereas the funds pledged would be used to implement developmental programs in vital sectors including education, health, agriculture and industry. An international effort to develop South Sudan is similarly needed. I have addressed a letter to H.E. Mr. Jean PING, chairperson of the African Union Commission (AU), and to H.E. Mr. Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS), on 2nd February 2010 proposing that the three organizations adopt a program of action following a visit to Khartoum and Juba (capital of South Sudan) as soon as possible, and to take concrete actions in order to make the unity of Sudan attractive for the populations in South Sudan. The Sudanese leadership is encouraged to join hands with the OIC and the other organizations in this initiative and to engage in a vast and comprehensive program of reconstruction and development of South Sudan by implementing projects for economic development and social welfare, which will consolidate the sense of belonging to the same Sudanese nation for all Sudanese people. Also of importance is for prominent African and Islamic leaders, in particular H.E. President Abdullah Wade, in his capacity as current Chairman of the Islamic Summit Conference, and the President of Chad and leaders of other countries neighboring Sudan, to become involved in the unity process by providing their unflinching support to the cause of a united Sudan. Preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan is important to the maintenance of peace and security not only in the region but also in the world. A divided Sudan is not in the interest of any Sudanese people.

A word International Donors' Conference on the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur

Issued by the Organization of the Islamic Conference

A women's affairs office, a major achievement for OIC

The Two Holy Mosques Photographs Exhibition

________________

Editor - in - Chief Istanbul meeting on Afghanistan sends strong message of support

Isam Salim Shanti ________________

General Supervisor & Managing Editor

Maha Mostafa Akeel ________________

King Abdullah presents King Faisal International Prize

Design Director Mohammed Abdelqader Qalaba ________________

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visits OIC

Advisory Board Amb. Ali Abulhassan Shahreza

Investment potentials highlighted at the Sarajevo Business Forum

Hasan Oker Gurler _________________ Address: Madinah Road, P.O. Box 178, Jeddah21411 Tel: 6515222 Fax: 6512288 Telx.: 601366 Islami SJ. Website: www.oic-oci.org E-mail: journal@oic-oci.org OIC Permanent Observer to the UN New York Office 130 East - 40th Street- (5th Floor) New York 10016 New York - U.S.A. www.oicun.org oic@un.int OIC Permanent Observer to the UN Geneva Office ICC-20 Route Pre-BoisCase Postal 1818 CH 1215 Geneve - SUISSE www.oic-un.org oic@oic - un.org

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Third NGO conference 1st Meeting of Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment

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Islamophobia is a contemporary manifestation of racism Empowering Businesswomen to Meet the MDGs

OIC Related Links Subsidiary Organs The International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) www.fiqhacademy.org The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) www.sesrtcic.org The Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) www.ircica.org The Islamic Center for the Development of Trade (CIDC) www.icdt-oic.org The Islamic University of Technology (UIT) www.iutoic-dhaka.edu Specialized Institutions and Organs The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) www.isdb.org International Islamic News Agency (IINA) www.islamicnews.org.sa The Islamic States Broadcasting Organization (ISBO) www.isboo.org

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Rabat (ISESCO) www.isesco.org.ma Affiliated Institutions Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) www.icci-oic.org Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC) www.oicc.org Organization of the Islamic Shipowners Association (OISA) www.oisaonline.com World Federation of Arab Islamic International Schools (WFAIS) www.wfais.org Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) www.icyf.com Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) www.ias-worldwide.org

69 OIC Calendar May. - July 2010 * May 14: OIC Business Forum and 13th Private Sector Meeting - Dushanbe, Tajikistan. * May 16-17: Exhibition and Conference on Science and Technology parallel to 37th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) - Dushanbe, Tajikistan. * May 18-20: 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) - Dushanbe, Tajikistan. May 18-20: 6th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. * May 23-28: First International Conference on Architectural Heritage in the Muslim World - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. * May 25-26: Regional Workshop on Combating Terrorism, jointly with UNODC - OIC Headquarters, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. * May 28-29: 3rd Annual Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

* June 8-9: Sub-regional Forum on the Implementation of Special Program for Development of Africa (SPDA) in Central, Eastern and Southern African Countries - YaoundĂŠ, Cameroon. * June 10: Board of Governors/ Annual General Meeting of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. * June 16-18: Conference on New Beginning in US-Muslim Relations Alexandria, Egypt. * June 21-22: OIC Institutions Meeting on the 'Road Map for the Promotion of the Intra-OIC Trade' - Baku, Azerbaijan. * June 23-24: 35th Board of Governors Meeting of IDB - Baku, Azerbaijan. * June 24-27: First OIC Building EXPO - Dakar, Senegal.

The OIC 37th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Dushanbe will consider the statute of a new organ for the OIC, a women's organization, to be headquartered in Cairo. If adopted, this new organ will help continue the OIC efforts to promote and empower women economically, politically and socially. In November 2006, the OIC held its 'First Ministerial Conference on Women' in Istanbul. The Conference discussed major issues concerning women in the Muslim world, including eradication of poverty among women, participation in decision-making at all levels, better access to education and elimination of all forms of violence. For two years an expert group met several times and drafted the 'OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women' (OPAAW), which was adopted at the Second Ministerial Conference for Women held in Cairo in November 2008. According to the OPAAW, the Member States are committed to take actions to improve the status of women in education, health, political participation, economic sustainability, social justice and well-being, and work-life balance. Among the proposals, the one by Egypt to establish a new organ under the OIC concerned with women's affairs. The new organ would implement the relevant recommendations and resolutions of the OIC conferences with the fundamental objective of building capacities, developing training programs, providing guidance and technical assistance and exchanging experiences and expertise. The new organ does not contradict with the mandate of any other OIC General Secretariat department or subsidiary or affiliated organs, especially the Department of Family Affairs scheduled to be established in the OIC General Secretariat. With a new organ and a new department concerned with women's affairs, the OIC is achieving another milestone in its progress and service of the Muslim Ummah. We look forward to these additions making a valuable contribution to empowering women in the Muslim world in accordance with the lofty principles of Islam, which over 1400 years ago gave women their fair and equal rights.

The views expressed by the writers/ authors of the articles published in The 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.

A word International Donors' Conference on the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur

Issued by the Organization of the Islamic Conference

A women's affairs office, a major achievement for OIC

The Two Holy Mosques Photographs Exhibition

________________

Editor - in - Chief Istanbul meeting on Afghanistan sends strong message of support

Isam Salim Shanti ________________

General Supervisor & Managing Editor

Maha Mostafa Akeel ________________

King Abdullah presents King Faisal International Prize

Design Director Mohammed Abdelqader Qalaba ________________

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visits OIC

Advisory Board Amb. Ali Abulhassan Shahreza

Investment potentials highlighted at the Sarajevo Business Forum

38 42 60

Third NGO conference 1st Meeting of Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment

52 73

Islamophobia is a contemporary manifestation of racism Empowering Businesswomen to Meet the MDGs

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

In Focus

International Donors' Conference on the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur

Ihsanoglu underscores strong inter national support for Darfur construction key donors. The mechanism would lay out a clear system for its work. This would be carried out in full coordination with the Government of Sudan and financial institutions working in the area of development in Darfur, notably the Darfur Development Bank recently proposed by Qatar. The Secretary General expressed thanks and appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the Conference and for its support to ensure its success. He also thanked the preparatory committee, which prepared the proposed budgets, stressing that the projects would address the current situation and real need of the Darfur people in all vital areas.

Opening session of the International Donors' Conference for the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur in Cairo 21 March 2010. (epa)

Cairo, Egypt- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that the political developments being witnessed in the Darfur region, as important and positive as they are, will not be complete unless they are complemented by strong international support. Such support is required to execute reconstruction, education, health facilities and water reforms, as well as agricultural, pastoral and industrial development and infrastructure rehabilitation projects. The Secretary General made this point in his speech at the opening session of the one-day International Donors' Conference on the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur, held in Cairo on 21 March 2010 and attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Ahmed AbulGheit and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu. The conference was held under the cochairmanship of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. Opening the Conference, Abul-Gheit said that development in Darfur “is the only real guarantee for refugees to go back to their villages.” Sudan's stability requires a “comprehensive, finalstatus solution,” not just to the conflict in Darfur, which has “vexed the conscience of the Muslim nation and peace-loving countries since it began in 2003,” AbulGheit said. “The current situation in Darfur province needs joint efforts with the Sudanese government,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stressed, adding that Turkey was committed to helping the people of Darfur “until peace and stability are achieved.” The Conference aimed at mobilizing donations and investments for a number of sectors, including water, health and education. The budget allocated for these projects amounts to almost $2 billion, $196 million of which is allocated for food and agriculture while $120 million is allo4

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cated to help families hit by war. The ambitious project aims at building 120 villages with an average of 400 residential units for each. Ambassador Atta Al-Mannan Bakhiet, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, said the conference's preparatory committee established a comprehensive financial plan taking into consideration the required follow-up mechanism to allocate and disburse the funds. Their aim, he added, is not to stop at the donations for financing various development projects but to proceed to cover soft loans. The projects were prepared and examined by the OIC, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and the Sudanese Government. Ihsanoglu stated in his opening statement that the Conference was being held at a time when peace had become a strategic choice for all parties, after the negotiations wisely and ably led by the Government of the State of Qatar led to the signing of two framework agreements under which armed confrontations stopped. The Secretary General emphasized that the OIC had been the pioneer in involving civil society organizations and the private sector in donors' conferences organized by the OIC. The Secretary General expressed confidence that the sector would also have strong contributions in supporting the development and reconstruction process in Darfur. “The pledges announced at the conference were an expression of collective will to assist in the development and construction of Darfur. Going by this and on the basis of its previous experience, the OIC would coordinate, follow up and implement pledges in the stages ahead.” To this end, Ihsanoglu announced that the OIC would soon officially open its office in the Sudan, based on agreements reached with the Government of Sudan last January. It would also establish a follow up mechanism comprising member of the Conference's preparatory committee and

Donors pledge $850 million for the development of Darfur: The one-day Conference in Cairo was organized by the OIC and included representatives from the OIC Member States, the U.S., European nations, U.N. agencies, the African Union, the Arab League and about 50 other international and non-governmental organizations and aid groups. Host Egypt said the Conference highlighted the importance of development in achieving peace and stability in Darfur. It said many participants made unspecified aid pledges on top of the $850 million raised. "The large participation and the pledges made reflect the wide extent of the international commitment and wish in supporting peace and stability in Darfur," Egyptian Foreign Minister Abul-Gheit said, reading from the meeting's final communiqué. The donations were made by the Islamic Development Bank, Qatar, Algeria, Turkey, Brazil, Morocco, Australia, the European Union and a large number of international organizations and civil society organizations from the Member States. Others pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to continue to provide financial support, humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Sudan in Darfur according to the existing mechanism. For example, the United States announced that it already provided $6 billion over the last five years and will provide $528 million in the current year. Both Norway and Canada announced $100 million like previous years. France gave $75 million annually, and Saudi Arabia donated $40 million for the reconstruction, establishment of water stations and health centers. Ihsanoglu told reporters after the meeting that the United States, European countries, Australia and Japan promised generous aid and pledged continued support for the people of Darfur. Several delegations announced development programs and assistance for the service sectors in Darfur, such as Egypt, which announced the continuation of sending medical convoys to Darfur, provision of vocational training programs in the fields of agriculture and agricultural production industries, women rehabilitation and rural development projects, in addition to drilling 40 water wells. Kuwait, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Holland announced the continuation of provision of development and humanitarian assistance to Darfur. Abul-Gheit said the money raised and pledged will be used to finance development projects in Darfur when peace prevails there and all rebel groups come to agree-

ment with the Sudanese government. The conflict in Darfur, which began in 2003 as a result of armed groups in the region calling for more powersharing and development for the region, has died down over the past year and peace talks are under way in the state of Qatar. Many of those displaced, however, are still living in camps and their future is one of the central unresolved issues. The Conference adopted the proposal by the State of Qatar to establish a development bank in Darfur to be based in Sudan. This bank will mobilize pledges and finance projects on the development and reconstruction of Darfur in coordination with the donors. Qatar has hosted two successful ceasefire agreements between Khartoum and Darfur rebel movements over the course of the weeks prior to the conference including Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which welcomed the Conference though it expressed some reservations. The Conference also adopted a proposal by Egypt on the formation of a follow up mechanism to monitor the collection and execution of pledges and the appropriation of resources for agreed projects. The mechanism shall comprise the members of the preparatory committee of this Conference, namely, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, OIC, Islamic Development Bank, in addition to Qatar. The mechanism may invite a number of big donors to its meetings. The recent political progress requires “strong international support” for infrastructure and educational programs to continue, Ihsanoglu said. An incentive for others: “We hope the Conference gives a strong message of solidarity to all the people of Darfur that the international community will support them to achieve sustainable development and regain the decent life they lost during war and conflict,” he said. The final communiqué said participants hoped that the successful peace talks and the signing of cease-fires between the government of Sudan and two rebel groups would be "an incentive for other groups to achieve peace and stability in Darfur." The return of refugees is one of the most contentious issues in the conflict. A majority are displaced within Darfur, but some also fled across the border to neighboring Chad. Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), said at the conference that the situation faced by IDP's cannot be sustained. “This situation is not sustainable and will, in the long run, lead to donor fatigue, collapse of the established service system and the breeding of social vices that can cause serious harm and damage to the host communities and society as a whole,” he warned. "Increasingly, IDPs are seeking employment and other opportunities in a bid to become more self-sufficient," he added. The Qatar peace conference pledged to start a $1 billion fund for Darfur development. 5

In Focus

International Donors' Conference on the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur

Opening session of the International Donors' Conference for the Development and Reconstruction of Darfur in Cairo 21 March 2010. (epa)

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Opinion “We - at the level of the General Secretariat - have done our part in tackling the momentous challenges constantly before us, with a great sense of responsibility and full awareness of the critical nature of the current stage which the Islamic Ummah is traversing within the awesome international dynamic which includes the Islamic world region.” Prof. Ihsanoglu The 37th session of the Council of the Foreign Ministers (CFM), which is going to commence in May 18, 2010, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, will discuss a wide variety of political and nonpolitical issues and resolutions related to the Muslim Ummah. Although most of them are considered important and vital for all Muslims a few would require a special attention by the respected CFM due to either urgency or impacts on Muslims and their interests. This article, however, is going to quickly shed the light only on four specific issues, they are: Jerusalem, Islamophobia, Sudan, and Israel's nuclear arsenal. Israel's policy in East Jerusalem is known to be a policy of racism, brutality, and denialist. In fact, it is a policy that has no respect to human rights, international law, and the Geneva Conventions. Since its occupation in 1967, East Jerusalem has been mainly suffering from dual threats: Judaization and Israelization through which settlement building, confiscation of Arab and Muslim properties and deportation of the Arab and Muslim indigenous inhabitants have constant practices of consecutive Israeli government. Lastly with the arrival of an extremist right-wing government headed by Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and his foreign minister Mr. Avigdor Liberman, the pace of Judaizing the Holy City has doubled and the people's suffering has noticeably grown. Moreover, the Israeli tone and measures have aggravated against the Palestinians and its Arab neighbors, mainly Lebanon and Syria, sometimes alluding to use its military might against them. Iran is not excluded from Israeli threats as well. Jordan, too, which has signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, known as Wadi Araba, has recently and in several occasions expressed its worries against many Israeli practices and intentions. Israel's latest decision to deport nearly 80,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank was strongly condemned in Amman and by the Palestinian National Authority. The United States, closest ally to Israel, also announced its dissatisfaction and disagreement with the Israeli recent decisions to build settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. 6

Palestine File

Dushanbe Meeting: Realities and Challenges

Dr. Isam Salim Shanti Editor in Chief The US administration has stated in many occasions that all unilateral actions in the occupied territories considered illegal and hinder the peace process. Even with recent resumption of the proximity negotiations between the Palestinian National Authority and Israel under the auspice of the United States, one can argue that Israel is serious to conduct real negotiations, as its history in this regards bears witness. Knowing the history of negotiations with Israel and acknowledging the new realities and challenges on the ground in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the respected CFM has every right to take the necessary measures and decisions to ensure that the rights of Arab and Muslim inhabitants in the occupied territories are well preserved and protected, and that protecting Jerusalem and its inhabitants against the Israeli measures requires the provision of all means of support to Palestinians. The second critically vital issue that the respected CFM needs to pay attention to and take a firm action is related to the ever-growing plight of Islamophobia in the Western World as well as the demonization of Islamic symbols and figures under the pretext of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. For a while the OIC has made several endeavors to rectify the image of Islam and overcome the exiting stereotype in the West particularly where Islamophobia is gaining ground. The Secretary General of the OIC and senior officials have made direct contacts and conducted meetings with many high-profile officials and senior officials, as well as academics and intellectuals in Europe and America seek-

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ing a recipe to the plight. Moreover, efforts were exerted with the relevant international organizations, including the United Nations, European Union (EU), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and human rights organizations. The respected CFM in Dushanbe is also invited to join the efforts and take the necessary measures to prevent the plight from spreading worldwide, especially when Islamophobia is converting from being a practice of individualism into a form of legislations and constitutions as well as political competition to win elections. Thirdly, Sudan is now a country threatened of disintegration and dismemberment, which needs all kinds of support by the OIC and its Member States. The OIC, the African Union (AU), and the League of Arab States (LAS) have been closely working in various levels to help the people of Sudan, and have expressed their respect to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State of the three Organizations, including Sudan. Therefore, it is fundamental to collectively mobilize significant economic and financial aid and to carry out developmental projects to help the people and bring about security and stability in Sudan. Finally, Israel has enjoyed being the only nuclear country in the region for a long time, while at the same time rejecting to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Recently, and due to efforts by the Arab and Islamic Groups, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog is asking for international input to have Israel join the Non-proliferation Treaty, in a move that adds to pressure on Israel to disclose its unacknowledged nuclear arsenal. On the other hand, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano had sent a letter soliciting proposals from the agency's 151 member states on how to persuade Israel to sign the treaty. Hopes are high that the respected CFM in Dushanbe would end their meeting with a well-defined plan to counter the Israeli nuclear arsenal in all the international fora to convince Israel that a nuclear-free Middle East zone pays off for the interests of all peoples in the region. Eyes and ears are all directed to Dushanbe waiting for qualitative and practical resolutions that can help Muslims around the world. The OIC, in particular, is eager to witness an active involvement of the Member States to change realities and face up the challenges.

Ihsanoglu stresses the need for reconciliation among Palestinians Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chief of Hamas Movement, and his accompanying delegation on January 4, 2010. He discussed with Mishaal the latest developments of the endeavors for reconciliation between the Palestinian factions. The Secretary General stressed during the meeting on the need to achieve reconciliation at the earliest time to end the division among Palestinians in order to enable them to stand in the face of Israeli settlement projects in the West Bank and Israeli plans for judaizing Al-Quds as well as to rebuild what Israeli aggressions destroyed in Gaza. The Secretary General also praised Egypt and Saudi Arabia for their efforts in achieving unity among the Palestinians. The Secretary General emphasized that the Palestinians issue, particularly Al-Quds Al-Shareef, is central to the OIC during the 40 years of its existence. “The OIC is aware of the dangers of the tension between the Palestinian factions and was the first to initiate towards bringing a reconciliation and building confidence back in December 2006.” He reaffirmed the OIC's supporting role in talks and urged the Palestinians to work on the 2006 Makkah Agreement held under the auspices of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, which forms a framework for reconciliation. Ihsanoglu said the OIC would continue to support unifying efforts and sustain delivery of aid to Gaza. He said that several humanitarian organizations in the European Union use the OIC's Al-Arish bureau in Egypt to help in Gaza. On his part, Mishaal expressed his hope for signing the reconciliation agreement in the near future and praised the stand of the OIC in support of the Palestinian people and Al-Quds. His visit to the OIC is part of an Arab and Islamic tour to create favorable circumstances that would achieve their interests. “In all of our discussions there are main head-

lines but two are the most important,” said Mishaal. The first headline is the Palestinian reconciliation of which he said that there have been good efforts towards that by the Egyptians with only a few points remaining. He reiterated his reservations concerning a proposal from Egypt, which requested key elections to he held next June in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. He has made this statement the day before during a press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal in Riyadh. In his talks in Riyadh he called on Saudi Arabia to play a “special role” in Palestinian reconciliation and, together with the international community, exert more pressure on Israel for the sake of peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, Mishaal expressed his willingness to sit down with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo as part of national reconciliation efforts. He pointed out that Hamas was ready to do all that was necessary for a unified Palestine. He also stressed that the signing of the reconciliation would be in Cairo. The second headline for the discussions is the coordination of the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic efforts with the international community to regain Palestinian rights from the Zionist enemy. He called for a coordinated effort, a stronger political stand and mobilizing all the strong cards in the hands of the Arab and Muslims. He said that relying on the support of the US administration is not enough and that Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims should enforce their will on the enemy and the international community. Mishaal highlighted the plight of the Gazan people, “The dire situation in Gaza is the result of the siege imposed by the Zionists and their prevention of any reconstruction in the area after the latest violence in the region,” he said. “The Palestinian people are strangled and their movement restricted, and these acts keep the region in a state of perpetual tension,” he added.

OIC Secretary General condemns Israeli excavations in Al-Quds OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned continuing excavations by Israel in the surrounding and underneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, which led on the evening of January 2, 2010 to the collapse of part of the street linking the center of Salwan Village to Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque, 700 meters away from Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Secretary General considered the continuation of the excavation a grave violation of International Law calling for a firm position from the international community and its institutions to deter Israel and prevent it from continuing such violations. The Secretary General also

stressed that aggression against the place of the nocturnal journey of the Prophet -Peace be Upon Him- warns of serious repercussions, which requires united efforts by the Ummah to defend its sanctuaries subjected to violation and profanation. The Secretary General sent a letter to the UNESCO Director General on the matter and conducted a series of urgent calls with many international parties in order to put pressure on Israel to force it to stop ongoing excavations, which endanger Al-Aqsa Mosque and jeopardize international peace and security.

Israel pays UN $10.5m for damages, but says no to Gaza inquiry Israel has paid the United Nations $10.5 million for property damage and injuries the world body suffered during Israel's attack on Gaza a year ago, a UN spokesman and Israeli diplomats said on January 22, 2010 in New York. However, Israel said it will not set up a special panel to investigate the offensive, rejecting a key demand of

a UN report that accused Israel of war crimes. Information Minister Yuli Edelstein said Israel would submit a document to the UN that deals only with Israel's own investigations of its conduct during the attack. Those investigations have been conducted by the military, which has exonerated itself of any systematic wrongdoing. The UN report accused both Israel

and Hamas of war crimes and urged both to independently probe their wartime conduct. The UN General Assembly endorsed the report last November, giving the sides until February 5 to respond. By rejecting calls for an indpendent inquiry, Israel could open itself to international war crimes proceedings. 7

Palestine File

Dushanbe Meeting: Realities and Challenges

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Palestine File

Adding Ibrahimi Mosque and Mosque of Bilal ibn Rabah to the list of Israeli heritage sites is an act of piracy against Islamic heritage Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), condemned the Israeli Government's decision to usurp the Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank city of Hebron and the Mosque of Bilal Ibn Rabah in Bethlehem and add them to the list of Israeli heritage sites. He stressed that these two mosques are for Muslims alone and house purely Islamic heritage, which must not be encroached upon or misappropriated. The Secretary General considers the Israeli decision blatantly violates international law and the Geneva Convention, which does not permit the occupying state to tamper with religious or heritage sites in the areas they occupy. Palestinians clashed on February 22, 2010 with Israeli troops in Hebron amid outrage over Israeli decision an-

nounced the day before by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Dozens of Palestinian youths hurled rocks at an Israeli military checkpoint in the city as troops fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. Shops and schools shut down as a strike was declared. The Secretary General addressed a message to the UNESCO Secretary General urging her to take prompt action and stand up to the Israeli piracy against the Islamic heritage in Palestine, and issued directives in favor of a coordinated Islamic urgent move at the level of the OIC Member States' Ambassadors Group at the UNESCO in the face of this defiant aggression. He further called upon the Quartet and the international community and international institutions to stand up to this blatant aggression, which is a serious provocation to Muslims.

Continued Israeli violations of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque will yield serious and unpredictable repercussions OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu vigorously condemned the storming and desecration of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by hundreds of extremist Israeli settlers under the protection of Israeli soldiers. Sixteen Palestinians were wounded in the clashes after Israeli police entered Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on February 28, 2010. The Secretary General considered that the violation, coming under the heels of the illegal decision by the Israeli government to usurp the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Mosque of Bilal Ibn Rabah, and adding them to the list of Israeli heritage sites, is a grievous development within the Israeli scheme to take over Islamic sanctities. Ihsanoglu underscored the seriousness of the situation, as Israel relentlessly continues its aggressions and violations of international law, which protects houses of worship and worshippers against any violation. He warned that any damage to the AlAqsa Mosque and to other holy places will carry serious and unpredictable repercussions for inter-

national peace and security. The Secretary General called upon the international community, the Security Council and the Quartet, to take proper action to compel Israel to stop its dangerous and provocative violations against the city of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which constitute a flagrant challenge to the rules of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. As part of efforts by the OIC to end Israeli hostilities against the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque, the Secretary General directed communications to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain and current president of the European Union Miguel Ángel Moratinos, and EU High Commissioner for Foreign Relations Catherine Ashton. In these communications, Ihsanoglu brought to their attention the danger of Israeli hostilities in Al Quds, especially the incursion into the Al Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli occupation police forces and extremist Israeli groups.

OIC Secretary General Welcomes Quartet's Statement OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu welcomed the statement issued by the international Quartet at its meeting held in Moscow on 19 March 2010. He particularly praised the group's reaffirmation of the principles, objectives and time frame for the peace process, which must lead to the end of Israeli occupation, which started in 1967. Ihsanoglu welcomed the hint by the Quartet that the international community will not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem, and appreciated the group's call on Israel to stop settlements, including 'natural growth', demolition of Palestinian homes and the expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem. He also welcomed the Quartet's sup8

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port for the plan and efforts of the Palestinian Authority to build the institutions of an independent Palestinian state. The Secretary General expressed the hope that necessary mechanisms would be put in place, which would make Israel stop its violations of the principles of international law, and respect the foundations and terms of reference of the peace process and agreements signed. Meanwhile, Ihsanoglu expressed his expectation that the concern voiced by Quartet's statement on the situation in Gaza would be translated into international action that would end the continuous suffering of the inhabitants of Gaza resulting from the oppressive and unjust Israeli blockade which has brought untold hardship to one and a half million Palestinians.

OIC Secretary General welcomes HRC Resolution on Palestine The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu commended the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for adopting on 26 March 2010 during its 13th Session in Geneva, a new resolution on Palestine, under the sponsorship of the OIC and the League of Arab States, which requested Israel to pay reparations to the Palestinians for the losses and damages that they suffered during the Israeli military offensive into the Gaza strip in January 2009. Significantly, this Resolution calls for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to explore and determine the appropriate modalities for the establishment of an escrow fund for the provision of reparations to the Palestinians who suffered loss and damage as a result of unlawful acts of Israel during the military operations conducted from December 2008 to January 2009.

The OIC Secretary General has also welcomed the adoption of another resolution by the UN Human Rights Council condemning Israel's continued construction of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem. The resolution which was sponsored by the OIC and the League of Arab States, reaffirmed that the expansion of the Israeli settlements was not only in violation of international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions, but also undermined the efforts of the international community to advance the Middle East peace process. The Secretary General called for full and immediate implementation of the resolutions, affirming that it will bring hope to the Palestinian people and push forward the efforts of the international community to advance the Middle East peace process.

Following Israel's decision to build new settlement units, OIC says UN had a special duty to stop Israel's infringements OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned in strong terms the Israeli government's approval of building additional settler homes in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel announced on March 9 that it plans to build 1600 more homes for Jews in East Jerusalem and 112 in the West Bank. This provocative step, said Ihsanoglu, is a premeditated disdain for the collective will of the international community and comes at a time when the Palestinian side has exhibited huge cooperation for efforts to revive the peace process killed by Israel's unceasing violations. The Secretary General said the OIC, which supported the peace process since its launch in Madrid and the international efforts to ensure that it succeeds, thus achieving the goal of ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestine state, believes that Israel's behavior and practices are a serious affront to the international community. This calls for action on the part of the international community to curb Israel's arrogance and deprecation of resolutions of international legitimacy. The Secretary General added that the United Nations (UN) had a special duty to stop Israel's infringements. He called on OIC Member States to support activating the role of the Security Council and the General Assembly under the “Uniting for Peace” formula to compel Israel to end its violations and occupation of the Palestinian territories and

to establish an independent State of Palestine on the entire land occupied by Israel in 1967. The Israeli announcement sparked outrage and protests from Palestinians as well as sharp condemnation from the US, the European Union and the UN Secretary General. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the move was “insulting” and sent a “deeply negative signal” about Israel's tied to its top ally. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said, “I'm concerned that Israel announced this just as the proximity talks were beginning” between Israelis and the Palestinians. Spain, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, Sweden and Norway expressed similar concern and deplored the announcement as jeopardizing the peace process. During a visit to the West Bank UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on March 20 that Israeli settlement building anywhere on occupied land is illegal and must be stopped. From a hilltop observation post on the outskirts of Ramallah, Ban got a closer look at some of the Israeli enclaves scattered across Palestinian territories. Ban told a press conference after the tour, “Let us be clear. All settlement activity is illegal anywhere in occupied territory and must be stopped.” The UN chief reassured his Palestinian hosts that the international community supports the establishment of a Palestinian state. He also expressed concern about what he said was a worsening humanitarian situation in blockaded Gaza.

OIC condemns Israeli measures in Al-Quds, discusses developments with President Mahmoud Abbas OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the arbitrary acts committed by the Israeli occupation authorities in the Occupied City of Al-Quds. He said that the Israeli escalation represented in the construction of synagogues on an Islamic Waqf property, expansion of settlement and assault on unarmed Palestinian citizens is a flagrant violation of international law and a blatant assault on the sanctities and religious inviolabilities of Muslims. The Secretary General discussed on the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the exacerbating developments on the Palestinian scene in view of the Israeli measures in Al-Quds and ways to act at various levels to stop such. The Secretary General has condemned Israel's construc-

tion of a Jewish synagogue on an Islamic Waqf [endowed] plot of land near Al-Aqsa Mosque. He pointed out that the Al-Kharab synagogue, so called by Israelis, has been built on the ruins of an Ottoman building that is located within the confines of Islamic buildings adjacent to Al-Omari Mosque in Al-Sharaf District, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. After capturing the area, Israel expelled its Palestinian residents, demolished the majority of houses, and constructed a settlement zone on its grounds called the 'Jewish Quarter'. The synagogue is erected at the heart of the Muslim Quarter, just dozens of meters away from the Western Wall of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, making crystal clear the grave implications of Israeli schemes that target the Noble Sanctuary and the future of the City of AlQuds. 9

Palestine File

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Palestine File

OIC Technical Committee Meeting studies vital sectors in Al-Quds Al-Sharif

Technical Committee Meeting on Al-Quds at OIC Headquarters

Maha Akeel Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu chaired the meeting of the Technical Committee entrusted with the study of the vital sectors in the City of AlQuds Al-Sharif, held at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 13 March 2010. In his statement to the participating delegations, the Secretary General stated that the meeting embodies the real will of the Member States to shoulder responsibility and do whatever is necessary to defend Al-Quds City, support the resistance of its people and enable them to counter the unrelenting Israeli plans aimed at judaising the City. The Technical Committee, which stemmed from the OIC Executive Committee in its expanded extraordinary meeting at the level of foreign ministers that was held at OIC headquarters in November 1, 2009, reviewed the report of the joint mission of the OIC General Secretariat and the IDB on its visit to the City of AlQuds on 19-21 December 2009 and its assessment of the current situation of the Education and Health sectors in the City. The Palestinian delegation, headed by the Governor of Al-Quds Adnan Al-Husseini, gave a detailed presentation on the Israeli violations in terms of intrusions, closure, excavations, settlement, segregation, house demolitions, economic restrictions, expulsion of Palestinian citizens and prevention of worshipers from reaching the Blessed Aqsa 10

Mosque. The delegation also presented an exhaustive study on the situation of the sectors of urgent priority in the City pointing out its actual needs for the next three years in the sectors of housing, education, health, youth, social affairs and maintenance and restoration of relics. Such would enable the City to play its inevitable role of preserving the Arab Islamic character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. The delegation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan also briefed the meeting on the role of Al-Aqsa Reconstruction Committee in restoring Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif. Similarly, the participants heard the presentation of the representative of the IDB and that of the Director-General of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency regarding the activities conducted by their respective institutions in the city of Al-Quds. In its report, the Technical Committee emphasized that the current situation in Al-Quds Al-Sharif poses a serious challenge at the level of economy, education, health, building, culture, religion and social and political affairs. It warned that leaving these vital sectors in their current situation without urgent intervention would lead to a serious deterioration in their services. Thus, the Committee made recommendations, for adoption prior to the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, an action to support the various sectors of the City and allocate the resources needed for the implementation of urgent projects. The Committee recommended to

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Governor of Al-Quds Al-Husseini

consider housing, education and health in Al-Quds City sectors of priority, and provide financial support to build houses in Al-Quds, restore and rehabilitate buildings through the adoption of suitable finance mechanisms including revolving loans. It also recommended benefitting from the Islamic Waqf properties, while preserving their endowmental status, to build vital facilities which provide services to the Palestinian citizens in Al-Quds City including schools, medical clinics and sporting clubs; and coordinate with the Islamic Waqf Department. Furthermore, it called for coordinating work with local Palestinian churches with a view to preserving Palestinian properties and co-benefiting from Islamic and Christian Waqf facilities and properties for the benefit of the Palestinians in Al-Quds. Emphasis was made on Al-Quds properties and real state which are subject to takeover attempts by the settlers particularly in the Old City, Selwan neighborhood and Sheikh Jarrah suburb. The Committee recommended to consider defending such properties and real estate and prevention of their confiscation a priority requiring the employment of all legal and financial tools available. It also recommended to consider the encouragement and introduction of Islamic investments in Al-Quds for the benefit of the Holy City and in support of its people's resistance. There was also a call to accord extra attention to the youth sector in Al-Quds through enhancing the con-

struction of service facilities such as clubs, libraries and entertainment places; finance the implementation of awareness programs targeting AlQuds youth in a way that would help achieve a purposeful engagement of youth in the preservation of the Arab Islamic identity of the City. In addition, the Committee pointed to the judicial course as well as the technical course and recommended providing adequate finance to cover the judicial and technical expenses incurred by Al-Quds citizens in the face of the Israeli campaigns aimed at judaising the City, expelling its Palestinian population and confiscating their properties. It also called for acting at the international judicial institutions and within the Member States to take legal action against Israel and the Israeli officials responsible for the expulsion of Palestinians from AlQuds, confiscation of their properties through racist laws, such as the socalled "Custodian for Absentees' Property", and move to place pressure on the United Nations, international and humanitarian organizations

and the countries which can put pressure on the occupation authorities. The Committee asked to activate the twinning agreements signed between the City of Al-Quds and the Capitals of the Member States; encourage twinning between Al-Quds institutions and their counterparts in the Member States including higher education institutions; and provide scholarships for the students of AlQuds. It also asked to activate the resolutions previously adopted by the OIC on Al-Quds, in particular, the call of the 3rd Extraordinary Islamic Summit for the contribution of one dollar by every Muslim to support Al-Quds. Speaking to the OIC Journal at the end of the meeting, Governor AlHusseini said that the studies presented to the Committee are based on the real conditions and the recommendations are implementable because they are by people well familiar with the laws and regulations. As for the role of international organizations, he said it is important to deal with such or-

ganizations as the UN, the International Court and especially the UNESCO because Al-Quds was listed in 1982 as endangered heritage due to the Israeli occupation, which is destroying the infrastructure of the City and falsifying history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;UNESCO since 1996 has not been able to enter Al-Quds to see the violations and excavations because Israel prevents that, it does not give the representatives visa, even though according to the 1982 resolution UNESCO representatives are supposed to come to Al-Quds twice a year,â&#x20AC;? said Al-Husseini. He said that there is great lobbying at the UNESCO for Israel especially by the US. Al-Husseini said that the OIC is the organization closest to Al-Quds affairs and most concerned with preserving it and supporting its projects, and therefore it was important for AlQuds authorities to be in contact with the OIC to make it aware of the situation and convey that to the other international organizations.

OIC Secretary General underscores putting an end to Israeli attacks in Al-Quds Beirut, Lebanon- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu emphasized that the OIC will not stop exerting efforts in all international forums; and will continue coordinating with its Member States to keep up the pressure on Israel so that it ends its aggressions on the city of Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The declaration was part of the Secretary General's statement delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Samir Bakr, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Al-Quds and Palestine Affairs, at the opening session of the Seventh Conference of Al-Quds International Institution in Beirut, held on January 13-14, 2010 under the patronage of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. The Secretary General explained that the OIC had convened on November 1, 2009 an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, to discuss Israeli aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque. He pointed out that the meeting had emphatically affirmed that the issue of Al-Quds is a red line and any prejudice against Al-Aqsa Mosque would carry serious repercussions. He added that the meeting had called upon OIC Member States sitting on the UN Security Council, along with the Russian Federation in its capacity as an OIC Observer State, to call for an urgent meeting of the Security Council to discuss Israeli violations of international law in Al-Quds City and its aggressions against the city's sacred sites, particularly against the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. He noted that

the OIC General Secretariat continues to follow up efforts deployed in this respect. Ihsanoglu indicated in his statement that the delegates of the OIC Member States moved at the level of the Executive Council and the General Conference of UNESCO to ensure that the UNESCO issues a resolution which would put an end to the actions conducted by Israel as occupying power in its bid to change the cultural character as well as the historical and civilizational landmarks of the City of Al-Quds, including excavation works and the looting of artifacts. The Secretary General also noted that the OIC has requested its Member States, together with Russia and Spain as incumbent EU President, to intervene and bring pressure to bear on Israel so that it rescinds its unjust decision preventing a number of religious and political leaders from entering Al-Quds and the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Secretary General stated that the OIC has set up a Technical Committee composed of Member States, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and Palestine with the objective of examining the situation in the City of Al-Quds, while a joint OIC-IDB mission was dispatched to Al-Quds City to assess the urgent needs in the fields of education and health-care. The Secretary General underscored that the aggressions faced by the City of Al-Quds call for a firm and earnest stand at both the official and popular levels in order to defend the holy city and the sanctity of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. 11

Palestine File

OIC Technical Committee Meeting studies vital sectors in Al-Quds Al-Sharif

Technical Committee Meeting on Al-Quds at OIC Headquarters

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Governor of Al-Quds Al-Husseini

Palestine File

Anyone keeping an observe eye on the developments unraveling in the city of Al-Quds would unmistakably notice the ever escalating Israel campaign targeting the Arabo- Islamic identity of the city. Israel's attempts to judaize Jerusalem have increasingly intensified and expanded to include everything that is inherently Islamic in the Holy Land. It is growing clear that the increase in Israeli attacks against everything that is Palestinian in the city of Jerusalem is subsumed under the Israeli scheme known as "Jerusalem 2020" which aims to concoct a purely Jewish Jerusalem by the year 2020. Israel has allocated 15 billion dollars to cover the costs of its plan, which puts the rights, the land and the identity of Al-Quds in the line of fire. The plan seeks to secure a Jewish demographic majority in the city and facilitate its twin israelization and judaization. On the eve of its occupation in 1967, East Jerusalem hosted a population that was 100 percent Palestinian; however, this figure has dropped to about 50 percent due to Israeli settlements and Palestinian evictions. As part of 'Jerusalem 2020' plan, Israel endeavors, according to a report recently put out by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, to squeeze the number of Palestinians down as much as possible. To capture the exact implications of the Israeli scheme, one needs to note that the size of the population in both East and West Jerusalem is 760000, 65 percent of which are Jews and just 35 percent are Arab Palestinians. The 'Jerusalem 2020' plan seeks to shrink the presence of Arab Palestinians in the city to just 12 percent by the year 2020 in a bid to ensure an overwhelming Jewish majority. Such a scenario practically means the depletion of East Jerusalem of its indigenous people, and supplanting them with tens of thousands of Jewish settlers. What marks the Israeli scheme is the integration of its various components that invariably seek to lay control over the holy city. Changing the demographic structure in the city as a way of tilting the balance in favor of the Jews goes hand in glove with a feverish expulsion of Palestinians from their city by confiscating their identity cards, restricting their livelihood through exorbitant taxation, demolishing their homes, imposing severe restrictions on Palestinian construction projects, confiscating their homes and property, and seiz12

To whom it may concern: Jerusalem…the last linchpin of defense

Dr. Shaher Awawdeh Department of Al-Quds & Palestine Affairs

ing what is left of Palestinian lands for settlements. Clearly, Israeli settlement activity in Jerusalem, increasing like never before, embodies the most critical measure pursued by Israel to complete the implementation of its 'Jerusalem 2020' scheme. As part of this scheme, Israel strives to link the city with three surrounding settlement blocs, namely 'Maaleh Adumim' 'Givat Zeev' and 'Kfar Etzion'. To consummate settlement infiltration into the city, Israel has intensified its takeovers of Palestinian property in the Old City and adjacent districts, notably Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhoods. The intensifying settlement spate unfolding for some time now in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood carries an ominous sign of what the future holds in store for the holy city. Following Israel's expulsion of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and bringing in settlers instead, settlement activity took a serious turn after Israeli authorities seized the home of the Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin alHusseini, and the announced plans to build twenty housing units on its ruble. On the ground, the plan would cut off Palestinian territorial contigui-

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ty at a key point, isolating on its backyard the village of Issawiya and creating at the same time a settler continuum between the Hebrew University and French Hill settlement (aka Giv'at Shapira). Israel has continued on a parallel track undermining Palestinian presence in Silwan neighborhood through further demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes and creating a Talmudic path and a biblical garden adjacent to the southern walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque extending in a crescentshaped line stooping towards the eastern side of Ras al-Amud and the Mount of Olives. Indeed, this plan rolls out in line with an unceasing expansion of settlement activity in the area funded by American Jewish billionaire Irving Moskowitz, the godfather of settlement in Jerusalem. Similarly, Israel steps up the pace of its settlement campaign in the Old City of Jerusalem, as a means of drilling a dose of 'jewishness' into every nook and cranny of the city. The Maghrabi neighborhood and its adjacent area at the western walls of the Haram al-Sharif [Nobel Sanctuary] form the core of this campaign, leading up at this moment in time to the creation of a convoluted network of tunnels heading towards the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and criss-crossing various areas of the Old City, including the Muslim Quarter. Worse, Israel plans to launch a tunnel train to take tourists on a tour across this area as a marketing tool for its allegations and myths. To prop up the implementation of the scheme in Jerusalem, the Israeli municipality jump-started a most grievous plan likely to bring about a serious modification of the AraboIslamic character of the city. The maneuver started with the Israeli municipality changing the names of streets and alleys across the city and replacing them with Hebrew names, along with a plan to give the old city a brand new look. Under this scheme, Israeli authorities have decided to close down several gates to the city, including Bab-al-Amud (Damascus Gate) and Bab Al-Sahira (Herod's Gate). Some markets, too, are to be closed for years to come, such as the iconic Suk Khan e-Zeit (the olive oil caravansary market) under the pretext of upgrading services and giving the area a facelift. Clearly, the plan seeks to create a linkage between West Jerusalem hosting a Jewish majority and the Old City through Bab el-Khalil (Jaffa Gate) by using trains and via tunnels designed to project

the Old City as part of Jewish heritage linked to ancient Jerusalem. In the event this restrictive scheme is carried out, it would practically mean that access by Palestinians into their city would only be possible through a single gate, the northeastern Bab Al-Asbat, also known as Bab Sittna Maryam. A semi-consensus appears to evolve among the majority of observers and experts in Al-Quds affairs to the effect that the judaization of the city has come a long way, that the city itself is turning into the last linchpin of defense. Rescuing Jerusalem would entail a consequential move and some really effective efforts. The situation in Al-Quds is, certainly, not an issue that calls for a business-as-usual approach. Jerusalem is not a typical city in the ArabIsraeli conflict. It should be the concern of all concerns of the Muslim Ummah [nation] and ought to top all priorities at all levels. Most pressing perhaps at present for Jerusalem is to see a firm and multilevel stand that would take into account the plan for the reinvigoration of the city's vital sectors drawn up and discussed by the Palestinian Authority. In fact, the Technical Committee emanating from the OIC Executive Committee recommended the adoption of the plan as an Islamic plan of action. The various levels referred to could be briefly laid out as follows: The first level is to provide generous financial support for Jerusalem in order to ensure that the city's population stands firm and steadfast and to empower them to hold tight and defend the first Islamic Qibla. Support should flow into the most vital sectors in the city, such as housing,

education and health-care. The second level includes concerted political and diplomatic move in order to send out a crystal clear and firm message that Al-Quds is a red line for the Muslim world which will not concede on this issue, no matter what. The diplomatic drive in question should be on a par with the campaign waged by the Vatican and the Catholic countries when Israel tried in 1967 to seize 'Notre Dame Hotel' that is owned by the Catholic Church in Jerusalem. The Vatican's push compelled Israel to drop in no time its decision to confiscate the hotel. Let's recall that it is the site of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) night ascent that calls for our action to save it. Is it not, indeed, worthy of our greatest efforts? The third level is to tread the international and local judicial path in order to judicially condemn Israel and hold it accountable for violations tantamount to war crimes it has and con-

tinues to perpetrate in Al-Quds. Such an endeavor should involve the prosecution of Israeli officials, whether they are politicians or officials working for the occupation municipality, for having hatched and executed plans slated to expunge the AraboIslamic identity of Al-Quds and displaced its indigenous populace and assaulted its holy sites. Let us not forget that the city of Jaffa was a major maritime trade hub for many centuries before its Palestinian population was forcefully displaced and the city was fused into Tel Aviv only to be degraded into a marginalized and impoverished district in the vicinity of an urbanized and modern environment. No doubt, the implementation of 'Jerusalem 2020 Plan' would very probably convert Al-Quds into yet another Jaffa hosting a Palestinian minority and the Old City would become an open-sky Jewish museum. What shall we do now that the bells are tolling?

OIC calls Israel's decision to expel Palestinians from the occupied West Bank ethnic cleansing OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned Israel's decision to expel tens of thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign aimed at consolidating Israeli authority on Palestinian territories and expanding colonial activities on them. A new Israeli military order allows the country's government to expel thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) said that the new order is “a new Nakba (catastrophe) for Palestinian people.” A PLO statement said of the new order, it is “a new form of racism and part of the forced displacement Israel has committed against the Palestinian people.” The decision, in its earliest phase, would target Palestinians whose ID cards had been issued in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign women married to Palestinians would also be deported later, according to Haaretz newspaper. The order also allows Israeli authorities to deal with those affected as infiltrators, who then might face a detention sentence of up to seven years. The Secretary General said in a statement issued on April 13, 2010 that Palestinians have the right to live wherever they wish on their homeland and described the Israeli decision to restrict their freedom to live as a flagrant violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. He called on the international community and international rights institutions to act quickly to deter Israel from implementing this measure, which is a violation of one of the basic rights of man. 13

Palestine File

To whom it may concern: Jerusalem…the last linchpin of defense

Dr. Shaher Awawdeh Department of Al-Quds & Palestine Affairs

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World Affairs

Sudan and Chad agree to bolster peace deal Deby on February 8 made a rare visit to Sudan, part of a rapprochement aimed at ending a proxy war between the two African neighbors. The two countries have agreed to a joint border force to patrol the long and porous border, whose head quarters will be in West Darfur's capital el-Geneina. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his great satisfaction on the visit of President Deby to Sudan and the agreement reached between the two countries to normalize their bilateral relations. Ihsanoglu said that the landmark visit to Sudan by President Deby reflects the genuine commitment of the two leaders to work together towards settling all the differences and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring countries, members of the OIC. Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir (L) and Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby during Debys arrival at Khartoum on 8 February 2010. (epa)

Tripoli, Libya (agencies)- The leaders of Sudan and Chad agreed in February to redouble efforts to end violence spilling over their border from Darfur. The accord was reached at the end of a mini-summit in Libya of regional leaders that had also sought to widen rebel participation in a shaky peace for Darfur. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has pressed Chad and Sudan to settle their differences as part of efforts to bring peace to Darfur. The summit's other goal was to entice the National Redemption Front rebel coalition to meet Sudan's government to discuss joining a 2006 peace deal between Khartoum and a faction of the former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement. "We are opening a new page in Chad-Sudan relations with political will on both sides," Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said after the meeting of the leaders of Sudan, Chad, Libya and Eritrea. "We are approaching the realization of peace in the Darfur region." The two sides agreed to boost implementation of an accord struck in February 2006 requiring they stop insurgents setting up bases on their territories and end propaganda against one another. Chad President Idriss Deby said: "We regret all the violations we have witnessed and we are hoping to open a true and clean page. I hope the brothers in Darfur will reach a peaceful solution to the dangerous humanitarian situation."

Ihsanoglu cautions against the new move by the ICC against Sudanese President OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu expressed his deep disappointment over the announced decision of the appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to direct the pre-trial chamber to decide anew on the charge of genocide against the President of Sudan Omer Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir. The ICC on February 3 opened the possibility of President Bashir being charged with genocide in Darfur. Appeals judges at the tribunal reversed a decision that prosecuters had not provided enough evidence to add genocide to Bashir's charge sheet, ruling that the ICC's pre-trial chamber must look again at whether he should face the charge. While reiterating the principled position of the OIC on this issue, the Secretary General expressed his grave concern that this new development, which came at a highly sensitive juncture of the history of the Sudan, could seriously undermine the ongoing efforts aimed at advancing the democratic process in the country according to the plans for holding the national elections scheduled in April this year, facilitating early resolution of the conflict in Darfur within the ongoing peace process in Doha, and the referendum on the self-determination for South Sudan in 2011. The Secretary General while reiterating OIC's commitment to justice and avoiding impunity renewed his appeal to the UN Security Council to indefinitely suspend the move by the ICC in the interest of peace and stability in the Sudan.

Sudan and Darfur rebel group sign truce Doha, Qatar- Darfur's most powerful rebel group and the Sudanese government have signed a truce after a year of internationally sponsored negotiations, raising hopes the bloody seven-year conflict could draw to a close. Rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) declared the cease-fire would begin immediately after the signing ceremony on February 23, 2010 as the international sponsors of the talks announced a $1 billion development fund for the war ravaged region. The once bitter enemies, Ibrahim and Sudanese President Omar Bashir, shook hands and embraced after the signing. The ceremony was hosted by Qatar's Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

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The next challenge for the mediators will be getting the dozens of other rebel splinter groups to join the process as the arduous power and wealth-sharing talks begin. The framework agreement, which will guide the upcoming talks, was initialed the week before in Chad. The end of the long-running animosity between Sudan and Chad - which sponsored the truce only days after declaring the end to its long proxy war with Sudan - could be the deciding factor in this agreement's longevity. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu paid tribute to the initialing of the Framework Agreement in Ndjamena, Capital of Chad, between the Sudanese Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in preparation for its effective signing in Doha. The General

According to the framework agreement, JEM would take part in the government's executive, judicial and legislative branches. Khartoum will offer Darfur's most powerful rebel group government posts as part of a future peace deal to end conflict in Sudan's west, according to documents setting out the terms of negotiations. The documents were the first concrete sign that Khartoum is prepared to share power with its bitter foe in the western region. The 12-point deal offers the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), long-seen as Darfur's most heavily armed rebel group, a powersharing role in Sudan, where the first presidential and legislative polls in 24 years are to be held in April. The initial framework included a cease-fire, The signing of a framework ceasefire deal, in Doha, Qatar, 23 February 2010. (epa) plans to integrate the JEM into Sudan's army and a promise to reach a final peace deal by March 15. Secretariat pointed out that this agreement constitutes a "Peace will prevail in Darfur before the coming elecsignificant stride towards the achievement of a compretions," Sudanese President Omar Hassan Bashir was quothensive and equitable agreement that would put an end to ed as saying by State news agency Suna. the conflict in Darfur within the framework of the peace The deal comes a year after Khartoum and the JEM negotiations currently underway in Doha, contribute to the met in Doha to agree to confidence-building measures deimprovement of the humanitarian conditions in the provsigned to pave the way for the framework agreement and ince, and guarantee the unity, stability and integrity of Suthen full peace talks. dan. JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim and Bashir were in Doha On the other hand, the Secretary General renewed his for the signing ceremony, along with the leaders of Qatar call to all the armed movements in Darfur, and more parand Chad, who facilitated talks between the two sides. ticularly those that did not take part in the Doha negotiaSudan signed a cease-fire deal with a second Darfur tions, to join the peace efforts currently underway in Doha rebel group on March 18. Government officials signed the within the Afro-Arab initiative under the chairmanship of deal with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), an Qatar as the last chance to achieve a just and comprehenumbrella group of small factions, in Qatar. sive settlement for the conflict. Secretary General Ihsanoglu welcomed the signing of Ihsanoglu renewed his tribute to the State of Qatar for the framework agreement between the government of naits effort in favor of achieving peace and security in Memtional unity in Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Moveber States of the OIC and its consistent endeavors to coorment. This was contained in a speech at the signing ceredinate security and stability in Sudan. He likewise offered mony held in Doha. tributes to the AU-UN joint mediator for his efforts in the Delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Habib Kabapeace-process on Darfur. chi, the Secretary General's speech lauded the determinaThe Secretary General urged the international commution of the Sudanese government to resolve the conflict in nity to lend its support to the Framework Agreement beDarfur within the context of the unity, territorial integrity, tween the Government of Sudan, and the Equality and Jussecurity and stability of Sudan. tice Movement, and to the peace process already started in The Secretary General also congratulated the LiberaDoha. tion and Justice Movement for joining the Doha peace The agreement commits the Sudanese government to process on Darfur. Ihsanoglu called on the Sudan Liberarelease all of JEM's fighters currently on death row - neartion Movement and other hesitant Darfurian movements to ly 100 - for their role in a massive attack on the capital in quickly join the peace process sponsored by the State of 2008. Qatar.

OIC participates in monitoring Sudan's elections Khartoum, Sudan- In line with provisions of the OIC Charter on promoting good governance, the rule of law, democracy, and accountability in Member States, and in response to the invitation of Sudan's National Elections Commission, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) took part in monitoring the elections conducted in Sudan from 11 April 2010. The General Secretariat's delegation carried out its task in a very encouraging environment that enabled it to monitor the electoral process in a number of polling centers and to ensure that electoral rules and regula-

tions were applied. In Khartoum the OIC delegation met with an important group of party leaders and Sudanese politicians participating in the process and listened to their analyses and positions on the elections. The OIC General Secretariat expresses satisfaction over the impressive participation of the Sudanese people, women and men, in the electoral process. Many opposition parties boycotted the elections. Given that votes are being cast for two presidents, 24 governors and 26 state and national assemblies, using three different voting

systems and up to 12 ballots, confusion among voters was likely to happen. However, after a quarter-century without free elections, the event was historic despite the boycotts and complaints. The National Election Commission (NEC) extended the voting for two days after officials admitted to logistical problems on the first day. The NEC announced on Aril 26 that President Omar Bashir won the elections with 68% of the presidential vote while Salva Kiir retained his job as the president of Sudanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semiautonomous south with 92.99% of the vote in that race. 15

World Affairs

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World Affairs

World leaders back Yemen on tackling extremism Monetary Fund (IMF) were also represented. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi had come to the meeting wanting a commitment on development to fight radicalization. He asked the delegates at the conference for "international support to build infrastructure, combat poverty and create jobs, as well as support in combating terrorism". However, he said that the idea of having US military bases in Yemen was "inconceivable". Hilary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said that bringing peace to Yemen and making it Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr Al-Qirbi (left) with British Foreign Prince Saud Al-Faisal more stable is a major priority Secretary David Miliband (centre) and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodfor the United States. She said ham Clinton at a press conference after the Yemen London Meeting, 27 that the United States had signed January 2010. (epa) a three-year agreement on security development in Yemen. "To help the people of Yemen, we- the internaLondon, UK (agencies)- World powers pledged to tional community- can and must do more. And so must the stand side-by-side with Yemen to tackle extremism at its Yemeni government," she said. roots after talks in London on January 27, 2010 on how to Clinton said that she does not believe that military actackle al-Qaeda militants in a state seen as a new frontier tion would be enough to solve Yemen's problems, and that in the war against terror. corruption must be combated as well as building up demoIn a joint news conference the foreign ministers of cratic institutions and promoting human rights. She asked Yemen, Britain and the United States said Yemen's probthat the government of Yemen begin its proposed ten-point lems required a broader range of solutions than a simple program for the development of these areas and to reduce crackdown on al-Qaeda affiliates. the influence of extremist organizations. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who chaired Ali Mujawar, the Prime Minister of Yemen, received the meeting, told reporters afterwards that it was "an imthis support warmly, but said that any attack on the nation's portant step forward" and warned that the causes of milisovereignty would be considered "unacceptable", and that tancy must be tackled. it should not be portrayed as a failing nation, despite a "In tackling terrorism it is vital to tackle its root causes. multitude of problems, including its damaged economy, In Yemen's case these are manifold -- economic, social and rapidly growing population, and shrinking oil reserves, as political," he said. well as the beginning of a drought and its problems with Miliband announced five items agreed at the meeting, insurgents, such as al-Qaeda terrorists. including the agreement to start talks on an IMF program for Yemen, more engagement with its security challenges OIC rejects internationalization and confirmation from Yemen that it will "pursue its reof situation in Yemen form agenda". In a telephone conversation with Dr. Abu Bakr AbdulMiliband also announced that a "Friends of Yemen" orlah Al Qirbi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, OIC ganization was to be launched, to discuss the economy, Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu renewed the government, and judicial process of Yemen. OIC's unshakable and ongoing support for the unity, stabilHe also announced a follow-up donors' meeting in Riity, security and territorial integrity of Yemen. yadh on Feb. 27 and 28. The Secretary General also reiterated the support of the "We are all gathered here to declare very clearly our OIC for the efforts of the Yemeni government to entrench friendship to Yemen, our commitment to helping Yemen, security and stability, while underlying in the same vein and our determination to be partners with Yemen. The inthe Organization's rejection of initiatives to internationalternational community fully and strongly supports all the ize the situation in Yemen and interfere in its internal afefforts of Yemen to consolidate its unity, maintain its stafairs. bility and security, achieve its development and prosperity, The Secretary General welcomed the resolve of the Yeand strengthen its capability and capacity," said Saudi Formeni leadership to launch a comprehensive political diaeign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. "With the internationlogue to which all Yemeni political parties would be invital community standing united in support of Yemen, we are ed in a bid to find appropriate solutions to ensure unity and confident that Yemen will be able to overcome all the chalstability of Yemen. lenges facing it today, so that the people of Yemen can enThe Secretary General also called on the international joy the levels of security and prosperity they deserve." community to provide urgent assistance to Yemen and to The London talks brought together ministers and offisupport the Yemeni government's effort to bring about cials from 21 countries to discuss security as well as wider comprehensive and sustainable development in the couneconomic and political problems facing Yemen. The Eurotry. pean Union, United Nations, World Bank and International 16

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Yemen declares cease-fire Sanaa, Yemen-Yemen agreed with northern rebels on February 11, 2010 to end a war that has raged on and off since 2004 and drew in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Yemen said earlier that it had handed rebels a timetable for implementing the government's cease-fire terms, a week after rejecting a rebel truce offer because it did not include a promise to end hostilities with Saudi Arabia. Yemeni officials have said that as part of a truce, Sanaa would allow rebel representatives to sit on a committee overseeing the truce, and insurgents would hand over weapons they seized from the Yemeni and Saudi forces. Yemeni state television said the government and rebels had also formed four smaller committees to supervise the truce in four areas, including on the Yemeni-Saudi border. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his satisfaction over the agreement between the Yemeni Government and the Houthi Movement to stop the war in Yemen. He renewed the steadfast and unflinching support of the OIC for the unity, stability, security and

territorial integrity of the country. OIC dispatches field hospital to serve IDPs in Yemen The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) dispatched a field hospital in March to Mezrak camp in Hajja province in Yemen. The field unit will provide health services for war-affected IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). The hospital will provide medical services to more than 30 thousand IDPs scattered among the camps run by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UAE Red Crescent-managed camp. The OIC will operate the field hospital for a year from the date of delivery in coordination with the Ministry of Health in Yemen. The hospital will be set up on a plot of land allocated by the Yemeni Government. It can accommodate 500 people a day for outpatient medical check-ups. It also offers up to twenty beds for inpatients, in addition to an ambulance to be used for the transfer of patients from surrounding camps to the hospital.

H.M. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein commends OIC role

Amman, Jordan- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, was received in Amman, 29 April 2010, by H.M. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, Sovereign of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The King expressed his great appreciation for the pivotal role now played by the OIC at the international arena, and the constructive efforts it exerts to support the Joint Islamic Action in different political, economic, scientific and cultural areas. The Jordanian Sovereign lauded the programs implemented by the OIC and the continued efforts of the Secretary General towards reforms, modernization, and combating the campaigns directed against Islam, its symbols and holy shrines. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein stressed Jordan's readiness to support the OIC and to play any effective role within the framework of its initiatives and future strategies for Islam and Muslims. On his part, the Secretary General commended the major role of King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein in de-

fending Al-Quds AlSharif city, and preserving the blessed Aqsa and the Holy Dome of the Rock in the Al-Quds city, which is managed by the Jordanian Waqfs. He also valued Jordan's role in lifting the embargo imposed by Israel against the Aqsa. In addition, the Secretary General conveyed the thanks and gratitude of the General Secretariat to the Jordanian Sovereign for supporting the OIC initiatives and programs, and for Jordan's preparedness to contribute effectively in their realization. The audience was attended by the Jordanian Prime Minister, Samir Refai, the Chief of the Royal Cabinet, and the Jordan Foreign Minister in addition to a number of the King's advisers. The OIC Secretary General also held a working session with the Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. The Minister expressed Jordan's great appreciation for the work and achievements of the OIC, and for the efforts and initiatives of the Secretary General. The two sides reviewed the situation in the Middle East and the developments relating to the Palestinian issue. They stressed the continued support of the Muslim Ummah for the Palestinian people in their struggle for the establishment of their independent state with Al-Quds AlSharif As its capital. On the sidelines of his visit to Jordan, the Secretary General addressed

the Conference of Jordan's Ambassadors on April 28 where he underlined OIC's Islamic and global role. Ihsanoglu stressed that the Islamic world is experiencing extremely difficult political, social and economic throes rarely encountered. The Secretary General added that the Muslim Ummah is passing a very difficult stage of its history. He reviewed a number of challenges in Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq, in addition to what Muslims encounter in the Diaspora, particularly under the growing trend of Islamophobia, which is rampant in the West. He also referred to the difficult economic conditions represented by widespread poverty, illiteracy and unemployment faced by increasing numbers of Muslim youth. Ihsanoglu also stated that in such circumstances, it was natural that heads turn to the OIC as the sole organization that unifies the voices of the 57 states and 1.5 billion Muslims, pointing out to the 3rd Extraordinary Session and the ensuing 10-Year Program of Action, which included a road map to promote the conditions of the Ummah. The Secretary General reviewed the achievements realized during the last 5 years. He pointed out that the role of the OIC has become influential at the global level. He concluded that it was proved beyond doubt that there was an urgent need for the OIC as an effective organization expressive of the ambitions of the Ummah, and able to work and deliver at present and in future for the benefit of generations to come. 17

World Affairs

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H.M. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein commends OIC role

World Affairs

A move to improve US-Syria relations called its envoy at the time after the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. “This is a clear sign after five years without an ambassador in Damascus of America's readiness to improve relations and to cooperate to pursue a just and comprehensive peace between Arabs and Israelis,” said Burns. The White House was keen to “make progress on all tracks in the peace process and to pursue regional peace and stability,” Burns told reporters after the meeting.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad meets with the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns (R), in Damascus, Syria on 17 February 2010. (epa)

Engagement with Damascus was a campaign pledge by President Obama, and last year Washington made several gestures toward President Al-Assad, including announcing its intention to reinstate an ambassador. But by late last year, Syrian officials were talking of slow progress, citing the failure by Washington to nominate an envoy and little indication the White House was moving seriously to revoke economic sanctions.

Damascus, Syria (agencies)- Senior U.S. diplomat William Burns met with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus on February 17, 2010, the latest move in a growing rapprochement between Syria and Washington.

Ford's appointment “represents President Obama's commitment to use engagement to advance US interests by improving communication with the Syrian government and people," the White House said in a statement.

Burns, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, said in a statement "We talked candidly about areas in which we disagree, but also identified areas of common ground on which we can build.” Official Syrian news outlets reported that Assad and Burns discussed practical steps to be taken to improve relations between the U.S. and Syria, acknowledging the need for "continuing constructive and serious dialogue."

If the appointment is confirmed by the US Senate, Ford would "engage the Syrian government on how we can enhance relations, while addressing areas of ongoing concern", the White House added.

U.S. officials have identified President Al-Assad as critical to the Obama administration's broader Mideast foreignpolicy ambitions. Syria could also be crucial to IsraeliPalestinian peace efforts, a centerpiece of U.S. President Barack Obama's regional diplomacy, if Damascus agrees to restart indirect peace talks with Israel. Those talks broke down early last year. “I have no illusions about the challenges,” Burns said after seeing the president. “But my meeting with President Assad made me hopeful that we can make progress together in the interest of both of our countries,” Burns added. The intention was “to deepen our dialogue as we move forward,” he said. The visit comes a day after President Obama said he would nominate career diplomat Robert Ford as the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005. Washington re-

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Istanbul, Turkey- In a forum of think tanks from the OIC Member States it was decided to establish a platform among them with the aim of cooperation and coordination. In the discussions at the Forum of the Think Tanks of the Member Countries of the OIC, held in Istanbul on 2830 January 2010, it became evident that there is a need for a common action plan to realize efficient cooperation among the Think Tanks, it was decided that a 'Platform of Think Tanks of the Member Countries of the OIC' would be established in which they will be able to combine all their information and experience under the same platform umbrella and make good use of both cooperation and communication opportunities. It was agreed that an Internet platform will be established through the address of www.istto.org. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was the keynote speaker at the opening session. He elaborated on the growing relevance of the work of think tanks at the international level. He said that the world at present is passing through a complicated period. The fault-line between the Muslim World and the Western World is becoming visible more than ever before. New world powers are emerging at the international scene whereas problems related to underdevelopment are plaguing many parts of the Muslim World. At the same time extremism and violence are on the rise in a pervasive manner. He stated that at a time when we are faced with such difficult and complex challenges, we feel an obvious need to have innovative ideas, analyses and policy advises ema-

nating from the research centers and think tanks of the Muslim World to tackle them effectively. The Forum, held under the theme 'Civilization, Peace and Cooperation', was initiated by the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) with the encouragement and support of the OIC General Secretariat. Think Tanks from 40 Member States of the OIC and delegates from OIC observer countries participated in the Forum. During the two days of the Forum, discussion on a wide range of issues relating to peace and security, Islamophobia, relations between the Islamic World and the West, democracy, good governance, human rights as well as the question of public diplomacy was carried out in detail by the participants of the Forum. The forum emphasized the need of collaboration among the Think Tanks of Islamic Countries and reiterated the importance of the multilateral cooperation and coordination in this regard. Under the framework of the common platform and action plan, it was suggested to establish working groups on a number of subjects, including an “Eminent Persons Group” and a “Network Contact Group”. Those study groups are to be planned to convene at least once a year and devise necessary actions to be taken; to lead future events; and contribute to the coordination of the Forum of the Think Thanks of the Member States of the OIC, which is to be held annually. The management of the platform will be established in Istanbul.

Ihsanoglu urges finalization of the statute of the human rights commission

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad applaud as Syrian and Iranian foreign ministers, Walid Al-Moallem and Manouchehr Mottaki shake hands after they signed an agreement to waive visa requirements between the two countries in Damascus, Syria on 25 February 2010. (epa)

Syria strengthening economic relations with Egypt Damascus, Syria- Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry Rasheed Mohammed Rasheed headed a delegation of board director members of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce and a number of businessmen on March 14, 2010, the first official Egyptian visit to Syria in four years, with the aim to open economic cooperation issues between the two countries and develop them. Some of the potential areas of economic cooperation and investment include agriculture, textile, and tourism in addition to cooperating at the level of international economic organizations and free trade zones.

A Platform of Think Tanks of the OIC Member Countries to be established

Mrs. Lamia Mari Assi, Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade, said, according to Syrian news agency, that the most important initiatives that have been agreed upon with the Egyptian side is the establishment of Syrian- Egyptian banks as well to create a joint holding company, which will enhance and increase the volume of trade. They also discussed the establishment of a maritime route between the ports of Latakia and Alexandria and a regular direct line to facilitate transit traffic by navigation to support and strengthen economic relations with Egypt.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu emphasized that the world has, over the past two decades, witnessed growing international interest in human rights and a ramification of the areas covered by these rights, such that there emerged a pressing need to develop the texts of the 'Cairo Declaration on Human Rights' issued in 1990, with a view to opening new horizons for human rights in the Islamic world in harmony with the authentic Islamic values. In his address to the Intergovernmental Expert Group on the establishment of the OIC permanent and independent Human Rights Commission, at the opening session of its second meeting, held at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 15 February 2010, the Secretary General paid tribute to the OIC Ten Year Program of Action. The plan paid attention to the subject of human rights and good governance; and called for diligent action to broaden the scope of political participation; to guarantee equality, civil liberties and social equity; to enhance transparency and accountability; and to eradicate corruption in the OIC Member States. He also referred to the new Charter of the OIC adopted at the Dakar Summit in 2008, which called for the establishment of a permanent and independent Human Rights Commission as a new organ, with a view to consolidating the civil, political, social and economic rights, established in the OIC covenants and declarations, and in internationally

agreed conventions on human rights, in harmony with the Islamic values. The Secretary General pointed out that the Islamic world is, today, in urgent need to merge with the international currents in the area of human rights through the establishment of an independent organ to cater for those rights, raise awareness about them, nurture them, and address any relevant issue internally, within the fold of the OIC. The Secretary General also expressed his hope that the establishment of this institution would boost the OIC's credibility in the eyes of the outside world, which would give the OIC increased confidence and support in the face of the major challenges confronting the Islamic world in this sphere, and endow it with an organ that is capable of refuting the accusations from outside and defending the OIC Member States' position in this regard. The intergovernmental expert group has made good headway in drafting the statute of this new organ, and reached consensus on most of its articles which cover the organ's nature, principles, number of experts, posts, meetings, mechanisms for the adoption of recommendations, and the creation of a Secretariat to assist the Commission in its tasks. It is expected that the draft statute will be submitted to the forthcoming Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers due to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in May 2010 for consideration.

World Affairs

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad meets with the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns (R), in Damascus, Syria on 17 February 2010. (epa)

If the appointment is confirmed by the US Senate, Ford would "engage the Syrian government on how we can enhance relations, while addressing areas of ongoing concern", the White House added.

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Ihsanoglu urges finalization of the statute of the human rights commission

A Platform of Think Tanks of the OIC Member Countries to be established

World Affairs

Arab leaders renew their support for Mideast peace efforts

Adopts a resolution to raise $500 million in support of Jerusalem At the conclusion of the summit, Arab leaders renewed their support for Mideast peace efforts. The Arab League's backing for the land for peace initiative with Israel comes despite its firm opposition to Israeli plans for new Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem, land Palestinians claim as the capital of a future state. Earlier in the month, Arab nations opened the door for Abbas to enter four months of indirect, American-

Leaders pose for a photo ahead of the opening session of the Arab league Summit on 27 March 2010 in Sirte, Libya. (epa)

Sirte, Libya (agencies) - Arab leaders opened a summit on March 27, 2010 determined to send a clear warning that the Middle East peace process is doomed unless Israel freezes Jewish settlements in annexed east Jerusalem. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said Arab states should prepare for the possibility that the Palestinian-Israeli peace process may be a total failure and come up with alternatives. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas set the tone when he ruled out US-brokered peace talks with Israel unless the Jewish state backs down on settlements and pleaded with Arab leaders to "rescue" Jerusalem. "We cannot resume indirect negotiations as long as Israel maintains its settlement policy and the status quo," Abbas said in a speech at the start of the two-day summit. Abbas urged Arab leaders to help facilitate the US-brokered talks, accused Israel of working to alter the Arab identity of Jerusalem with "ethnic cleansing." "We have always said that Jerusalem is the jewel in the crown and the gate to peace," Abbas said, who insisted that Israeliannexed east Jerusalem must be the capital of a future Palestinian state. Speaking to Arab leaders at the 22nd ordinary summit of the Arab League in the Libyan town of Sirte, Moussa said a fresh approach was needed. "We have to study the possibility that the peace process will be a complete failure," Moussa said. "It's time 20

to face Israel. We have to have alternative plans because the situation has reached a turning point. "The peace process has entered a new stage, perhaps the last stage. We have accepted the efforts of mediators. We have accepted an open-ended peace process." "But that resulted in a loss of time and we did not achieve anything and allowed Israel to practice its policy for 20 years," he said. The UN chief Ban Ki-moon, also addressing the summit, appealed for Arab backing for the "proximity" indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians, saying "our common goal should be to resolve all final-status issues within 24 months." Ban also reiterated that Israel's settlement activity in east Jerusalem was "illegal" and stressed "Jerusalem's significance to all must be respected, and it should emerge from negotiations as the capital of two states." Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, another guest speaker, blasted Israel's policy of considering and treating with the whole of Jerusalem as its united capital as "madness." "Jerusalem is the apple of the eye of each and every Muslim ... and we cannot at all accept any Israeli violation in Jerusalem or in Muslim sites," Erdogan said. "If Jerusalem burns, all of Palestine will burn, and if Palestine burns then all of the Middle East will be afire," Erdogan warned. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stressed in his speech at the summit that the City of Al Quds is

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

going through difficult times and that a full-blown Judaization process was on. This takes the form of synagogue construction, expulsion of Arab and Muslim populations from the City, and the destruction of its historical and cultural identity. What Israel is doing is flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, said the Secretary General. Ihsanoglu warned that this violation could trigger strong waves of disturbances and violence across the world.He underscored the importance of huge financial support for the vital sectors of the City and the need to counter the inflow into Israel of Jewish funds used for the construction of settlements and confiscation of unoccupied lands with a view to Judaize them. The 13 Arab leaders along with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi attending the summit adopted a resolution to raise $500 million in aid to improve living conditions for Jerusalem Palestinians as part of a "rescue plan." The Arab League chief also said the 22-member organization should start talking to Tehran to address concerns about its nuclear program. "I know there is a worry among Arabs regarding Iran but this situation confirms the necessity of a dialogue with Iran," Moussa said in his speech. However, some nations had reservations about an open dialogue with Tehran. Erdogan accepted an offer to form a new regional grouping of Turkey and the Arab League.

brokered peace talks with Israel. But they later threatened to withdraw support for the negotiations after Israel announced plans for new Jewish homes in east Jerusalem. The Arab League scheduled an extraordinary summit for later this year to tackle issues it had been unable to resolve during its two days of meetings in the Libyan city of Sirte. Arab leaders urged US President Barack Obama to keep up his efforts

to halt all Israeli settlement building on Palestinian land, in a final statement. The leaders stressed “their total rejection of the settlement policy carried out by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories and call on President Obama to uphold his position ... to completely halt settlements.” Israel's settlement policy poses “a dangerous obstacle to a just and comprehensive peace process,” read the final resolution.

Allawi's coalition wins most seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections Baghdad, Iraq (agencies) - Iyad Allawi's coalition won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary election with Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki running a close second, according to results released on March 26, 2010. Allawi's crosssectarian Iraqiya coalition won 91 seats to 89 seats for AlMaliki's State of Law bloc. The Iraqi National Alliance, a Shiite grouping, came third with 70 seats, and Kurdistania, comprised of the autonomous Kurdish region's two long-dominant blocs, won 43 seats, according to the full preliminary results released by the Independent High Electoral Commission, 19 days after the parliamentary election. Allawi's victory in the March 7 poll signals he will be given the first opportunity to form a government, which would require a coalition holding at least a majority of 163 seats out of the 235-member Parliament. If he fails to do so within 30 days, Iraq's president, who himself is elected by Parliament, would choose the leader of another bloc to try to form a coalition government. The top official for the United Nations in Iraq said the UN has determined Iraq's elections were credible and called on all sides to accept the results. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had considered Iraq's parliamentary elections "another important milestone in the country's political development." "A strong voter mandate will be a powerful message in support of stability and prosperity for all Iraqis and will build on the political progress that has already been achieved," Ban said in a message welcoming Iraq's national elections. The UN said that approximately 18.9 million Iraqis have registered to vote, with 6,529 candidates competing for 275 seats on the Council of Representatives. OIC expresses satisfaction of elections in Iraq, welcomes an Iraqi delegation: OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his satisfaction at the conditions in which Iraqi parliamentary election took place on March 7, which were conducted in respect of the terms and procedures governing the election process and in accordance with the law. In this context, the Secretary General congratulated the Iraqi people for their intensive participation in the elec-

tions, attachment to the democratic process and to the reinforcement of constitutional institutions in Iyad Allawi greeting the country. supporters (epa) The Secretary General called on all parties to join their efforts and work together in order to support and promote stability and security in Iraq. He had earlier called upon all Iraqi political parties to take part in the elections. Meanwhile, an Iraqi delegation comprising representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Planning, and Finance held important talks with officials in the political and economic departments at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on March 3, 2010. Discussions at the meeting dwelt on all areas of cooperation between Iraq and the OIC and its subsidiary and specialized organs, particularly the follow-up of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides during the visit the that Secretary General undertook in February 2009 to Iraq. Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye reiterated the OIC's full support to Iraq in all fields and its keenness to implement all agreements signed by the two sides. For his part, the head of the Iraqi delegation, Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Jawwad, Director of the International Organizations and Conferences Department at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed Iraq's satisfaction with the joint cooperation with the OIC, applauding the decision by the OIC to dispatch representatives to monitor the elections in Iraq. 21

World Affairs

Arab leaders renew their support for Mideast peace efforts

Leaders pose for a photo ahead of the opening session of the Arab league Summit on 27 March 2010 in Sirte, Libya. (epa)

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World Affairs

OIC, Turkey discuss ways to develop bilateral relations

Maha Akeel Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-On the first day of the year at the new OIC headquarters in Jeddah, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu held a long and friendly meeting. They discussed various regional issues and ways to develop the bilateral relations between the OIC and the Government of Turkey for the benefit of the causes of the Muslim Ummah and its interests. The Secretary General conveyed his thanks and gratitude for the generous support of the Government of Turkey to the OIC. Ihsanoglu briefed the Minister on the OIC activities, particularly in the fields of preventive diplomacy and human rights. On his part, the Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the multi-level efforts deployed by the OIC General Secretariat within the new OIC vision. With reference to its very important role in various domains, he mentioned that the Government of Turkey has high expectations from the Organization and is following its activities in a close manner. After the nearly 90-minute meeting, Davutoglu told reporters about the regional and international issues they discussed and the means of supporting the OIC. First on their agenda was the forthcoming international Darfur donor's conference that was to be held in Cairo in March under the joint chairmanship of Turkey and Egypt. The Minister said that the conference aimed at mobilizing world donors for Sudan's Darfur region, especially for financing projects with the involvement of Turkey, Egypt, the OIC and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Davutoglu lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabia in providing humanitarian support to help 50,000 people in Darfur. The Kingdom has so far donated 30 ambulance vans to the three states of Darfur on the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Saudi Red Crescent Authority President Prince Faisal bin Abdullah. The OIC and Turkey also discussed the situation in Somalia and exchanged views on ways and means of achieving OIC support for the entrenchment of security and stability in Somalia. The possibility of launching projects in the fields of education and health will be discussed during the future negotiations, said Davutoglu. “Also, the provision of assistance to alleviate poverty and reduce the impact of the humanitarian crisis in this country, and other development projects will be focused on in the negotiations,” he added. The Secretary General and the Turkish Foreign Minister discussed in detail, the situation in the occupied City of 22

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Al-Quds and Gaza Strip, and the recent developments in the Middle East Peace Process. They agreed that juduaization of the city of Al Quds is a flagrant violation of international law and efforts at international forum should be enhanced. “We fully support the efforts of the Secretary General regarding Al-Quds Al-Shareef and Masjid AlAqsa. We should not allow the status and structure of the Holy City of Al-Quds to be changed,” he emphasized. He also stressed on Turkey's clear position on the Palestinian issue in defending the rights of the Palestinians. “The humanitarian tragedy in Gaza is a great concern for us. As Muslims we have to show our support to our Palestinian brothers.” The meeting highlighted the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue as well as the need to surpass the unjust isolation through increased contacts between the Turkish Cypriots and the OIC Member States, particularly in the fields of commerce, investment, and tourism; education and culture were also among the issues discussed. Ihsanoglu and Davutoglu stressed on the role of the OIC in the promotion of understanding between Muslims and Western world. They discussed the recent Swiss ban on building new minarets there and the ways to address that. Exchange of views between the two parties included the role of the OIC in contributing to peace and security situation in Afghanistan, OIC-EU and OIC-OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) relations, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the revitalization of the OIC Contact Group and the situation of Muslims in the non-OIC member countries, particularly the peace process in the Southern Philippines. On the sidelines of the visit of Minister Davutoglu, the OIC Journal had a short interview with him: 1. Turkey has been playing an active role in the Middle East and has improved its relations with Syria, Iraq and other regional countries. Is this a new direction for Turkey, towards the East instead of the West? No, Turkey has a multidimensional geography so all these different diplomatic activities in different parts of the world are complementary for us; they are one unity. Therefore, for us the EU is important, the OIC is important, Europe is important, the Middle East is important at the same time, so we cannot ignore any of them for the sake of the other. We will continue to be active on all fronts. 2. What about the Middle East peace process, will Turkey still play a mediator role? Playing mediator role depends on the request of the two sides. It depends on the political will of the parties. Turkey will continue to play a role in Palestinian reconciliation. 3.Your Excellency played an instrumental role in reforming the OIC and drafting the new Charter and Program of Action. How do you see the reform process of the OIC and its role? The OIC has gone through a strong transitional period and in the last five to six years there has been attempts of reforming the OIC. Turkey supports these attempts for reform. Personally, I was member of the Wise Men Group who prepared the report for these reforms. I am very happy to see that some of our suggestions and proposals at the time have been realized and we hope that the future of OIC will be much stronger.

Ihsanoglu discusses regional issues with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu welcomed the Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his accompanying delegation at his residence in Jeddah on January 20, 2010. The two sides discussed the various issues of the region and the efforts exerted by Turkey and the OIC. The two sides then held a joint press conference. The Secretary General thanked the Prime Minister for his support to the OIC and praised the relationship between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which he said helps in the stability and understanding in the region. He also said that the whole Muslim world appreciates the efforts of Prime Minister Erdogan regarding Islamic affairs, especially the Palestinian issue as well as the Alliance of Civilizations. Ihsanoglu congratulated

the Prime Minister for receiving the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam. On his side, Erdogan spoke about his tour of the region, which started with the United Arab Emirates followed by Saudi Arabia where he met with the leaders of both countries and discussed bolstering relations and increasing trade. As for his meeting with the Secretary General, he said he heard a detailed briefing of the Organization's activities and its achievements and expressed his satisfaction over its increasing role on the world stage. Asked about Israel's demand to hold direct talks with Syria, Erdogan said, “We are not a party to make a decision on this topic. It is up to Syria and Israel how to hold talks. Turkey mediated between the two countries

upon their request. We had conducted five rounds of talks but those talks stopped when Israel attacked Gaza.” Referring to Turkey's efforts to join the European Union, Erdogan said Turkey would not discard its principles and its brethren in the Islamic world once it joins the EU. “Turkey will not lean to either left or right and will not leave its values and principles during its continuous negotiations to join the European Union,” he added. He said Turkey considered EU as a political, social and economic union, not as religious union. “We take our decisions on the basis of just and humanitarian principles. We have been waiting for EU membership for the last 50 years. We joined the European Customs Union a long time ago and we are now waiting for acceptance on the political side,” he said.

8, 2010, killing 51 people. The temblor Strong quake shakes Turkey March knocked down barns, killing many farm animals.

also

The US Geological Survey listed the quake at 5.9 magnitude. The Turkish Red Crescent set up tents and villagers laid plastic sheeting to shelter them from the cold and dirt. The government said it rushed ambulance helicopters, prefabricated homes and mobile kitchens into the stricken area. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed the region's mud-brick buildings for the many deaths and said the government housing agency would build quake-proof homes in the area. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed deep grief and sorrow at the loss of human life and properties by the devastating earthquake. While conveying his profound and sincere condolences to the Government and people of Turkey, in particular beOkcular, Turkey- Hundreds of earthquake survivors reaved family members of the victims, the Secretary Genhuddled in aid tents and around bonfires in eastern Turkey, eral expressed his confidence that the people of Turkey seeking relief from the winter cold after a strong temblor would be able to overcome this traumatic experience with knocked down stone and mud-brick houses in five villages courage and forbearance. 23

World Affairs

OIC, Turkey discuss ways to develop bilateral relations

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

8, 2010, killing 51 people. The temblor Strong quake shakes Turkey March knocked down barns, killing many farm animals.

also

World Affairs

Istanbul meeting on Afghanistan sends strong message of support

Afghan President Karzai (L) and Turkish President Gul at the Regional Summit on Afghanistan

Istanbul, Turkey (agencies)- In a statement to the Regional Summit on Afghanistan in Istanbul on 26 January 2010, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his confidence that the outcome of the meeting will send a strong message to the hard working and good people of Afghanistan that there is a genuine international action and support to bring the agony of violence in Afghanistan to an end. He noted that the presence of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and OIC in this conference shows that they are all committed to preventing violent extremists in this country and in the region from continuing their horrible acts of terrorism and killing innocent people under any justification or pretext. Ihsanoglu clarified that instability in Afghanistan has had immediate impact on security in the region, and that criminal activities including extremism and terrorism now easily target every state in the region. “Regional cooperation on issues such as narcotics, refugees, crossborder crimes, terrorism, energy, infrastructure and trade is therefore central to regional security and development,” Ihsanoglu said. The Secretary General expressed his belief that the success of international efforts to foster security and economic development in Afghanistan is increasingly intertwined to a meaningful and coordinated role that is played by states in the region. He also emphasized that the OIC has actively supported and facilitated regional cooperation towards peace and security in Afghanistan, taking into consideration the fact that five neighboring countries of Afghanistan are members of the OIC. The Secretary General emphasized OIC's active role in

humanitarian efforts for the good of the Afghan people, as well as the OIC's aim to contribute to the process of national reconciliation involving all elements of the Afghan society. To this end, the Secretary General underlined the OIC's readiness to assume a prominent role in providing the space for political engagement on Afghanistan, as it was the case in 1980's. He concluded his speech by calling for marking Istanbul's meeting as a turning point in creating new hope for the future of Afghanistan and the region. At the conclusion of the meeting the Afghan leadership gained its neighbors' support for efforts to persuade Taliban fighters to lay down arms and join the political process. “We support the Afghan national process of reconciliation and reintegration in accordance with the Constitution of Afghanistan in a way that is Afghan-led and -driven,” country leaders said in a joint statement. The regional summit was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, his counterparts from Pakistan and Turkey and senior officials from Iran, China, Tajikistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and the United Kingdom. “Regional cooperation starts from the region. It has great potential. It is effective when it is regionally owned and governed in a sincere, transparent and constructive manner, bringing positive synergy,” said the statement. After talks with the Turkish and Pakistani presidents, Karzai described moderate Taliban fighters as “sons of the Afghan soil” who should be reintegrated. He did not rule out negotiating with Taliban who are not part of al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group. “The Taliban who are not part of terrorist networks or al-Qaeda are the sons of the Afghan soil,” Karzai told reporters. “They are thousands and thousands and thousands and they have to be reintegrated.” The Afghan government has been drafting a fullfledged reintegration plan for Taliban fighters as Karzai seeks international support for his agenda at the one-day donors' meeting in London on January 28, 2010. “Military instruments are not adequate alone to overcome the problems facing Afghanistan,” Turkish President Abdullah Gül told reporters. “It is necessary to win hearts and minds of all Afghan people.” The Afghan leader's plan is aimed at bringing moderate Taliban factions into mainstream society to combat the insurgency. Observers say the new Afghan strategy, based on money and job offers to encourage Taliban fighters to lay down arms, which is backed by the international community, should be part of a broader political process.

derlined the OIC's readiness to play an instrumental role in this regard, using its vast experiences and potentials to work with concerned stakeholders. The OIC statement at the London Conference further elaborated that the OIC General Secretariat has planned to co-organize together with the Afghan Government an important conference of scholars and religious leaders in Kabul on restoring security and stability in Afghanistan and in the region with a view to addressing the issue of radical interpretation of the teachings of religion and to promote moderation and peaceful coexistence among the adherents of different schools of thought. The statement of the OIC delegation concluded that the aim of the Organization was to contribute to the national reconciliation among all elements of the Afghan society through utilizing the comparative advantages of the OIC. Some 70 nations represented at the London Conference raised $140 million as part of a focused, momentumbuilding effort to aid the government of Afghanistan. But clear signals were also delivered that the US and its NATO allies are crafting a departure strategy and determined to transfer security responsibility to Kabul within five years. World leaders attending the conference agreed on a timetable for the

handover of security duties in Afghan provinces starting in late 2010 or early 2011. In their final communiqué, they pledged funds for a plan aimed at persuading Taleban fighters to renounce violence, but offered no specific figures. The meeting backed Karzai's plan to reintegrate Taleban willing to “cut ties with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups and pursue their political goals peacefully.” Earlier, speaking at the conference, Karzai said he would call a loya jirga, or council of elders, to discuss how to bring about reconciliation in Afghanistan. “We will establish a national council for peace and reconciliation and reintegration, followed by a peace jirga in Afghanistan,” he said. International allies have said they will pledge at least $500 million for the reconciliation fund - officially known as the Peace and Reconciliation Trust Fund. Karzai hoped that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will play a prominent role to guide and assist the peace process. He had earlier called on Saudi Arabia, which hosted talks between Afghan government and Taleban representatives in the past, to help bring peace to Afghanistan. However, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said the Kingdom will only take part in Afghan peace efforts if the Taleban deny

Afghanistan is the most difficult place for a child: UN

London Conference raises $140 million for Afghanistan,

Emphasizes role of OIC London, UK (agencies)- The Final Communiqué of the International Conference on Afghanistan held in London on 28 January, while heralding a new era in approaching the problems faced by Afghanistan, referred to the important role of the OIC within the regional engagement and in developing projects to promote 24

education and tackling radicalization. The intervention of the OIC General Secretariat at the Conference stated that the Organization, as the second largest intergovernmental organization in membership after the United Nations, with 57 member and 5 observer countries, and being the voice of 1.5 billion Muslims in the

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world affairs, was capable of providing “the cultural” framework that both President Gul and President Karzai had mentioned at the Regional Conference on Afghanistan held in Istanbul. The OIC's intervention at the London Conference also supported the national reconciliation process elaborated by President Karzai. It un-

sanctuary to Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and cut ties with militant networks. “By keeping their contacts with Bin Laden they won't be coming to any negotiations with a positive attitude. I think the important theme of this conference is the intention to change policy in Afghanistan, a recognition first that the settlement in Afghanistan is not going to be a military question alone but there has to be a political and economic side on the settlement,” Prince Saud said. He announced a $150 million Saudi contribution for the development of Afghanistan. President Karzai also asked Afghanistan's neighbors to support its peace and reconciliation efforts. Ahead of the international conference in London, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan signed on January 16 in Islamabad a joint declaration calling for a regional solution to Afghanistan. “Our region is hard hit by terrorism, extremism, militancy and drugfinanced terrorism both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We have decided here today to seek a comprehensive and sustainable solution to keep the region clean from the menace of terrorism which has disturbed regional peace and progress, said the foreign ministers of the three countries in their Trilateral Joint Declaration.

Herat, Afghanistan (agencies)- With high child mortality rates and poor levels of nutrition, Afghanistan is the hardest place in the world to be a child, the South Asia regional director for UNICEF said. "The situation in Afghanistan as a whole is one of the most dramatic in South Asia and also in the world. Afghanistan is the most difficult place to be born as a child," Daniel Toole said on a visit to Afghanistan in mid March. "If I could take one challenge, it's survival." Three decades of war have made it ever tougher for an Afghan child

just to survive, Toole told Reuters. More than a quarter of Afghan children - 257 out of 1,000 - will die before they reach their fifth birthday and 165 out of every 1,000 will die in the first year of their lives, more than any place in the world, according to UNICEF data from 2008. Afghanistan also has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world after Sierra Leone, with 1,800 women per 100,000 live births dying during childbirth, according to UNICEF estimates from 2005. "On top of that, we overlay the conflict, and so children are being displaced, their food production has been disrupted, so the chances of being yet further endangered by the security situation ... make it that much more dramatic," said Toole. Violence in Afghanistan is at its worst levels since a US-led invasion in late 2001 overthrew the Taleban. Since then, intense fighting between insurgents and foreign and Afghan troops has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes. An increasing number of children are also fleeing across Afghanistan's borders, said Toole, with many turning up as far away as Western Europe without their parents. But despite the difficulties facing Afghan children, Toole said progress was being made, especially in education with an increasing number of girls being sent to school. "There is a lot of improvement but there is still so much more to do here," Toole said. 25

World Affairs

Istanbul meeting on Afghanistan sends strong message of support

Afghan President Karzai (L) and Turkish President Gul at the Regional Summit on Afghanistan

Afghanistan is the most difficult place for a child: UN

London Conference raises $140 million for Afghanistan,

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

World Affairs

Alim: OIC supports Kashmiri people’s right to self determination Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his deep concern and disappointment at the recent wave of violence against the people of Kashmir by the Indian forces. While condemning the continued use of force against the Kashmiri people in the Indianheld Kashmir, Ihsanoglu appealed, once more, to the Indian authorities to avoid excessive use of force and respect the people's will and rights in order to help improve security situation in the area. He further added that the use of force during the observance of the Kashmir Solidarity Day of February 5, 2010 was of particular concern to the Muslim World.

their legitimate and fundamental human rights, including the right of selfdetermination through peaceful means and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Amb. Alim said, "we are gathering here to show our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that while the region is facing numerous security issues and challenges, we have not forgotten them; to show that the persistence of the OIC in supporting the Kashmiri people and their aspiration has not been eroded and we seize every possible opportunity to strengthen our bonds with them."

He emphasized that the position of the Meanwhile, OIC Assistant Secretary OIC with regard to the Jammu and KashAmb. Alim mir dispute is well known and unambiguGeneral for Political Affairs Ambassador Abdullah Alim attended a special ceremony at the Consu- ous. As the new Special Representative of the OIC Secrelate General of Pakistan in Jeddah to commemorate Kash- tary General on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he stated mir Solidarity Day. Amb. Alim, who is also the Special that he is determined to do his level best to follow up the Representative of the OIC Secretary General on the Jammu implementation of decisions taken by the OIC Member and Kashmir dispute, delivered a speech in which he re- States in supporting the people of Kashmir and he is confinewed the support of the OIC and that of the whole Mus- dent that the people of Kashmir will soon see the sweet relim Ummah to the Kashmiri people who are struggling for sults of their struggle.

Ihsanoglu receives Pakistan's highest civil award

Secretary General Ihsanoglu receiving Hilal-e-Pakistan award from President Zardari

Islamabad, Pakistan- OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was awarded Hilal-e-Pakistan by H.E. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at the Awards Ceremony held in Islamabad to coincide with the 70th Pakistan Day Celebrations on March 23. The Country's highest civil award was conferred on the Secretary General in recognition of his meritorious services towards Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah. Prof. Ihsanoglu is the first OIC Secretary General to receive this award. The Secretary General spent a busy day in Islamabad,

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Islamabad, Kabul to boost ties

which included a call on the President of Pakistan wherein the whole range of issues pertaining to Pakistan's engagement with the OIC as an active and founding Member State were discussed. It was agreed that the close cooperation between Pakistan and the OIC on wide ranging issues on the Organization's agenda, will be furthered. The President praised the Secretary General's dynamic leadership in presiding over an unprecedented reform and restructuring at the OIC propelled by the vision of moderation and modernization. The Secretary General thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for the conferment of the award as well as the trust placed in his stewardship of the OIC. Later, the Secretary General and his team held substantive discussions during a meeting with Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, which was followed by a dinner hosted by the Minister in his honor. The Secretary General's presence in Islamabad was also characterized by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the OIC and UN-HABITAT for reconstruction of a girls' school in the Sawat valley as part of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts following a major anti-terrorist operation last year. The OIC Secretary General's other engagements in Islamabad included interaction with the print and electronic media, and inauguration of an exhibition organized by the Rumi Forum. Dr. Ihsanoglu also called on the Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gillani before leaving Islamabad.

Afghanistan's foreign minister Dr. Zalmai Rasool (L) and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi sign documents as Afghan President Karzai and Pakistan's Prime Minister Gilani, look on. (epa)

Islamabad, Pakistan (agencies)- Pakistan and Afghanistan on March 12, 2010 reaffirmed their commitment to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, consolidate good neighborly relations and uphold the principles of the UN Charter. In a joint declaration at the conclusion of Afghan Presi-

dent Hamid Karzai's visit to Pakistan, the two sides acknowledged that strong ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are important for regional peace, security and development. They agreed to develop a plan for strengthening road, rail and air links and upgrade existing facilities. The two sides also agreed to expand aviation links and extend bus services to additional destinations. In the trade sector, the two countries decided to take requisite measures to enhance bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2015. They also agreed to explore opportunities for joint ventures and undertake projects to develop the region's vast mineral and hydel resources. The number of Afghan students getting education in Pakistani will be increased from 1,000 to 2,000 and special arrangements would be made for women Afghan students to facilitate their education in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion Gilani said: "We will work for opening the new roads and new highways and extend rail links into Afghanistan. We will double the number of scholarships for Afghan students. To harness the resources and energies of our corporate sectors, we will establish a Pakistan-Afghanistan reconstruction consortium and a Silk Route CEOs Forum. We will also study the possibility of a food bank to enhance food security in our two countries."

Pakistan Senate passes constitutional reforms Islamabad, Pakistan (agencies)- Pakistan's upper house Senate passed on April 15, 2010 constitutional amendments stripping the president of his main powers and handing them to the prime minister and Parliament. The lower house of Parliament approved the reforms unanimously the week before. President Asif Ali Zardari has backed the reforms. “Today, democracy has won,” Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the Senate soon after the vote. “It's the

first time the president, prime minister and both houses of Parliament are on one page.” The charter changes, drafted by parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties, will turn Zardari into a ceremonial head of state. The main powers he is giving up are the power to dissolve Parliament and appoint top armed forces chiefs and judges. But Zardari will retain much influence as leader of the ruling party. These presidential powers were introduced by former president Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s to keep control of the government.

Pakistan, US seek stronger ties Washington DC, USA (agencies)- High-level talks held in Washington between Pakistan and the US were hoped will strengthen the new partnership the US President Barack Obama promised last fall in exchange for Pakistan's cooperation in shutting down Taleban and Al-Qaeda havens. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who headed the Pakistani delegation of senior cabinet officials, and Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani led a delegation that arrived March 21. The Pakistanis have come wanting an improvement of bilateral relations through such aid as civilian nuclear assistance and military equipment aimed at balancing its power with India. The meetings, which began March 24, are the fourth round of discussions between the two countries since 2006 and the first that included direct involvement of topranking government officials from both sides. Pakistan recently stepped up its efforts to eradicate terrorist factions within its own borders through an aggressive pursuit of militants, arresting Afghan Taleban members and even apprehending top Taliban commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Meeting with the delegation, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US wanted a new relationship with Pakistan but was realistic of the challenges ahead in revers-

ing decades of mistrust. “It is the start of something new,” Clinton said. “Our countries have had our misunderstandings and disagreements in the past and there are sure to be more disagreements in the future.” Speaking alongside Clinton, Qureshi pledged support for action against extremism but also said that Pakistan had key wishes from the United States. “We hope non-discriminatory access to vital energy resources will also be made available to us so that we too can pursue our economic and industrial development plans,” he said. He also called for a “constructive” US role on Kashmir. Pakistani officials also want to jump-start the $7.5 billion aid package recently approved by the US Congress and scheduled to be delivered to Pakistan over the next five years. This is expected to produce several agreements, from building dams and roads to power projects for Pakistan, as well as additional security commitments and continued economic and political reform. In addition to the $7.5 billion in aid, the US has recently provided Pakistan with 1,000 kits for manufacturing laser-accurate explosive projectile weapons. These are designed to give the Pakistani Air Force an upper hand in battles against insurgency. 27

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Ihsanoglu receives Pakistan's highest civil award

Secretary General Ihsanoglu receiving Hilal-e-Pakistan award from President Zardari

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Islamabad, Kabul to boost ties

Afghanistan's foreign minister Dr. Zalmai Rasool (L) and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi sign documents as Afghan President Karzai and Pakistan's Prime Minister Gilani, look on. (epa)

World Affairs

Ihsanoglu addresses UN Security Council on peace and security

New York, USA- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, participated in a thematic session organized by the UN Security Council in New York on 13 January 2010 titled "The Cooperation of the UN with the Regional Organizations". UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon had invited Ihsanoglu and other heads of regional organizations for a retreat in Long Island, outside New York City, on Jan 11 and 12 to discuss their cooperation with the UN and peace and security in their regions. In his speech at the UNSC, Ihsanoglu highlighted the important role of regional and international organizations in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, and global peace building and how to counter terrorism using peaceful means. He said that Regional Organizations play an important and effective role in the domain of maintaining peace and security, a role which has been duly acknowledged in the UN Charter. He stated that the UN has taken a quantum leap forward in this domain since the adoption of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agenda for peaceâ&#x20AC;? which aimed at strengthening capacity in preventing diplomacy, peace keeping and peace building. The Secretary General stressed that the UN approach has generated a wide variety of instruments for cooperation calling for a multidisciplinary approach involving multiple actors and that this approach has also opened new avenues for potential uses of Chapter VIII at a time when the globalization of threats calls for global definition of the concept of security and most importantly, for a concerted collective response. Ihsanoglu noted that Regional Organizations have the advantage of proximity to conflicts and share much of the culture, tradition, history, religion and knowledge of the root causes of the conflicts. These factors are instrumental in resolving conflicts and restoring peace. He added that the OIC has played and continues to play an important role in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts among its member states, while promoting post-conflict peace building and reconstruction. In so doing, the OIC renders an important contribution to the global effort in the pro-

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

motion of international peace and security, he added. The Secretary General stated that he used his good offices to mediate in various disputes such as Palestine, Sudan and Chad, Iraq, Afghanistan, Southern Philippines and Southern Thailand, and that the OIC has intensified its collaboration, coordination and partnership with Regional Organizations including the African Union, League of Arab States as well as with sub-regional organizations such as ECOWAS and CEN-SAD. This approach that has proven to be very useful in dealing with Darfur peace talks in Doha and in the efforts aiming at establishing peace and stability in Somalia and Guinea, he added. Ihsanoglu affirmed that the OIC believes that approaching problems solely from the angle of security cannot lead to lasting and comprehensive solutions and short term solutions must give way to a proper understanding of the root causes of conflicts, which often lie in political grievances, backwardness, underdevelopment and lack of good governance. For these reasons, he declared, the OIC has established a special fund for poverty alleviation in Member States and a special program for the development of Africa. The Secretary General emphasized the importance of having strong links of cooperation and coordination between the Security Council and the OIC to benefit from both global and local approaches in addressing these issues. He stated that in the last decade the OIC has focused its activities on eradicating the root causes of terrorism that has plagued some of its areas. The OIC had to use local methods to destroy the doctrinal infrastructure of terrorism based on totally erroneous and falsely manipulated interpretation of the teaching of Islam. This method of dealing with such a scourge has proven that global problem could be solved by local remedies combined with coordination with the UN Security Council. He concluded by emphasizing that the best way to tackle the terrorism phenomenon lies in eliminating the root causes of terrorism through establishing channels of communication with the influential and patriotic representatives of any society plagued with terrorism.

Ihsanoglu calls for the establishment of the OIC Peace and Security Council

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called the Member States to establish a department for peace and security within the OIC General Secretariat and an OIC Peace and Security Council, and to activate the Islamic Court of Justice for the resolution of conflicts among Islamic countries. He also called for the setting up of a collective mechanism with the objective of protecting and maintaining Member States' collective peace. Ihsanoglu expressed his regret that the Muslim world's region is most besieged by conflict and instability. He stated that despite such a situation, there still is no collective outfit dedicated to the resolution of conflicts or the preservation of security and stability in the Muslim world, which has allowed others from outside the region to intervene to fill that gap according to their self-interests. He insisted on the right of the Islamic world to be responsible for the resolution of its conflicts and the preservation of its security and stability. Ihsanoglu said that the OIC General Secretariat, inspired by the stipulations of the OIC Charter and the Ten-Year Program of Action, has made a number of important preemptive initiatives aimed at ensuring reconciliation, and resolving and managing conflicts among OIC Member States. He also expressed his conviction that conflict prevention and peace-building require proper handling and management of the roots of the conflicts, and not simply offering temporary tranquilizers. In this regard, he stated that OIC's approach has been rooted in the in-depth management of internal conflicts and the resolution of these underpinning causes, which manifest themselves in different forms such as political grievances, social injustice, economic lag and absence of good governance. The Secretary General made these remarks in his address to the Meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on the Future Role of the OIC in the Maintenance of Security, Peace-keeping and Conflict Resolu-

tion in the Member States, held at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on 23-24 January 2010. In the same vein, the Secretary General commended the contribution of the OIC General Secretariat to the resolution of conflicts through different international contact groups on Somalia, Darfur and the disruptions witnessed in Guinea. He also lauded OIC's effective support to the recently set up UN Peace-Building Committee and the symbolic financial contribution it made. Ihsanoglu added that the OIC General Secretariat has been, and still is, an active mediator in various conflicts such as in Palestine and Iraq, the issue of Sothern Philippines, Thailand, and Jammu and Kashmir, having designated special representatives for the Secretary General to follow up these conflicts at close quarters, and in an effective and direct manner. The Secretary General expressed his satisfaction for the valuable experience acquired by many Member States in the area of peace preservation and conflict resolution as a result of their participation in the UN peace-keeping forces. Their experience here will be of great benefit if the Member States manage to set up peace-keeping forces to operate under the banner of the OIC. In this context, the Secretary General announced that the UN Department of Political Affairs has agreed with the OIC General Secretariat to explore ways and means to help build up the capacity of the mediation units in both institutions in the area of preventive diplomacy and mediation. Ihsanoglu concluded his speech by calling for the organization of an Explorative Forum to be comprised of international authoritative experts and Muslim learned figures to examine the OIC's prospective role in the area of peace and security preservation, and invited the delegates of the Member States to offer insights in this sphere in preparation for a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Council of Foreign Ministers.

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Ihsanoglu addresses UN Security Council on peace and security

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Ihsanoglu calls for the establishment of the OIC Peace and Security Council

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OIC Secretary General addresses the Nuclear Disarmament Conference in Tehran Tehran, Iran- Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, participated in the International Conference on Nuclear Disarmament held in Tehran on 17 April 2010 upon the invitation of Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In his address to the conference OIC Secretary General highlighted the support of the OIC towards nuclear disarmament and elimination of other weapons of mass destruction and reiterated his call for the resolution of proliferation through political and diplomatic means within the framework of international law, relevant multilateral conventions and the United Nations Charter. He further indicated the fact that progress in nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, in all its aspects, was essential to strengthen international peace and security. Ihsanoglu also underlined the OIC's position on the need to respect the inalienable right of developing countries, including that of Iran, to engage in the research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in accordance with the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT). He also indicated the OIC's support for the establishment in the Middle East of a nuclear-weapon-free zone for the sustainability of peace, security and stability in the Middle East as a part of comprehen-

sive agreement in line with the Arab Peace Initiative. Iran's conference brought together representatives from 60 countries, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey and France, as well as delegates from international bodies and nongovernmental organizations, according to Iranian media. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and several other senior Iranian officials all warned that America's nuclear policy was endangering the world and pointed to the atomic arsenal of Israel, which has never formally acknowledged itself to be a nuclear power but is widely held to be and is not a signatory to the NPT. The Tehran summit's closing statement called for the new Non-Proliferation Treaty to set a firm deadline for worldwide nuclear disarmament, modeled on the convention to eliminate chemical weapons by 2012. On the occasion of the conference, OIC Secretary General had bilateral meetings with President Ahmedinejad, Dr. Salehi, Vice President, and Mottaki. During these meetings, the OIC Secretary General and his counterparts discussed further contribution of Iran to the OIC activities and exchanged views regarding the issues occupying the agenda of the Organization.

Ihsanoglu expresses his deep concern over the political unrest in Kyrgyzstan OIC condemns rail system attack in Moscow Moscow, Russia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the underground rail system attack on 29 March 2010 in Moscow, which killed 38 innocent persons and injured tens of others. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up on packed metro trains in Moscow's morning rush hour. In a message of sympathy addressed to the Russian President Dimitry Medvedev on the tragic incident, Ihsanoglu conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of Russia and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. The Secretary General, while recalling the principled position of the OIC on terrorism, reiterated its determination to contribute to the eradication of the menace.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his deep concern over the political unrest in Kyrgyzstan and was shocked to learn about the injuries and loss of lives caused by the violence that broke out in the streets of Kyrgyzstan on 7 April 2010. Opponents of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev took control of Kyrgyzstan after a day of violence where at least 83 people died and Ousted Kyrgyz Presi- Kyrgyz interim governended with Bakiyev fleeing the capital. dent Kurmanbek Ba- ment head Rosa Otunkiyev. (epa) bayeva. (epa) Opposition protesters seized the presidential administration and announced on state radio that they had formed a provisional government with former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva as its head. The Secretary General called for calm and restraint on the part of all concerned parties to avoid further bloodshed and stated that any dispute should be resolved through peaceful negotiation and dialogue. He was particularly concerned about the ongoing development towards the entrenchment of democracy and rule of law in Kyrgyzstan, an important member state of the OIC, which could be threatened by such violent incidents and said that all matters related to the conduct of political process in the country should be handled within the democratic principles and supremacy of law. Taking this opportunity he reiterated the principled position of his Organization against any sort of violent activities and usurping power through undemocratic means. To this end, he hoped that all concerned in Kyrgyzstan would resort to democratic process to overcome the current turmoil to return to calm and peace as soon as possible. The deposed president of Kyrgyzstan left the country on 14 April 2010 for neighboring Kazakhstan, allaying fears of new violence in the Central Asian nation that hosts a key US military base.

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

US, Russia sign landmark agreement to reduce nuclear arms

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and US President Barack Obama (L) exchange signed documents during the signing ceremony of the 'New START Treaty', in Prague, on 8 April 2010. (epa)

Prague, Czech Republic (agencies)- US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed on April 8, 2010 a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty. Obama and Medvedev put the finishing touches on the historic accord during a phone call in March, committing the world's biggest nuclear weapons powers to big cuts in their arsenals. "I'm pleased to announce that after a year of intense negotiations, the United States and Russia have agreed to the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades," Obama said. In Moscow, Medvedev hailed the agreement as reflecting the "balance of the interests of both countries," the Kremlin said. Under the 10-year agreement, each side must reduce its

deployed strategic warheads to 1,550 from the 2,200 now allowed and also make significant cuts in its stockpile of launchers, the White House said. "With this agreement, the United States and Russia the two largest nuclear powers in the world - also send a clear signal that we intend to lead," Obama said. "By upholding our own commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we strengthen our global efforts to stop the spread of these weapons, and to ensure that other nations meet their own responsibilities," Obama said. Obama and Medvedev signed the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which would replace a 1991 pact that expired in December, on April 8 in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, a former Soviet satellite now in NATO. The deal will help build momentum for a nuclear security summit Obama will host in Washington on April 12-14. The White House said the new treaty will not place constraints on US missile defense programs, which had been a sticking point in negotiations because of Russia's opposition to such plans. "It cuts, by about a third, the nuclear weapons that the United States and Russia will deploy. It significantly reduces missiles and launchers. It puts in place a strong and effective verification regime," Obama said. "And it maintains the flexibility that we need to protect and advance our national security, and to guarantee our unwavering commitment to the security of our allies." Obama still faces a fight for US Senate ratification of the treaty. The treaty also must win approval by the Russian Duma, and the two legislative processes are likely to take months.

World leaders pledge concerted action to prevent nuclear terrorism Washington DC, USA (agencies)- US President Barack Obama secured a pledge from world leaders to take concerted action to prevent nuclear terrorism. A communiqué issued at the 47nation Nuclear Security Summit promised greater efforts to block “non-state actors” like Al Qaeda from obtaining the building blocks for nuclear weapons for “malicious purposes.” Addressing the summit's opening session, Obama warned that if Al Qaeda acquired enough loose nuclear material for an atomic weapon it would be a “catastrophe for the world.” Obama has called the risk of terrorists obtaining nuclear material the world's biggest security threat. “Two decades after the end of the Cold War, we face a cruel irony of history - the risk of a nuclear confrontation between nations has gone down, but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up,” Obama said.

“So today is an opportunity not simply to talk, but to act. Not simply to make pledges, but to make real progress for the security of our people,” he told the assembled heads of state and government. The communiqué called for new controls on plutonium and highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium, key components of nuclear weapons, and a crackdown on nuclear smuggling. The summit also agreed that security steps “will not infringe upon the rights of states to develop and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.” Washington and Moscow signed a deal to reduce stocks of excess weapons-grade plutonium, with US officials saying each country will dispose of 34 tones. The US, Canada and Mexico agreed to work together with the International Atomic Energy Agency to convert Mexico's research reactor from the use of highly enriched ura-

nium to low enriched uranium fuel. Ukraine, which in 1994 gave up nuclear arms inherited in the collapse of the Soviet Union, announced it would get rid of its highly enriched uranium, and Canada said it would return spent nuclear fuel to the US, its supplier. Closing the summit, Obama said participants had agreed to secure all the world's vulnerable nuclear material within four years. Leaders at the 47-nation summit also pledged to take action to prevent terrorist groups obtaining nuclear material, Obama said. The US president said the four-point plan reached at the summit would make a real contribution to a safer world. “Terrorist networks such as alQaeda have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon and, if they ever succeed, they would surely use it,” said Obama. Obama also announced the next nuclear security summit would be held in South Korea in 2012. 31

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the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

US, Russia sign landmark agreement to reduce nuclear arms

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and US President Barack Obama (L) exchange signed documents during the signing ceremony of the 'New START Treaty', in Prague, on 8 April 2010. (epa)

World Affairs

First visit by a US Secretary of State to the OIC

Ihsanoglu exchanges views with Hillary Clinton on bilateral cooperation between OIC and US

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The Secretary of State of the served as a trial attorney at the US Department of Justice. USA, Hillary Rodham Clinton, paid an official visit to the At the meeting between Clinton and her accompanying OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah on 16 Feb- delegation with Ihsanoglu and OIC officials, exchange of ruary 2010. Secretary of State Clinton, who was accompa- views covered the bilateral cooperation projects between nied by a delegation including the US Ambassador to Sau- the OIC and the US, particularly in the fields of fighting di Arabia James Smith, Assistant Secretaries of State malaria and polio, and providing maternal and infant Jeffry Feltman and P.J. Crowley, and the US Consul Gen- health services in the least developed OIC Member States. eral in Jeddah Martin Quinn, introduced the newly appoint- The meeting also covered political issues including Middle ed US Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad East Peace Process and the situation in Hussein to the OIC Secretary General East Jerusalem, Afghanistan, Iraq, Su“We had a very comprehen- dan/Darfur and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. A few days before the visit, US sive discussion about many isBoth sides expressed concern regardPresident Barack Obama announced ing the religious tensions and confrontasues that the United States that he has appointed Rashad Hussain to tion in Nigeria, which complicates tackand the OIC care deeply serve as his special envoy to the OIC. ling the challenges faced by that country. about, and talked about ac"As an accomplished lawyer and a tion plans that we can pursue They also exchanged views on some isclose and trusted member of my White sues in the agenda of the UN Human together,” said Clinton. House staff, Rashad has played a key Rights Council. Both sides agreed to role in developing the partnerships I continue consultations and cooperation called for in Cairo," the President said on all the issues above in the days ahead. when he made the announcement on February 13 from This marks the first time a US State Secretary has paid Washington. "As a hafiz of the Qur'an, he is a respected an official visit to the OIC. “I am very pleased that I am member of the American Muslim community, and I thank the first secretary of state to visit the OIC,” said Clinton to him for carrying forward this important work." reporters after the hour-long meeting. The OIC issued a statement following the announce“We had a very comprehensive discussion about many ment saying the appointment "will facilitate coordination issues that the United States and the OIC care deeply between the US officials and the OIC General Secretariat, about, and talked about action plans that we can pursue toparticularly to promote mutual understanding on issues of gether,” said Clinton. interest to the Muslim world." Ihsanoglu and Clinton expressed complimentary comHussain is presently Deputy Associate Counsel to Oba- ments on the conducive talks that took place behind closed ma. His work at the White House focuses on national se- doors. The Secretary General further highlighted the posicurity, new media and science and technology issues. Hus- tive strides that the US and Muslim nations are taking and sain has also worked with National Security Staff in referred to Obama's speech in Cairo as a genuine vision of pursuing the new beginning that President Obama outlined future collaboration between the West and the Muslim in his June 2009 address in Cairo. Hussain previously world.

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At the end of the meeting, the US Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad Hussein was separately received by the OIC Secretary General and held consultations with the Science and Technology Department of the General Secretariat. Hussein, 31, then generously gave time to reporters. He was hopeful that his appointment would bring the US and the Muslim world closer. “I am really honored and humbled to be given this position by President Obama,” said Hussein. He speculated on the region's general consensus of Obama's administration, nine months into office. “One of the things that I've noticed since I've been in the region, is that many people are very happy about the manner in which the president has addressed these issues - in a very sincere way, and that is something I can attest to personally having worked with him. It is also something that I'm sure all of you saw in his visionary address in Cairo.” Hussein believes Obama has set an unprecedented framework for “comprehensive engagement, cooperation and partnership between the United States and Muslim communities all over the world.” He reiterated his statement by commenting on the involvement of many United States departments and agencies in these efforts, including not only the State Department or Department of Education, but also other departments and agencies, such as the Department of Labor, NASA and the Small Business Administration. Hussein stated that unlike previous times this was truly a comprehensive scope and not simply defined

US Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad Hussein

by one issue. “It won't be defined simply on the war on terrorism; it won't be defined on what Islam is not, but rather what it is and that provides the basis for cooperation in a number of areas including education, entrepreneurship, job creation, exchanges, health, science and technology,” said Hussein. “I look forward to working with the OIC and its members to address all these issues.” There are a lot of exchange programs under way, especially in the areas of science and technology, education, and health. He also voiced enthusiasm in continuing this cooperation. When asked what changes have been made since the last administration, Hussein said the biggest change so far is the complete shift in the framework by which the United States addresses these (Muslim) is-

Hussein believes Obama has set an unprecedented framework for “comprehensive engagement, cooperation and partnership between the United States and Muslim communities all over the world.” sues. “For a number of years, the foundation for the relationship by which other countries related to Muslim countries was the war on terrorism,” explained Hussein, referring once again to the President's “new beginning” address in Cairo. He also reminded that President Obama did something that no other president has done before, which is speak in his inauguration address directly to the Muslim community on issues of mutual concern and soon afterwards speaking in Ankara and Cairo as well as sending some of his close advisors to engage with the Muslim community in the US. “It shouldn't be understated,” said Hussein, “ that what we have is a comprehensive engagement based on mutual respect and mutual understanding.” When asked whether this “mutual respect and understanding” was considered when deciding on the new security policies, in which overt profiling against nationals of certain Muslim countries is allowed, Hussein agreed there was reason for concern.

“First of all, the policies that are in place right now are being evaluated. I think it is important to counter some of the misconceptions about some of those policies, while there is reason for concern. For example there's been a lot made recently about the scanner technology. “That is understandably an issue of concern for both men and women, but we should understand even with that policy that there are alternative procedures and clear notice given before entering those areas. “We do have to recognize recent attempts, as you saw on Christmas day, so it is very important to me as a Muslim who travels on commercial airlines that when I go on the plane, I want to see the best security possible,” he said. But when asked to comment directly on the implementation of the direct profiling of certain Arab nationals, all of which are OIC member states, Hussein admitted there was reason to reevaluate such policies and to gauge whether they infringe on individual rights. “We understand that there is concern, that there is a perception of certain nations being targeted more than others and we need to understand the reality that there is a threat to the United States particularly in countries where Al-Qaeda is operating. So we're looking at those policies now and making sure they are implemented in a way that respects the right of individuals and also maximizes the security interests of the United States and all nations,” he said. Regarding the Middle East conflict Hussein stated the United States has an “unwavering commitment” to a solution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He further elaborated by saying that it was the main topic between King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary of State a few days before when she was in Riyadh, but that “it is something that cannot be solved overnight.” Clinton was concluding a threeday state visit to Saudi Arabia and neighboring Qatar.

World Affairs

First visit by a US Secretary of State to the OIC

Ihsanoglu exchanges views with Hillary Clinton on bilateral cooperation between OIC and US

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

US Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad Hussein

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OIC supports Guinea's commitment to a speedy transition towards democracy Conakry, Guinea- The General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference welcomed the announced commitment by the Acting Head of State of Guinea General Sekouba Konate, towards a rapid return to the constitutional order in Guinea through creation of a new peaceful transition authority that would soon set the dates for democratic elections. Gen. Konate As a member of the International Contact Group on Guinea, and in view of the strong solidarity of the Muslim World with the people of Guinea, the OIC General Secretariat pledges support to the realization of a speedy democratic transition in Guinea in full respect of the interest of the Guinean people, basic principles of democracy, rule of law and fundamental human rights. Gen. Konate, who has been in charge of Guinea since the end of December 2009, appointed the interim Prime Minister Jean Marie Dore in January after crisis talks in which the military government agreed on a program to step down. Dore has pledged to hold elections within six months, ending a crisis sparked by a coup in December 2008 led by Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, who is convalescing in Burkina Faso after being incapacitated since an assassination attempt in December 2009. Dore vowed to reform the armed forces and prioritize the economic revival of Guinea. In mid February, Dore selected a 34-member transitional government to steer the country from military to civilian rule. The Secretary General welcomed the formation of the new transitional unity government in Guinea led by Prime

Minister Dore. Ihsanoglu expressed the hope that the government will address the numerous challenges facing the country and most importantly faithfully implement the transition program leading to credible, transparent, free and fair elections in Guinea. The Secretary General, while pledging to the new authorities in Guinea of the solidarity and support of the OIC, appealed to all Guineans to rally round the government in order to speedily return the country to constitutional rule within the six month transitional period. On 22 February, the OIC participated in the 11th session of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Guinea, which was held in Conakry, Guinea. The meeting, jointly Co-chaired by the African Union and ECOWAS, reviewed the latest positive political developments in Guinea, in particular the formation of the new government, and received a detailed briefing on the preparations for elections from the independent National Electoral Commission and the Minister in charge. The meeting was also addressed by the new Prime Minister of Guinea who briefed on the plans by his government to conclude a successful political transition. The meeting adopted a communiquĂŠ in which participants expressed satisfaction on the recent positive developments in Guinea. The OIC Representative to the meeting was separately received in audience by General Sekouba Konate, President of Guinea, and delivered a written message from the OIC Secretary General. The President commended OIC's solidarity and concrete support for his country. The OIC also participated in the 12th meeting of the ICG on Guinea, which took place in Conakry on 8 April 2010. The meeting reviewed the general political and security in the country and the stage of preparations for the elections scheduled for 27th June 2010.

OIC reiterates support to Somali Government

Pres. Sheikh Ahmed with the S.G.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against the government bases and the African Peacekeeping troops, which took place in the Somali capital on January 29, 2010 and resulted in the loss of many human lives and material casualties. The Secretary General reiterated the support of the OIC to the Transitional Federal Government ((TFG) led by H.E President Sheikh Sharif

Sheikh Ahmed in its efforts to restore peace, security and stability in Somalia. He reaffirmed the determination of the OIC to contribute to the return of durable peace and sustainable development as well as to alleviate the humanitarian situation in this country. He further appealed to all Somalis to shun violence and engage in national reconciliation through negotiations in order to put an end to the long-standing armed conflict in Somalia. On the sidelines of his visit to London in early March the Secretary General met President Sheikh Ahmed. The meeting discussed the latest developments in the political, security and humanitarian fields in Somalia and the OIC's contribution to peace building efforts in the country. Ihsanoglu reiterated the continuing engagement of the OIC with Somalia and assured the Somali President that the Organization will

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continue to mobilize Member States in order to extend their full assistance to the efforts of reconstruction of Somalia. On his part, President Sheikh Sharif expressed his appreciation to the endeavors of the OIC in trying to contribute to lasting peace and sustainable development in the country. OIC. Ihsanoglu welcomed the signing on 15th March 2010 in Addis Ababa of the agreement between the TFG and the opposition Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a. He commended the two parties for their patriotic and courageous decision, and expressed satisfaction that this positive development will further strengthen the Djibouti Peace Agreement and national reconciliation in Somalia. He then urged other groups still outside the Djibouti Accord to abandon violence and join the peace process in the interest of their country.

Nigerian Vice President takes over Abuja, Nigeria (agenA month after assuming cies)- Parliament empowered executive powers, Jonathan Vice President Goodluck sacked all government minisJonathan on February 9, ters in a bid to assert his au2010 to take over from the ill thority, and the fast appointpresident of Nigeria. Both ment of a new team could the House of Representatives ease political uncertainty. Niand the Senate passed measgeria's Senate on March 28 ures calling on Jonathan to began screening Acting Presact as president and comident Goodluck Jonathan's mander in chief until Presinominees for his new cabident Umaru Yar'Adua renet. turns to the country. Yar'Adua's absence since OIC expresses readiness November 2009, has caused to facilitate inter-faith diaa cease-fire with militants in logue in Nigeria the oil-rich delta to unravel Nigerian authorities and had left no one formally charged 20 people on April 1 V.P. Jonathan in charge of the nation of 150 Pres. Yarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Adua over their roles in sectarian million. While Nigerian law clashes that killed hundreds allows for a smooth transiin central Plateau state in tion of power from Yar'Adua March, and some could face to the vice president, the 58the death penalty. year-old president left without following any of those proAuthorities are under growing pressure to prosecute cedures. those behind the March 7 attacks on three mostly Christian The federal government says Jonathan has been acting villages near Jos, the capital of Plateau state, in a bid to in Yar'Adua's place without the constitutional procedures prevent future violence. More than 160 people have been but protesters have taken to the streets, saying the country arrested and police say more suspects will be charged. was essentially leaderless. Several former Nigerian leaders Plateau state lies at the crossroads of Nigeria's Muslim have urged Yar'Adua to step down if he is medically unfit north and Christian south and fierce competition for conto serve. trol of fertile farmlands between indigenous groups and Parliament's action could disrupt an unwritten power- settlers from the north have repeatedly triggered unrest sharing agreement between Nigeria's Christian south and over the past decade. the Muslim north. Jonathan, a Christian, would be taking Soldiers have been on the streets of Jos policing a duskover for Yar'Adua, a Muslim, before his appointed time to-dawn curfew since four days of clashes between Chriswas up. tian and Muslim mobs in January, when community leadNigeria's ailing president returned home February 23 ers put the death toll at more than 400, most of them Musafter a three-month stay in a hospital but officials said his lims. deputy will stay at the helm. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will remain in Secretary General Ihsanoglu expressed in a meeting charge while the president, treated for a serious heart con- with Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Aminchi, the Nigerian Amdition, continues to recuperate, the president's spokesman bassador to Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to Segun Adeniyi said. the OIC, the desire of OIC to contribute to the on-going The current presidential term in Africa's most populous process of inter-faith dialogue as a sustainable way of pronation ends in May 2011 and elections are due by April moting inter-communal harmony in the area. next year under the present system. But a reform bill before The Secretary-General also confirmed the keen interest parliament could bring the polls forward. of the OIC to support the aspirations of the Nigerian people The presidential poll would be preceded by elections to build a united, peaceful, prosperous and harmonious sointo the federal and state assemblies, and state governor- ciety, so that it can continue to play its eminent role in the ships. promotion of peace and stability in the entire African reJonathan's takeover as acting leader ended immediate gion and the world at large. He also informed the Ambassaconcerns about stagnation in government business but did dor of the dispatch of a message of solidarity to the Nigerinot resolve the broader issue of who the country's next an Minister of Foreign Affairs in this connection. president will be, a decision which will determine whether Ihsanoglu expressed his concern over and condemnaeconomic and political reforms accelerate or stagnate. tion of the recurring sectarian tension and violence in and OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu ex- around Jos. The OIC Secretary General stressed once more pressed relief and satisfaction with the easing of political the need for both Muslim and Christian religious leaders in tension in Nigeria and the return of normalcy in the gov- Nigeria to take strong stance against extremists and those ernance in Nigeria following the assumption of office by who exploit Islam and Christianity as covers for their crimacting President Goodluck Jonathan. inal and mischievous acts and incitements. Ihsanoglu reiterated his best wishes for the speedy reHe further called upon the traditional rulers and comcovery of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and appealed munity leaders in the country to join hands to encourage dito the political class to continue to exhibit maturity and alogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and rule of law as wisdom in addressing the numerous challenges facing the means of resolving disputes. country.

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OIC reiterates support to Somali Government

Pres. Sheikh Ahmed with the S.G.

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World Affairs

Niger junta seize power

Ivorian authorities reach consensus accord unblocking the political crisis Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire- The General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) expressed his great satisfaction and real appreciation over the conclusion of a consensual agreement between the various actors on the Ivorian political scene. The agreement provides essentially for the formation of a national unity government and the reactivation of the Independent Electoral Commission, creating hence an environment conducive to the conduct of free and transparent elections.

Pres. Tandj

Niamey, Niger (agencies)- Armed soldiers stormed the presidential palace on February 18, 2010 with a hail of gunfire, kidnapping the country's strongman President Mamadou Tandja. In a statement, the junta calling itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy said it was being led by Salou Djibo. The junta said it wanted to turn Niger into “an example of democracy and of good governance.” Djibo promised he would begin discussions soon with ministry officials on the country's priorities. "For the moment we are at a starting point, and we will create a consultative body," Djibo told a news conference the day after the coup. The coup followed months of heightened tensions over Tandja's constitutional reform in 2009 that extended his rule and broadened his powers. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu deplored the intervention of the military in the political crisis in Niger. Ihsanoglu stated that he has been following closely the political crisis in Niger in which the OIC has been contributing to its peaceful and negotiated resolution. He regretted the intervention of the military at a time when the international community as a whole is engaged in finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Earlier in January 14, 2010 President Tandja received in his office in Niamey the OIC delegation headed by Ambassador Mahdy Fathallah, Director General for Political Affairs. The delegation, which was on a fact-finding mission related to the current political situation in the country, delivered a message from the Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to President Tandja. During the meeting, the delegation reiterated the commitment of the OIC to implement its development and humanitarian program aimed at boosting food security in Niger. It, however, stressed the need for dialogue and compromise by all the stakeholders in order to reach a negotiated settlement out of the difficult political situation facing the country. Then, in February 10, an OIC delegation participated in Niamey in a round of political dialogue between the government and the opposition in the country. The seven-days long negotiation between the 'Movement for the Refoundation of the Republic' representing the government side and the opposition Coordination of Forces for Democracy and the Republic (CFDR), was mediated by the for36

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mer Nigerian Head of State General Abdulsami Abubakar, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appointed mediator who was supported at the occasion by the African Union. The OIC, the UN, the EU, the International Organization of the Francophonie, and representatives of the religious community in Niger also participated in the negotiations as observers. The Secretary General called on the new military authority in Niger to seriously work towards an assured political transition leading to a credible, free and fair election. He appealed to the people of Niger for calm and restraint in order to avoid any act that may endanger peace, stability and unity of the country. In Addis Ababa, the African Union called for the people of Niger to be allowed to elect the leader they wanted. "Niger is suspended from all activities of the AU. Meanwhile we will continue with the process of helping them return to constitutional order," said Mull Sebujja Katende, who chairs the AU peace and security council. Niger's main opposition group called on the ruling military junta to set swift elections during a rally in the capital, two days after soldiers ousted Tandja. The opposition group CFDR sent a memorandum to junta leaders calling for a return to constitutional order. More than 10,000 people carrying signs saying "Long live democracy" and "The CFDR supports the army" gathered in the capital. Strongman leadership has plagued the uraniumproducing country since independence from France in 1960. Despite political turmoil over the past year, Niger has attracted billions of dollars in investment from major international companies. The new military Head of State of Niger Djibo received a high level OIC delegation led by the Director General of the Political Affairs Department Ambassador Mahdy Fathallah on March 8. During the audience, the two sides reviewed the prevailing situation in the country since the military intervention and discussed ways to enhance OICNiger bilateral relations. The OIC delegation, which was in the country to deliver a special message of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, conveyed to the military authorities the need for the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law as soon as possible.

The country, the world's top producer of cocoa, announced on February 26 the formation of a new electoral commission after having named a replacement government, key steps toward setting long-delayed elections and ending the demonstrations in which at least seven people have been killed. Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, a former rebel during the 2002-3 civil war, announced a new government, with places for both opposition parties, after a compromise mediated by Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore. The number of ministries was cut

P.M. Soro

Pres. Gbagbo

to 27 from 32, with the opposition getting a similar proportion to before. The main opposition coalition had said it would only join the new government once the electoral commission was re-established. Getting the electoral commission back on track is regarded as far more important than the government, which has been transitional since its mandate expired in 2005. Elections are seen as the only way of restoring legitimacy to the government and ending the crisis in Ivory Coast, which has persisted since the war split it in two. Now that the electoral commission is in place, it still has to finish the job of drawing up a final voter

list, first by dealing with all the contested names on the provisional list. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu extended his sincere and hearty congratulations to the Head of the Ivorian State Laurent Gbagbo and to all Ivorian political leaders. He also paid tribute to President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, to whom he expressed his appreciation for the laudable efforts he has deployed to ensure the resounding success of his mediation mission. The OIC had closely followed the political situation in Cote d'Ivoire resulting from the decision by President Gbagbo to dissolve the government and the Election Commission on February 12, 2010, and the consequent protests in reaction by the opposition. The Secretary General expressed his deep concern over those developments, and called for calm and restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of the situation. He urged the Government and the stakeholders to resume serious negotiations with a view to preserving stability in the country, and to continue the democratic process leading to a free, fair and credible election.

Philippine Government, MNLF sign MoU for final peace deal Tripoli, Libya (agencies)- The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed on April 20 in Tripoli, Libya, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue working on the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement reached and signed by both parties on September 2, 1996. Assistant Secretary Camilo Miguel M. Montesa of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) signed for the GRP, while Prof. Nur Misuari, MNLF chairman, represented the MNLF. Ambassador Rezlan I. Jenie, chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference-Peace Committee for the Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP), signed for the OIC-PCSP where other OIC-PCSP member countries were likewise duly represented in the event held at the World Islamic Call Society in Tripoli, Libya. In a statement, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Annabelle T. Abaya, who attended the formal signing ceremony, expressed hope that the implementation of the peace agreement as embodied in the signed MoU shall be fully carried out. She thanked the Qaddafi Foundation, which assisted the Philippines in various peace-related initiatives in Mindanao. It was recalled that the panels from the GRP and MNLF, with the able facilitation of the OIC-PCSP, worked on the review of the implementation of 1996 Final Peace

Agreement. It was pursuant to this review process that a tripartite meeting between the OIC, GRP and MNLF was held in Pasay City on March 13, 2009 where it was agreed to create a legal panel with members coming from both the GRP and the MNLF tasked to transform the common proposals between the Parties into legal form and to arrive at common grounds to move forward on the issues for further study. Given the mandate, the legal panel's work was presented to the GRP and MNLF leadership. The parties had agreed to transform these salient points into an MoU. They agreed to continue working on the contentious issues and “the result of which shall be transmitted to the President of the Philippines for referral to the Congress of the Philippines as certified administration bill.” The GRP and MNLF also agreed to set up a fund mechanism to pursue economic development in southern Philippines, which is being supported by the OIC. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 872 creating the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF) on March 16, 2010 as the implementing arm for the economic catch-up plan on the implementation of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement. Under the MoU, all the parties concerned agreed, “to undertake a GRP-OICMNLF tripartite process structure to monitor the implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement and the security, governance, economic activities, including the delivery of social services, in the conflict-affected areas.” 37

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Pres. Tandj

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P.M. Soro

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visits OIC Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- Navanethem Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 19 April 2010 as part of her visit to Saudi Arabia. In welcoming Pillay and her accompanying delegation, the Secretary General appreciated the confident, objective and impartial manner in which the High Commissioner had performed the difficult task with a sincerity of purpose since the assumption of the important office. The Secretary General informed the High Commissioner that the OIC was on the verge of establishing an Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights. The statute of the Commission was near finalization and likely to be entered into force following adoption by the forthcoming Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) due to be held in Dushanbe in May. He emphasized that the establishment of the Commission must be viewed as a landmark event and a most positive development in the four-decade long history of the Organization. Briefing the High Commissioner on the OIC Human Rights Commission, the Secretary General expressed the hope that the establishment of the Commission will introduce a paradigm shift within the OIC in the way universal human rights and freedoms flow together with Islamic values to offer a coherent and strong system aimed at facilitating the full enjoyment of all human rights in the OIC Member States. The High Commissioner congratulated the Secretary General on the prospective establishment of the Commission and assured full support of her Office in its formative phase. She also thanked Secretary General for his leader-

ship and contribution to the successful outcome of the Durban Review Conference and indicated her hope for a continued cooperation with the OIC in the future. Ihsanoglu mentioned to Pillay that the OIC is also about to establish a center in Cairo for women's affairs in the Member States and that is part of implementing the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women that was adopted by the Member States. Pillay emphasized on the need to clarify Islam's position towards women because there is much misunderstanding and misperception about in the West that Islam oppresses women and discriminates against them. The Secretary General discussed with the High Commissioner the OIC's efforts in addressing the issues of Muslim minorities in different countries such as China, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand and in Europe. He also expressed the OIC's concern over the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and its views on the issue of defamation of religions, particularly when it is countered in the West with the right to freedom of expression, a right which the OIC respects and supports, as long as that freedom does not infringe on a person's right to practice their religion without fear and prejudice. Pillay agreed that freedom of speech is not absolute when it amounts to incitement of hatred. The meeting afforded the opportunity of exchange of views on the whole range of issues pertaining to the OIC's engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner and ended with the agreement to continue to build on the cooperation and coordination between the two Organizations.

Ihsanoglu calls for a holistic approach to human rights Geneva, Switzerland- On March 1, in his statement at the High Level Segment of the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) held in Geneva, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called for adopting a "holistic approach that covers all human rights for all individuals and peoples when carrying out an objective assessment of the lessons learned." He noted with appreciation the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which forms an efficient tool to promote Human Rights' values. Ihsanoglu emphasized that the Human Rights Council's role "should be constructive and remedial, and not judgmental or selective." Ihsanoglu called on the HRC to effectively address the plight and permanent suffering of the Palestinian people under the continuous and deliberate aggression by the Israeli military forces and a frequency of flagrant violations of their basic human rights in light of the various United Nations independent mechanisms, in38

cluding the recent Goldstone Report, which have highlighted grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law that underpin contentions of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He demanded the HRC in particular and also other UN bodies to implement the recommendations of the Goldstone Report; and ensure action on the Report. Additionally, he reiterated his call for a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention on measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian territories. Moreover, Ihsanoglu declared that the OIC is keen to encourage efforts for promoting and protecting human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir; and described the resumption of engagement between Pakistan and India as a positive development. The Secretary General expressed his concern over the rising trend of Islamophobia whose manifestations have caused serious disturbance of

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public order and which must not be allowed to threaten regional and global peace and security. On this issue, he said that the "OIC believes in according primacy to multilateralism to dealing with such issues of global concern." He also called for a constructive engagement in dealing with a range of issues such as discrimination, intolerance and incitement to hatred on religious grounds, limits to freedom of opinion and expression, and complementary standards. Ihsanoglu emphasized that the OIC believes that tackling contemporary threats to global peace and security posed by conflicts and terrorism solely from the security angle would not lead to a durable and comprehensive solutions. Hence, there is a need for a proper understanding of the root causes, which often lie in political grievances, backwardness, underdevelopment and concerns related to preservation of national, ethnic, cultural and religious identities, he added.

Muslims in Burma By: Nurul Islam, President of the Arakan Rohingya National Organization, London Burma, officially known as Myanmar, is a resource-rich and diverse Southeast Asian nation. It shares borders with China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India. It is home to numerous ethnic groups. Burma official information shows that 4 percent of its population practices Islam, but “independent scholarly researchers place the Muslim population at between 6 and 10 percent”[1] while Muslim leaders estimate that approximately 20 percent of the population is Muslim.”[2] Burma's statistics are not reliable, and many millions of Arakan Muslims or Rohingya are not included in these statistics.[3] Sometimes, Muslims themselves prefer to hide their religious affiliation to circumvent disapproval. However, Muslim population can be suitably estimated to be 12-13 percent of the Burma's population of 55 million. Islam reached Burma through Muslim seamen as early as eight century. “Since 8th century Islam spread and deeply rooted in Arakan from where it spread into interior Burma.” [4] “In subsequent centuries, Arab, Persian and Indian Muslim traders settled in coastal trading towns. Muslims also served as mercenaries and administrators to Burmese kings. Chinese Muslims, referred to as Panthay, arrived in Burma as early as thirteenth century, and greatest numbers in the late nineteenth century following the Ch'ing government's crushing of the Islamic sultanate in Yunnan.”[5] The heyday of Arakan began with the influence and spread of Muslim civilization when “Arakan was virtually ruled by Muslims from 1430 to 1531.”[6]. Generally, “the current Muslim population of Burma are descendants of Arabs, Persians, Turks, Moors, Indian-Muslims, Sheikhs, Pakistanis, Pathans, Bengalis, Chinese Muslims and Malays who settled and intermarried with local Burmese and many Burma's ethnic groups such as Rakhine, Shan, Karen, Mon etc”.[7] Muslims in Burma are dispersed geographically and are highly diverse in ethnicity. North Arakan, the “Traditional Homeland” of the Rohingya, is the largest Muslim concentration. The Rohingyas population is estimated to be more than 3 million, including those in Diasporas or overseas that number about 1.5 million.

Military regime policy towards Muslims: The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is pursuing a subtle strategy of 'de-Muslimization', 'Burmanisation' and 'Buddhistisation'. It practices policies of intolerance, bigotry and hostility towards non-Buddhist people, particularly towards Muslims. Burma has been ranked as one of the world's worst violators of religious freedom. Generally all groups of Muslims in Burma have become third class inhabitants. They are not considered to be citizens and are not accepted for government services, particularly in military service. National Registration Cards (NRCs) are no longer issued to them. They have difficulty obtaining birth certificates and acquiring permission to build new or repair existing mosques, although many historic mosques are standing in ruin across the country. Lots of mosques and religious schools were desecrated, demolished, closed down mostly in Arakan. Publication and distribution of holy Quran and other religious texts are restricted. Government Muslim employees, including village headmen, are disallowed to grow beards, and dismissed some who already had beards. Rohingya problem The Rohingya problem is a problem of 'religious, ethnic and political persecution' to rid Arakan of the Muslim population.” The Rohingya are one of the most persecuted and forgotten peoples on earth.”[8] The SPDC has rendered them 'stateless' while subjecting them to systematic, consistent and widespread human rights violations, which amount to 'crimes against humanity'. They include denial of citizenship rights, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, education, marriage and religion, land confiscation, destruction of settlements, expulsion, extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, disappearance, arbitrary arrests, relentless taxation, food insecurity, forced labor and extortion. They have become landless and jobless, with illiteracy rate running near 90% and malnutrition rate 60%. These systematic criminal measures indicate the regime's intention to wipe out this Muslim minority from Burma. Thus “Rohingyas are listed as one of the ten world's populations in most danger of extinction.”[9] It is an

'attempted genocide'. Bangladesh is the first country of asylum for most Rohingya refugees. There were mass exoduses to Bangladesh in 1978 and again in 1991-92. Each time, international pressure persuaded Burma to accept them back and repatriation followed, often under coercion. But the outflow still continues and there are about 20,000 official refugees resisting repatriation while more than 200,000 undocumented refugees are languishing in villages of southern Chittagong. In addition, large numbers of refugees or forced migrants are living in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Thailand countries. The Rohingyas are on the horns of dilemma. Tomas Ojea Quintana, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma stated, “Despite being in this region for generations, this population is stateless. This population is not recognized by the Government as one of the ethnic groups of the Union of Myanmar and is subject to discrimination…it should be granted all other privileges, including the citizenship, which recognized ethnic groups, citizens of Myanmar do enjoy in the Union.”[10] The Rohingya problem, having political and humanitarian aspects, is essentially a regional problem with international perspective that calls for a 'permanent solution'. [1] US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report, 2009 [2] US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report, 2006 [3] J.A. Berlie, “The Burmanization of Myanmar's Muslim”, White Lotus Co., Ltd, G.P.O. Box 1141, Bangkok 10501, Thailand, p.1. (4). “Sasana Ronwa Htunzepho” in Burmese , official publication of the military government, SLORC about the religions in Burma, 1997, [5] “Voice of Islam in Southeast Asia”, compiled by edited by Greg Fealy and Virginia Hooker,Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 2006, pp.23-24. [6] “The Coming of Muslims to Burma, 1700AD”, A paper presented by Colonel Bashin, Chairman of the Burma Historical Commission, at a Seminar held in Azad Bhavan, New Delhi, in 1961, p.4. [7] “The Muslims of Burma”, A Study of a Minority Group, by Moshe Yegar, 1972, Otto Harrzssowitz Wiesbaden, pp.31-32. [8] Christian Solidarity Worldwide: “Briefing Burma: Visit to Kachin State, Burma, 25 August-1 September 2006, p.5. [9] J.A. Berlie, “The Burmanization of Myanmar's Muslim”, White Lotus Co., Ltd, G.P.O. Box 1141, Bangkok 10501, Thailand, p.23. [10] Mike Thompson, “Burma's Forgotten Rohingya”, BBC News, Saturday, 11 March 2006, 00:26 GMT

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Ihsanoglu, Miliband discuss enhanced bilateral cooperation between OIC and UK the positions and concerns of the Muslim World. The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary General agreed to continue their mutually beneficial engagement and consultations in all the issues, and the Secretary General extended an invitation to him to visit the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah. Ihsanoglu and Miliband expressed their satisfaction over the recently established ties of cooperation between the OIC and the British Department for International Development (DFID) in the field of international development, relief and humanitarian assistance. In this framework, the Secretary General met immediately after his meeting with the Foreign Secretary, with Mike Foster, Minister for International Development. Following up on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the OIC and DFID in November 2010, and ways and means of furthering cooperation in humanitarian assistance and development projects were in the focus of the meeting.

Secretary General Ihsanoglu with British Foreign Minister Miliband

London, UK- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met with the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on 11 March 2010 in London in the framework of his visit to the United Kingdom upon the official invitation by the Foreign Secretary. In their talks the Secretary General and Foreign Secretary exchanged views on ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation between the OIC and the United Kingdom (UK) on all issues of mutual concern as well as overall cooperation between the OIC and the EU. The Secretary General conveyed to the Foreign Secretary the deep concern of the OIC over the recent worrying developments in the occupied territories of Palestine and particularly in East Jerusalem. He emphasized that in the view of the OIC, the recent decisions by Israel related to the settlements would not only jeopardize the chances of resumption of peace negotiations but also create an atmosphere of confrontation. He took the opportunity to call upon the international community to put serious pressure on Israel to reverse its unconstructive and clearly provocative decisions. The Secretary General also had the opportunity to brief the Foreign Secretary on the OIC's efforts to maintain peace and security and to address the humanitarian needs especially in the OIC Member States such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia. Situation in Yemen and Nigeria also came up in their discussions. They discussed the OIC's endeavors in promoting moderation, modernization and socio-economic development in the Muslim world as well as fighting extremism and terrorism; and emphasized the need to promote mutual understanding and tolerance. They highlighted the potentials for playing constructive role in defusing tensions and removing misperceptions, which have recently affected the relations between the Muslim World and the West. The Secretary General pointed to his conviction that with its historical relationship with the Muslim World and its deep experience in cherishing understanding and tolerance, the UK could play a crucial role in the better understanding of

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OSCE Chair seeks to resolve NagornoKarabakh conflict Kazakhstan, as a member state of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), as well as future host of the 38th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), considers the settlement of the long-lasting conflicts affecting the Muslim world as one of the main priorities of its current presidency at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Therefore, the Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev made his first visit in his capacity as the OSCE Chair on February 1518, 2010 to contribute in the resolution of the NagornoKarabakh conflict and to hold negotiations with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in this regard. He stressed that “One of the important tasks of the visit was to define the whole scope of problems on the way of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. This is a priority for Kazakhstan as the OSCE Chair, since the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has never reduced interest in this conflict's settlement. We know its history and we will use all resources to settle the conflict.” OSCE Chair expressed the hope that the year of 2010 will be a turning point in the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in case both parties adhere to agreements. Therefore, the Kazakh side welcomed the recent steps taken by Armenia and Turkey for normalizing their relations, and expressed the hope for further progress in this direction. Kazakhstan accepts a special responsibility in the settlement of these conflicts, and intends to employ all political and diplomatic strength of the OSCE to achieve progress on this issue. Furthermore, this goal will remain permanent for Kazakhstan in its capacity of the Chair of the 38th OIC CFM.

Haiti hit by a devastating earthquake

Port-au-Prince, Haiti- A magnitude-7 earthquake struck Port-auPrince on January 12, 2010 killing an estimated 230,000 people including 101 UN personnel operating there. The earthquake devastated Haiti as troops struggled to control looters and rescuers tried to pull survivors from under the rubble. The United Nations mourned its 101 personnel who were killed by the earthquake in a ceremony at UN headquarters in New York on 9 March. "Today, we commemorate the single greatest loss the UN has suffered in its history," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said. The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti had 7,000 military, civilians and police before the quake. UN agencies

like the UN Children's Fund and the UN Development Program were also operating there. The UN Security Council decided after the quake to send an additional 3,500 military and police to meet new conditions, including security, and assist in the relief efforts to the 3 million Haitians affected by the quake. The UN Secretary General made an urgent call to international organizations/ institutions worldwide to contribute to the international efforts aiming at reconstructing Haiti. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his shock and sadness following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti and the large-scale destruction inflicted on the people of this Island nation and the resultant high death toll. Ihsanoglu praised the international community for its swift reaction in responding to the appeal made by the Government of Haiti and urged all OIC Member States and civil society organizations to extend a helping hand to the Haitian population in this testing time of extreme hardship and sorrow. He further expressed his gratitude to the OIC Member States

that have already provided assistance and displayed solidarity by coming to the rescue of the people of Haiti in the wake of this unprecedented catastrophe. Saudi Arabia announced that it will donate $50 million in aid to Haiti. The funds will be channeled through the UN. Other Arab and Muslim countries and relief organizations have also chipped in. The United Arab Emirates said a plane carrying 77 tons of basic relief supplies has been sent by the government to Haiti. Jordan sent six tons of relief supplies shortly after the quake hit. A field hospital was also dispatched there to help treat survivors, including members of Jordan's 700-strong peacekeeping contingent in Haiti. The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali announced that the Bank approved a grant amounting to $5 million, from the resources of the “Waqf Fund”, an affiliate of the Bank, for the earthquake victims in Haiti. The grant represents the Bank's contribution to the international efforts aiming at reconstructing schools and educational facilities hit by the earthquake.

The OIC Secretary General extends condolences to China over earthquake Qinghai province, China- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and losses caused by a strong earthquake that hit China's Qinghai province on 14 April 2010. He was shocked and saddened to learn the large number of casualties and high death toll. The magnitude-6.9 quake was centered in the mountains that divide southwestern Qinghai province from the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Tibetan plateau is regularly shaken by quakes, though casualties are usually minimal because so few people live there. Nearly 10,000 people have been injured in the latest quake, almost 1,000 of them severely, the official Xinhua news agency said, while the death toll has reached around 2000. The strong earthquake toppled hundreds of homes and some schools leaving thousands of people homeless in freezing conditions. Some bridges and roads around the affected province have cracked or been cut off completely, complicating rescue efforts. Ihsanoglu offered sincere condolences to the government and the people of China and expressed deep sympathies for the earthquake victims. He praised the Chinese authorities for their emergency response in the wake of this severe catastrophe and hoped that they would be able to take immediate and appropriate measures to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people given their long experience in dealing with natural disasters.

Iceland's disruptive volcano Ash clouds from a volcanic eruption on in Iceland have severely disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of people in much of northern Europe and those traveling to various European destinations for ten days. The volcano Eyjafjallajökull has erupted on April 14 for the second time in less than a month, melting ice, shooting smoke and steam into the air and forcing hundreds of people to flee rising floodwaters. The volcanic ash has forced the cancellation of many flights and disrupted air traffic across northern Europe, stranding thousands of passengers. (epa) 41

World Affairs

Secretary General Ihsanoglu with British Foreign Minister Miliband

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Haiti hit by a devastating earthquake

Humanitarian file

Third NGO conference focuses on the mechanisms and enhancement of cooperation tions and the OIC as well as for promoting Doha, Qatar- The third Conference of joint cooperation in Member States sufferthe humanitarian and civil society organiing from dire humanitarian conditions, zations in Member States of the Organizanamely, Gaza, Darfur, Iraq, Yemen, Somaltion of Islamic Conference (OIC) opened ia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Niger. With in Doha on March 7, 2010. The two-day regards to cooperation between humanitarievent, organized by the OIC in collaboraan organizations and the OIC, the Confertion with Qatar Charity, was held under ence recommended endorsing the draft list the theme ‘Together for Effective Solidarof conditions for humanitarian organizaity’. tions to obtain the 'partnership status' and Attended by around 200 participants Opening session urged humanitarian organizations in the OIC representing 70 organizations from different parts of the Islamic world, the Conference focused on two Member States to apply as soon as possible for the consultative status at the OIC. main issues. Furthermore, the Conference formed a joint committee The first is to find a mechanism of cooperation among humanitarian organizations to enhance disaster alertness composed of the OIC, representatives of humanitarian orand disaster response in the Muslim world, while the sec- ganizations (International Islamic Relief Organizations in ond is concerned with enhancing cooperation between the Saudi Arabia, Qatar Charity in Qatar, Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation in Libya, IHH Huhumanitarian organizations and the OIC. The Qatari Minister of State for International Coopera- manitarian Relief Foundation in Turkey, Mabarah Charity tion Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, who delivered in Kuwait, and Humanitarian Aid and Development Organithe keynote speech, emphasized Qatar's full support to the zation in Sudan) to consider and propose the form and initiative that aims to boost coordination among the civil mechanisms of coordination and cooperation between humanitarian organizations and the OIC. society organizations and the OIC. As for promoting joint cooperation in Member States afHe called upon all the participants to come up with recommendations and resolutions that help establish such a flicted by poor humanitarian conditions, the Conference close relationship and that leads into finding effective recommended convening a special session to study the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and called on the OIC mechanisms. “Qatar has always called for a regional humanitarian and all institutions of the international community to work mechanism based on a partnership and mutual trust capable towards lifting the blockade and ensuring the flow of huof paving the way for a genuine partnership with the civil manitarian aids to the Strip. With regards to Somalia, Darsociety organizations to ensure its contribution to the poli- fur, Iraq, Yemen and Niger, the Conference called for coopcies, strategies and executive plans in the field of humani- erating with the efforts of the OIC in each of them and formed a joint work team for each of these countries tasked tarian and development field,” he said. Al-Attiyah referred to the humanitarian and develop- to prepare a work plan for submission at a special session to ment problems experienced by the region, such as natural be called for by the OIC within four months. Finally, the Conference hailed the idea of establishing a disasters and crises, as well as the horrible and painful humanitarian conditions resulting from the unfair and unjust network of media professionals specialized in the field of siege imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza strip, humanitarian action and recommended that the Department and the environmental degradation and poverty problems of Humanitarian Affairs examine the idea and prepare a special session on the means of building partnerships bethat know no geographic boundaries. Those challenges can only be addressed in a collective tween humanitarian organizations and mass media. OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu made a statement at manner, said the Minister. Ambassador Atta Al-Mannan Bakhit, the OIC's Assist- the closing session of the Conference commending its reant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs said that the sults. The Secretary General said that over forty OIC Memimpressive participation in the 3rd Conference and the in- ber States suffer today from different disasters and contensive media coverage it has gained reflects that the OIC flicts, especially with the aggravation of climate change and plan of mobilizing civil society organizations under its um- its various negative implications. He maintained that these brella has become a reality and has gained the momentum it phenomena led to the defragmentation of societies and to the deterioration of relief services and development infradeserves. “This was a core idea espoused by the OIC Secretary structures in many parts of the Islamic world. The Secretary General stated that work in the humaniGeneral Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu since the discharge of his tarian field will be carried out in close coordination and work five years ago,” said the Ambassador. OIC's openness to the humanitarian organizations is ex- cooperation with all international organizations and institutremely important as part of its reform policy and the ongo- tions working in the field of humanitarian development, in particular UN institutions which are doing an important ing development of the Organization. work in the Islamic world. Recommendations: Ihsanoglu calls for direct relations between the OIC The Conference made several recommendations towards achieving its objectives. It recommended drafting a General Secretariat and the OIC Funds The Third Meeting of the OIC Funds was held in Doha code of conduct and honor covenant to be presented at the next NGO conference for adoption and urged humanitarian on 9 March 2010 under the Chairmanship of Sheikh Abduorganizations and donors to provide financial support to the laziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, President of the Board of Trustees of the Funds. project of preparing the code. In his statement to the meeting, OIC Secretary General The Conference made some recommendations for promoting joint cooperation between humanitarian organiza- Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed his satisfaction over the 42

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History OIC Funds' oriented action, which has made a tangible impact, and hoped for direct relations between the Funds and the OIC General Secretariat at the level of the Islamic Conference Humanitarian Affairs Department (ICHAD) and other related departments. Ihsanoglu urged the Funds to work under the supervision of the OIC General Secretariat's Finance and Administration Department using the new "financial system under

which the Funds will operate, hence, rendering more transparency to their operations." The Secretary General assured the Funds of mobilizing all OIC resources to launch a "strong campaign to secure more financial resources for the Funds' activities." The meeting welcomed the supervision of the OIC General Secretariat's Finance and Administration Department of the Funds and approved the campaign for mobilizing financial resources for the Funds' activities.

Donors pledge $540 million for investment in Comoros OIC emphasizes its support Comoros' officials and make a list of development projects. Ihsanoglu stated that the OIC Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) paid special attention to the projects submitted by the Comoros in accordance with an integrated work program of assistance in coordination with the Comoros officials and charitable organizations. The total Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi amount of assistance proDoha, Qatar- Organizers of the vided by the ISF to the Union of CoDoha Conference in Support of Demoros in the areas of emergency, velopment and Investment in Union health and education facilities of Comoros announced that donors amounted to $852,000 until the end have pledged a total of $540 million of last year. for the development of the African Similarly, Ihsanoglu pointed out nation. The country has also been acthat the OIC Department of Humanicepted as a member of the Arab tarian Affairs (ICHAD) was instructLeague for the next five years. ed to set up a special program of $10 OIC Secretary General Ekmeledmillion, which will be implemented din Ihsanoglu emphasized that the over a three-year period, to address OIC accords particular attention to the humanitarian situation and supthe support of socio-economic proport development efforts in the Cojects in the Federal Republic of the moros. He explained that the OIC Comoros. would coordinate with the GovernIn his statement to the opening ment of the Comoros, and in accorsession of the Conference in Support dance with the mechanism devised by of Development and Investment in the Conference, to fulfill its pledges the Federal Republic of the Comoros over the three-year period. held in the Qatari Capital, Doha on 9The Qatari Prime Minister and 10 March 2010, the Secretary GenerForeign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin al said that the OIC called upon the Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani opened the Member States' NGOs and the Islamconference hosted by Qatar in collabic Chamber of Commerce and Indusoration with the Arab League, the try (ICCI) to contribute to the accomOIC and the United Nations Fund for plishment of development and Development (UNDP). The conferinvestment projects in the Union of ence is part of efforts by Arab states, Comoros. He reiterated the keenness Islamic countries, organizations and of the OIC on following up the imcharities and the business sector to plementation of the relevant resolusupport development in the least detions through sending two high-level veloped countries and third world missions comprising senior staff from states. Some 44 countries, including the OIC General Secretariat and the Islamic and Arab nations, 100 organiIslamic Development Bank (IDB) as zations and 50 prominent businesswell as representatives of Senegal men took part in the event. and Turkey to hold discussions with At the end of the conference do-

nors pledged $540 million, which surpassed the target of $500 million. The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud said that the contributions were as follows: $90 million (nations), $90 million (charity organizations), $45 million (development funds), $13 million (governmental organizations), $182 million (private sector) and $120 million (Islamic Development Bank). The chairman of the conference, Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, said that a mechanism to secure transferring the money was fixed. For this purpose, a committee comprising the private sector and NGOs would convene regularly to implement the decision in co-ordination with the Comoros Islands' officials. Al-Rumaihi urged all the countries to honor their commitments to revive the economy of the Comoros. The development projects are focused on three sectors: infrastructure projects and areas of humanitarian and investment fields. Al-Rumaihi noted that the infrastructure projects cover the areas of roads and government buildings, institutions and airports as well as energy, water, transportation, health and education areas, besides agriculture. They also cover areas of investment made by companies and businessmen in the fields of fishing, agriculture, energy and water, tourism, health, education and mining. The Minister of External Relations and Co-operation of Union of Comoros, Ahmed Saied Jaffar, said that this important event responded to his country's hopes and expectations. “Our government and people will live up to their responsibilities.” At the end of the conference, the governments of Qatar and Comoros Islands signed a bilateral pact to bolster the ties between the two countries. Qatar had committed to support the developmental projects in Comoros with a donation of $13.7 million.

Humanitarian file

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Media

Turkey's TRT launches Arabic language channel Istanbul, Turkey- The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) launched a new Arabiclanguage channel on April 4, 2010, a move that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hailed as a landmark in uniting the Turkish and Arab peoples. “If you are not here, the world loses its meaning. We now know that our roots are intertwined,” Erdogan said in Arabic and Turkish at Dolmabahce Palace at the opening ceremony of “TRT al Turkiye.” “We have a mutual history and culture, and more importantly, we are members of a mutual civilization. We share a past on these lands. You should also know that our future is one, too,” Erdogan said. The new channel will broadcast in Arabic around the clock and is expected to reach 350 million people throughout the Arab world. Native Arabic speakers will present most of the programs. According to the channel's editorial policy, they will address the ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity of the region. After signing several cooperation

agreements with Jordan, Syria and other Arabic-speaking countries, TRT will also exchange programs and undertake joint productions. Erdogan also said there might have been borders set between the Arab nations and Turkey, and there might be mines between the countries, but they all have the will to overcome these barriers. “Nobody has had the power to separate brothers,” he added. “Even though we have turned our face to the West, we never turned our backs to the East.” The prime minister also talked about the disasters in Haiti, Chile and Palestine. “As Gaza burns and dark clouds form over Jerusalem, we can't stay

mute,” he said. He also noted that speaking different languages is not a barrier in communicating with each other. The Arabic TRT channel will broadcast via three satellites - Turksat, Aransat and Nilesat. The Istanbulbased channel will also broadcast live from Cairo, Beirut, Damascus and Ankara. Joining the opening ceremony through a video message, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said they will watch the channel with great interest. TRT Director General Ibrahim Sahin said the new TRT channel would enable Turkey and Arab countries to know each other better. “TRT Arabic will broadcast a range of programs from politics to sports, from movies to TV series,” Sahin said. The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Prince of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thami were also at the opening ceremony, in which a 13-year-old Syrian girl read a poem in Arabic titled “Love from Turkey.”

Arab-American Journalists launch simultaneous radio broadcast

Live show aims to broaden public awareness of Arab and Muslim issues Washington DC, USA - It is not unusual for two ArabAmericans to spend an hour talking freely about current political issues, but veteran journalists Ray Hanania and Laila Alhusinni have taken it to a whole new level. On February 12, Hanania and Alhusinni launched the radio talk show Radio Baladi simultaneously from two American cities. Jointly hosted between the two journalists, Radio Baladi aspires to spark discussion about Middle East issues among Arab and Muslim Americans as well as the broader American public. Local and national decisionmakers are also a target audience. Judging from the initial response, their show is a success. “I wasn't expecting people to call us from outside our listening area, but we even had a call from Orlando, Florida,” Alhusinni told 'America.gov' about Radio Baladi's first broadcast. Along with its radio broadcast, Radio Baladi is streamed live and podcast. Radio Baladi is a merging of Alhusinni's Good Morning Michigan radio program with Hanania's Mornings with Ray Hanania and reaches the country's largest ArabAmerican populations, located in northern Illinois and Michigan. Broadcast in English for an hour on Friday mornings - 7-8 a.m. in Chicago and 8-9 a.m. in Dearborn, Michigan, one time zone away - the talk show tackles issues of interest to Arab and Muslim Americans. “We are trying to demonstrate, by linking our stations, that we shouldn't be ignored,” Hanania said. “We want them to know that we are doing our best to serve as a com44

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munications network with our community.” An award-winning journalist of Palestinian origin, Hanania has more than 30 years' reporting experience. Hanania also has 12 years' experience with radio in the Chicago area. Alhussini, of Syrian origin, has a background in television and radio, and hosts her Good Morning Michigan show in both English and in Arabic. Radio Baladi seeks to distinguish itself from some advocacy-driven Arab-American media by focusing on caller views and opinions. “We want to engage people, we want to get them talking,” Hanania said. “We want to get the people in the community to do the talking.” The first segment of Radio Baladi's opening broadcast featured a discussion with prominent Muslim-American attorney Lena Masri on the hijab and women's rights. For the second half-hour, listeners followed a discussion with Khaled Almaeena, editor-in-chief of Jeddah-based Arab News, one of the leading English-language newspapers in the Arab world. With Radio Baladi's initial success, Hanania and Alhusinni are looking to expand the show into other markets. One possibility is to take Radio Baladi's simultaneous broadcast to the nation's capital region. “By moving to Washington, D.C., we will expand the participation of our audience with issues important to us,” Alhusinni said. “And this is not just for us, the MuslimAmerican community or the Arab-American community, but for everyone who is listening.”

Amman, Jordan - 'Veiled Voices' is a film filled with loud, bright stories that enlighten an audience in need of authenticity about Islam in general and the lives of Muslim women in particular. Brigid Maher, a director, cinematographer and editor who teaches in the Film and Media Arts Division at American University in Washington, DC, shows sensitivity and skill in bringing these critical yet simple stories to light. Simple? Yes. They are stories of the woman next door: a neighbor who is a mother and wife; a professional who teaches and travels; an individual facing challenges and disappointments who does not yield to inaction but rather overcomes and inspires. Maher profiles three women: Huda Al Hasbash from Syria, Suad Saleh in Egypt and Ghina Hammoud of Lebanon. We meet them first as professionals, then as wives or divorcées, then as mothers and cooks, balancing the many duties women have worldwide. We meet their husbands, mothers and children. Syrian mother and educator Al Hasbash defends wearing a headscarf and goes on to demonstrate that there need be no conflict between wearing a scarf and living a modern life. She teaches dozens of women not only to read the Qur'an, but to know their rights. And she sizzles up a fine looking meal for her family while she's describing her views to the camera. Dr. Saleh is a very public person, teaching at Cairo's Al Azhar University and appearing on television call-in programs. "We have reduced Islam to a veil and a beard," she laments, when there is so much more. Hammoud bravely sticks with her career in spite of betrayal by her husband. She keeps the affection and respect of her daughters, who lived with their father after the parents divorced. Relationships between women and

Amplifying the voice of Muslim women

Anisa Mehdi men are good examples of ongoing stereotypes. Due in part to mainstream media, pop culture and general ignorance, there is a prevailing view in the West that Muslim women are oppressed. We read of "honor" killings, of girls forbidden to go to school, and women prevented from divorce in unacceptable situations. None of these is permitted in Islamic law, even if culture in some Muslimmajority countries, turns a blind eye. Showing the diversity of Muslim women's experiences, the film demonstrates that Muslim women are not a monolith. We feel for Hammoud who suffered years in an abusive marriage. In contrast, Al Hasbash's husband Samir Khalidi is the picture of an ideal partner. He appreciates and supports her calling and is helpful at home, clearing the table and going over homework with one of their sons. Dr. Saleh notes that while she may be qualified to do so, the reality is that she has been unable to obtain the necessary votes to serve on the Islamic Research Council, the most prominent body of Al-Azhar. American viewers of Veiled Voices will remember that the wellknown US abolitionist and women's suffragist Susan B. Anthony had to struggle, too.

Without a cudgel, Maher hammers home the point that Muslim women have rights, express themselves and, like their sisters around the world, must overcome hurdles in their lives to accomplish their goals - even if that means redefining their goals along the way. Some of the footage in this hourlong documentary will surprise viewers. Cameras reveal rooms full of women studying Islamic law and leadership. They refer regularly to early examples of female leadership in the Muslim community, including the example of Aisha, youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad. At the age of 17, she was already an acknowledged scholar and teacher. The filmmaker does not impose heavy control on situations, allowing the natural interruptions of life to play out on videotape. A child fussing off camera is not quieted and the interview continues; when a particularlypersonal question is posed and the subject cries, the crew cries too. This is noted and we - the audience - are privy to a behind-the-scenes moment. Muslim and non-Muslim women from Malaysia to America are actively engaged in educating themselves and others, leaning on religion as the primary tool in an unwavering call for equality and opportunity. The women in Veiled Voices are part of a necessary and natural movement to amplify understanding of Islam in the 21st Century. * Anisa Mehdi (www.anisamehdi.com) is a Fulbright Scholar in Jordan, journalist and filmmaker. This article is distributed by the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) with permission from the author. Source: Letters from Amman, 18 March 2010, anisaammanjournal.blogspot.com Copyright permission is granted for publication.

Media

Arab-American Journalists launch simultaneous radio broadcast

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Amplifying the voice of Muslim women

Culture

OIC emphasizes its commitment to the rights of women threatening human beings in different walks of life. “Violence against women constitutes a shameful crime and must be punished through relevant law enforcement authorities. Women should be protected through various legal means to live with honor and dignity, and free of fear and discrimination,” he said. The Secretary General stated that Islam, as a religion of peace and equality, pioneered the protection of the rights of women, and stood against all injustices done to women including their rights to education, equal treatment, participation in decision making etc. Islam advocates the emancipation of women, and calls for their full rights as equal partners of men in the society. Islamic teachings strongly reject all forms of violence against women and uphold their rights. The first OIC Ministerial Conference on Women held in Istanbul in November 2006, stressed inter-alia that: * Gender equality, women's empowerment and their socio-economic First lady of Egypt, Mrs. Suzan MubaPalestinian women demonstrate on the occasion rak. Egypt hosted the OIC second miniof International Women’s Day 2010. (epa) participation are central to the eradicasterial conference for women. (epa) tion of poverty and the achievement of sustainable development. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- On the International Women's * Women's participation in decision-making posiDay and United Nations Day for Women's Rights and Intions at all levels is desirable for the development of the ternational Peace (March 8), OIC Secretary General issued OIC Member States. a statement in which he emphasized the OIC's commitment * The role of education for women's empowerment to the rights of women. To empower women, the OIC rein general, and for poverty eradication in particular, is very mains committed to work in coordination with the Member critical with a special emphasis on the elimination of genStates and other stakeholders in the international communider inequality and imbalance in access to education. ty, he said. * Violence as a global phenomenon constitutes a vioThe Secretary General took the occasion to congratulation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of womlate all women of the world for their tremendous achieveen, as well as an obstacle to the advancement of women. ments in various fields including economic, political and Within the implementation framework of the 'Cairo social spheres throughout human history. This day, he said, Declaration on Human Rights in Islam' and the 'OIC Ten is exclusively dedicated to commemorate the fact that seYear Program of Action', some significant progress has curing peace and social progress, and the full enjoyment of been made in the field of advancement of women in the human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active OIC Member States. “I believe that effective implementaparticipation and progress of women, and that women's tion of the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of role in strengthening international peace and security Women (OPAAW) adopted to address the challenges facshould be acknowledged. ing the women including the violence against them, will “This day also symbolizes an occasion where we have largely contribute in alleviating this phenomenon,” said Ihto review our performance and achievements in struggle sanoglu. for equality, peace and development for women. Women The OPAAW was adopted at the Second Ministerial have always contributed in building strong, civilized and Conference for Women held in Cairo in November 2008. healthy families and societies that have been instrumental In it, the Member States committed to take actions to imin bringing sustainable peace and tranquility,” Ihsanoglu prove the outcomes for women in education, health, politisaid. cal participation, economic sustainability, social justice and The challenges ahead of women have always been well-being, and work-life balance. The Conference welhuge and overwhelming. In today's globalized world where comed the proposal of Egypt to establish a new organ unhuman rights, including the rights of women, have been der the OIC concerned with women's affairs to be based in given priority in the international community's agenda and Cairo. some significant progress has also been made; unfortunateThe OIC 37th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) to ly, women are still deprived of their fundamental rights be held in May in Dushanbe, Tajikistan is expected to and are subject to various forms of violence and discrimiadopt the statute of this new organization to be Headquarnation. The Secretary General stressed that the internationtered in Cairo, which will help continue the efforts to proal community has to strengthen its coordinated efforts to mote and empower women economically, politically and help women of the world better progress and prosper, and socially. take stronger roles in overcoming the various challenges 46

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The Two Holy Mosques Photographs Exhibition

Railroad station in Madinah

Pilgrims at Mount Arafat

Secretary General Ihsanoglu and Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Khoja opening the exhibition

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Dr. Abdulaziz Khouja, Minister of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia, inaugurated on 10 February 2010 the 'Two Holy Mosques Photographs Exhibition' in Bait Al Bant Museum in Jeddah. In his statement to journalists, the Secretary General said that the organizing of the exhibition confirms the shared history of the OIC Member States. He also pointed that, through the exhibition, the OIC seeks to achieve the aspirations of the Member States, and establish the cultural communication needed to raise awareness of the history of the Ummah and its symbols. Ihsanoglu maintained that the organizing of the Exhibition demonstrates the importance given by the Member States to the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). The Exhibition is organized jointly by IRCICA, a subsidiary organ of the OIC, and the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information, and intended to raise awareness, through historical photographs, of the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, and the surrounding areas between the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. Dr. Khoja said that the exhibition reflects important aspects of the re-

gion's history including architecture and daily life activities, and called on researchers and historians to benefit from this photographic heritage in revealing the developments in that time period. Undersecretary for International Cultural Relations in the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information Dr. Abu Bakr Bakader, on his part, said the photographs are significant in that they were taken in the early beginnings of light photography in the world; and they present an archive of social and city life in Makkah and Madinah in those days. Dr. Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA, said that 81 photographs of the Two Holy Mosques, and various scenes of Makkah AlMukarramah and Al Madinah, among IRCICA's 150-photograph collection of the two sites, were displayed at the exhibition. The oldest on display goes back to the mid 19th century. Dr. Eren added that IRCICA's photograph archive includes 518 photos of the Two Holy Mosques, Jeddah, Yanbu Al Bahr, Tabouk, Abha, etc. Among the most important of these collections are Yıldız photograph collection, which includes 232 photos, and Fakhr Eddine Bacha Collection with 201 photographs.

Students with their teacher in Madinah

Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah

Grand Mosque in Makkah

Bab assalam in Madinah

Culture

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

The Two Holy Mosques Photographs Exhibition

Railroad station in Madinah

Pilgrims at Mount Arafat

Secretary General Ihsanoglu and Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Khoja opening the exhibition

Students with their teacher in Madinah

Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah

Grand Mosque in Makkah

Bab assalam in Madinah

Culture

King Abdullah presents King Faisal International Prize

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan receives the prize for Service to Islam

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah presented awards to this year's winners of the King Faisal International Prize on March 9 at a ceremony held at the Prince Sultan Hall in the AlFaisaliah complex. In his citation, Abdullah Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the King Faisal International Prize, cited Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the winner of the 2010 King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam. He said that the World Assembly of Muslim Youth nominated Erdogan for the prize. Erdogan, he said, has been given this prestigious award for his role in advancing a series of economic, social and cultural reforms in Turkey besides being a leading Muslim exponent, who "builds rapport between civilizations." In his acceptance speech, Erdogan said that it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a distinct pleasure for me to receive the King Faisal Award on behalf of my country and my people." In his short but expressive speech, he urged for the promotion of tolerance, dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. He said that justice is the most important value that should be administered, upheld and preserved because at the root cause of most ongoing problems in the world is lack and deprivation of justice. He called for the restoration of peace and security in the Middle East, saying that it disturbs his conscience that "the Middle East is known as a geography of blood and cries." King Abdullah presented the prize for Arabic language and literature to Professor Abdulrahman El-Houari HadjSaleh of Algeria and Professor Ramzi Mounir Baalbaki of Lebanon. "Professor Hadj-Saleh is recognized for his insightful analysis of Al-Khalil's linguistic theory and its relation to contemporary grammatical thought," said Othai48

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meen, while reading out the citation. He said that Professor Baalbaki's publications in Arabic and English enhanced Arabic grammar education both in Arab and Western universities. The prize for medicine was shared by Professor Reinhold Ganz of Germany, Professor Jean-Pierre Pelletier of Canada and Professor Johanne MartelPelletier of Canada. They were honored for their pioneering works on nonarthroplasty management of degenerative joint disease. In the science category, Professors Enrico Bombieri of the United States and Terence Chi-Shen Tao of Australia shared the prize for their distinguished contributions in their respective fields. Bombieri's work addresses fundamental and difficult problems in mathematics, said Othaimeen, while Tao is known for his "technical brilliance in the use of the necessary mathematical machinery." The Prize for Islamic Studies was withheld this year as none of the entries qualified for the award. Each winner of the award received SR750,000 ($200,000) in cash, a certificate outlining the laureate's work and a commemorative 22-carat gold medallion. The topics for 2011 King Faisal International Prize were also announced on this occasion. In Islamic studies category, the topic is 'socioeconomic aspects in the Islamic world through 16th to 19th century', while in Arabic language category the topic is 'renovation trends in Arabic poetry up to the end of the 7th Century Hijri'. In the science category, the Faisal award will be given for outstanding achievements in chemistry, while 'stem cell therapy' is the topic under medicine category. The deadline for nomination is May 1, 2010.

King Abdullah international prize for culture, heritage instituted Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- Two annual international prizes on heritage and culture, worth 1 million Saudi Riyals (around $266 thousand), each have been instituted in the name of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Prize for Culture and the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Prize for Heritage- were announced by Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, deputy commander of the Saudi National Guard for executive affairs, on March 6, 2010. The prizes will be distributed during the opening session of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture in Janadriya in Riyadh starting from next year. A board of trustees, chaired by King Abdullah, will be in charge of the prizes. It will have a secretary-general to supervise administrative and organizational matters. Apart from the cash prizes, winners will receive certificates and medals. The prizes are open to researchers from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world.

Dushanbe, Islamic Culture Capital for 2010 Dushanbe, the city of peace, the capital of the Republic of Tajikistan, was designated as Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2010. The city was named after Dushanbe River that runs through it, from the north to the south. It was selected as the capital-city of the Republic of Tajikistan at the beginning of 1924. Accommodating a population of about one million people, Dushanbe is located in the middle of the Hissar Valley and is surrounded by mountains. Dushanbe is divided into four districts, namely Ismail Somoni, Abuali Ibn Sina, Firdavsi and Shokhmansur. The capital is home to all administrations of the Government of Tajikistan, as well as the Presidential Palace, the Parliament along with all the ministries and governmental institutions. It also hosts higher education institutions, the most important of which are the Tajik Academy of Sciences, Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, Tajik State National University, Tajik State Medical University, Tajik State Pedagogical University, and other academic institutions. Besides, the city has more than ten universities, a hundred elementary and secondary schools, along with a thousand kindergartens. The city has a rich history with many historical sites such as Tajikistan National Museum, the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, Firdawsi National Library and the Tajik Museum of Ethnography. It also provides a wonderful environment filled with beautiful public parks, such as the Central Park and the beautiful Victory Park, which offers visitors a good panoramic view of the

whole city of Dushanbe. The city has four major football stadiums which host local, regional and international tournaments. The city can be accessed through the huge portals located at its four corners, which also serve boundaries of the city. Most of the factories are based in Dushanbe, such as the cement factory and textile factory. The city also hosts the largest and most beautiful hotels, such as Tajikistan Hotel and Avesto Hotel, which are both located in the heart of the city. Dushanbe is famous for being one of the major old cities located on the ancient Silk Road. It is considered as the biggest scientific and cultural center in the country, for it hosts the Tajik Academy of Sciences and most of the universities. Today, Dushanbe is considered as the city of peace, friendship and brotherhood. It was declared by UNESCO as a City of Peace in the region of Asia and the Pacific. Dushanbe produced such renowned scholars, such as Sadriddin Aini, Abolqasem Lahouti, Mirza Torsan Zade, Mirsaid Mirshakar, Momen Qanaat and Layeq Shir Ali. The city is well-known for its amazing beauty and pleasant climate; it is teeming with greenery and wide treelined streets. It has a lot of tourist sites which attract tourists from different parts of the world and offers natural treatment (Hadji Abi-Karam Region). Markets are another tourist attraction where visitors can find a variety of fruits and vegetables. The city abounds with water resources, as well as hot water sources which are used for curative purposes. More than twenty local newspapers and magazines are published in Dushanbe, mainly Minbar-i Khalq, Sada-i Sharq, Asia-Plus, Vecherny Dushanbe (Evening Dushanbe), and Najot. The main Islamic landmarks in the city include: Haji Yakoub Mosque which was founded 200 years ago. It is located at the heart of the city. It can accommodate up to 3,000 people. The Mosque is famous for its dome and tall minarets. Abu Hanifa Islamic Institute is another major Islamic landmark in Dushanbe, where more than 400 students are currently studying religious sciences. The Institute hosts a faculty for the memorization of the Holy Quran whose graduates work as imams or as teachers in the Islamic schools that are spread across the country. Haji Shokhmansur Mosque, which is another landmark in Dushanbe, is located at the heart of the capital-city. The Islamic Center, which will be established with the support of State of Qatar, will be one of the biggest centers as it will accommodate more than 70,000 persons and will contain a mosque, a library, a school, an institute and halls for conferences and courses. In 2010, Dushanbe will celebrate the 1200th anniversary of the imam of hadith, Muhammad Ibn Ismail, popularly known as Al-Bukhari. Under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Holy Quran was translated and published into the Tajik language and distributed to the people. Dushanbe is experiencing a significant wave of translation activity; many Islamic, historical and cultural books are translated; and are freely sold in the different libraries scattered across the Republic. Considering the abundance of Islamic scientific and historical manuscripts and works in the city, a special scientific center was set up to preserve this rich heritage.

Culture

King Abdullah presents King Faisal International Prize

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan receives the prize for Service to Islam

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Education

Turkish Prime Minister receiving a copy of the book '1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our Time' from Salim Al-Hassani and Fady Jameel.

The film '1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets', starring Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley, has won four major awards at the 29th International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) award ceremony in London, 26th March 2010.

A view of the Exhibition

Scale models of Al-Jazari's 13th-century Elephant Clock.

Muslim heritage expo aims to inform and inspire

London, UK- On his visit to the UK, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan visited on March 16 the '1001 Inventions' exhibition in London that feature many scientific achievements that Western Europe inherited from the Muslim world, including the Ottomans. "Through our sponsorship of 1001 Inventions we aim to provide the role models that will inspire generations of young people of many diverse backgrounds to explore the possibility of becoming science and technology entrepreneurs," said Fady Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, President of Abdul Latif Jameel International Foundation, while wel-

coming Erdogan to the exhibition at the Science Museum, in South Kensington, London. The 1001 Inventions gallery attracted more than 80,000 visitors in its first eight weeks. '1001 Inventions: Discover The Muslim Heritage In Our World' was launched on Jan. 21 to highlight the scientific heritage the world has inherited from Muslim civilization. Sponsored by the British charity Abdul Latif Jameel Foundation, a program of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs, traces the forgotten story of a thousand years of scientific achievements of the Muslim world since the seventh century. The event has become so popular that its short run in South Kensington has now been extended until the end of June 2010 after which it will go on a five-year tour of major cities across the globe. During the visit, the Prime Minister and his wife were guided by Fady Jameel and Salim Al-Hassani, chairman and founder of the 1001 Inventions. The exhibition highlights many social, scientific and technical achievements that are credited to the Muslim world, including the Turkish region. "Our gallery showcases dozens of exhibits from the history of Muslim civilization. For example, our visitors will discover that Turkey is responsible for giving the world immunization, suction pumps, rocket powered flight and the oldest surviving detailed map of the Americas. The Turkish region was also home to engineering geniuses like Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din, whose machines and mechanisms are key in plants and agricultural industries, and

Ibn Al-Haytham camera obscura.

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master architects like Sinan whose influence can be seen throughout the capitals of Europe," Al-Hassani said. "Our aim is to improve mainstream understanding of Muslim contribution to arts, science and technology, and to the modern civilization; and this interactive exhibition does this by bringing to a wider audience eye-opening facts and astounding stories," he said. The 1000-square meter exhibition encompasses diverse collections of items that highlight the role of Muslim scientists and their contributions in medicine, engineering, astronomy, geography and other fields of science. Inventions are categorized into seven zones: home, school, hospital, market, town, world and universe. The exhibition makes use of the latest IT techniques and interactive educational games, and for the first time highlights the role of women in science, as well as the role of non-Muslim scientists who contributed to Muslim civilization. The exhibition shows how Muslims nurtured the scientific and industrial heritage of the Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian civilizations, and how they created a new and different civilization. Launched in the United Kingdom in March 2006, '1001 Inventions' exhibition was created by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilization (FSTC), a Britishbased non-profit, non-religious academic organization. Working with leading academics from around the world, FSTC engages with the public through educational media to highlight the shared cultural and technological inheritance of humanity to improve social cohesion.

Examples of Muslim inventions and discoveries: 1. Coffee. 2. The first person to realize that light enters the eye, rather than leaving it, was the 10th-century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham. 3. Abbas ibn Firnas made several attempts to construct a flying machine, and created what is thought to be the first parachute. 4. Perfected the recipe for soap and introduced shampoo to Europe. 5. Distillation was invented around the year 800 by Islam's foremost scientist, Jabir ibn Hayyan. He emphasized systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry. 6. The crankshaft is a device that translates rotary into linear motion and is central to much of the machinery in the modern world, not least the internal combustion engine. One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, it was created by an ingenious Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to raise water for irrigation. He also invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by water and weights, and was the father of robotics. Among his 50 other inventions was the combination lock. 7. Quilting. 8. Many modern surgical instruments are of exactly the same design as those devised in the 10th century by the Muslim surgeon al-Zahrawi. In the 13th century, another Muslim medic named Ibn Nafis described the circulation of the blood. Muslim doctors also invented anesthetics of opium and alcohol mixes, and developed hollow needles. 9. The windmill. 10. The fountain pen. 11. Algorithms and much of the theory of trigonometry came from the Muslim world. And Al-Kindi's discovery of frequency analysis rendered all the codes of the ancient world soluble and created the basis of modern cryptology. 12. Ali ibn Nafi, known by his nickname of Ziryab (Blackbird) came from Iraq to Cordoba in the 9th century and brought with him the concept of the three-course meal - soup, followed by fish or meat, then fruit and nuts. 13. Carpets. 14. The modern cheque. 15. Ibn Hazm proved that Earth was a sphere in the 9th century. 51

Education

Turkish Prime Minister receiving a copy of the book '1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our Time' from Salim Al-Hassani and Fady Jameel.

A view of the Exhibition

Scale models of Al-Jazari's 13th-century Elephant Clock.

Muslim heritage expo aims to inform and inspire

Ibn Al-Haytham camera obscura.

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Islamophobia

Islamophobia is a contempo rary manifestation of racism The Minaret on the top of the roof of Turkish Culture Club in Wangen, Switzerland. (epa)The Minaret on the top of the roof of Turkish Culture Club in Wangen, Switzerland. (epa)

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey (epa)

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu considers the vote that took place in Switzerland banning the construction of minarets a dangerous development that transfers the phenomenon of Islamophobia from individual and media acts to official, government and even constitutional levels. He warned that it would institutionalize the phenomenon and escalate its manifestations. He also described what happened as a paradigm shift that can not go overlooked and that it comes in the context of an overwhelming discriminatory racial phenomenon. This came in the Secretary General's statement addressed on 31 January 2010 to the meeting of the OIC Permanent Representatives held at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on the referendum held in Switzerland on November 29, 2009 on banning the construction of minarets in Muslim mosques. Ihsanoglu pointed out that the OIC General Secretariat has been following the Swiss trend since its beginning in November 2007; and noted that since then he conducted regular contacts at the highest level with the Swiss Government in a bid to address the situation. The Secretary General stated that he met with the Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey many a time and noted that meetings between the OIC General Secretariat on one hand, and the Swiss Embassy in Riyadh and the senior officials in the Swiss Foreign Ministry continued over this period in Bern and Jeddah. Ihsanoglu reiterated the OIC's strong condemnation of the outcome of the referendum, and stated the position of the Organization, which expressed disappointment and concern regarding this ban. The ban was considered by the Organization as an example of the growing incitement against Islam in Europe on the part of extremists, xenophobes, racists, anti-immigrant and extremist right groups that stand in the face of wise and logical positions and human values. The Secretary General added that what makes it confusing is that vote on banning minarets contradicts with the provisions of the Swiss Federal Constitution and has exclusively targeted Muslims in that country. Ihsanoglu also pointed out that the Swiss Government was embarrassed by this development and expressed its non-adoption of the issuance of such ban. He explained that it did that for two reasons, the first of which is its conviction that the endorsement of this ban would place Switzerland in a position contradicting with its constitution, laws and international commitments, and cast doubt on the rightfulness of its hosting of the headquarters of UN Human Rights Organizations. The second reason is its fear from an Islamic reaction. The Secretary General, however, noted that some European circles criticized the Swiss Government for not taking legal procedures towards the non-holding of that vote. Ihsanoglu, meanwhile, referred to the many advocates of the result of the vote warning that some took this opportunity to incite against the Muslim presence in Europe and to call for stopping the Islamic expansion and Islamization of Europe in spite of the fact that Muslims constitute 5% only of Europe's population. The Secretary General stated that the Islamic Ummah leaders have entrusted the OIC with the mission of following-up and countering Islamophobia, and that the Organization had made strenuous efforts to this end. But the new

paradigm development, represented in the Swiss ban on minarets, while requiring advancing these efforts, makes it inevitable for us to set a special program in this respect. In conclusion, he said: "It is high time to move from the position of reacting to that of initiating action. The OIC will remain committed to work on gathering the governments, NGOs and private sector in the West and Muslim World in a fruitful dialogue aiming at combating extremism and intolerance and seeking intercultural and interfaith coexistence based on harmony. The meeting agreed that minarets, as important religious symbols to call Muslims to worship and venerate God, were an integral part and an expression of Muslim identity as well as time honored cultural, architectural, and civilizational heritage and that the ban restricted the freedom to manifest religion and display Islamic heritage to the outside world. The meeting welcomed statements and declarations made by Governments, specialized human rights bodies, faith leaders as well as civil society organizations expressing their concerns. It particularly welcomed the statement made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights describing the ban as discriminatory, deeply divisive and thoroughly unfortunate step. In this regard, the meeting urged the High Commissioner and other relevant mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council to highlight the Human Rights implications of this ban in their respective reports and work closely with the parties concerned towards an expeditious removal of the ban. The meeting expressed full support for the initiative by the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue as well as the outcome of the conferences relevant to the initiative. The meeting urged the Swiss Government and other relevant Swiss authorities to take necessary political and legal steps and adopt positions with a view to ensuring the reversal of the ban. The meeting agreed on the importance of urging the Member States on joint coordination in raising the matter

in the relevant international fora and seeking a resolution in view of its potentially grave implications. It also urged the Member States for a concerted and result-oriented effort with the international community, particularly the political and religious elite, towards evolving an agreed framework aimed at arresting this trend, discouraging particularly the organization of popular referendums on sensitive subjects, which may harm the convictions and beliefs of religious communities. At the latest meeting he had with Swiss Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey at the sidelines of his participation in the High Level Segment of the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) held in Geneva on 2 March 2010, Ihsanoglu again discussed the minaret banning. He conveyed the OIC's deep concern and disappointment adding that it came as a surprise in the wake of assurances to the contrary given by the Swiss side during the three rounds of OIC-Swiss consultations. He emphasized that the ban represented an institutionalization and constitutionalization of the issue of Islamophobia with ominous implications in terms of a potential domino effect in wider Europe. For her part, Calmy-Rey agreed that the result of the referendum has defied the polls and came as a surprise to the Swiss Government. She also briefed the Secretary General on the steps taken by her Government since the ban to establish a regular contact with the Muslim Groups in Switzerland with a view to including them and their concerns in the mainstream Swiss politics. Ihsanoglu conveyed to the Swiss Foreign Minister the Muslim world's expectations of concrete steps on the part of the Swiss government in consonance with its obligations towards ensuring protection of the fundamental rights of the Muslim community in Switzerland. Ihsanoglu and Calmy-Rey agreed that the engagement would be extended in terms of a two pronged approach aimed at projecting the true image of Islam and Muslims geared towards removing misperceptions, and to seek a better and accurate coverage of Islam and the Muslim community.

OIC welcomes apology by Danish newspaper for publication of blasphemous caricatures Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- A spokesnewspaper would be replicated by man of the OIC Islamophobia Obserother newspapers that had published vatory in Jeddah welcomed the apolthe caricatures as well by the caricaogy made by the Danish daily turist himself. He added that OIC is newspaper “Politiken” over the pubstrongly committed to freedom of exSaudi lawyer Faysal A .Z. lication of the blasphemous caricapression; but believes that it should Yamani (epa) tures of Prophet Muhammad be exercised responsibly so as not to (PBUH). The spokesman said that create incitement and provocation the action taken by the daily “Politikleading to social unrest and disturb en” should have been taken immediinterfaith harmony. ately after the first publication of inThe Danish newspaper apolosulting caricatures in 2005 as a demonstration of the gized on February 26 in a statement for offending Muslims Danish society's respect for tolerance and respect for the by reprinting the caricature. The apology was part of a setsentiments of 1.5 billion world Muslims who felt humiliat- tlement with Saudi lawyer Faisal Yamani representing ed, insulted and deeply hurt by the publication of the cari- eight Muslim groups in the Middle East and Australia. catures. Yamani gave a presentation at OIC General Secretariat The spokesman said that the apology issued by the to the Secretary General and OIC officials on March 14 “Politiken” would be seen by Muslims as a development about the legal basis and process for going after and detowards rectification with regard to the hurt and insult manding apologies from 11 Danish newspapers that recaused to them by the publications of the caricatures. The printed the caricatures, giving them the option to apologize spokesman hoped that the action taken by “Politiken” or face court case for lible. 53

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Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey (epa)

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Islamophobia

Ihsanoglu holds consultations with UN High Representative of AoC on a Plan of Action

Maha Akeel Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu held consultations with the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) and Former President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio at OIC General Secretariat Headquarters on February 3, 2010 on a 'Plan of Action' for joint activities and cooperation in areas of common interest. The plan comes as the step following the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the OIC and AoC at the second forum of the Alliance held in Istanbul in April 2009 where concrete progress toward a global agenda for intercultural dialogue was made. The meeting comes ahead of the third AoC forum to be held in Brazil in May 2010. In the discussions, Sampaio said that the AoC aims to prevent conflict and build a culture of peace. To achieve that, he is trying to develop good governance of cultural diversity and to promote National Plans and Regional Strategies for intercultural dialogue and cooperation. This is where the OIC can play a role. Sampaio and Ihsanoglu also spoke about the need for a global action or a global campaign to promote peaceful cohabitation, through education and the media. The two sides further discussed the involvement of youth in concrete proposals. Sampaio stressed on the need to work to face the repeated episodes, incidents and symptoms showing an increased sense of insecurity and intolerance. Being also the UN Special Envoy to Stop Tuberculosis (TB), Sampaio brought up the issue of TB in Muslim countries where out of 22 high burden countries of the world, 7 are from OIC, namely, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mozambique and Afghanistan. Therefore, the two sides discussed some specific OIC action to support TB care in the Muslim world. After their meeting, Ihsanoglu and Sampaio gave a joint seminar at the OIC Headquarters entitled 'OIC and Alliance of Civilizations as Partners in Dialogue among Civilizations'. OIC Secretary General said in his presentation that two issues are of great concern to the OIC Mem54

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ber States and to the world as a whole: the phenomenon of Islamophobia and the protracted question of the Palestinian people. He said not-resolving these two issues gravely threaten world peace and security. The mounting manifestations of Islamophobia are geared to perpetration of hatred, racial discrimination and tolerance. Islamophobia is seen as worse than racial discrimination and is very dangerous because it does not respect the individual, and believes in collective punishment, which is a crime under international law, he added. The Secretary General noted that the Alliance of Civilizations and the OIC share the same goals and objectives, and travel the same journey for the betterment of humanity, as the OIC since 1998 was a pioneer in advocating dialogue among civilizations as an alternative to the theories of clash of civilizations. He stressed that the OIC is sincere in its effort of advocating dialogue of civilizations as this is rooted in Islam's sacred scriptures. He also added that Islamic teachings go beyond and transcend mere dialogue to attain familiarity and cordiality among all human kind. Sampaio, who was visiting the OIC for the first time, briefed the audience on the emergence of the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC), its membership, vision and objectives. He emphasized that the work of the Alliance, which is a unique network of partners, is action-driven and called for a positive change across cultural divides. He emphasized the urgent need for a long-term strategic approach to democratic governance of cultural diversity as well as for innovative policies at all levels, particularly at the grassroots level. Sampaio also noted that political conflicts can only be solved through political negotiations; and stressed on the need for developing national plans and regional strategies for intercultural dialogue in areas of education, youth, media and migration. This one-day seminar was organized as a part of the OIC observation of the year 2010 as the 'International Year for Rapprochement of Cultures' as stipulated by the UN resolution A/RES/62/90, which is the outcome of an initiative presented by Kazakhstan, an OIC Member State. On the sidelines of the seminar the OIC Journal talked

with Sampaio about his presentation. He elaborated on his point regarding the benefits of having migrants in Europe but also the fears and suspicions they raised, especially at times of economic difficulties and the effect of terrorism on perceptions. He said it is a challenge for officials and organizations to address this duality in the community. He called for some condemnations of terrorism by Muslim leaders and more involvement of the Muslim communities in Europe with their local societies. The OIC Journal pointed out that there are always condemnations of terrorism by the Muslim world, including by the OIC; but western media does not reflect that. Sampaio agreed and cited the campaign against minarets in Switzerland as an example of distorting reality by exaggerating the danger. He suggested establishing good policies and legislations on migration as in his homeland Portugal to help in assimilation and integration, but it is still a challenge particularly with increased number of diverse immigrants and increased unemployment. On the issue of freedom of expression and freedom of religion, Sampaio said they are two basic human rights, but sometimes they get into conflict with each other; and the way of arbitrating that conflict is essential for the future. He said that addressing the conflict should be on a case-bycase approach. Meanwhile, he said Muslims should not apply the mistake or provocation by someone on a whole nation. The OIC Journal pointed out that the same should be

said about westerners generalizing and accusing a whole nation or religion based on the terrorist act of an individual or group. Sampaio again agreed, and said that one aspect of the AoC is to develop the media to distinguish between a provocation or exaggeration with what is a fact.

The future of intercultural dialogue in the EuroMediterranean Region discussed at the Anna Lindh Forum Barcelona, Spain- The Anna Lindh Forum 2010, held in Barcelona on 4-7 March 2010, brought together for the very first time the largest number of civil society member organizations (1000 participants from 500 organizations) from all 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean. It was also the first time that the OIC - represented by Ambassador Hemayet Uddin, Director General of Cultural and Social Affairs, and Cenk Uraz, Advisor to the OIC Secretary General- was invited to an Anna Lindh event. The objective of the event was to exchange views and ideas as to the future of intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean Region. It was also intended to prepare new actions at the local and transnational level. Priorities for civil society actors included reinforcing programs of education, mobility, translation and migrant initiatives; the importance of cultural citizenship; increasing coordination between the current regional dialogue initiatives and networks; ensuring equality in terms of participation of civil society from the two shores of the Mediterranean; responding collectively to the challenges of unemployment and the impact of the global economic crisis on intercultural relations in the Region. Ambassador Hemayet delivered a

speech at the workshop titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interreligious Dialogue and Common Values of Actionâ&#x20AC;? held on 5 March 2010. In his speech Ambassador Hemayet underlined the OIC's commitment to inter-civilizational and inter-religious dialogue that is based on mutual respect and understanding. He also underlined the OIC's commitment to work with the international community to evolve a result-oriented dialogue that would bring different religions together in fostering mutual respect and understanding for the sake of international peace and security, tolerance towards developing a culture of peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity in religions, cultural heritage and practices and understanding. He also referred to the element of doubt and mistrust in present-day West-Muslim world relations stemming from misinformation and misrepresentation of certain groups that provide opportunities to extremist minorities on both sides to take advantage of the situation. The final day of the Forum concluded with the announcement by the organizers that the next Anna Lindh Forum will take place in 2012, which will mark the launch of the Foundation's next triennial program phase of action across the Union for the Mediterranean Region. On the margins of the meeting, Ambassador Hemayet had bilateral

meetings with Andreu Claret, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF), and Andre Azoulay, President of the ALF. In those meetings, Ambassador Hemayet indicated the OIC's willingness to establish regular dialogue and to develop an institutionalized relationship and cooperation with the ALF, through signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Exchange of Letters. He also invited President Azoulay to visit the OIC Headquarters at a mutually convenient time. President Azoulay accepted the invitation and indicated that he would be happy to see the development of institutional relations with the OIC and the ALF, including through signing of an MoU. He was also forthcoming with regard to the OIC Secretary General's participation in the Union for Mediterranean Summit, which is planned to be held in Barcelona in early June 2010. Ambassador Hemayet and Mr. Uraz then went to Madrid on 8 March to have consultations at the Spanish Foreign Ministry where they met Ambassador Jose Ferre de la Pena, Ambassador at Large for Relations with the Muslim Countries, and Ambassador Victoria Gonzalez Roman, Ambassador at Large and Spain's Focal Point to the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC). The two sides agreed to have regular dialogue and exchange visits. 55

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Ihsanoglu holds consultations with UN High Representative of AoC on a Plan of Action

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Islamophobia

Youth

International Symposium on Youth and the Future:

Europe moves to ban burqa over fears of national identity and security

Current Challenges, Capacity Building and Participation Mechanisms

(agencies) Belgium soon may be the first European nation to outlaw the burqa and other Islamic garb that completely hides a woman's body and face. France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria may also outlaw attire that is viewed by many in western European societies as demeaning to women. It also is considered a gateway to radical Islam, a fear that is exaggerated by rightwing parties and fueling anti-Muslim sentiments across the continent. The proposed burqa ban was made at the Belgium Parliament in March 31. The initiative is expected become law in July and would apply to all public places, including streets. A French parliament report called in January for a ban on the full veil, saying Muslim women who wear the burqa were challenging French values in an unacceptable manner. After six months of hearings, a panel of 32 lawmakers recommended a ban on the face-covering veil in all schools, hospitals, public transport and government offices, the broadest move yet to restrict Muslim dress in France. The commission called on parliament to adopt a formal resolution, stating that the all-encompassing veil was “contrary to the values of the republic”. The National Assembly resolution would pave the way to legislation making it illegal for anyone to appear with their face covered at state-run institutions and in public transport, for reasons of security. Women who turn up at government offices wearing the full veil would be denied services, such as a work visa, residency papers or French citizenship, the report said. The panel, however, stopped short of proposing broad legislation to outlaw the burqa in the streets and all public venues, such as shopping centers. Lawmakers cautioned that such a measure would first have to be reviewed by the courts to establish its legality. Despite a large Muslim presence, the sight of fullyveiled women is not common in France. Only 1,900 women wear the burqa, according to the interior ministry. Anxieties that visible signs of Islam erode national identity are combining with complaints that immigrants are stealing jobs amid the worst economic slump in decades to deepen a sense of unease in many European countries over the presence of Muslims in society. Threats against cartoonists and artists over depictions of the prophet Muhammad have also raised fears that Islam is not compatible with Western values of freedom of speech. Swiss voters recently voted to ban the construction of new minarets. In recent years, both mosque and minaret construction projects in many European countries, including Sweden, France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Germany and Slovenia have generated protests, some of them violent. The proposed Belgian burqa ban partly underscores how populist politicians across Europe are influencing attitudes and policies toward immigrants and minorities, especially Muslims. In the Netherlands, polls indicate that Geert Wilders' anti-Islam Freedom Party could nearly triple its presence in parliament and win 25 or so seats in June elections, up from nine today. These far-right parties claim that Muslims threaten Eu56

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Opening session of the Symposium

A woman walking on The Champs Elysees in Paris. (epa)

ropean values by wearing headscarves and conservative dress that covers the body. Numbers, however, put growing fears of Europe becoming "Eurabia" into perspective. Although their ranks are growing, Muslims make up only small minorities in Western Europe. France has the largest Muslim population of an estimated 5 million, or 7.5 percent of the population, followed by the Netherlands with 6 percent, Germany with 5 percent, Austria with 4.2 percent, Belgium with 3 percent and Britain with 2.7 percent, according to the 2009 study of the Pew Research Center in Washington. In the Netherlands, a ban on the face-cover is on hold, for now, because fewer than 500 women wear such outfits, out of a population of 16.5 million. In Belgium, the vast majority of Muslim women do not wear the burqa. Last year, the city of Brussels fined only 29 women - down from 33 in 2008 - for wearing a burqatype dress, leading critics to say the regulations are an empty populist gesture. Local rules ban the burqa, but the new law would outlaw it on a national level. In January, Denmark's center-right government called the burqa and the niqab out of step with Danish values. It held off on a ban after finding that only two or three women in Denmark (pop. 5.5 million) wear burqas and perhaps 200 wearing niqabs. Politicians in Germany, Spain and Italy have toyed with banning Islamic wear, but so far to no effect. Isabelle Praile, vice president of the Belgian Muslims Executive says while a burqa ban targets very few women "it speaks to a fear of the other who is Muslim. This is Islamophobia."

Carthage, Tunis- Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali stated that the 'International Year of Youth' constitutes a precious opportunity to increase care for youth, to deepen their knowledge of the civilizational and historic responsibilities entrusted to them, and to raise their awareness of the great hopes placed in them. In an address he delivered at the official opening ceremony on January 14, 2010 of the International Symposium on "Youth and the future: Current Challenges, Capacity Building and Participation Mechanisms", in the Presidential Palace in Carthage, the Tunisian President said that youth in every nation are the social category that is more exposed to the impacts of local errors and international imbalances, which cause them to feel disappointed and frustrated, and have adverse effects on their growth and aspirations. He also pointed out that one of the most serious errors committed against youth is to overlook their concerns and aspirations, to thrust them in ideological, racial or factional conflicts, to fill them with feelings of hatred, grudge and racism, to show unconcern vis-à-vis the country's sovereignty to the extent of bequeathing to the emerging generations a sense of dependence and weakness, and to take grave and thoughtless decisions that might block youth's prospects and destroy their future. The President laid emphasis on the fact that attention should be focused on the vital sectors that target youth directly, such as health, education, training, culture, communication technologies, employment, social care, leisure and sports activities, volunteerism, and civil society action. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu emphasized in his speech delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Abdul Al-Muez Bukhari, Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology, that the OIC has been keenly interested in the issues of the youth in the Muslim World. He called for supporting and advancing youth forums, considering that the youth represent the future of the Ummah, “when the conditions of the Ummah's youth are right, so will be the Ummah's.” The Secretary General emphasized the need to focus on science, continuing science education, and investing in scientific research as well as prioritizing the need to secure sound conditions of freedom and openness for young people. The phenomenon of migration of young people abroad and to the West, in particular, must also be addressed, as this phenomenon leads to a brain drain amid young people and depletes Muslim societies of their young talents. Ihsanoglu underscored the need to urge young people to engage in community or political activities in order to boost their sense of citizenship and deepen the historical sense of the Islamic Ummah and its role in building contemporary reality. Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of

the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), said at the official opening ceremony of the symposium that the promotion of the youth requires, first and foremost, addressing their problems frankly and in a transparent manner, offering them adequate opportunities to achieve an integrated and balanced development, and responsibly engaging them in the process of development and the progress of their societies. The three-day symposium was organized as part of the 'International Year for the Youth', and in cooperation between ISESCO, the General Secretariat of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The symposium closed with the adoption of the 'Tunis Declaration for a Better Future for the Youth'. The Declaration urged Member States to encourage developmental initiatives and creative projects initiated by the youth, as well as provide more platforms of dialogue and media spaces where young people can express their opinions and more forums where they can share their perspectives on major national programs and policies. The Declaration called for enhancing the youth's intellectual and knowledge capacities, improving their professional and life skills for preparing them to take responsibility and effectively participate in decision-making. Also significant, the Declaration stressed the need to boost bilateral, regional and international cooperation between youth organizations, governmental and nongovernmental, by encouraging the movement of ideas and persons within respect for cultural specificities of societies and by anchoring the principles of dialogue and solidarity. Moreover, the Declaration insisted on giving priority to involving the youth in North-South joint projects, particularly those conducted jointly by countries of the European Community and their counterparts in the Arab Islamic world, the ultimate aim being to lay the ground for the emergence of relations based on cooperation, fair and balanced dialogue and mutual respect. Among the vital recommendations put forth in the Declaration was the necessity of developing appropriate mechanisms to provide adequate instruction and diversified specialized training for the youth. No less important, the Declaration stressed on the need to stimulate participation of the youth in voluntary, developmental and humanitarian action at the national and international levels, and channel their potentials into the consolidation of the efforts aimed at countering such social and health-related scourges as poverty, illiteracy, delinquency, drug addiction, epidemics, transmissible diseases, violence, extremism and terrorism. The Declaration pointed out the importance of reforming laws in order to allow the largest number possible of youths to participate in political and parliamentary life, public affairs management, and exercise their right to vote and run for the membership of elected bodies and different local, national and international institutions. The Declaration also pointed out the need to conduct field studies and develop statistical databases on the situation of youth in the Arab Islamic world in order to allow for devising policies and plans intended for their promotion. 57

Islamophobia

Youth

International Symposium on Youth and the Future:

Europe moves to ban burqa over fears of national identity and security

Current Challenges, Capacity Building and Participation Mechanisms

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Opening session of the Symposium

A woman walking on The Champs Elysees in Paris. (epa)

Religion

Nouakchott Conference on Moderation:

Striking the right balance between zealotry and laxity

Opening session of the Conference.

Ahmed Salem Nouakchott, Mauritania-The Al-Mustakbal [Future] Association for Da'awa, Culture and Education hosted the First International Conference on moderation in Nouakchott under the title 'Moderation in Islam: Conception and Application' on 24 to 26 March 2010. More than 50 scholars from different parts of the Muslim world, led by Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the imam of the Grand Mosque and President of the Supreme Judicial Council in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohamed el-Hacen Ouled Dedou, the event's organizer and Chairman of the Advisory Council of Al-Mustakbal Association, and Dr. Issam Al-Bashir, former Sudanese Minister of Islamic Affairs and Awqafs [Endowments] and Chairman of the International Centre for Moderation in Kuwait, in addition to leading scholars from Syria, Palestine, Kuwait, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and elsewhere. Key debate issues At the opening session, speakers spotlighted the importance of the Conference, being one of the means of gauging the deviance plaguing our Ummah [nation] which seems to be lost between what some participants called zealotry and laxity, between apostatizing and violence, and between oversimplification and enthrallment. Discussions during the Conference sessions touched on the concept of moderation and its consolidation as a primordial Islamic approach. Participants likewise discussed the need to focus the discourse informed by moderation on clarifying some issues related to the relationship between the referential standing of the Quran and the Sunnah [sayings and living habits of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)] and the correct understanding of the meaning of the scriptures and build on this comprehension. Participants also reviewed various aspects of moderation in religion, ethics and legislation. They stressed the need to promote advocacy jurisprudence, as the primary task for the Muslim Ummah is to call for goodness, and to guide people to the path of righteousness and salvation. In fact, moderation is the ground on which unity is built, and the point of encounter, and convergence as well as the banner of the Islamic Ummah. They also highlighted the key importance of striving for the unity of the Ummah, and staying clear of anything likely to cause its fragmentation and disintegration. Speakers at the Conference considered that jurisprudential politics are grounded in the principle of balancing, entailing first and foremost trust in religion, and in religion's capacity to offer accurate answers to Man's queries throughout his earthly life. Jurisprudential politics require secondly the ability to distinguish between beneficent and maleficent deeds, as it strives to rationalize political dis58

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course. Naturally, such rationalization depends on the commitment to jurisprudential checks and balances through which religion governs people's lives. On another level, participants focused on defining moderation in intellection which, they felt, should be based on first properly grasping reality before issuing fatwas [religious edicts], or what scholars call 'understanding before ruling', bearing in mind that fatwas change as times and circumstances change, and looking into consequences of deeds to ensure they do not run counter to their initial intentions. Additionally, participants emphasized the imperative of establishing a scale of priorities, balancing the beneficent and the maleficent, and bewaring of tainting the image of Muslims. Under this theme, speakers laid stress on the importance of tackling the anarchy of 'fatwas and interpretation, and seek instead the type of collective fatwa and diligence,' as the experience conducted by the State of Kuwait demonstrates. They highlighted the importance of enlisting advice from experts and scholars knowledgeable in contemporary issues. The agenda of the Conference figured the issue of violence, and how it is viewed in Islamic civilization and the means to confront it. Some speakers pointed up what could be considered as grounds for violence, including shallowness of thought and the absence of jurisprudence of objectives as well as the unwillingness of some to undertake intellectual revision and the exclusion of the principle of relativity in rulings. At the closing session, participants issued a statement in which they emphasized that moderation is the approach embraced by Prophet Mohammed [PBUH], that it is the right path which mediates between excess and deficiency, being in fact the commendable balance that guards the individual from falling into excessiveness or deficiency. The Conference's final communiqué added that Islam, being the last revealed religion on earth, is marked by moderation, and avoids hardships in faith, worship and ethics. Conferencees pointed that moderation, and so is the deal of equity, do not necessarily mean taking up a middle ground, but rather aligning oneself with what is right, just and equitable. Recommendations The Conference on moderation adopted a set of recommendations, key among which are the following: • Emphasizing the importance of establishing such events in various Islamic countries. • The need for religious scholars to play out their role in guiding, rationalizing and setting right what they deem deviant. • Respecting the principles of peaceful coexistence, human dignity, rejecting aggression, embracing differences, and building relationships among nations on the principle of dialogue and cooperation. • Tackling deviance through the dissemination of moral integrity and virtue. • Enacting a holistic approach towards extremism by moving beyond appearances and delving into the depths of the phenomenon. • Pushing towards fatwas that would be collective in character by enlisting the assistance of experts and scholars experienced in contemporary issues. Participants also called for creation of a center for moderation to be based in Mauritania with Dr. Khatri Oueld Hamid as the center's coordinator.

OIC calls for collective effort to confront the challenges facing the Islamic world in the sphere of Dawa Cairo, Egypt- Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Sections and institutions in all fields. The Secretary retary General of the Organization of the IslamGeneral also referred to a number of recomic Conference (OIC), stated that the convening mendations issued in this connection and susof the 21st Session of the Constituent Board of ceptible to contribute to the consolidation of the World Muslim Council for Dawa and ReJoint Islamic Action through the involvement of lief provides a fresh stimulus for joint Islamic Islamic institutions in the adoption of joint proaction to be added to the achievements of earlijects within the framework of the activities of er sessions. the Committee for the Coordination of Joint IsThis statement was included in the address lamic Action in the field of Dawa, or in cooperdelivered by Amb. Salem Al-Houni, OIC High ation with other institutions, under the motto of Commissioner in charge of the Dawa Affairs, “Solidarity in Action”. at the opening session of the two-day meeting Ihsanoglu further drew attention to the fact of the 21st Constituent Board of the World that the Committee has started charting the exMuslim Council for Dawa and Relief, held in ecutive program for many projects, including Amb. Al-Houni Cairo on 3 February 2010. the establishment of an FM radio station to The Secretary General said that this undertaking was broadcast in the African continent and to focus on African necessary in order for the Islamic Ummah to face up to the issues in the areas of education, health, Dawa and social afchallenges of the 21st century and to take practical steps to fairs, in both international and African languages, in addicoordinate joint Islamic action among Islamic organization to the centers for the teaching of Arabic.

Muslims face more bias than followers of other faiths in the US New York, USA- Americans are more than twice as likely to express prejudice against Muslims than they are against Christians, Jews or Buddhists, according to a new survey released in January 2010. The survey also revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans say they have little or no knowledge of Islam, and majority dislikes the faith. Religious Perceptions in America: With an 'In-Depth Analysis of U.S. Attitudes toward Muslims and Islam' is a study of Americans' opinions regarding a number of world religions with a special focus on Islam and Muslims. The results are based on the Gallup World Religion Survey, which explores Americans' opinions of four major religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism - and their followers. The study examines Americans' selfreported level of prejudice toward members of those faiths. Of the faiths Gallup asked Americans about, Islam elicits the most negative views. A slight majority of Americans (53%) say their opinion of the faith is either “not too favorable” (22%) or “not favorable at all” (31%). When asked about their level of knowledge about Islam, many Americans said they have either “very little knowledge” (40%) or “none at all” (23%). The study also reveals that Americans view Islam more negatively than they view Muslims. When it comes to the followers of Islam, Americans are more than twice as likely to express negative feelings about Muslims as they are about Buddhists, Christians, and Jews. Forty-three percent of Americans admit to feeling at least “a little” prejudice toward Muslims, with 9% telling Gallup they feel “a great deal” of prejudice. Fifty-seven percent of Americans report they do not feel any prejudice. The study also explores what Americans think most Muslims around the world believe. Majorities of Americans disagree with the statements that “most Muslims are accepting of other religions” (66%) and that “Christians' and Muslims' religious beliefs are basically the same” (68%). While a majority of Americans (70%) agree that most Muslims want peace, more than one in four (27%) disagree. Additionally, 81% of the American public disagrees with the statement that “most Muslims believe women and men should have equal rights”, and 47% disagree

with the statement that “most Muslims around the world are accepting of others from different races”. The study associated certain variables with the degree of Americans' self-reported prejudice toward Muslims. Among the top variables, respondents who report “a great deal” of prejudice toward Jews are about 32 times as likely to report the same level of prejudice toward Muslims. By the same token, those who report feeling no prejudice toward Jews are more than 11 times as likely to report feeling the same about Muslims. Notably, those who report they do not know a Muslim are twice as likely to express “a great deal” of prejudice. Counter-intuitively, knowing the name of Islam's prophet makes someone more than twice as likely to express “a great deal” of prejudice. Meanwhile, personally knowing a Muslim is not linked to a lower level of prejudice, although not knowing a Muslim is related to the greatest level of bias. The authors of the report say this finding underscores the need for better education on what Islam teaches. "What really seems to impact one's perception of a group much more than knowing an individual is having a positive opinion of that group's distinguishing characteristic, which in this case is their faith," said Dalia Mogahed, senior analyst and executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. "That one person being nice enough could simply be explained as that person being an exception." Selfreported attendance of a religious service less than once a week is also associated with reporting “a great deal” of, or extreme, prejudice. However, Americans who say they attend religious services more than once a week are more than twice as likely to say they feel no prejudice toward Muslims, countering popular assumptions that religious devotion contributes to having negative opinions about people of another faith. Americans who agree most Muslims believe in equal rights for women and those who agree most Muslims want peace are also more than twice as likely to report feeling no prejudice toward Muslims. The report, from the 'Muslim West Facts Project', a partnership of Gallup and the 'Coexist Foundation', is based on a random telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults, conducted from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2009. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. 59

Religion

Nouakchott Conference on Moderation:

Striking the right balance between zealotry and laxity

Opening session of the Conference.

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Environment

On the occasion of the World Water Day:

First Meeting of the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment adopts the Draft Islamic Environmental Action Program Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. After deliberations, the meeting adopted the report on ISESCO's 'Mandate in the Area of Environment Protection, Water Resources Management and Renewable Energy Promotion', taking into consideration the Executive Bureau's observations. The meeting also requested the Executive Bureau's Chair and Secretariat to develop a conception about the setting-up of a Technical Committee for the Environment and Development in the Islamic World. The meeting invited the Member States to provide the Executive Bureau's General Secretariat with regular reports on their achievements in susHRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz speaking at the opening session. tainable development, in order to enable it to prepare Rabat, Morocco- The Islamic Executive Bureau for the the evaluation report on the outcome of the sessions of the Environment held its first meeting at the Headquarters of Islamic Conference of the Environment Ministers. The the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organiza- meeting also commissioned ISESCO to continue coordinattion (ISESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, on 18 - 19 January ing with the competent authorities in Morocco, with regard 2010. to the establishment of an Islamic Academy for the EnviHRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz, General ronment and Sustainable Development in Morocco. President of Meteorology and Environment in Saudi AraThe meeting adopted the 'Islamic Environmental Action bia and Chairman of the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Program'. In this regard, the Member States were called on Environment, opened the meeting and pointed out that en- to translate into action the core elements of the action provironment and sustainable development are becoming a gram through developing environment related programs major area of interest for the international community and, and projects, as well as coordinating and cooperating with more particularly, the Muslim world countries. He reaf- relevant organizations and institutions. Also significant, the firmed Saudi Arabia's support for joint Islamic action, es- meeting called for setting up, under the Islamic Executive pecially joint Islamic environmental action. He concluded Bureau for the Environment, a 'High-Level Task Force' his speech by calling for further cooperation between the comprising climate change experts from the Member Islamic and Arab Executive Bureaus for the Environment States, which will be commissioned to closely monitor inand, through them, between the Council of Arab Ministers ternational developments in climate change and prepare for for the Environment and the Islamic Conference of the En- the next Climate Change Summit (Mexico, 2010). vironment Ministers, in order to achieve common objecThe meeting also called on ISESCO to undertake all tives. necessary measures, in coordination with the OIC General The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stat- Secretariat, to consider establishment of the “Islamic Couned, in his message to the Meeting delivered on his behalf cil for Water Resources”, under the Islamic Conference of by Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Moez Boukha- the Environment Ministers. It also commissioned the Execri, that the climate change posed an existential threat for utive Bureau's Chair and Secretariat to prepare a plan for some of the OIC Member States. Following the impasse the protection and management of marine resources and dewitnessed during the Copenhagen Meeting, securing a fair velopment of marine ecosystems in the Member States. It and equitable agreement on climate change within the further requested them to coordinate with the International framework of existing instruments remains a priority for Strategy for Disaster Reduction, with the view to preparing the OIC countries. a strategy on disaster risk and impact reduction in the IsThe Secretary General called upon the Member States lamic countries. to evolve a common OIC position on the climate change to The Bureau's Chair and Secretariat were also entrusted safeguard their interests in the multilateral negotiations in with preparing a report on environmental conditions in the the lead up to Mexico round. In the area of the Clean De- Muslim world, increasing activities aiming to sensitize the velopment Mechanism (CDM), the Secretary General also youth to the environment and enhance their role in the field proposed to establish a carbon dioxide exchange scheme to of environment protection and sustainable development, contribute to the reduction of carbon emission. and drafting a strategy to develop renewable and clean enFor his part, Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director ergy sources in the Islamic countries, in line with the resoGeneral of ISESCO, in his address welcomed the members lution of the Third Islamic Conference of the Environment of the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment, and Ministers. Also significant, the meeting invited Islamic, the representatives of participating international, regional Arab and international funding institutions, especially the and Arab organizations. Dr. Altwaijri explained that the Islamic Development Bank, to contribute to the implemenExecutive Bureau's first meeting is especially significant in tation of the activities of the Islamic Environmental Action that it convenes only a few weeks after the Copenhagen Program. World Summit on Climate Change, and at a time when The Executive Bureau approved a proposal by the GenISESCO, in coordination with the OIC, is proceeding with eral Secretariat of the OIC to establish H.R.H Prince Turki preparations for the fourth Islamic Conference of the Envi- bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Special Chair for Environment ronment Ministers, which will be held in Tunis from 5 to 7 Studies in universities of the most vulnerable OIC countries October 2010, under the patronage of Tunisian President exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change. 60

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OIC emphasizes the importance it attaches to the issue of water Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- This year UN has chosen 'Clean Water for a Healthy World' as theme for the 'World Water Day 2010'. Under this theme, the 'World Water Day' (March 22) aims at raising awareness about sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being through addressing the challenges in water management, including the need for increasing water quality. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu issued a message on the occasion, stating that the OIC attaches utmost importance to the issue, which is reflected in the first OIC Ministerial gathering on Water in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2009 where the OIC Member States discussed the issues related to the water supply and elaborated on the importance of enhancing interaction, technology sharing, formulation of concrete proposals to tackle the water issues, specifically those related to water pollution. Indeed, it is universally agreed that water is the source of life. The holy Quran asserts that water is the sole basis for the emergence of life. It also has a prominent place in Islamic traditions. In fact, Islam prohibits waste and pollution of water, and call for respecting the environment. On this occasion, Ihsanoglu urged governments, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, individuals and all stakeholders in the OIC Member States and around the world to coordinate their efforts and to cooperate in a proactive and efficient manner in order to address the issue of water quality as well as to raise its profile in particular issues related to pollution, prevention, clean up and restoration. “We need to recognize that our future depends on the collective and effective management of our precious and scarce water resources,” he said.

Water quality facts and statistics: Global water pollution • Every day, 2 million tons of sewage and industrial and agricultural waste are discharged into the world's water. (UN WWAP 2003) • The UN estimates that the amount of wastewater “produced” annually is about 1,500 Km3. (UN WWAP 2003) Human waste • Lack of adequate sanitation contaminates watercourses worldwide and is one of the most significant forms of water pollution. Worldwide, 2.5 billion people live without adequate sanitation. (UNICEF WHO 2008) • 70% of the people who lack sanitation worldwide, i.e. 1.8 billion people, live in Asia. (UNICEF WHO 2008) • Sub-Saharan Africa is the slowest of the world's regions to achieve improved sanitation: only 31% of residents had access to improved sanitation in 2006. (UNICEF WHO 2008) Human health impacts • Worldwide, infectious diseases such as waterborne diseases are the number one killer of children under five years old. More people die from unsafe

water annually than from all forms of violence, including war. (WHO 2002) • Unsafe or inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene cause approximately 3.1% of all deaths worldwide and 3.7 % of DALYs (disability adjusted life years) worldwide. (WHO 2002) • Unsafe water causes 4 billion cases of diarrhea each year, and results in 2.2 million deaths, mostly of children under five. This means that 15% of child deaths each year are attributable to diarrhea - a child dying every 15 seconds. (WHO aUNICEF 2000) Impacts on the environment • There has been a widespread decline in biological health in inland (non-coastal) waters. Globally, 24% of mammals and 12% of birds connected to inland waters are considered threatened. (UN WWAP 2003) • In some regions, like the Mediterranean and Madagascar and other island groups in the western Indian Ocean, more than 50% of native freshwater fish species are at risk of extinction, and nearly one-third of the world's amphibians are at risk of extinction. (Vié et al. 2009) Drinking water quality • Point-of-use drinking water treatment through chlorine and safe storage of water could result in 122.2 million avoided DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years, a measure of morbidity), at a total cost of US$ 11.4 billion. (UN WWAP 2003) • Nearly 70 million people living in Bangladesh are exposed to groundwater with arsenic above WHO recommended limits of 10 ug/L. (UN WWAP 2009) • Naturally occurring arsenic pollution in groundwater now affects nearly 140 million people in 70 countries on all continents. (UN WWAP 2009) return. (UN WWAP 2009) • Economic losses, due to the lack of water and sanitation in Africa as a result of the mortality and morbidity impacts, are estimated at $28.4 billion or about 5% of GDP. (UN WWAP 2009) Pollution from industry and mining • 70% of untreated industrial wastes in developing countries are disposed into water where they contaminate existing water supplies. (UN-Water 2009) • Roughly one unit of mercury is emitted into the environment for every unit of gold produced by small-scale miners. A total of as much as 1000 tons of mercury is emitted each year. (UNEP/GRID- Arendal 2004) Pollution from agriculture • In a comparison of domestic, industrial, and agricultural sources of pollution from the coastal zone of Mediterranean countries, agriculture was the leading source of phosphorus compounds and sediment. (UNEP 1996) Nutrient enrichment, most often associated with nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, can deplete oxygen levels and eliminate species with higher oxygen requirements, affecting the structure and diversity of ecosystems. source:World Water Day website http:// www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/

Environment

On the occasion of the World Water Day:

the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Science

COMSTECH meeting approves major proposals for boosting S&T in Member States Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- A number of major projects like the establishment of a joint “Science & Technology Park”, a “Cyber University” and a world-class “Nanotechnology Network” were approved by OIC Member States in Riyadh on February 24, 2010. The projects have been passed to boost science and technology in the Muslim world. This was announced at the 27th meeting of the OIC Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH). The two-day COMSTECH meeting called on OIC states to increase their support for scientific and technological development. It also called on science and technology organizations from OIC states to fund the agencies of the Member States, and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and ISESCO to support science and technology programs and projects in the OIC countries. The event was attended by a number of high-ranking OIC officials, ministers and deputy ministers from OIC countries. “The acquisition of knowledge and research has been the basic features of Muslim societies since the advent of Islam and you will agree with me that with the weakening of these glorious traditions, the gap in scientific and technological pursuits in OIC member states and advanced countries has widened with every passing day,” said OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in his address to the meeting. He added that several projects - including the “Science & Technology Park” and the “Cyber University” - have been accepted by the Member States, including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan. The proposal to set up the technology park was made by Iran, and approved by all Member States. The new projects will boost science and technology research in OIC countries. The President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia Dr. Mohammed AlSuwaiel called on the Islamic and developing countries to cooperate in facing the challenges that hinder development in the fields of science, technology and scientific research.

He said that the challenges facing the Islamic countries, and the developing countries in general, in the field of science and technology are many. The most prominent of these challenges is the shortage of qualified human resources in the field and the lack of basic foundations for science and technology. In addition, poor financial capabilities for supporting technological sciences stand in the way of developing the field, not to mention the poor national plans and strategies that contribute to technology transfer. “The Muslim world, comprising 57 independent countries, stretching from Indonesia to Morocco, has a population of over 1.4 billion, about 25 percent of world's population, but the total proportion of science and technical manpower of the Muslim world represents only 3.7 percent,” said a report released on the occasion. “Even more serious is the fact that the research and development manpower of Muslim countries is only 1.1 percent … revealing the fact that most of the Islamic countries have a weak research and development base that needs considerable strengthening for research and development to become the basis of indigenous development,” it added. Referring to the COMSTECH meeting, the OIC chief said that the current session is of special significance this year. “We are almost halfway through since the adoption of a ten-year program of action and in our deliberations today we took stock of our achievements and failures over these years,” he said. “While we are conscious of our limited financial and human resources, we must not forget that in order to become a community that values knowledge and encourages a culture of science, technology and innovation, joint and concerted efforts will be required,” he added. On the research front, COMSTECH has gone the extra mile by executing and launching several projects, but it still has a lot to achieve. COMSTECH has connected the journal holdings of 45 major libraries spread across 15 of its Member States, making available a list of

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28,000 research journals online. The libraries have been connected through a networking program. The Secretary General welcomed the COMSTECH Secretariat's transformation into Science and Technology Innovation Organization (STIO). He expressed his hope that the COMSTECH will provide the much needed guidance and impetus to the efforts for ensuring the optimum utilization of scientific and technological potential available in the OIC Member States and their relevant institutions.

The First Meeting of the Founding Members of the Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO): The First Meeting of the Founding Members of the Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO) was held in Riyadh on 24 February 2010. The meeting was hosted by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, in his message to the meeting, called for concerted efforts to make science, technology and innovation as vehicle to realize the vision of achieving excellence and contributing to socioeconomic development. He emphasized the need to achieve higher levels of investment in the fields of science, technology and innovation to ensure a prosperous and dignified future for the peoples of the OIC Member States. He recommended that the STIO would consider initiating science, technology and innovationbased commercial ventures including public-private partnership. He proposed STIO to develop a program of work that would take into account the activities of other OIC institutions to avoid overlapping and foster cooperation and collaboration with them. He stressed also the crucial need and importance of full engagement of all OIC Member States in the activities of the STIO.

US Science Envoy visits the OIC General Secretariat Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, the US Science Envoy, visited the General Secretariat on February 20, 2010 and was received by Ambassador Abdul Moiz Bokhari, Assistant Secretary General for science and technology affairs. This was Dr. Zerhouni's first visit after the US Government's announcement to appoint a Science Envoy to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, job creation, clean water, agriculture, and environment. In his June 4, 2009 speech in Cairo, President Barack Obama declared his intention to appoint a new US Envoy as part of the US Government's commitment to global engagement in the field of science and technology. At the meeting in Jeddah, both sides exchanged views within the framework of the Cairo initiative to identify opportunities for sustained cooperation between the US and the OIC Member States. The US Government's announcement of a new global effort with the OIC to work together to address the issue of polio offers a constructive and positive context for developing partnership. Amb. Bokhari brought up the issue of high production costs of malaria and polio vaccines, and the problem of accessibility; and suggested the possibility of extending the cooperation to include production of drugs and vaccines. He also stressed on the importance of strengthening the centers of excellence on science and technology in the Muslim world, and expressed the OIC's wish to benefit from doctoral and post-doctoral scholarship programs in the promotion of areas of common interest. In addition, he said that cooperation in setting-up medicinal plants closer to the project centers to reduce production cost of medicines as well as setting up nursing schools and colleges in the region are other potential areas for cooperation.

Besides polio, partnership on other issues, like child and maternal health, science, technology and innovation issues were also discussed during the meeting. Dr. Zerhouni, on his part, briefed the meeting about the initiatives of the new US administration on S&T, technology engineering and math education. He also talked about the new fund for S&T to support technological development in Muslim majority countries and opening centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Dr. Zerhouni said that establishing a science policy in the developing countries is a concern and a challenge, and where cooperation is required. Public health, education, food security, water and water security, energy, climate change, job creation for the young generation are some of the other areas of cooperation. He also mentioned creation of a knowledge exchange environment for global learning as an extension of online learning, access to scientific and technological databases, online learning platforms, knowledge networks, technical know-how exchanges as other areas of potential cooperation. Furthermore, Dr. Zerhouni pointed to the need to develop special training programs for science teachers to improve the quality of science education and to decrease the shortage of science teachers as well as programs to improve science education curriculum at all levels. He also said that regional cooperation agreements are important to improve bilateral relations. At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue their contacts for exchanging views and developing their cooperation into partnership.

First Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Network of Women Scientists Rabat, Morocco- Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), opened the First Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Network of Women Scientists (INWS), on 19 April 2010 at ISESCO Headquarters in Rabat. ISESCO Director General said, "The main objective of the Islamic Network of Women Scientists will be empowering women to enable them to carry their scientific profession in a conducive environment and allow them to contribute in decisionmaking process especially in national planning and activating plans, policies and decision-making and introducing new concepts and vision regarding the relations between science and technology and issues of human rights, justice, development and cultural diversity and presenting Muslim women achievements at Islamic and international level. The network will promote cooperation and coordination in order to enable implementation of the decisions and agree-

ments ratified by Member States relevant to women's contributions and their participation in the field of science and technology as well as gather and disseminate information in order to redress the gender gap among the Islamic countries." Dr. Mahrou Zadeh Taybeh, President of the INWS Board of Trustees and Advisor of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also talked during the opening session. The INWS Board of Trustees is composed of nine female scientists from Malaysia, Iran, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Syria, Oman and Tajikistan. The INWS was established by virtue of a resolution issued by the 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in October 2008. The INWS Board of Trustees concluded its two-day meeting by adopting the 2010-2011 action plans as well as the programmes and exec-

utive procedures, which will draw the future road map for the Network. The Board recommended promoting the participation of women in the areas of scientific research. It also decided to devise a guide to experts, excellence centers and specialized laboratories, while specifying the areas of research and technology that can be transferred from one Member State to another, in such a way that these centers can be linked together. It also decided to boost communication and cooperation between these laboratories, as well as disseminating the findings of researches in a series of seminars bringing together women scientists and launching a website for the INWS. In the same vein, the Board decided to give priority in its activities to training and cooperation in the research areas of information technology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and brain sciences. The INWS operates under the auspices of ISESCO. 63

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Technology

Recent technological advances in communications have wrought a revolution in the field of information buttressed by a quantum leap in communications and the speed of information exchange. The wide expanding world has turned into a borderless and tiny global village where information runs electronically and real fast via the Internet, contributing to a hike in the size of trade exchange between world countries. Truth is, the world itself has become a wide and competitive online marketplace where an indefinite range of goods and services are offered for use, sale or purchase. Countries now have a fertile modern e-ground they can use as they wish to increase the volume of their foreign trade and achieve higher growth rates for their economies. E-commerce can be defined as the possibility of completing commercial transactions via computer networks, involving the transfer of ownership or usage rights of goods and services. Such transactions are deemed complete, once agreement is reached between the parties, namely the buyer and seller, regarding the transfer of ownership or usage right of goods or services via computer networks. Eapproval or consent between the seller and the buyer is the key element determining the concept of e-commerce. For e-commerce to become available via the Internet in any society, it is necessary to provide a suitable environment as well as necessary components, which include the following: 1. Support infrastructure for ecommerce and the possibility of contracting business deals through the Internet. This infrastructure includes wired and wireless communication networks, communication devices, and software for application and operation, as well as technical support services. 2. Legislation and regulations that should include laws and rules that fit the nature of online trade. These legislations form the legal and regulatory framework that ensures the continuation of e-commerce and protect the rights of all parties involved. 3. Availability of human resources, including those specialized in IT sector, communication networks, the Internet and e-commerce software applications. The Muslim world and ecommerce prospects Muslim countries possess a wide

Economy

E-Commerce

Mohamed Elbusefi IT Manager array of economic resources, such as natural and human resources that would empower it to build large scale production structures and a vast market for the exchange of products and the creation of global financial centers for funding, borrowing and investment. They could also ensure a good share of international trade as they have a population exceeding one fifth of the world's population and more than a quarter of the developing world's population. Among the challenges that hinder the establishment of an Islamic common market, the existence of economic disparities and differences in development processes between Muslim countries due to deficient or lacking infrastructure in many of them and the weakness of information networks as well as the gaping gap at the level of economic and social conditions in these countries, especially when it comes to demographic, economic and political structures and the levels of development, as well as the size of natural resources and the scope of their international relations. In light of the economic conditions prevailing in Muslim countries, ecommerce seems to be a pressing need and a developmental demand as a means of increasing their contribution to foreign trade and the development of local productive and marketing sectors, and the creation of real opportunities to boost their economic growth. In order for Muslim countries to make

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the best of e-commerce, it is necessary to strive toward overcoming the hurdles facing the use of e-commerce technology and provide its prerequisites, such as technological infrastructure, regulations and legislation that would govern its applications. Even though difficulties face Islamic countries and preclude them from properly benefitting from e-commerce, there is great hope that they can overcome these obstacles and catch up with other countries in this domain. However, this would not be feasible unless Muslim countries enact medium- and long-term development strategies to enhance IT and e-commerce. Among the strategies that should figure high on the list of priorities, one could cite the following: 1. Giving priority to science and IT in preparing and formulating educational plans and programs. 2. Establishing national centers and entities specialized in the field of IT and communications, and providing them with material and moral support in order to develop a scientific and technological base, and to strengthen the role of research and development in the country. 3. Adopting a policy of technological education and the use of IT by society at large. This would be achievable through training and educational programs in vocational and administration institutions, along with an emphasis on raising technical awareness at educational and academic institutions, as well as the modernization of educational curricula in a commensurate way with technological environment. 4. Directing and allocating domestic investment and attracting foreign capital towards the IT and communications industry. 5. Liberalizing the telecommunications and IT sectors from public administration and privatizing these sectors in competitive and free bids. This would help foster the type and quality of services at competitive prices. 6. Promulgating legislation and identifying legal and regulatory frameworks to protect IT users and preserving the rights of consumers and sellers in e-commerce environment. 7. Promoting and supporting the role of commercial banks in etransactions by facilitating the completion and collection of payments, and preserving the rights of the parties involved.

26th General Assembly of ICCI emphasizes the role of the private sector Doha, Qatar- Under the presidency of Sheikh Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), and with the participation of 34 OIC Member States, the 26th General Assembly meeting of the Islamic Chamber was convened on 6 April, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. ICCI Chairman Sheikh Kamel said, in his speech, that the Islamic Chamber developed a plan with the consent of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly to be implemented in each country, pointing out that the economic relations among the Islamic States are still not activated. He commended Foras Company for its activities regarding important projects in some African countries that are in need of such developmental projects. Sheikh Kamel stressed the necessity of paying more attention to Halal products as discussed one and half years ago. He added that as the Islamic Chamber is the only representative of the private sector, it will intervene in this matter to be responsible for issuance of the Halal certificates. Sheikh Kamel added that the Islamic Chamber seeks through Halal certificates to achieve two goals, the first is that Muslims eat Halal food according to the Islamic Shariah, while secondly, imposing fees on Halal products will be a source of income for the ICCI, national federations of chambers, and countries that import Halal food. In conclusion, Sheikh Kamel expressed his deep regret for the neglect and carelessness of which the Islamic Chamber has suffered in the past few months, as it has not witnessed any serious mobility for discussing the issues of the member countries. Sheikh Kamel said Pakistan, the host country of ICCI Headquarters, has been given a grace period of a month until the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in May to give attention to the Islamic Chamber, and in case of any indifference, a new headquarter for the Chamber would be chosen, suggesting that it will be Doha. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of QCCI, commented on the suggestion of Sheikh Kamel, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;Qatar is ready to host the headquarters of the Islamic Chamber at any time.â&#x20AC;?

ICCI Pres. Sheikh Kamel

The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in his statement, delivered on his behalf by the OIC Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs, that the Islamic Chamber has great and unique contributions. In this regard, he mentioned that the ICCI initiative to strengthen the economic ties among the businesspeople of the Member States was an important program that would encourage active participation and involvement of the Private Sector establishments in collective economic prosperity of the Muslim Ummah. Equally significant were various capacity building programs, which the ICCI continued to undertake among the business and productive sector operators in OIC countries. Ihsanoglu said that the General Secretariat is desirous of promoting the engagement of ICCI in the development of the essential role of the Private Sector in the following areas: the objective of attaining a level of 20% in intra-OIC trade by 2015; the DakarPort Sudan Railway; trade promotion as it relates to the staging of trade fairs and private sector meetings; regional cooperation initiative; and the development of the agricultural sector and food security. The agenda of the General Assembly meeting included discussions on the organization of the forums of the private sector such as the 2nd OIC

Business Forum and the 13th Private Sector Meeting on the Development of Intra-OIC trade and Investment in Joint Ventures in the Islamic Countries. The said meetings will be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 13-14 May 2010. The General Assembly also reviewed the achievements relating to the Chamber's projects, including the International Zakat Organization, OIC Information Network, Business Owners Union, Istikhlaf Bank, International Islamic Company for Exploration of Investment Opportunities (Foras), Company for Promotion of InterIslamic Tourism, Company for Recruitment and Employment of Labor and Company for the Development of Infrastructure. The 26th General Assembly approved to amend the article No. 25, regarding the structure of Board of Directors, which would be comprising the President and two Vice-Presidents -Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and Mr. Mohamed AlMassry, Head of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce- in addition to 4 members. The ICCI Board of Directors decided to reduce the subscriptions of the financially troubled countries, of which arrears reached $2.7 million, to 50% of the original figure. Mr. Mohamed Al-Massry said that what has been collected during 2009 amounted to $420 thousand, which is less than its total expenditure. Dr. Hatem Jameel Moukhtar, Assistant Secretary General of the ICCI for projects and Chief Executive Officer of Foras Company, spoke about the company's pace of achievements since its establishment 18 months ago. He said that the period witnessed pumping funds in the Islamic countries and initiating projects at a cost of $2.3 billion, disclosing that Foras targets investments of about $5 billion by the fifth year of the company's life. The members of the Board of Directors presented several suggestions for diversifying the Chamber's sources of income including allocating a space for the Chamber in international exhibitions, establishing a television station for the Chamber, and providing a plot of land for free to be used as a waqf (endowment) for the Chamber.

Technology

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E-Commerce

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ICCI Pres. Sheikh Kamel

Economy

Jeddah Economic Forum: A call for global integration and cooperation The Meeting of the National Statistical Organizations: Emphasis on effective cooperation

Istanbul, Turkey- The Meeting of the National Statistical Organizations (NSOs) of the OIC Member Countries emphasized the importance of reliable date and the need for effective cooperation among the national statistical organizations. The proliferation of national, regional and international initiatives with each containing a set of goals and targets that must be monitored for progress and performance highlighted the importance of having access to timely, accurate, consistent and reliable data. In addition, the member countries are being challenged by new development issues such as financial and economic crisis, climate change, food security, etc. which affect everyone, therefore, quality date is necessary to undertake studies and identify countries most affected by these issues and initiatives with the view to enabling development institutions to respond to the need of the affected countries. To this end, given that the National Statistical Organizations (NSOs) of the OIC Member Countries, who are at different levels of development and face various constraints and problems, are the primary sources of data, the effective cooperation among these institutions will be vital. Against this background, the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) organized the Meeting of NSOs of the OIC Member Countries on 22-23 March 2010, in Istanbul, Turkey. The discussions of the Meeting centered on the theme 'Statistics for Development in Post-Crisis World' and the goal of the Meeting was to find ways and means to bridge the communication gap between the data users and providers in PostCrisis World. In his message to the Meeting, the fifth in the series of such meetings aimed at coordinating the various statistical activities of OIC Member States, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that in resuming its work after six years the Meeting epitomizes the new spirit of action, which is gradually permeating the various aspects of the OIC activities. Referring to the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action and the emphasis on intra-OIC economic cooperation, Ihsanoglu stated that critical to the success of implementing these programs is the availability of reliable statistical data that provides the necessary inputs in developing and monitoring effective economic policies. It also gives the needed guidance on resource allocation, budgeting and monitor-

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ing, which represent the inevitable ingredients of a successful economic project. “Considering the urgency for OIC countries to modernize their respective economies, the task before the various national statistical agencies is mammoth. It is widely acknowledged that the level of economic development in most of the OIC, particularly the LDCs (least developed countries), is reflective of the slow progress in the area of planning and efficient resources allocation,” he said. Therefore, Ihsanoglu emphasized that reversing this trend is absolutely critical to our quest to achieve faster economic growth and major socio-economic improvements in the lives of OIC people. Hence, he called for a collective approach to scale up the capacities of our national statistical agencies, which would assist greatly in the rapid transformation of the OIC economies. At the conclusion of the Meeting, the delegates of the NSOs of the OIC Member Countries, and international and regional organizations issued the 'Istanbul Declaration' on the Meeting of the National Statistical Organizations of the OIC Member Countries. It itemized their agreements related to the topics of discussion: • The importance of accurate, reliable and consistent data for policy-making and strategy development in OIC Member Countries; • The need to foster increased relevance, responsiveness, and results-orientation individually and collectively; • Working together, sharing knowledge, information/ publications, and best practices, and helping one another through exchanging technical experts to provide training and hands-on experience; • Providing better statistical services; • Encouraging the governments of the OIC Member Countries to better integrate statistical development as a sector in their National Development Plans; and • Providing statistical services to support demand for new indicators. Moreover, the delegates agreed to set up an Experts Group Meeting to look into the issue of providing support to demand for new indicators. They welcomed the initiative to set up OIC Statistical Working Group (OIC-SWG) to coordinate, harmonize and standardize statistical activities of OIC Institutions. Finally, they agreed to organize on annual basis the meeting of OIC-NSOs under the title “OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-SC)” and make SESRIC the secretariat of the OIC-SC.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal opened the 10th Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) on February 13, 2010 and called for greater cooperation and integration to achieve speedy global economic recovery. Addressing about 1,200 delegates, including 370 businesswomen, academics and economists at Jeddah Hilton, Prince Khaled expressed hope that JEF's recommendations would contribute to achieving sustainable development. "Integration and fair competition are the two wings of progress and prosperity for humanity. Everybody should work together to achieve world economic recovery and stability," the governor said. Prince Khaled said Saudi Arabia has been playing a leading role in achieving global economic stability. "For the last several decades, Saudi Arabia has maintained its role as an active and important partner in the world economy." Saudi Arabia is an active member of G20 and holds a leading position in the group, being the world's largest oil producer and exporter, the Governor said. The Kingdom's moderate policies have won it international acclaim, he added. The opening session was attended by Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Majed and Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza. "This forum is a good opportunity to discuss world economic issues and bring together people of different countries to exchange ideas," Alireza told the gathering. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), which organized the event, highlighted the importance of the JEF's 10th edition, adding that prominent speakers will discuss pressing world issues. The topics to be discussed at the forum were selected by an academic committee comprising officials from leading educational institutions in Jeddah, including King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and King Abdulaziz University. "The forum will discuss the outlook for the world economy in the next 10 years in the key sectors of banking and finance, energy and environment, trade, agriculture, industry, education, health, and science and technology," said Sager. At the end of the three-day forum, a report was published summarizing the recommendations on topics discussed at the event. This year's JEF - held under the theme “The Global Economy in 2020” - focused on issues that are defining and playing a role in the global economy of 2020, said Dr. Sager. He said that the objective of the forum was to look at the shape and leading characteristics of the next phase of global growth, which will be well underway 10 years from now. The event brought together leading decision-makers, ex-

perts, businessmen and academics to discuss the outlook for the world economy in the next 10 years in nine topics: Global Economic Governance after the Crisis; The Way Forward for Reserve Currencies; Banking and Finance: Rebuilding Faith in Financial Institutions; Energy and the Environment; Tackling Protectionism in Trade and Investment; Agriculture and Food Security; Health; Science &Technology; and Education. Dr. Sager said attention in the nine sessions, which made up the forum's program, was devoted not only to topics that are currently dominating headlines but in the broader context in terms of the future development of both the global economy and Saudi Arabia in particular. Recommendations made at the event have been divided into general ones applicable to the global economy and specific ones for the Kingdom and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. With regards to the way forward for reserve currencies, it was recommended that the Kingdom promotes the creation of a regional Gulf common currency and maintains its peg to the US. The event also called for a multicurrency international system while maintaining the stability of the US dollar. On the subject of banking and finance, at the global level, emphasis was put on rebuilding faith in financial institutions, and on reforming the IMF and giving G20 members from emerging markets a larger vote. Locally, it was recommended that the Kingdom continues its conservative monetary policy, which has served it well during the global financial crisis; develops project finance capacities at domestic banks and reduces over reliance on international banks in this. It was also suggested that the Kingdom opens up the Saudi stock market to foreign investors, increases free floats and encourages listings of companies from a wider variety of sectors. In energy, it was recommended that the Kingdom promotes the implementation of solar energy projects in the pursuit of the vision of Saudi Arabia as an exporter of solar energy; and considers nuclear energy to reduce consumption of oil and gas. Globally, it was recommended to pursue an equitable post-Kyoto regime which does not impose an excessive burden on developing countries. As for tackling protectionism in trade and investment at the global level, recommendations were made to fight against protectionist tendencies and to defend trade liberalization, and to resume and conclude Doha Round negotiations. In Saudi Arabia, pursuing the full implementation of the GCC Customs Union was among the recommendations. In the session on agriculture and food security, calls were made to establish an international grain reserve to reduce market volatility, to prevent food export restrictions and curb speculation, and to apply Green Revolution technologies. On health, governments were asked to focus on health in a holistic way rather than isolate it as a single independent issue. In science and technology, they need to identify the goals as the transformation of society into a knowledgebased society with a knowledge-based economy. And education must be given the highest priority as it affects all other aspects of life from health, to society, to the economy.

Economy

Jeddah Economic Forum: A call for global integration and cooperation The Meeting of the National Statistical Organizations: Emphasis on effective cooperation

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Economy

Future Energy Summit emphasizes the importance of renewable energy

Group picture at the opening of the World Future Energy Summit 2010 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates on 18 January 2010. (epa)

Abu Dhabi, UAE (agencies)- The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) raised hopes of a better outcome at the ensuing global climate change talks in Mexico, in contrast with results of the Copenhagen Summit. The WFES gathered large number policy makers, entrepreneurs, experts and activists from more than 130 countries across the globe in Abdu Dhabi on January 18-21, 2010. It ended with a categorical assertion that renewable energy is no longer the energy of the future 'but it has already arrived ', and that it can make a significant contribution in mitigating the grave threats of climate change. Much of the debate at the Abu Dhabi Summit focused on the way that the Copenhagen Summit might have defined the problem, but left the solutions vague. "Copenhagen failed to deliver a legally binding agreement, which we all need. For example, it spoke of four funds, but did not give details of how the money is to be sourced nor how it is to be handled," said Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water. "Copenhagen did not mention any obligations from the developed countries," said Bin Fahad. "If we are to move forward, we have to focus on the areas of disagreement." There was also consensus that there is a very narrow window for action, and the dangers of doing nothing mean that action has to be taken quickly. The Copenhagen climate conference had secured some positive outcomes, said Maldives President Mo68

hamed Nasheed, but the Copenhagen accord in its present form would not prevent catastrophic climate change. Changes had to be radical and immediate. “If we don't act now, our rainforests will die, deserts become unbearable to live and low level countries like the Maldives will slip beneath the rising sea.” Sultan Al-Jaber, CEO of Masdar, the clean energy initiative of Abu Dhabi, affirmed in his opening address that despite the economic downturn, renewable energy still made absolute sense. He pointed to the $155 billion investment during 2009, four times the 2004 level. He added that energy generation from solar sources grew by 70 percent and from wind power by 29 percent. He noted that world population is set to reach 9 billion by 2050, energy demands will double, CO2 emissions rise and the planet's temperature increase. “We cannot afford to falter. We must progress today and deploy clean energy solutions to meet our future energy requirements and the threats posed by climate change,” he said. Richard Johns of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that if nothing at all is done to limit carbon emissions, then the world will be heading for 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of carbon in the atmosphere by 2030, causing the average world temperature to increase by 4 degrees, and then heading for a very dangerous increase of 6 degrees by 2050. Even if all the pledges made at the Copenhagen Summit become policy, and if the policies are implemented, Johns said, the carbon emissions

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would grow to 550ppm, which would take the average temperature to an increase of three degrees. “A monumental shift is taking place in the debates over energy and climate change. Nowadays nobody is asking whether clean energy should be adopted or whether climate change is really happening. Every country in every region is enthusiastically searching and adopting renewable energy as they are convinced of the impact of indiscriminate fossil fuel burning on the environment and climate,'' Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland said in his keynote address at the concluding session of the Summit. He said that renewable energy could be of particular importance to developing countries, helping them catch up with rich nations: “An abundance of clean energy gives a country a strategic advantage in the 21st century global economy.” Grimsson went on to say that developing nations enjoy greater potential to tap solar, wind and geothermal power, compared with most industrialized countries. “The humanity is facing a financial crisis, a humanitarian crisis emerging out of the lack of means for subsistence for vast sections of people and an ecological crisis. Renewables have an important contribution to make in addressing all these forms of crises,'' Prince Albert Alexander, Louis Pierre of Monaco, Marquis of Baux said in his keynote address. The Summit emphasized the need for cooperation among all the stakeholders, the policy makers, industry, experts and activists for developing renewable energy. Global and regional level cooperation must be strengthened in this area. Diversity of energy mix and policy frameworks for different countries was another issue that was emphasized at the discussions. The participants also spoke on the need for making renewables cheaper than present, and the governmental policies have an important contribution to achieve this, apart from mobilizing adequate resources for research and development from private and public entities. More than 23,000 people have attended the event, representing a 25 per cent increase over 2009, the organizers claimed in a statement. The event, hosted by Masdar, has welcomed representatives from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

Investment potentials highlighted at the Sarajevo Business Forum

Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina- The vibrant and cosmopolitan capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a picturesque country in the heart of South East Europe, successfully hosted a major international investment conference - 'Sarajevo Business Forum'. The two-day Forum was organized by Bosna Bank International and its VIP Business Club and the Islamic Development Bank's Business Forum THIQAH (IDB) in cooperation with their strategic partners Global Alliance for Partnership in International Development (GAPID) and the Bushnak Group. The event was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Haris Silajdzic, President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who delivered the keynote address at the First Plenary Session of the Forum on April 6. President Silajdzic pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully capable of offering a great potential to the investors especially in the field of energy and water supply. President Silajdzic was confident Bosnia is a stable, peaceful and business friendly state, quite contrary to the prevalent distorted perceptions of Bosnia in the world. The other two co-patrons of the Forum were Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Ali, the President of the IDB Group, and Dr. Tun Mahathir Mohammad, the Former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chairman of GAPID. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in his address to the first Sarajevo Business Forum that the Forum constituted an important step in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction of BiH. He praised Bosnia's economic growth which has remained above 5% since 2000 with indications for its steady increase. “I am confident that if the leaders of this country continue to remain united, sincere and steadfast in their resolve to achieve the required socio-economic development, BosniaHerzegovina would be able to assume its rightful place as the meeting point of the two world great civilizations and cultures,” he said. Ihsanoglu urged the business community, in collaboration with their counterpart in the OIC countries, to play their role in fostering sustainable development that underlines investing in local communities, supporting local education, health and sanitation. He paid tribute to the privatization program underway in BiH. He also urged support to the OIC Trust Fund for Returnees in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being important in terms of maintaining the multicultural and multi ethnic identity of the country maintaining that OIC will continue to identify with the developmental aspirations of the Bosnian people through the various activities of the Organization.

Sarajevo Business Forum gathered more than 600 participants, ranging from international investors and bankers as well as local and regional representatives of business corporations, policy makers and regulatory agencies' officials, from both private and public sectors. Investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, Turkey, Libya and many other countries participated at this conference. 175 business projects were presented to the investors in four areas of economy: energy, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. The total value of these projects was estimated at 11.5 billion Euros. At the closing session, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos expressed the willingness of the Spanish government and the EU to support both the spirit and the direction the Sarajevo Business Forum has taken. We want security and prosperity in Bosnia and we will be working towards it with patience and dedication in order to attain the better future for the citizens of Bosnia, declared the Foreign Minister of Spain. Minister Moratinos pointed out that the EU and its member states wish to advance the relations of Bosnia and the EU, and the ultimate goal of that cooperation in the short term should result in liberalization of visa regime. The time has come for important decisions and creating conditions that will enable Bosnia to advance on its course towards EU integrations and joining the NATO alliance, added Minister Moratinos in his speech. Deputy Secretary of State of the USA James Steinberg said in his speech that there is a huge interest of American companies to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that he hoped this would soon become reality. He particularly mentioned Bosnia's capacity for construction of energy projects as well as in the area of infrastructure, especially concerning the 'Corridor' as the most important road communication connecting Bosnia with other countries in the region. Bosnia needs to improve its investment conditions, establish unified economic space and improve its legislation so it becomes more attractive to foreign investors. This is difficult to achieve in an election year, but advancement is possible, Steinberg added. According to Deputy Secretary Steinberg, all obstacles can be overcome if there is political will and readiness to compromise. President Silajdzic mentioned that Sarajevo Business Forum will be able to reap the benefits only if it continues to work in the future. Discussing the concrete projects that were presented at the Forum, he particularly shortlisted the potentials of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of renewable energy sources. 69

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Future Energy Summit emphasizes the importance of renewable energy

Group picture at the opening of the World Future Energy Summit 2010 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates on 18 January 2010. (epa)

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Investment potentials highlighted at the Sarajevo Business Forum

Economy

Turkish Minister of Trade and Industry visits OIC A ninety-member Turkish delegation led by the Minister of Trade and Industry of Turkey Dr. Nihat Ergun visited the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 8 February 2010. The Minister, whose delegation comprised industrialists and businessmen from the private and public sectors in Turkey, was received by the Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs Ambassador Hameed A. Opeloyeru, and the Director General of the Cabinet and Chief Advisor to the Secretary General Ambassador Sukru Tufan, on behalf of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. They exchanged views on how to expand cooperation between the OIC and Turkey in economic sector. The Minister and his accompanying delegation attended a briefing on expanding intra-OIC cooperation in the fields of trade and industry delivered by Ambassador Ope-

The IDB announces winners for S&T Prizes for this year The President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB) Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali announced the decision of the Selection Committee regarding the winners of the IDB Prizes for Science and Technology (S&T) for the 8th edition (1431H). The winner for the first category (most outstanding contribution to social and economic development) is the Isfahan Science and Technology Town of Iran, an NGO for business incubation. The winner for the second category (most outstanding contribution to a given scientific field) is H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry of Pakistan. The winner for the third category (noted scientific institution from a least developed member country) is the Faculty of Engineering of the Islamic University of Gaza of Palestine. The IDB has established these prizes in 1422H to promote S&T excellence and capacity building in IDB member countries. Every year, three institutions are selected by an independent panel of eminent scientists from the Muslim World to receive the prize in the three categories. Each Prize consists of a cash award of US$ 100,000 and a trophy. The Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors will award the prizes to the winners in the forthcoming 35th IDB Annual Meeting on 23-24 June 2010 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

loyeru. The presentation covered a range of vital issues which included Intra-OIC Trade, Trade Preferential System of OIC, Cotton Rehabilitation Program, Agro-Food Development, Development of OIC Halal Food Standards, Cooperation in Tourism, Banking and Financial Sectors, Transportation and Private Sector initiatives. Minister Ergun for his part stressed that his country will continue to take an active role in the OIC initiatives. He also noted that Turkey will soon finalize the ratification process of the Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) which will function under the umbrella of the OIC.

Call for greater OIC, WAEMU cooperation advancing economic integration The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called for greater cooperation between OIC and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in advancing economic integration in West Africa. In his message to the 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the WAEMU member states, held in Bamako, Mali on 20 February 2010, Ihsanoglu expressed the need for the two bodies to activate cooperation in the area of promoting cross-border initiatives and integrative projects for the socio-economic well-being of the various communities in West Africa. While congratulating the leaders of the eight-member Union on their efforts at promoting the objectives of the Union, the Secretary General premised OIC partnership with the WAEMU on the eminent role which the Ten Year Program of Action accords to cooperation with regional organizations to increase intra-OIC trade and investment. In this regard, he invited the Summit to endorse the ratification of the existing legal framework for the establishment of a Trade Preferential Scheme among the OIC member countries (TPS-OIC).

Islamic Chamber opens its regional investment office in Sudan Khartoum, Sudan- President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sheikh Saleh Kamel officially opened the ForasSudan office in Khartoum on January 15, 2010. The office is one of the regional companies of Foras International Company for Investment, the executive arm of the Chamber's projects. Attending the opening ceremony was the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Investment, Minister Ahmed Shawer, and a number of officials and foreign dignitaries. Sheikh Kamel thanked the Suda70

nese government for facilitating the founding of the office, which will contribute towards establishing several projects in line with the government's developmental policies. He pointed out that the importance of the office lies in it being the first international investment center of its kind in the region. The CEO of Foras Dr. Hatim Mukhtar said that the mega projects, which Foras-Sudan will implement starting with Fayhaa agricultural project with a capital exceeding $200 million, would contribute to the agricultural and economic development

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of the country. The objective of Foras International Investment Company is to explore the investment opportunities in the OIC Member States according to a clear strategy aiming to achieve the desired development leading to selfsufficiency. It currently works in a number of African countries, such as Sudan, Mali, Senegal, Benin and Uganda, and is preparing to work in Nigeria and Mauritania. Foras focuses on four sectors namely: agriculture, infrastructure, energy and real estate, especially housing for limited income people.

IDB extends $120 million loan to Saudi Aramco - TOTAL Refining and Petrochemical Company The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) approved $120 million loan to participate in the Islamic financing facility for Jubail Refinery and Petrochemical Project, considered to be one of the most strategic projects for Saudi Arabia. The construction of the refinery will take place over a period of four years, and will be implemented by Saudi Aramco TOTAL Refining and Petrochemical Company (SATORP),

owned by Saudi Aramco (62.5%) and TOTAL of France (37.5%). The project management team of the two companies will be managing the dayto-day construction progress together with Technip of Italy to assist with project coordination. The project company will construct, operate and manage the project, refining 400,000 bpd of heavy crude, converting it into high valueadded distillates and petro-

Signing of financial agreement to implement regional railway project in Central Asia

chemicals. The project, to be constructed at a capital cost of $12.8 billion, is being financed by all Saudi commercial banks, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, Public Investment Fund, and some private international banks. The timing of the project is strategically important, indicating that Saudi Arabia in particular and the region in general, have remained resilient to the economic crisis and back on track for growth.

IDB finances two development projects in Mali

The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali met in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, recently, with H.E. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, and H.E. Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, President of Iran, where ways and means of scaling up cooperation between Central Asian countries and the Bank's Group were discussed. The meeting took place after the signing of financing agreement for the implementation of the 963 km Regional Railway Project. The total cost of the project is about $1.4 billion, while IDB participation stands at $371 million to be channeled through the Government of Turkmenistan. Dr. Ali emphasized the importance of the project â&#x20AC;&#x153;because it will enhance economic and trade cooperation between three member countries i.e., Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran, and between the Islamic world, through those countries, and Central Asia region as whole. Such cooperation is an integral part of the Bank's main objectives,â&#x20AC;? he said.

IDB signs MOU for reconstruction of Gaza The program of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s member states for the reconstruction of Gaza Strip approved to finance projects worth a total of $164 million in the Strip. This came at the conclusion of the first meeting of the program, which was held at the Headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Jeddah. Projects, approved by the Coordinating Committee for the first phase of the program for 2010, include sectors of health, education, water and sanitation, electricity, transportation, agriculture, housing and municipal services. During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Coordinating Committee of the program and the IDB was signed under which the Committee will implement the reconstruction projects in the framework of the program. It is worth mentioning that the Program was created immediately after the recent attack on Gaza. The financing of the Projects is part of $1.6 billion package that was approved by the GCC member countries to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.

The President of Mali Amadou Tomani Tori laid on February 7, 2010 in the capital Bamako, the founding stone of two development projects financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The first is the Economic National Housing Project, which is for building 20,000 - 60,000 housing units to be constructed over a period of five years starting this year in Bamako and other cities in Mali for the benefit of over 3 million people at a cost of $700 million. The President of Mali inaugurated this project in the presence of IDB President Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali and Assistant Secretary General for Projects at the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Hatim Mukhtar, who is also the CEO of Foras International Investment Company, the investment arm of ICCI and the executor of the project. The second project is the construction of Taosa Dam, which will benefit 140 thousand hectares of agricultural land and produce electric power at a capacity of 25 megawatts covering 87% of local demand for electricity. President Tori laid the foundation stone of this project in a big ceremony with presence of a large delegation from IDB headed by Dr. Ali. The IDB is co-financing the project with $50 million out of total cost of $195 million. 71

Economy

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Signing of financial agreement to implement regional railway project in Central Asia

IDB finances two development projects in Mali

Economy

Fifth Forum for Businesswomen in Islamic Countries:

ITFC supports the launch of an ambitious 'aid for trade' road map for ESCWA region The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), an autonomous entity within the IDB Group, lent its weight behind regional and international efforts to launch an 'Aid for Trade' (AfT) Road Map in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA), and other regional and international bodies. This was announced on January 12, 2010 by ITFC's CEO, Dr. Waleed Al Wohaib during his speech at the First Consultative Meeting to launch an initiative on 'Aid for Trade' Road Map, which was taking place in Beirut, Lebanon. In his speech Dr. Al Wohaib emphasized the importance of the ESCWA region and the ITFC's role as a trade solutions provider that will stress upon and support the adoption of a more focused and demand driven approach that will cater to the specific requirements of the individual member countries. Dr. Al-Wohaib also highlighted major elements that are trade-related infrastructure in such areas

as transport, energy, and communications; increasing productive capacity by drawing ESCWA countries into regional and global production chains and supply networks; trade development, which includes export promotion, trade finance and trade capacity building to help ESCWA-WTO members to negotiate and implement trade agreements. Dr. Al-Wohaib said that given the ITFC's role in bringing together international, regional and local organizations to advance intra-regional trade, the ITFC's trade development arm (Trade Cooperation and Promotion Program TCPP) is in the process of undertaking another important initiative under the AfT umbrella in order to articulate regional and national priorities on AfT for the benefit of the United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), which includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

IDB, IFAD sign co-financing agreement of $1.5 billion in aid of the poorest people in Africa and Asia The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) signed a ground-breaking $1.5 billion framework co-financing agreement that will strengthen their 30-year collaboration in supporting the world's poorest people in common member countries. The agreement, which was signed on 14 February 2010 during a meeting between Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of IDB, and Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of IFAD, comes at

a critical moment, when the international community has recognized that agricultural development is fundamental to feeding the world's population. Using their own resources, IFAD and IDB will jointly finance priority projects in most of their common member countries under their respective three-year lending programs for 2010-2012. The two institutions hope that this co-financing arrangement will attract additional funding from other development partners for

joint interventions. With their shared objectives in the field of agriculture and rural development, the two institutions will focus their efforts on increasing productivity, yields, processing capacities and accessing to markets. Microfinance, combined with capacity building and technology transfer, will enable hundreds of thousands of project beneficiaries to undertake a multitude of micro-enterprises and income-generating activities.

The IDB extends $10 million to the Dubai based International Bio-Saline Agriculture Center A partnership agreement was signed on April 12, 2010 in Dubai between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) where the UAE would contribute $25 million while IDB $10 million to cofinance the activities of the International Bio-Saline Agriculture Center (ICBA) up to 2014. The UAE share will be divided into five installments, each $5 million, while the IDB contribution will also be in five installments, each $2 mil-

lion, for the duration of five years starting 2010. The agreement was signed by Dr. Rashed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water in the UAE, and Dr. Ahmad Mohammed Ali, IDB President. ICBA is considered as one of the pioneering project of cooperation and partnership between the UAE and the IDB. It was established in 1996 in Dubai with the aim to serve as an applied research and development centre with its prime focus on

saline irrigation water for forages, field and horticultural crops, and trees in arid and semi-arid environments. Major emphasis is placed on serving the IDB member countries. In addition of the UAE and IDB, ICBA is supported by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the OPEC Fund and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The IDB has extended a total of $38 million since its establishment.

Empowering Businesswomen to Meet the Millennium Development Goals

Cairo, Egypt- Under the patronage of Mrs. Susan Mubarak, consort of the Egyptian President, the Fifth Forum for Businesswomen in Islamic Countries was held in Cairo during the period 22-24 April 2010 under the theme: 'Empowering Businesswomen to Meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's)'. The conference was organized by the Karachi-based Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation of the UN Development Program (SU/SSC-UNDP), and was hosted by the Egyptian Business Women Association (EBWA) headed by Dr. Amany Asfour. More than 500 businesswomen from 38 Muslim countries participated in the Forum, which aimed at establishing a means for the businesswomen to exchange knowledge and expertise, discuss new ideas, specify trade opportunities and link trade partners together. In her speech at the opening session, Dr. Amany Asfour said the best way for empowering women in the world is through achieving a higher level of education and healthcare. "If we are really keen to empower women, we have to alleviate poverty, provide consummate healthcare to children and train women with more skills," she said. Mrs. Farkhandah Hassan, Secretary General of the Egyptian National Council for Women, Ambassador Mrs. Najla Al-Husseini, Assistant Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African States (COMESA), and a number of other organizations attended the forum. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, in a message delivered by Ambassador Ahmad Haddad, Director of Economic Affairs at OIC, said the OIC gives special attention to women and is always keen to implement recommendations concerning women. Assistant Secretary General for Coordination at (ICCI), Mrs. Attiya Nawazish Ali, delivered the message of ICCI President Sheikh Saleh Kamel on his behalf in which she gave a presentation about the Internet website designed by the Chamber for businesswomen under the name 'Businesswomen Information Network' (http:/ www.oicbin.net). It represents a virtual gathering for all businesswomen in OIC countries and provides them with an opportunity to get together, and exchange data and information. Following the presentation, Deputy Director General of the SU/SSC-UNDP John Kakonge spoke about the project 'One Million Businesswomen of the South Online'. The Islamic Chamber was chosen because it includes 57 member

countries as one of the satellites aimed at massing a million women to communicate live on the Internet under the project called 'OMBOL'. The UNDP will extend the technical assistance required by the program in its initial stages. IDB Group representative Farah Spencer reiterated that the Bank gives particular attention to women all over the Muslim world. She said the Bank acknowledges that women have a crucial role in development, poverty alleviation and societal progress. She announced that the IDB has established a $25 million fund in Saudi Arabia to extend assistance to Saudi women to finance their small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). She said the Saudi Arabia Investment Authority is handling the fund as pilot project, which will be generalized in other Muslim countries upon its success. In addition to the above-mentioned projects, the Islamic Chamber also contributed to the establishment of the $50 million Family Bank in Sudan, which was set up in July 2008, and now has 13 branches in Khartoum and other provincial states. The chamber also established the "Selling House" in Multan, north Pakistan. It markets home-made products of women. In order to assist businesswomen's access to loans in member states, the Forum recommended that the ICCI, IDB and other financial institutions develop a suitable mechanism for extending easy credit facilities to businesswomen at the local levels. To strengthen skills among current and potential women entrepreneurs, it was recommended that national business development centers and incubators should be established in OIC Member countries. To unify, standardize and screen all projects submitted to the Forums for possible implementation, the participants called for the establishment of a Businesswomen Evaluation Committee, with ICCI as the focal point, and IDB and EBWA as members. The participants also called upon ICCI to look into the possibility of preparing a manual for Business Planning, which could be customized and made suitable for the use of all businesswomen in OIC countries. The Forum called upon the ICCI's investment arm, FORAS, to consider women entrepreneurs' involvement in its investment projects. The Forum called for the introduction of appropriate security measures and of simplified regulatory procedures, to facilitate cross border trading by women entrepreneurs, so that they may operate in a safe, facilitative and conducive business environment. The Six Forum of Businesswomen in Islamic Countries will be held in Khartoum, Sudan in 2011.

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Economy

Fifth Forum for Businesswomen in Islamic Countries:

Empowering Businesswomen to Meet the Millennium Development Goals

72 the OIC Journal www.oic-oci.org January - April 2010

Book Review

Country Profile

FORCES OF FORTUNE: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It will Mean for Our World by Vali Nasr (New York: Free Press 2009, 308pgs.) Reviewed by Mehmet Kalyoncu The notion of “Grow the economy; the rest will sort itself out” broadly reflects Vali Nasr's outlook on how to deal with the Muslim world's prevailing problems, such as extremism and religious fundamentalism. Nasr distinguishes between the economic growth that creates, and is driven by, an elite class that imposes strict rules and regulations to the rest of the society, and the economic growth that is driven by the creation and expansion of a middle class, which, in turn, owns and promotes modernity to preserve their way of life. Nasr avoids the fundamental mistake that the modernization theorists often make by arguing that improving the economic conditions of the societies would consequently encourage the individuals in that society to adopt secular way of life. He instead argues that economic growth and modernity are not mutually exclusive with religiosity in the Muslim world. To bolster this point, Nasr focuses on the examples of (1) Turkey, where in the last several decades the Muslims succeeded to adopt such values as modernity, democracy, free market while preserving their religiosity; (2) Iran where increasing number of people are seeking integration with the world economy and better political conditions; and (3) Pakistan where the lawyers' protest against the Musharraf government signaled a growing popular demand for democracy and respect for human rights.

that is not because of the fundamental nature of Islam, but primarily because the commercial class that must spearhead the process of propagating them is still too small. Helping that bourgeoisie to grow and come to dominate their societies is the best way of making sure those global values will take deep root as Muslim values, paving the way to democracy.” Nasr's overall argument is a sort of modernization theory modified as to fit to the Muslim societies where in general religion is not something to be traded off for modernity or prosperity. He is right in that the expansion of a middle class would maximize the prospects for popular support to democratic reforms as in the case of Turkey. However, the contemporary problems in the Muslim world today such as extremism, religious fundamentalism, and terrorism do not depend on the indigenous people or domestic matters only. For that matter, many of the countries in the Muslim world, which are alleged to be the hotbed of terrorism and extremism, are not independent from international interference either. For instance, the main mobilizing rhetoric behind any extremist argument from Morocco to Indonesia is not the absence of individual freedoms or of the rule of law, but the perceived manipulation of the Muslim rulers by the Western government, the West's unfair support to Israel, and Israel's unrelenting oppression on the Palestinians. So, given the impact of the international factors as the root cause of extremism in many Muslim societies, it would be unrealistic to expect the economic growth to automatically reduce extremism and religious fundamentalism in the Muslim world.

Nasr criticizes the Western policy makers' and observers' tendency to equate the mere existence of free and fair elections with the existence of democracy. He argues that the fundamental democratic values, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom of association, and Nasr argues that Economic growth and expansion the rule of law take root in a society economic growth and of the middle class are certainly preonly after certain prerequisites such as modernity are not requisites to the consolidation of the changes in society, law, and the mutually exclusive with democratic values in a Muslim socierelationship between the state and its religiosity in the Muslim ty. However, they can be only part of citizens take place. According to the prerequisites. Along with them, Nasr, such structural changes in a soworld. the international matters engendering ciety is contingent to the emergence the extremism should also be dealt and expansion of a middle class with. Nasr does not investigate this which relies on entrepreneurship and aspect of the prerequisites to the decommerce, which is less dependent on mocratization in the Muslim world. As such, he fails to the state, and hence which is more keen on political and recognize and emphasize the possible contribution of the economic stability in order to preserve their economic political bodies such as the UN, the OIC, and the Arab well-being. Nasr notes, “Values gain currency when they League, to the elimination of international factors engenserve the economic and social interests of people, and they dering extremism, and thereby creating the circumstances shape the governance of nations when those who hold conducive to the expansion of a middle class paving road them garner power. If those global [democratic] values to democracy in the Muslim world. have not been fully embraced in Muslim lands, as of yet,

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Algeria Official Name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Population: 35,700,000 as of January 2010 Capital: Algiers Area: 2,381,741 square kilometers Language: Arabic is the national and official language. Tamazight is a national language Religion: Islam Monetary Unit: Algerian Dinar (AD) = 100 centimes. Geography and Climate Algeria is a country located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia. In terms of land area, it is the largest country on the Mediterranean Sea, the second largest on the African continent and the eleventh-largest country in the world. The terrain of the country is mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain. There are two East-West directed mountainous chains: the Tellian Atlas and the Saharian Atlas. In the middle of the Atlas, a zone of semi-desert high plateaus. There is also the Sahara, with its rock plateaus, arid plains, sand areas, and its oases. In the extreme south, Hoggar, there is a succession of high plateaus spread out in steps, dominated in the centre by surprising relief and the Tahat mount. Algeria is divided into 48 provinces (wilayas), 553 districts (dairas) and 1,541 municipalities (baladiyas). Besides the capital city Algiers, Algeria's main cities include Oran, Constantine and Annaba. The climate in Algeria is Mediterranean in the coastal areas, semiarid in the mid-south and arid in the south Algiers Hung to the hills of the Sahel at the end of the plain of Mitidja, Algiers presents the traditional urban plan of a Mediterranean city: an acropolis - the Kasbah leaned with a massif-, Bouzareah, and a set of hills intersected with small valleys forming a majestic bay, which extends from the Pointe Pescade to La Pérouse. Algiers, "white city", this cosmopolitan capital, with a rich history, is also a Mediterranean crossroad. One of Algiers' touristic landmarks is the Kasbah. A UNESCO classified site, the Kasbah is a legendary Islamic medina in the capital Algiers. It has a citadel, old mosques, Ottoman palaces, a labyrinth of souks, eternal paradise for shopping, and of small bars where it is good to stop to taste a chorba frik, ragout of mutton meat with chick-peas, followed-up with mint tea. Algiers also has many historical

palaces such as Dar Aziza, the Bastion 23 and Dar Hassan Economy The fossil-fuel energy sector is the backbone of Algeria's economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. The country ranks fourteenth in petroleum reserves, containing 11.8 billion barrels (1.88_109 m3) of proven oil reserves with estimates suggesting that the actual amount is even more. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms and debt rescheduling. Over the past few years, Algeria has managed to pay almost all of its debt. With a GDP of $102.4 billion in 2005, Algeria is the second largest economy in Africa after South Africa. After many years of central planning, which allowed to build significant industrial base, Algeria has made significant strides in liberalizing its economy. Agriculture: About twenty five percent of Algerians are employed in the agricultural sector. More than 30,000 km2 (7,000,000 acres) are devoted to the cultivation of cereal and grains. The Tell Atlas is the grain-growing land. Of the crops raised, wheat, barely and oats are the principal cereals. A great variety of vegetables and fruits, especially citrus products, are exported. Algeria also exports figs, dates, esparto grass and cork. It is the largest oat market in Africa. Tourism In Algeria, tourism has such a potential it can compete with oil as a source of income and livelihood. A land endowed with a wide variety of "ores", breathtaking archeological sites in "a land where all earth-ages are found" and where numerous wildlife reserves are just samples of inexhaustible ecological sites; all of which are flooded by generous sunshine all year-round, and on each and every place and rhythm: sea, tell, Atlas, and Sahara. Algeria also offers the visitor gorgeous beaches, deep forests and mountains covered with snow. Algeria's local festivals are organized all year round throughout the country. From the north to the south, each area has its own festival that it celebrates with splendor. The local festivals have become an occasion for organizing tourist stays to discover the marvelous sites of each one of its areas and enjoy the hospitality of the local populations. On the whole, no less than 256 local festivals are celebrated annually throughout the various areas of the country.

Book Review

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S.G. Activities

Ihsanoglu praises Turkish Red Crescent Society for its efforts In his address to the Turkish Red Crescent Society General Assembly, the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu praised the Turkish Red Crescent Society's successful efforts towards easing the pain of the Muslims throughout the world. He also underlined the readiness of the OIC to further cooperate with the Turkish Red Crescent in addressing the humanitarian challenges in Darfur (Sudan) and Yemen. The Secretary General was in Ankara on 31 March-2 April 2010 upon the invitation of the Turkish Red Crescent Society.

On the occasion of his visit to Ankara, Secretary General also conducted bilateral meetings with Mehmet Ali Sahin, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Recep

Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister, Bulent Arinc, Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, Cemil Cicek, Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmet Davuto_lu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Besir Atalay, Minister of Interior. The Secretary General expressed his thanks to Turkey for its active contribution and support to the OIC activities and underlined his conviction that the relations between the OIC and Turkey will be further developed and enhanced. Turkish officials indicated Turkey's commitment and support to the OIC.

Ihsanoglu attends launching ceremony of Qatari-print of the Quran

Thai delegation discusses means for strengthening relations with OIC

The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, on 9 March 2010, attended the launching ceremony of the Qatari-print of the Qur'an held at the Islamic Arts Museum in Doha, under the patronage of the Qatari Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The Secretary General saluted the State of Qatar over the Mushaf, which brought ten years of work to fruition. In a speech delivered on the occasion, Ihsanoglu thanked all those behind the achievement, particularly the Qatari side for its prominent role of support and encouragement. He also thanked the Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the staff of the Centre and the calligrapher Ubayda Muhammad Salah Al Banki, who wrote the Qur'an by hand. The Secretary General also lauded the artists who took part in designing the Mushaf ornamentation as well as the printers who produced a perfect print of the Mushaf.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received on 19 January 2010 in his office in Jeddah a delegation from Thailand headed by Amb. Surapong Jayanama, Advisor to the Foreign Minister of Thailand. The two sides discussed issues of common interest and the means to strengthening relations between the OIC and Thailand, which fall in the interest of improving the conditions of Muslims in Thailand and the role that the OIC can play in cooperation with the Thai Government for maintaining security and stability in Southern Thailand. The Secretary General expressed his hope on continuing the efforts and communications with the Thai Government for finding peaceful solutions to the roots of the problem in Southern Thailand including to work on giving Muslims there the freedom to manage their own internal affairs, benefit from the natural resources and find a political framework that guarantees the preservation of their cultural, religious and racial identity.

Message of the OIC Secretary General on the occasion of World Health Day “Protection against pandemic diseases, combating epidemics and access to public health facilities, including the mother and child healthcare, remain high on the national agenda of all OIC Member States. The declarations of the Islamic Conferences of Health Ministers as well as the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action adopted by the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit in December 2005 provide a set of elaborate guidelines for realizing the targets in these fields. It is gratifying to note that the OIC is moving forward and utilizing all resources, available to it within 76

the Member States and beyond, to develop an all encompassing health paradigm based on judicious planning, effective standards, balanced population growth and healthy urbanization. The rapid population growth and urbanization is bringing a host of social, cultural, ecological and economic problems in its wake. The United Nations, too, is conscious of the serious implications of these phenomena for the developing economies and has selected it as the theme for the World Health Day, being observed today. The Organization of the Islamic Conference fully shares the concerns

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of the international community and is ready to cooperate with the other international organizations, to highlight the need for a more disciplined and planned urbanization. It is important that more resources are made available to provide sufficient health and civic facilities to meet the growing pressures of population growth and urbanization. On this occasion, I urge the policy makers, the civil society and all stake holders to join hands in promoting the cause of Better Health For All - a pledge that we make today for our future generations.”

OIC Secretary General meets the Foreign Minister of Germany OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met in Riyadh on January 9, 2010, Guido Westerwelle, the Foreign Minister of Germany, who was on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed his interest in learning from the OIC experience in dealing with critical international issues. He also expressed Germany's readiness to intensify its bilateral relations with the OIC through exchange of views and sharing ideas. The Secretary General briefed the Minister on the current activities of the Organization within the framework of the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action and the OIC Charter especially in the areas of human rights, advancement of women and socio-economic development. He also gave the Foreign Minister a brief account on the extent of OIC's relations with the non-member countries

as well as the OIC-EU relations. A significant portion of their discussion centered on Palestine and the Middle East Peace Process. The Secretary General invited the Foreign Minister to exert more efforts through the European Union to bring the Peace Process back on track. Their discussion also touched on other political issues, notably the situation in Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. The Foreign Minister invited the Secretary General to visit Germany at his earliest convenience. On his part, the Secretary General thanked the Minister and invited him to visit the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah during his next visit to Saudi Arabia. The Minister accepted the invitation. Both leaders agreed to strengthen further the cooperation between the OIC and Germany in the days to come.

Ihsanoglu attends inauguration ceremony of Tatarstan President

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu headed on 24th March 2010 for Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation. He attended the inauguration ceremony of Tatarstan President H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov.

Ihsanoglu speaks at Cairo Book Fair OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu addressed the issue of Islamic action at present and in the future in a lecture entitled 'the Future of Islamic Action' delivered at the Cairo Book Fair on 7 February 2010. Although not oblivious of the challenges faced by the Islamic world both internally and externally, Ihsanoglu expressed his confidence that there was evidence that the Islamic world took several steps forward. He also drew the attention to the issues of socio-economic underdevelopment, extremism and Islamophobia faced by the Muslim societies. The OIC Secretary General stressed that the Islamic world possessed great economic potentials. He also indicat-

ed that, similar to other potentials, such potentials require implementation mechanisms and policies. He pointed out that the growing middle class in the Islamic world provides an evidence of its economic growth. Consequently, this prompted the desire to possess modernity. The Secretary General reviewed surveys and figures that confirmed that the Islamic world went a long way towards economic development and welfare. He indicated that the total GDP of OIC Member States doubled from $2.3 trillion in 2004 to $4.6 trillion in 2008. Ihsanoglu indicated that the Islamic world enjoys a youth dominated demographic structure, providing it with sufficient manpower.

Japan's Ambassador briefs Ihsanoglu on 'Corridor for Peace and Prosperity' initiative

Ihsanoglu message to the Special NAM Meeting

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Shigoru Endo and Toshimitsu Ishigure, Consul General of Japan at his office at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 14 February 2010. Ambassador Endo briefed the Secretary General on Japan's approach to the Middle East Peace Process, and relations between Japan and the Palestinian National Authority particularly on the 'Corridor for Peace and Prosperity' initiative, which aims at creating a viable Palestinian economy based on private sector activities through establishing an agro-industrial park in the West Bank. He also mentioned Japan's new assistance package to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Secretary General informed the Ambassador on the current activities of the Organization. Their discussion touched on various political issues, including the situation in Palestine, Afghanistan and Somalia. Moreover, Ihsanoglu highlighted the strong historical relations between the Muslim World and Japan. He emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the OIC Member States and Japan in the areas of economic cooperation, science, technology, education and health. The Secretary General has also expressed his wish for more pro-active engagement and cooperation between the OIC and Japan.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stated that the presence of the OIC delegation at the Special Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in the Philippines on March 16-18, 2010 is a clear testimony of the OIC's commitment to collaborate closely with the NAM. He said that the OIC is deeply committed to inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue that is based on mutual respect and understanding. “Our basis is moderation and modernization. Our aim is to work with the international community to evolve a result oriented dialogue that will bring different religions together in fostering mutual respect and understanding.” 77

S.G. Activities

On the occasion of his visit to Ankara, Secretary General also conducted bilateral meetings with Mehmet Ali Sahin, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Recep

Ihsanoglu attends launching ceremony of Qatari-print of the Quran

Thai delegation discusses means for strengthening relations with OIC

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Ihsanoglu attends inauguration ceremony of Tatarstan President

Japan's Ambassador briefs Ihsanoglu on 'Corridor for Peace and Prosperity' initiative

Ihsanoglu message to the Special NAM Meeting

S.G. Activities

OIC News

OIC Secretary General Confers with President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the OIC, held an audience with President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso during the latter's brief stopover at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 14 April 2010. Their discussions dwelt on issues bearing on bilateral relations between Burkina Faso and the OIC, and the ways of consolidating these ties in all spheres. They also discussed the various mediating efforts of the Burkinabe President in some OIC member states, particularly the situation in Niger and Guinea. In this regard, the Secretary General hailed President Compaore for his leadership role in contributing to peace, conciliation, conflict resolution and security in Africa. On economic issues, President Blaise Compaore commended the Secretary General for his constant support for Burkina Faso and underscored the contribution of the various OIC economic projects to the economic rebirth of his country. The Burkinabe leader cited, as examples of these projects, the OIC Cotton Program, the OIC Dakar Port-Sudan Railways Line Project, and the Agro-Food Industry. They also welcomed the current involvement of the Private Sector in OIC activities.

Ihsanoglu receives Foreign Minister of Senegal

OIC organizes marathon to mark the fortieth anniversary

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received on 12th April 2010 at the General Secretariat, the Foreign Minister of Senegal Maitre Madicke Niang and his accompanying delegation. The Minister who conveyed a special message from President Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, the current Chairman of the Islamic Summit, briefed the Secretary General on the future plans and activities of the Chair. Ihsanoglu, on his part, reiterated his continued support for the Chair of the Summit and commended the President for his leadership. The two sides also discussed issues of common interest relating to the Muslim World, and reviewed ways and means to further strengthen OIC-Senegal bilateral relations.

Ihsanoglu: The volume of Intra-OIC trade increased in 2009 to 16.6% Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, stated that the OIC has significantly succeeded in achieving some of the objectives outlined in the Ten-Year Program of Action in the economic field. The OIC managed to establish the framework required for a joint Trade Preferential System with the entry into force of the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme (PRETAS). The Secretary General stated this in his address at the opening session of the 33rd Meeting of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs (ICECS), held at the Headquarters of the OIC General

Secretariat in Jeddah on 29 March 2010, in preparation for the 37th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), due to take place in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, in May. In his address, Ihsanoglu highlighted the efforts deployed by the OIC in various economic, cultural and social fields. The Secretary General added that the volume if intra-OIC trade increased from 14.5% in 2004 to 16.6% in 2009. He maintained that OIC's agenda is now based on a comprehensive approach to economic development and cooperation, highlighting, in this regard, the continued efforts exerted for the implementation of the

Dakar-Port Sudan railway line project. In the cultural field, the Secretary General warned that the exacerbation of Islamophobia is an ominous sign indicating the rise of offensive trends against Islam and Muslims, stressing on the other hand the importance of dialogue among civilizations to combat incitation to hatred. Ihsanoglu also raised the issue of women and expressed his expectation that the 37th CFM will adopt the statute of the organization concerned with women advancement, which will be headquartered in Cairo, Republic of Egypt.

OIC Secretary General receives the Joint AU-UN Special Representative for Darfur Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative (JSR) for Darfur, called on the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on April 24, 2010. In welcoming the guest, the Secretary General congratulated him on his appointment as the JSR for Darfur and assured him of the support of the OIC in carrying out his mission successfully. Discussion between the Secretary General and JSR touched upon different aspects and dimensions of the 78

Darfur issue. Special emphasis was given on JSR's assessment of the recently concluded elections, and their impact on the situation in Darfur and in the Sudan as a whole. Gambari stressed on closer cooperation between the OIC and UNAMID in particular in the field of early recovery and development in Darfur. He focused on UNAMID's presence in the field and mentioned about his participation in the OIC Donor Conference for Darfur in Cairo in March as a testimony to UNAMID's willingness in assisting the OIC in its projects in

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Darfur. The Secretary General agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the OIC and UNAMID under the cooperation framework of the OICUN and OIC-AU relations. The future of the Sudan in the light of the forthcoming referendum in 2011 also featured in the agenda of the discussion. The meeting ended with the agreement to continue to build on the cooperation and coordination between the two sides.

Sulaiman Al Zayedi

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), in conjunction with the General Presidency of Youth Welfare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and as part of celebration of its fortieth anniversary, organized a marathon on 13 April 2010 on Jeddah Corniche. The event was attended by the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Ambassadors of OIC Member States and eminent personalities from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare. The contest was staged in cooperation with Jeddah Municipality and the Saudi Arabia Athletics Federation. In addition, a closing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khaled Al Faisal, Governor of Makkah Al Mukarramah Region. The ceremony was held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce on 14 April 2010, and attended by diplomats and senior officials in the Kingdom. In a keynote opening address delivered at the occasion, the OIC Secre-

tary General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, extolled the historic role played by the late King Faisal in the establishment of the Organization. He emphasized that the Organization was living through its golden age with the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz and his wise government, and described the marathon as the fruit of that care and support. Ihsanoglu renewed his appreciation to the official entities as well as companies and institutions that sponsored the marathon. He said the marathon gave expression to Islamic and humanitarian values by bringing together youth from various countries and races, even as he underscored the race as a reflection of the brilliant side of the meaning of cooperation, care and support of the host country. The Chairman of the Marathon Higher Committee and member of the Saudi Shura Council Sulaiman Al Zayedi in his remarks at the occasion

lauded the major role of the OIC at the service of the Islamic Ummah and its people. Zaydi expressed his delight at the organization of this marathon, which, he said, expressed the Organization's closeness to the ordinary citizen, and consolidated the Organization's concept and objectives. The High Committee in charge of the contest's organization consisted of Ahmed Ben Mohamed Rozi, ViceChairman of the Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee as well as representatives from the OIC General Secretariat, Amb. Tariq Bakhit and Ahmed AlGhamdi, and from the Saudi Athletics Federation, the Office of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and the Police Department of the Jeddah province, the Traffic Department, the law and order authorities, the Red Crescent, the Jeddah Education Administration of the Saudi Ministry of Education, the Chamber of Commerce and the Emergency Department in Jeddah. 79

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OIC News

Ihsanoglu receives Foreign Minister of Senegal

OIC organizes marathon to mark the fortieth anniversary

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Sulaiman Al Zayedi

Our Message

A second peek into the trove of Muslim contributions to world civilization

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Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu OIC Secretary General

An initiative for the unity of Sudan

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