OIC Journal - Issue 39

January - April 2018

Numéro Issue No. 39 37

Islamic Countries Attracts 173.4 million Tourists

THE ROHINGYA

DIASPORA

About OIC

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (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 people of the world.

The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 12th Rajab 1389 Hijra (25 September 1969) following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.

In 1970 the first ever meeting of Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (ICFM) was held in Jeddah which decided to establish a permanent secretariat in Jeddah headed by the organization’s secretary general. Dr. Yousef Ahmed Al-Othaimeen is the 11th Secretary General who assumed the office in November 2016.

The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The Charter laid down the objectives and principles of the organization and fundamental purposes to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the Member States. Over the last 40 years, the membership has grown from its founding members of 30 to 57 states. The Charter was amended to keep pace with the developments that have unraveled across the world. The present Charter of the OIC was adopted by the Eleventh Islamic Summit held in Dakar on 13-14 March 2008 to become the pillar of the OIC future Islamic action in line with the requirements of the 21st century.

The Organization has the singular honor to galvanize the Ummah into a unified body and have actively represented the Muslims by espousing all causes close to the hearts of over 1.5 billion Muslims of 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 the Muslims, the organization has taken various steps to remove misperceptions and have strongly advocated elimination of discrimination against the Muslims in all forms and manifestations.

The Member States of the OIC face many challenges in the 21st century and to address those challenges, the third extraordinary session of the Islamic Summit held in Makkah in December 2005, laid down the blue print called the Ten-Year Program of Action. It has successfully concluded with the close of 2015. A successor programme for the next decade (2016-2025) has been adopted.

The new programme OIC-2025 is anchored in the provisions of the OIC Charter and focuses on 18 priority areas with 107 goals. The priority areas include issues of Peace and Security, Palestine and Al-Quds, Poverty Alleviation, Counter-terrorism, Investment and Finance, Food Security, Science and Technology, Climate Change and Sustainability, Moderation, Culture and Interfaith Harmony, Empowerment of Women, Joint Islamic Humanitarian Action, Human Rights and Good Governance, among others.

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 and three permanent committees concerned with science and technology, economy and trade, and information and culture. There are also specialized organs under the banner of the OIC including the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, as well as subsidiary and affiliate organs that 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

OIC - OCI

OUR MESSAGE The International Community Must Act to Save the Rohingya

R Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

sending refugees back to where they have just escaped torture and where it has been made clear to them they are not welcome, needs a lot of ground work of rebuilding and for the community to heal.

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isking death by sea or on foot, more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled the destruction of their homes and persecution in the northern Rakhine state of Myanmar (Burma) for neighboring Bangladesh since 25th August 2017. The United Nations described the military offensive in Rakhine, which provoked the exodus, as a «textbook example of ethnic cleansing».

These shocking and all too familiar attacks prompted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has been following the issue of the stateless Rohingya for decades, to take action. A delegation from the OIC and its Human Rights Commission visited the Kutupalong and Balukhali refugee camps in Bangladesh in a fact-finding mission on human rights violations committed against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar and the humanitarian needs in the refugee camps.

The delegation heard firsthand accounts from the Rohingya of acts of torture, rape and murder perpetrated against them. The bullet scars on their frail bodies, the burns and injuries were clear evidence of persecution. No one was spared – men, women, old and young, and children even infants.

Based on the testimonies recorded from a wide range of victims, the OIC Human Rights Commission affirmed that the Rohingya had suffered from an organized campaign of ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against humanity under international law.

The Rohingya are one of the many ethnic minorities in Myanmar and represent the largest percentage of Muslims in Myanmar, with the majority living in Rakhine state.

The government of Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, denies the Rohingya citizenship and even excluded them from the 2014 census, refusing to recognize them as a people. It sees them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Before August 2017, there were already around 307,500 Rohingya refugees living in camps, makeshift settlements and with host communities, according to the UNHCR. With the arrival of this latest influx it means that now more Rohingya live in Bangladesh than in their homeland. As of April 2018 there were more than 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh. The UN says the Rohingya›s situation is the «world›s fastest growing refugee crisis».

Most Rohingya refugees reaching Bangladesh - men, women and children with barely any belongings - sought shelter in the border areas of Bangladesh, setting up camps wherever possible in the difficult terrain and with the hopes of securing safety, clean drinking water, food, shelter and medical treatment.

Bangladesh, which is a country already resourced challenged, has gone to great lengths to provide for the Rohingya. The government of Sheikh Hasina has allocated substantial tracts of land for setting up shelters and deployed all types of national resources to cater for the large influx of refugees.

The Bangladeshi government would like to ensure a sustainable and voluntary return of the Rohingya to live in safety, security and dignity, but there has to be monitoring and guarantees.

Following international pressure Myanmar signed an agreement with Bangladesh on 23rd November 2017 for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Rakhine state. In fact transfers were due to begin in January 2018 but there has been repeated delays by Myanmar.

In any case the UN has expressed concern about the return of refugees given the situation in Rakhine.

Part of the problem is that, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch, Myanmar has bulldozed at least 55 villages that were emptied during the violence.

The international community should continue to pressure Myanmar to end the violence against the Rohingya and all discriminatory policies and practices, ensure free and unfettered access to humanitarian aid agencies, and more importantly address the root causes of racism, oppression and discrimination including the issue of citizenship, which was revoked for them in 1982.

We have urged our Member States, as well as Myanmar, to work together to resolve this crisis before it deepens further.

One of the key requests has been for Myanmar to allow in United Nations investigators, international aid agencies and members of the OIC Human Rights Commission and humanitarian officials.

International oversight is essential, because sending refugees back to where they have just escaped torture and where it has been made clear to them they are not welcome, needs a lot of ground work of rebuilding and for the community to heal.

Furthermore, Myanmar has still not committed to ending the stateless position in which the Rohingya find themselves.

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OIC Journal Issued by The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Chief Editor & General Supervisor Maha Mostafa Akeel Editor Bashir Sa’ad Abdullahi Layout & Design Mohammed Abdelqader Qalaba Advisory Board Amb. Tareg Bakheet Jakhongir Khasanov Translation Amgad Hassan Yahya El-Khatib Mohamed Esseth Address: Madinah Road, P.O. Box 178, Jeddah-21411, Saudi Arabia Tel: 012 6515222 Fax: 012 6512288 Telx.: 601366 Islami SJ. Website: www.oic-oci.org For comments, enquiries

E-mail: journal@oic-oci.org

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 (ICDT) 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 Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Rabat (ISESCO)www.isesco.org.ma Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) www.ias-worldwide.org

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

OIC Calendar April – June 2018 1-5 April: Islamic Development Bank Group Annual General Meeting – Tunis, Tunisia 15-19 April: 13th Regular Session of the OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission – IPHRC Headquarters, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Observer to the UN New York Office 320 East - 51st Street New York 10022 New York, USA www.oicun.org oic@un.int

17-19 April: 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers – Baku, Azerbaijan

OIC Permanent Observer to the UN Geneva Office ICC-20, Route Pre-Bois - Case Postal 1818 CH 1215, Geneve, Suisse www.oic-un.org oic@oic-un.org

14-15 May: 11th Session of the Permanent Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) – Dakar, Senegal

24-25 April: Workshop on the welfare of Elderly in the OIC Member States – OIC Headquarters, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 5-6 May: 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers – Dhaka, Bangladesh 13 May: 3rd Meeting of the ad hoc committee for establishing OIC International Media Prize – Dakar, Senegal

29-30 June: First Islamic-European Media Forum on Exploring Ways of Cooperation to Eliminate Hate Speech in the Media – Brussels, Belgium 2nd quarter 2018: 49th Meeting of the Governing Board of the International University in Malaysia (IIUM) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The views expressed by the writers/authors of the articles published in the OIC Journal do not necessarily represent the views of the OIC, but are the personal views of the authors themselves. However, the OIC reserves the right/discretion to amend, revise, edit, delete or scrutinize any part or portion of the text as and wherever deemed necessary.

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OIC Journal January - April 2018

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CONTENTS In Focus: 4: International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) holds Conference on Interreligious Dialogue for Peace

Palestine File: 6: Al-Quds is Islamic Youth Capital 8: Extraordinary ministerial conference in support of Palestine refugees

OIC-IPHRC Mission to Bangladesh Visits Rohingya Refugees

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OIC Calls for Firm, Deterrent Action against Houthi Militias and their Backers

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We will spare no Effort in Protecting the Children in the Islamic World

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30 Years of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)

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The 10th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM)

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World Affairs: 11: National Reconciliation is Key to Effective Reconstruction of Iraq 13: Serious Concern at Mounting Insecurity in Mali 15: Government Must take Immediate Action to Protect the Rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka

OIC News: 24: Workshop on Role of Religious Education in Preventing Radical Extremism 26: OIC Delegation Reviews Progress of Muslims in Thailand

Culture: 40: Muharraq: Arab Region’s Capital of Islamic Culture 2018

Family Affairs: 46: First OIC Goodwill Ambassador for Women Empowerment and Family Preservation 49: Intergovernmental Experts Group Meets to finalize the Draft OIC Youth Strategy

Economy: 56: Labour Ministers Developing a Common Strategy for Manpower Development 58: The Islamic Development Bank Holds its Annual General Meeting in Tunisia

Opinion Articles: 10: Israeli Myth Deconstructors 32: The First Steps in the Muslim World’s political forum 36: Human Security Operationalization for Rohingya Women within the UN Triple Nexus

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IN FOCUS

Enriching Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue

A

for Peaceful Coexistence

t a conference organized by the Vienna-based King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue (KAICIID) on 26 and 27 February 2018, leading representatives of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and other religious communities worldwide spoke up in one voice for social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and respect for religious diversity.

Addressing the conference, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stressed that the OIC plays an active role in enriching intercultural and interfaith dialogue and accords priority to this issue in its programs and activities in Member States and worldwide. The Secretary General made the statement during the High-Level Meeting on Interreligious Dialogue for Peace of the conference, held in Vienna, Austria.

“The promotion of intercultural and interreligious reconciliation and understanding is an integral part of the resolutions of the Islamic Summits and the Councils of Minis-

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ters for Foreign Affairs of Member States.

The OIC Ten-Year Program of Action affirms … inter-civilizational dialogue, based on mutual respect and understanding, and equality amongst people is a prerequisite for international peace and security, tolerance,

the most important steps taken by the OIC in this area included the establishment of Sawt Al-Hikma (Voice of Wisdom) Center for Dialogue, Peace and Understanding with the view of addressing the discourse of hatred, promoting self-revision, correcting misconceptions and extremism, and spreading the principles of coexistence and mutual understanding among different nations and civilizations

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peaceful co-existence”, said Al-Othaimeen.

The OIC Secretary General indicated that, the most important steps taken by the OIC in this area included the establishment of Sawt Al-Hikma (Voice of Wisdom) Center for Dialogue, Peace and Understanding with the view of addressing the discourse of hatred, promoting self-revision, correcting misconceptions and extremism, and spreading the principles of coexistence and mutual understanding among different nations and civilizations. He also stressed that heavenly religions descended to be a cause of happiness for all humankind.

Al-Othaimeen also commended the special attention accorded by some OIC Member States to the issues of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and their adoption of national strategies that promote and spread the values of tolerance and fraternity in the face of extremism and terrorism. He asserted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comes at the forefront represented by KAICIID, the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (ETIDAL) and the Center for Intel-

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IN FOCUS lectual Warfare, which are all initiatives that seek to combat extremism at the intellectual, media, and digital levels to promote the foundations and principles of coexistence and tolerance among peoples.

The Secretary General saluted the efforts of Saudi Arabia and all Member States that have positive initiatives in these areas.

Social Cohesion Religious leaders who attended the conference included Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Alissa, Secretary General, Muslim World League, Dr. Abbas Shuman, Deputy of Al-Azhar, Theodoros II of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Russia, and President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Adama Dieng, the UN SecretaryGeneral’s Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, and Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Opening the two-day conference, which launched a pioneering platform for interreligious dialogue and cooperation in the Arab region, KAICIID Secretary General Faisal Bin Muaammar said: “The unity of purpose between Christians and Muslims on vital issues, such as common citizenship cannot be ignored. Unity among religious leaders is the strongest message of hope the region has seen in many years.”

Titled “Interreligious Dialogue for Peace: Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship”, the conference coincided with the Centre’s fifth year in operation. The Centre works with representatives of five major world religions, and has implemented programs in Nigeria, the Central African Republic, the Arab region, Myanmar, and Europe, working with a wide range of international partners which include religious institutions, intergovernmental organizations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, European Commission and the United Nations, and civil society.

The particular focus of the conference was on the work the Centre is carrying out to promote peaceful coexistence in focus areas, especially in the Arab region. At the conference the Centre launched the first interreligious dialogue platform for religious leaders from the Arab region.

Support for KAICIID’s mission to promote

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interreligious and intercultural dialogue also came from the representatives of the Centre’s Council of Parties, Dr. Michael Linhart, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Austria, Dr. Nizar Madani, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Amb. Belén Alfaro, Ambassador at large for the Alliance of Civilization and the Interreligious Dialogue, Kingdom of Spain. KAICIID Board Member Bishop Miguel Ayuso, delivered a speech on behalf of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Over two days, the gathered religious leaders, policymakers and experts participated in a series of dialogues on topics such as the role of religious leaders and policymakers in promoting social cohesion and common citizenship, global partnerships for dialogue and promoting social cohesion, interreligious education and common citizenship values, and social media as a space for dialogue.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants presented their recommendations for the Centre, and its partners. These recommendations were grouped thematically under the topics of social media, social cohesion and interreligious education.

Some highlights from the working group discussions: “All theological institutions should be either encouraged or show their interest in interreligious education and common citizenship.

They should develop a religious discourse based on peace, coexistence and social cohesion.”

“When seeking to promote dialogue on social media, we need to focus on building bridges and breaking the walls between

communities through compassion and peaceful communication.”

“Religious leaders and policymakers should actively promote the involvement of women, as well as ethnic minorities, in dialogue initiatives.”

Al-Othaimeen Meets Pope Francis In line with his commitment to enriching intercultural and interfaith dialogue for peaceful coexistence, the Secretary General of the OIC Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al Othaimeen met with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican, on Friday, 16 March 2018.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and raising the voice of wisdom and tolerance to combat extremism and terrorism. The Secretary General emphasized to His Holiness that terrorism has no religion, and that OIC condemns all terrorist acts coming from any religion.

Al-Othaimeen presented his thanks to the Pope for his stand on the issue of Al Quds and the basic rights of the Muslims and Christians in the holy city. Both sides agreed on the cause of Palestine and Al Quds.

Al Othaimeen also appreciated the position of the Pope on many issues such as promoting human rights and migration, expressing his thanks to Pope Francis for his position on the Rohingya Muslims and their rights. The Pope from his side expressed his support to the basic rights of the Rohingya, adding that their suffering has been going on for a long time, and he thanked neighboring countries, especially Bangladesh for hosting them.

The Pope also appreciated OIC’s position against terrorism, and stressed that there is no link between Islam and terrorism.

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PALESTINE FILE

Al-Quds as Islamic Youth Capital will Unite Youths around

The World for the Preservation of the Sanctity of the City

R

amallah city hosted on 06 February 2018 an OIC-sponsored conference, which declared Al-Quds/Jerusalem as Capital of Muslim Youth for 2018. The ceremony was inaugurated by H. E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, with the participation of ministers and high-level delegations from member states including Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Morocco, Bahrain, UAE, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Mali and Turkmenistan among others.

At the opening ceremony, H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas stated “this great demonstration is a response and a message to the world that Al-Quds is exclusively the capital of the State of Palestine, as well as the capital of Muslim and Christian youths”. He added that this land is an Islamic and Christian land, by all standards, and emphasized the commitment to achieve peace based on the vision of two-states solution and international legitimacy resolutions which amounts to 705 including 86 Security Council resolutions that have not yet been implemented.

Amb. Samir Bakr Diab, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Palestine and Al-Quds, attended the ceremony and delivered a statement on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, affirming in substance that the declaration of AlQuds/ Jerusalem as Muslim Youth Capital

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for 2018 will form a bridge through which the Member States’ youth segment may contribute to the consolidation of social, cultural, economic and political relations with the Palestinian youth and the advancement of cooperation avenues with them.

The Secretary General further stated that the OIC Youth Strategy laid stress on the importance of empowering the young and investing in them as a major priority and urged the Member States to elaborate national policies, action plans and mechanisms with a view to protecting the rights of the youth, improving the quality of their life and their economic and social situation, elevating them educationally and scholarly and offering them greater opportunities to partake in the decision-making process in national, regional and international affairs.

Al-Othaimeen went on to say that the conference, which placed Al-Quds at the forefront of Muslim youth’s interest, will no doubt contribute to the consecration of these plans and their fixed objectives. He also stressed on the need to ensure that the national youth program may form a kick-off for a whole range of a year round cultural activities in the Islamic States with a view to enhance capacity-building programs, open up better higher education opportunities, sharpen the spirit of initiative among the youth, improve their skills and competen-

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cies and enable them to help preserve the Arab identity of Al-Quds/ Jerusalem, protect its heritage, raise international awareness of the Palestinian issue and mobilize public opinion in support for the city of al-Quds.

Furthermore, Al-Othaimeen renewed his invitation to all parties of the international community to collectively embrace a fair and unbiased role in favor of international sponsorship a multilateral peace process that would advance the peace efforts, within a well-defined timeframe based on the principles of international legitimacy, the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.

Al-Quds was officially announced as the Islamic world’s Youth Capital for 2018 by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC), an affiliated institution of the OIC. The protocol for announcing Al-Quds as Youth Capital was signed, in the course of the event, by the Palestinian Youth and Sport Minister Jibril Rajoub and ICYF-DC President Elshad Iskandarov in Istanbul, Turkey.

The launch of Al-Quds as Youth Islamic Capital 2018 program reflects the importance of the holy city and offset against the US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as so-called capital of Israel and his decision to transfer the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

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PALESTINE FILE Israel’s Brutal Aggression on Palestinian Civilians is an Act of State Terrorism The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) roundly condemned the brutal aggression by the Israeli occupation forces on unarmed Palestinian civilians marching peacefully in commemoration of Palestinian Land Day, leaving over 16 martyred and more than 1400 wounded. The OIC decried the aggression as a serious escalation and yet another act of state terrorism and a crime deserving investigation and accountability.

OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen said Israel, the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the scale and gravity of its ongoing aggression and war crimes against the Palestinian people.

He demanded immediate intervention by the UN Security Council to stop Israeli continuing assault, ensure international protection for the Palestinian people, and pressure Israel to observe its commitments and to comply with humanitarian law and internationally recognized resolutions.

The Secretary General went on stressing the need for engagement on the part of the international community to promote a political process conducive to a two-state peaceful solution.

OIC Condemns Endorsement of Building 1100 New Israeli Settlement Units The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the endorsement of the Israeli occupation authorities of building 1100 new colonial settlement units in January, stressing that the Israeli settlement expansion policy is a blatant aggression against the rights of the Palestinian

people aiming at imposing a new reality in order to prevent the establishment of the independent Palestinian state.

The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, affirmed that the continuation of construction and expansion of the Israeli settlements is a flagrant violation of

international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy, calling upon the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities in putting an end to the illegal Israeli settlement policy in all occupied Palestinian land including the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

OIC rejects Guatemala’s decision to relocate its Embassy to Al-Quds The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned Guatemala’s decision to relocate its Embassy to the occupied city of Al-Quds in mid-May, considering it an illegal step and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 487, and the UN General Assembly resolutions on AlQuds, which reject any actions that might prejudice the historical and legal status of

the occupied city of Al-Quds.

The OIC Secretary General had sent a letter in early January to the Foreign Minister of Guatemala in which he affirmed the OIC’s rejection of this illegal decision, which constitutes an aggression on the rights of the Palestinian people and millions of Muslims and Christians worldwide. It also contributes to consecrating Israeli occupation of the city

of Al-Quds. In his letter, the Secretary General also called on the Republic of Guatemala to revoke its decision and honor its legal and political obligations under international law and international legitimacy resolutions, and called on it to adopt positions that support the chances for peace based on the twostate solution and the promotion of stability in the region and throughout the world.

Israel’s Imposition of Tax against Churches in Al-Quds Condemned The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the Israeli municipality’s declaration in February that it imposed a tax on churches and their institutions and real estates in the occupied city of Al-Quds. It reiterated its rejection of such measures as part of the Municipality’s ongoing attempts to alter the historical status of Christian and Islamic holy places.

The OIC General Secretariat expressed its solidarity with the Christian churches in the occupied city of Al-Quds. It cautioned against the danger of these unprecedented Israeli actions, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international conventions.

The OIC also called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel, the occupying power, to compel it to shoulder its responsibilities under international law and the Geneva Conventions, and to immediately reverse these illegal actions and ongoing violations against the city of Al-Quds and its people and holy sites.

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PALESTINE FILE Al-Othaimeen: OIC is Considering the

Establishment of a Fund to Support Palestinian Refugees

T

he United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) faces a formidable challenge in upholding its mandate and preserving key services like education and health care for Palestine Refugees.

Those were the words of the UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl, in January 2018 in reaction to the decision by the US government to make a significant reduction in its contributions, in support of UNRWA’s efforts to keep its schools open, health clinics running, and emergency food and cash distribution systems functioning for some of the world’s most vulnerable refugees.

As a response to the dire situation and as part of his continued effort to ensure better life for Palestinians, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, stated that the OIC General Secretariat is currently considering with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) the establishment of an endowment fund to support Palestinian refugees.

In his statement at the extraordinary ministerial conference in support of Palestine refugees held on 15 March 2018 in Rome and sponsored by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt and Sweden, Al-Othaimeen said that a feasibility study was carried out in implementation of the resolution of OIC Member States’ for-

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eign ministers on the proposal to establish a permanent investment waqf fund to support Palestinian refugees, as a way to encourage Member States to make contributions to refugees at this critical stage.

The Secretary General added that the conference comes amid a severe financial crisis facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which takes a tremendous toll on millions of Palestinians. He expressed serious concern about the recurrent financial deficit, which threatens to reduce the basic services provided to Palestinian refugees and prevent millions of them from having access to education, healthcare and other vital services.

Al-Othaimeen also noted that the Conference provides a valuable opportunity for the international community to support Palestinian refugees and ensure that their growing needs are given adequate attention.

The Secretary General reiterated the Organization’s firm support for the Palestinian people in the exercise of their right of return, in accordance with relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in particular UN General Assembly Resolution 194. He called on the international community to fulfill its historical, political, legal and humanitarian responsibilities in order to find a just and lasting solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees.

Following the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference, Pierre Krahenbuhl, the Commis-

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sioner-General of UNRWA announced that an additional funding of around 100 million USD has been pledged to support the organization’s vital services to Palestine refugee and students.

On the sidelines pf the conference, the OIC Secretary General met with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Rami AlHamdallah, and with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Abul-Gheit. The two parties discussed bilateral relations, cooperation between their respective organizations and issues of the Arab region.

The Secretary General similarly met with H.E. Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, and H.E. Khalid Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, and discussed with them bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services among others.

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PALESTINE FILE

The Fate of UNRWA Worries Palestinian

Refugees about their Lives and their Cause Gaza (dpa) - The Palestinian refugee Fatima Hajaj from Gaza strip is deeply worried about the fate of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as her family depends entirely on it.

Hajaj is a widow with seven children and depends entirely on the supply products she receives from UNRWA periodically just like other people do in the beach camp in the west of Gaza. Her children study at schools run by UNRWA, which also provides their essential needs. She also receives treatments at the medical clinics of UNRWA. Hajaj says that she and her family suffer from the decline of the services provided by the Agency, and she won’t be able to handle its closure.

The Palestinian refugees are deeply worried about the fate of UNRWA after the United States - the largest financial donor to the agency- has recently reduced the amount of assistance it provides.

Hajaj who is in her mid-forties, says that there are two kind of medications that were

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not available in the clinic this week and which she needs for chronic blood pressure and diabetes.

Hajaj says: “we are refugees, a status that will drop when we return to our country which we were forced to migrate from; and as long as we are in this camp, UNRWA is responsible for providing us with the necessities and protecting our rights following our displacement”.

In Gaza strip, which has been besieged by Israel since 2007, there is nothing but poverty and unemployment; the threat to stop the work of UNRWA is like triggering the mercy shot on us, she added Washington announced the withholding of $ 65 million of the planned $125 million grant for UNRWA. It also suspended its $ 45 million food aid, which it pledged to provide for the agency in January.

This comes at a time when UNRWA was already suffering from severe financial difficulties for several years, and complaining

at the end of last year from a budget deficit of $ 49 million, which affected the quality of services.

According to UNRWA data, the number of Palestinian refugees registered for the year 2016 is 5.9 million refugees, and the refugees living in the West Bank accounted for 17% of the total registered refugees in the Agency, whereas Gaza refugees are 24.5%.

Residents of Gaza who number two million depend mainly on the support of UNRWA. UNRWA runs 278 schools in the Gaza Strip that include 300,000 students. The schools are funded through voluntary contributions from Member States of the United Nations.

Not only the Palestinian refugees who are concerned about the fate of UNRAW but the employees at the Agency are also concerned, especially the 13,000 employees at Gaza Strip.

In response to US support cuts, UNRWA launched a global donation campaign under the slogan “Dignity is priceless”.

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OPINION Israeli Myth Deconstructors

D Ph.D Shaher Awawdeh,

Israel has consistently projected itself as the sole and only democracy in the Middle East. This myth, too, has been frontally challenged by several Israeli scholars

escribing a bleak and blight future in his dystopian novel “1984”, George Orwell said, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”. Orwell’s words rang loud in my head when I was flipping the pages of Ilan Pappe’s must-read book “Ten Myths about Israel”. During this age of rampant deceit, the bravery of Israeli myth-deconstructors such as Ilan Pappe, Shlomo Sand, Gideon Levy and Nurit Peled-Elhanan becomes exceptionally needed not only to challenge the state of denial sweeping Israeli society, but also to set things right.

Several decades prior to the establishment of Israel back in 1948, the Zionist movement had fabricated and promoted myriad myths to help its colonial project in Palestine. One of these founding myths has it that “Palestine was a land without people to be given to people without land”. The entire colonial project of the Zionist movement was based on this “existential” and “exclusivist” myth. Envoys dispatched to Palestine in the nineteenth century by leaders of the Zionist movement had one objective, to makebelieve that Palestine was a forsaken land. The report of Herbert Bentwich, Theodor Herzl’s envoy, on his visit to Palestine in 1897 portrayed the holy land as an empty country, although he spent several weeks roaming its cities from south to north. This myth was deconstructed by his great grandson Ari Shavit, who, in his book “My promised land” said, “Yet I still ask myself why he does not see. After all, Arab stevedores woke him at dawn and carried him ashore in the rough wooden boat. Arab peddlers passed him in the Jaffa market. He saw Arab villagers from the carriages along the way. The Arabs in his own Thomas Cook convoy: the guides, the horsemen, the servants. As I observe the blindness of Herbert Bentwich as he surveys the Land from the top of the tower, I understand him perfectly. My great grandfather does not see because he is motivated by the need not to see. He does not see because if he does see, he will have to turn back. My great-grandfather chooses not to see”.

What Ari Shavit says on the wilful myopia of his great grandfather is confirmed by Ilan Pappe, who relied on Ottoman population records and studies of other Israeli scholars such as Ben-Arieh and Amnon Cohen who challenged the empty-land myth. Pappe concludes that “Palestine was not an empty land.

It was part of a rich and fertile eastern Mediterranean world that in the nineteenth century underwent processes of modernization and nationalization”.

Israel has consistently projected itself as the sole and only democracy in the Middle East. This myth, too, has been frontally challenged by several Israeli scholars. Gideon Levy says “We have three regimes. A liberal democracy for Jewish citizens. Then, a very discriminative regime toward the Israeli Palestinians, who make up 20 percent of the population. They are discriminated against in any possible aspect of life.

Then comes the third regime, which is the military occupation, the military regime in the occupied territories. With no doubt, this is today one of the most brutal, cruel tyrannies on earth”.

Pappe also demonstrates that Israel, just right after its establishment in 1948, applied policies that are typical of dictatorships including pushing large segments of its Arab population into “ghettos such as Haifa Palestinian community living on the Carmel mountain” or expelling them from their towns such as Safad and Isdud. Laws of the “democratic Israel” have banned its Arab citizens from living in certain towns and neighborhoods.

The myth of a democratic Israel is often “instrumentalized” by Israel to reject any criticism of its policies in the occupied Palestinian territory. As an extension to this myth, Israel has claimed that it is a benevolent occupier. Pappe says “the argument for “enlightened occupation” proposes that the Palestinians are much better off under occupation and they have no reason in the world to resist it, let alone by force”.

However, the “enlightened occupier” has used every known oppressive tactic when dealing with the Palestinian civilians in occupied Palestine.

Pappe recognizes that it “takes some courage to challenge the foundational myths of one’s own society and state”. Asserting that some segments of the Israeli intellectual community do recognize the falsity of the democratic nature of Israel, Pappe cited some examples of a number of Israeli thinkers who “portrayed Israel as belonging to a different community: that of the non-democratic nations”, with one of them depicting Israel as an “ethnocracy”. Others, according to Pappe, “label Israel an apartheid state or a settler colonial state. In short, whatever description these critical scholars offered, “democracy” was not among them”.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Al-Othaimeen: National Reconciliation

is Key to Effective Reconstruction of Iraq

I

n accordance with the OIC Charter which commits its Member States to promote international peace and security and enhance bond of fraternity, a high-level OIC delegation led by Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, the Secretary General, participated in the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI) held at Al-Bayan Palace in Kuwait, on 14 February 2018.

The conference is the first of its kind to mobilize renewed international support for Iraq’s reconstruction and development plans and to enhance collaboration between bilateral donors, multi-lateral development institutions and private sector investors towards the attainment of sustainable peace and development in the country.

His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, opened the conference, which was attended by the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, the UN Secretary General António Guterres, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Morgherini, and the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim. The OIC Secretary-General delivered a speech in which he thanked the Emir, Government and people of the State of Kuwait for convening the Conference on the Reconstruction of Iraq, and congratulated the Iraqi Government for its victory over Daesh, wishing the Conference full success given its importance for the stability of Iraq.

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In this context, Al-Othaimeen stressed the importance of national reconciliation, which contributes to restoring confidence between all Iraqi factions and groups, and which will have a significant positive impact on the process of reconstruction of Iraq. He stated that the reconstruction of Iraq would only be fully realized through national reconciliation.

He explained that the OIC has already focused on this through its initiative to hold the Iraqi National Reconciliation Conference, Makkah 2.

He then noted that the OIC has confirmed through the National Elites Conference preparatory to the Iraqi National Reconciliation Conference - held in Baghdad last December - that it stands at equal distance from and supports all Iraqi parties and blocks. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the efforts of Iraqis towards reconstruction, and support their efforts in addressing threats and challenges to Iraq’s security and stability.

During the conference, the Iraqi Cabinet’s secretary General Dr. Mehdi Al-Allak underlined the scope of devastation in cities freed from the clutches of Daesh.

He revealed that meticulous studies indicate that USD 88 billion is actually required to rebuild vast sectors across Iraq, noting that the reconstruction process encompasses the entire country.

In his speech during the conference, His Highness the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah noted that the

significant level of participation in the Conference came as a global recognition of the magnitude of sacrifices by Iraq in its fight against terrorism.

His Highness concluded by announcing $1 billion in loans to Iraq through Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, as well as another $1 billion in investments in Iraq.

Turkey through its Minister of Foreign Affairs said it would give Iraq $5 billion in credit lines. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister also said his country was providing a $1 billion loan through its Saudi Fund for Development and $500 million in export credit.

Other pledges were also made including by the United Arab Emirates, Germany and Britain, which pledged up to $1 billion annually in export credit over 10 years. Japan said it would contribute $100 million this year to Iraq through U.N. agencies and international organizations.

The European Union (EU) also announced that it will be investing USD 400 million worth of aid money in Iraq, pointing out that the European bloc and the United States had provided Baghdad with USD 3.5 million worth of aid last year.

Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in his speech at the closing session of the ministerial meeting said that the countries that participated in Kuwait International Conference on Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI) have pledged $30 billion.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Al-Othaimeen Commends KSA and Arab Alliance initiatives to Support Yemen The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, hailed the heartening directives issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on 17 January 2018, to support the people of Yemen with 2 billion US Dollars to be deposited with the Central Bank of Yemen.

The Secretary General stressed that this initiative would alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people in the face of the crimes of the Houthi militias, and support the legitimate authority.

He also reiterated the OIC’s firm position in supporting the legitimate authority and resolving the crisis through the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanisms in addition to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution No. 2216.

The Secretary General also paid tribute on 23 January 2018 to the Arab Alliance for its donation of one billion and a half US$ in support of the legitimate authority in Ye-

men. He also paid tribute to the Alliance’s deployment of a comprehensive humanitarian process in Yemen by land, sea and air, through the efforts of UN humanitarian organs, in addition to its initiation of multiple developmental projects to redress the infrastructure all across the Yemen.

The OIC Secretary General affirmed that such aid is bound to lift the sufferings the Yemeni people have been enduring as a result of the crimes perpetrated by the Houthi militia.

Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of the OIC closely followed, with extreme concern, the events in the Yemeni city of Aden in January, and urged all parties to bring clashes and hostilities to an immediate cessation.

The Secretary General stressed that the OIC is urging all parties to respond to the incessant de-escalation appeal by the Alliance for Legitimacy in Yemen.

Al-Othaimeen meets UN envoy on Yemen The Secretary General met on 22 March 2018, in Riyadh, with the UN Envoy on Ye-

men, Mr. Martin Griffith.

The OIC Secretary General offered his congratulations to Mr. Griffith on the assumption of his new functions as UN Envoy on Yemen and assured him of the OIC’s full support to his efforts in favor of evolving a permanent political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms, the Yemeni national dialogue, and the relevant UN Security Council’s resolutions.

Al-Othaimeen stressed the OIC’s dedicated commitment in support of Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and security.

The two parties exchanged views on the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen. On his part, Mr. Griffith expressed his pleasure at receiving the OIC Secretary General, this being, as he noted, his first meeting with an official dignitary representing an international organization since he took office as the UN Envoy on Yemen.

OIC Welcomes UNSC Resolution 2401 on Humanitarian Truce in Syria The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2401 on 24 February 2018 calling for a 30-day humanitarian truce in Syria.

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the OIC Secretary General, expressed his hope that the adoption of the resolution would constitute a turning point towards a peaceful and lasting solution to the Syrian crisis, based on Geneva 1 and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. Al-Othaimeen stressed the importance of translating resolution 2401 on the ground to stop the suffering of the Syrian people, especially in the Eastern Ghouta, which has been facing daily brutal attacks, killing dozens of innocent civilians and destroying residential areas.

Al-Othaimeen praised the efforts exerted by the Kuwaiti and Swedish diplomacy to submit the draft resolution and its adoption by the Security Council.

The General Secretariat of the OIC had strongly condemned, and called for the im-

mediate cessation of, the barbaric raids carried out by the Syrian regime and its allies against civilians and residential districts in Al-Ghuta and Idlib province since it started in early February. The raids have damaged the local infrastructure particularly hospitals and medical services.

The OIC urged all parties in Syria to abide by international humanitarian law, which calls for desisting from targeting civilian structures in times of war or causing casualties among the civilians and children in the residential areas.

The OIC also laid emphasis on the need to work out a political solution to the Syrian crisis, based on the Geneva 1 principles and the relevant UN resolutions, which emphasize on the sovereignty and unity of the Syrian territories and call for security and stability in the region.

The General Secretariat continued condemning the sustained brutal bombardment of the Eastern Ghouta in Syria, which has claimed hundreds of casualties, wounded thousands and destroyed civilian buildings.

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The OIC General Secretariat called for the immediate cessation of such attacks and for allowing humanitarian and medical assistance into the stricken city.

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC also expressed its deep shock and anguish over loss of hundreds of innocent lives, which include women and children, during the escalation of hostilities in Eastern Ghoutha in Syria in one of the worst episodes of violence in the seven-year long unremitting internecine war.

The Commission upheld that the targeting of innocent non-combatant civilians is a gross transgression of Islamic teachings.

The Commission urged the United Nations and the key stakeholders to expedite conclusion of an all-inclusive negotiated peace settlement to bring an end to the protracted crisis in Syria, the worst humanitarian and refugee disaster of our time, which has claimed more than half a million lives and forced over 10 million to be displaced from their homes.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Serious Concern at Mounting Insecurity in Mali West Africa’s Sahel region is suffering a spike in violence by militant groups that is drawing an increasingly aggressive response from the international community.

The spread of militant attacks from north to central Mali and across borders into Burkina Faso and Niger continue to generate increased diplomatic and military engagements. The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, has expressed serious concern at the spate of terrorist attacks and growing insecurity in country.

In condemning the separate cowardly attacks on 27 and 28 January 2018 on the Malian Armed Forces in the Timbuktu and Menaka regions, which claimed the lives of at least 18 soldiers, Dr. Othaimeen also denounced the killing by a land mine on 25 January 2018 of 26 innocent civilians travelling in a bus in central Mali. He conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Mali over the tragic incidents. He expressed the solidarity of the OIC with Mali and pledged its continuing support to the endeavors of the authorities in countering terrorism and the enemies of peace who seek to undermine the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

While appealing to the Malian parties signatories of the Peace Agreement to rededicate themselves to its full implementation in order to preserve the peace, unity and stability of their country, the Secretary General called for the swift operationalization of the G5 Sahel Joint Force to complement the efforts of the Malian security forces and the UN Mission, MINUSMA, to combat rising insecurity in central and northern Mali.

Commenting on the attacks, Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said his people would not be frightened by “barbaric attacks”.

Across the Sahel, connected and overlapping crises are affecting some 12 million people in 5 countries, triggering population movements, increasing tensions and sparking further violence. In a region where the population is expected to double in the next 30 years to around 160 million, there is a very real risk in years to come of a humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale.

OIC Dispatches Joint Mission to Mali A joint delegation to Mali, dispatched by

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the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen in March 2018, concluded a weeklong mission to assess the political situation prevailing on the ground in the country.

The joint delegation also examined the socioeconomic, humanitarian and developmental challenges facing the country, which has been coping with multifaceted problems since 2012 due to attacks by armed groups. The joint delegation included representatives from the OIC General Secretariat, the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

Members of the OIC joint delegation met with Malian state officials and were also received by the Malian Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and National Solidarity who called on the OIC and its Member States to extend an urgent humanitarian assistance to his country given the serious challenges it has been dealing with, namely the backlog of IDPs and refugees who have to be resettled to bring back normalcy to their lives.

In the same vein, meetings were also organized with the representatives of international organizations operating in Mali such as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The mission is in fulfillment of the request made by the OIC International Contact

Group on Mali during its meeting held last September on the sidelines of the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting of the foreign ministers convened in New York.

Diplomatic and Military Efforts The OIC had in the past dispatched similar missions in its effort to end the crises in Mali. In 2012, it dispatched a joint humanitarian mission in the Sahel region, comprising the UN and OIC officials for a two-day visit to the country.

Regional actors have also acted to combat the spread of militancy in the Sahel. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger established a joint task force to combat rising insecurity along their shared borders. Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad launched the G5 Sahel multinational counterterrorism military force. The creation of G5 Sahel was endorsed by the, OIC African Union and welcomed by the UN Security Council.

At the 44th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, from 10-11 July 2017, the ministers called on Member States, the OIC and its subsidiary organs to provide urgent concrete assistance to the operationalization of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S).

The conference also requested the OIC General Secretariat to work closely with the permanent secretariat of the G5 Sahel to identify additional modes of foreseeable and sustainable financial and logistical support to be provided to the said force.

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WORLD AFFAIRS OIC Supports the G5 Sahel Summit in Niamey, Niger

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) participated in the fourth ordinary session of the summit of the G5 Sahel countries comprising Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger held on 6th February 2018, in Niamey, Niger. The summit, attended by the Heads of State of the five countries, discussed among other things, the operationalization of the G5 Sahel Joint Force to combat rising insecurity in their common space.

The Secretary General of the OIC, HE. Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, in his statement to the summit delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, reiterated the full solidarity and support of the OIC to

the Sahel countries in their endeavors to achieve development, security, countering terrorism and climate change. He recalled the adoption of Resolution 55/44-Pol on the G5 Sahel Joint Force by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and pledged his commitment to its implementation.

Other key international partners of the Sahel, which included twelve countries and thirteen international, regional and subregional organizations, also attended the summit.

The G5 Sahel countries are facing an increase in terrorist threats and organized crime, which are destabilizing the region.

The Sahel countries have developed a multi thronged response mechanisms, to address the common challenges, within the political, military and development arenas. Two of the adopted initiatives are: The G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force, which illustrates the willingness of African nations to take charge of their own security; The Sahel Alliance, which is based on an approach of reciprocal accountability between the major development partners and the G5 States.

G5 Force Mandate The G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force was officially launched on 2 July 2017, in Bamako, by the presidents of five States of the Sahel exposed to the threat of terrorism.

This joint military force had been endorsed by the African Union, the OIC and recognized by the UN Security Council.

Its mandate is to combat terrorism, transnational organized crime and human trafficking in the G5 Sahel area. Its first operation took place in November 2017 with the armies of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

At full operating capacity, it will comprise 5,000 troops (seven battalions spread over three zones: West, Center and East).

It covers a strip of 50 km on each side of the countries’ borders. Subsequently, it is expected that a Sahelian counter-terrorism brigade will be deployed in northern Mali.

Al-Othaimeen Congratulates Nigeria on the Release of Abducted School Girls The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen welcomed the release on 21 March 2018 of over one hundred school girls abducted on 19 February from the Government Girls Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State of Nigeria.

While describing the news as a huge relief, Dr. Othaimeen commended the authorities in Nigeria for their efforts in swiftly bringing the sad chapter to a close and ending the ordeal of both the captives and their families. He also expressed his sincere sympathy and condolences for the tragic death of five of the girls while in captivity.

The Secretary General, while restating the principled position of the OIC against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, condemned the Boko Haram tactic of mass abduction of schoolgirls as an objectionable violation of human rights which negates all

President of Nigeria

Islamic values.

He called for enhanced international cooperation and support to Nigeria and countries in the Lake Chad Basin to eradicate the threat that Boko Haram continues to pose

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to the peace, socio-economic development and educational progress of the region.

The schoolgirls were returned to Dapchi

by Boko Haram following negotiations between Nigeria’s government and the group.

The Nigerian government said it was working with local and international negotiators for the release of others being held by the terrorist group.

The Dapchi kidnapping on 19 February brought up painful memories of a similar abduction in Chibok in April 2014, when more than 200 girls were taken.

Eighty-two of the girls were freed in a swap last year. However, more than 100 of the girls remain in captivity.

Nigeria’s war with Boko Haram is entering its ninth year, having swept up scores of victims who lost their homes, their children and their lives to brutal violence that spilled across the nation’s borders.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Al-Othaimeen: Government Must Take Immediate Action

to Protect the Rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), expressed serious concern at the repeated incidents of violence by extremist mobs against Muslims in Sri Lanka on 28th February and 4th March 2018.

The organisation said reports of several attacks in Ampara, Kandy and Digana on mosques, businesses and homes are deeply regrettable.

The Secretary General of the OIC, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen called on the government of Sri Lanka to take concrete steps to address the propagation of hatred and violence by extremist groups and to ensure the protection of properties and livelihood of Muslims in Sri Lanka. At the same time Mr. AlOthaimeen appealed for calm and peaceful relations between communities, and urged the authorities to enforce the rule of law, investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Secretary General noted that the Muslim community has a long-standing presence in the country and a tradition of living in peace and harmony with their compatriots. Muslims represent an important and active community that contributes positively to the cultural and economic life of Sri Lanka as a whole.

The Sri Lankan anti-Muslim riots were the series of religious riots targeting Muslims beginning in the Sri Lankan town of Ampara on 26 February 2018, and spread to Kandy District by 2 March until its end on 10 March 2018. The Government of Sri Lanka imposed a state of emergency on the affected regions and deployed the Sri Lankan Armed Forces to assist the Police in the affected areas. According to the police, forty-five incidents of damage to houses and businesses were reported, while four places of worship were attacked.

The OIC stressed the need to protect the rights of the Muslim minority, foremost of which is the right to observe their religious practices without harassment or any direct or indirect breaches and to earn their livelihoods and conduct their business under full protection of the law.

In this context, the OIC Secretary General called on the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to proceed expeditiously with an investigation of the

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abuses on the Muslim community and to ensure the safety and security of the Muslim minority while practicing their religious rights in accordance with all relevant international human rights conventions and instruments.

Sri Lanka’s Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan had also condemned the antiMuslim attacks in the Ampara district of Eastern Province and sought “stern action” against the culprits.

Following the development, President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka said such incidents are detrimental to reconciliation in the country.

The matter was also discussed at its weekly Cabinet meeting.

The situation was brought under control by 9 March. Two fatalities and ten injuries were reported among Sinhalese, Muslims and Police. According to the police, forty five incidents of damage to houses and businesses have been reported, while four places of worship have been attacked. The Police have arrested 81 persons in connection with rioting.

Muslims here identify themselves as a distinct ethnic minority, and constitute about 9% of the country’s population.

Al-Othaimeen Discusses with Ambassador of Sri Lanka the Situation of Muslims in the Country

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, received in his office, Mr. Mohamed Azmi Thassim, the Ambassador of the Republic of Sri Lanka to Riyadh on 1 April 2018.

During the meeting, Ambassador Thassim briefed the Secretary General on a number of steps taken by the government to address the situation following the recent incidents of violence against Muslims in the towns of Ampara, Digana and Kandy in Sri Lanka in February and March 2018.

Dr. Al-Othaimeen called upon the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and to address the propagation of hatred and violence by extremist groups in the public space. The Secretary General affirmed the Organization’s solidarity with the Muslim community and noted the interest for the development of a peaceful, secure, and stable Sri Lanka.

The discussions between Dr. Al-Othaimeen and the Mr. Thassim also focused on the importance of interfaith dialogue as part of the need to tackle the root causes of misunderstanding which lead to violence; to teach followers of religions to challenge those who promote fear and hatred, and to work together in preventing conflicts.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Al-Othaimeen Lauds 29th Arab Summit for focusing on (Jerusalem) Al-Quds

K

ing Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud›s decision to rename the 29th Arab Summit as the «Jerusalem Summit» is a welcomed step by all participants, said the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef AlOthaimeen, hailing Riyadh›s donations to Palestinians.

Speaking during the summit, held in the eastern city of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia on 15 April 2018, Al-Othaimeen said that the status of Jerusalem was very important to the Arab and Islamic worlds, affirming that the Palestinian cause will remain as the most important issue for Arabs and Muslims.

He also lauded Saudi Arabia›s announcement to donate USD 200 million to Palestine and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The Saudi decisions reflect the Kingdom›s strong support to the Palestinian cause and hopefully, it would lead to the realization of the dream for an independent Palestine state within the 1967 borders and Eastern Jerusalem as the capital for the future country, said the OIC chief.

The Arab leaders who participated at the summit affirmed centrality of the Palestinian issue and importance of the status of eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the future state of Palestine.

They stressed importance of reaching a cohesive and everlasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the 2002 Beirut Summit›s Arab peace initiative.

Arab-Islamic Concerns

Al-Othaimeen’s address dwelt on the situation in the Islamic world. His statement focused on the issues of combating terrorism and extremism and the OIC’s repeated condemnation of Houthi attacks on the territory of Saudi Arabia and its citizens and residents. He condemned the Houthis for firing the rockets and those supplying them with weapons. The Secretary General highlighted the role played by the OIC countries in countering the phenomenon of terrorism and extremism. “The OIC countries have addressed this ominous evil with security and modern methods through centers and institutions such as Al-Azhar, ETIDAL, SAWAB Center, and Sawt Al-Hikmah Center, which have been praised worldwide, as well as other measures taken by the Member States that called for combating this phenomenon by adopting a pure Islamic discourse countering extremist tendencies and refuting the arguments of the advocates of Islamophobia and purveyors of xenophobia,” said Al-Othaimeen.

The OIC Secretary General conveyed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the 29th Arab Summit, commending the Kingdom›s role in the establishment of the OIC as a collective forum of cooperation for the common good of the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Al-Othaimeen said that the Arab countries constitute more than one third of the OIC members and share the Arab and Islamic worlds’ concerns, attention and ambition, guided by the teachings of the Islamic re-

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ligion, which promotes the values of compassion, love, brotherhood and tolerance.

The Secretary General reviewed a number of common causes to which the OIC contributes effectively, particularly Arab causes, such as the situation in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya, and issues of interest to the OIC such as the suffering of Rohingya Muslims and Muslim minorities and the situation in Afghanistan, among others.

Al-Quds Summit The leaders gathered at the Arab summit stressed the importance of uniting Arab efforts in the fight against terrorism and to confront Iran’s expansionist ambitions in the Arab region.

King Abdullah II of Jordan opened the 29th Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia’s Dhahran, stressing the need for a two-state solution and condemning the US’s decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman also condemned the move and reiterated the Kingdom›s rejection of the US decision, while emphasizing the need to have East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Saudi Arabia, which takes over the rotating chair of the Arab summit from Jordan, announced that the current gathering would be named the “Quds (Jerusalem) Summit”.

However, the strongest criticism of the Trump administration came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“The decisions have made the United States a party to the conflict and not a neutral mediator,” Abbas said at the summit.

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WORLD AFFAIRS Successful Presidential Elections in Azerbaijan The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the successful conclusion of the presidential elections on 11 April 2018, and congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on his victory.

He expressed satisfaction with the electoral process conducted in a transparent, peaceful, orderly and competitive manner and in an atmosphere of national harmony.

Dr. Othaimeen commended the huge turnout of voters in the presidential elections in Azerbaijan who demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and commitment towards

strengthening democracy. He also commended the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan for administering an orderly and transparent election process, including provision of equitable access to all contend-

ers.

While praising the maturity of democracy and effectiveness of the electoral system in Azerbaijan, Dr. Othaimeen reaffirmed OIC’s commitment to further developing its longstanding relationship with Azerbaijan and its people.

The election was the first to take place since a September 2016 referendum that extended the presidential term to seven years from five.

According to the election results, the incumbent president and Chairman of New Azerbaijan Party Ilham Aliyev garnered 86.02 percent of votes.

OIC Secretary General Congratulates the New President of Sierra Leone The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen has congratulated H.E Mr. Julius Maada Bio following his swearing in as President of the Republic of Sierra on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Dr. Al-Othaimeen stated that the election of President Julius Maada testifies to the confidence the people of Sierra Leone place in him.

While wishing President Bio a successful tenure in office, Dr. Al-Othaimeen expressed his hope for an enhanced socio-economic growth in the country during his mandate.

He appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to close ranks and support the new President in his vision to lead the country towards a brighter future.

In the same vein, the Secretary General expressed his appreciation to H.E. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the outgoing President for his contributions to nation building and for the smooth rotation of power in Sierra Leone.

He stated that his legacy will go down in history as a champion for development and democracy.

The Secretary General commended the Sierra Leone National Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of the presidential election and hailed all Sierra Leoneans for their commitment to further consolidate democracy in their country.

Candidates from 16 parties ran for president, but in the first round of voting, no one won the 55 percent required to avoid a second round.

Mr. Bio, 53, from the Sierra Leone People’s Party, received 51.8 percent of the vote in the runoff, defeating Samura Kamara from the governing party, the All People’s Congress, who won 48.2 percent, according to the Electoral Commission.

Al-Othaimeen: Kashmiris Deserve a Just and Lasting Solution The recurring killings and maiming carried out by the government forces in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) continues to generate condemnations across the globe. The OIC General Secretariat condemned the indiscriminate use of force by the Indian occupation forces killing at least 17 innocent Kashmiris in different incidents in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) on 1st April 2018.

The Secretary General Dr. Yousef A. AlOthaimeen called on the world community to play its rightful role in promoting a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant OIC and UN Se-

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curity Council resolutions and responding to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The Secretary General reiterated his call on India to allow access to the fact-finding mission of his Special Representative for

Jammu and Kashmir and the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) to Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Secretary General Othaimeen conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

The killings by the Indian occupation forces followed clashes between the occupation forces and anti-occupation protesters who took to the streets.

Thousands of residents also joined funeral processions for the slain protesters.

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OIC NEWS OIC-IPHRC Mission to Bangladesh Visits Rohingya Refugees

Many Refugees are still Under Psychological Stress and Need Urgent Help

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delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) participated in a joint OIC-IPHRC visit to Bangladesh from 3-7 January 2018.

The delegation obtained firsthand information about the situation of the Rohingya refugees and the horrific circumstances that led to them fleeing their homeland; its findings are included in the report of the OIC Secretary General to the 45th Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh in May 2018.

The OIC has requested visiting the Rohingya in Rakhine State but the Myanmar authorities did not respond.

The OIC delegation was graciously hosted by the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, which briefed them of the situation prevailing in the Rohingya refugees’ camps in Bangladesh.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, M.P., the Honorable State

Unless Myanmar Reinstates Rohingya Citizenship, there will be Little Progress Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Md. Shahiar Alam, M.P., and other Bangladesh’s top government officials.

The delegation undertook visits to some of the refugee camps to obtain firsthand information from the Rohingya refugees described as the ‘world’s most persecuted minority’.

Visits to the Refugee Camps During their field visits to the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp, the Deputy District Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Md. Ali Hossain briefed members of the joint delegation on the humanitarian situation and the needs at the camp. He indicated that there are twelve camps in total on the same site

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stretching along the border with Myanmar, which runs on 217 kilometers.

The Deputy District Commissioner lamented that the influx trend was still on the rise and people were trying to flee for safety and better conditions of living and noted that the Government of Bangladesh is striving to bring all refugees under one camp to facilitate their management and follow up.

The Deputy District Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar pointed out that despite all the efforts by Bangladeshi Government and donor agencies to cater for the welfare of the refugees, there were still ground for improvement and for more assistance especially in the fields of shelter, food, sanitation and health in prevision of the monsoon and rainy seasons. He also informed that there were over 7,700 children with no parents or relatives to look after them.

The visiting delegation also noticed that many refugees were still under psychological stress and most of them did not wish to return to Myanmar unless they were granted full citizenship rights.

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OIC NEWS All the humanitarian stakeholders met at the refugees’ camps praised the Government of Bangladesh for its boldness in dealing with the Rohingya crisis. They urged the OIC and its Member States to lend more support in various forms to alleviate the suffering of the people who left their country with nothing except very painful and traumatic memories to share.

The visiting delegation also travelled by road to Balukhali camps where it interacted with Rohingyas and held discussions with the authorities running the camp as well as with UN staff mainly the UNHCR and OCHA staff members. The delegation went afterwards to Tomru border area, which is a No man’s land between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi officer who is in charge of that zone described the way Rohingya refugees had to struggle with the barbed wires and mines before crossing the heavily guarded zone with their children and sometimes with their entire family members.

The crisis of the Rohingya caused by escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has caused suffering on a catastrophic scale. Since 25 August 2017 there are more than 655,000 Rohingya refugees who have fled to neighboring Bangladesh. The majority are in Cox’s Bazar in the south of the country. They have joined 87,000 refugees that have already been in Bangladesh since violent incidents of October 2016 and more than 300,000 who have fled previous episodes of violence since

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1990. This puts the total Rohingya population in Bangladesh to greater than 1 million.

Refugees arriving in Bangladesh report fleeing appalling violations of human rights and other abuses in Myanmar. The majority are women and children who have been traumatized; many have arrived with injuries from physical violence, gunshots, shrapnel, fire and landmines.

As a result of sustained OIC and international pressure, the Myanmar government signed a framework agreement with Bangladesh for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees on 23 November 2017.

Rohingya Status The OIC delegation concluded that unless the Government of Myanmar reinstates the Rohingyas their denied citizenship rights, there would be little progress despite the fact that officials in Myanmar have promised to take back the first batch of 100,000 Rohingyas people living in refugees’ camps in Bangladesh after lengthy and arduous discussions with the Government of Bangladesh. The repatriation agreement still has many aspects, which have not been worked out. It remains uncertain whether the Myanmar authorities are sincere in their claim that they will take back Rohingya refugees and if they will do so in a safe and dignified manner. Although Bangladesh has indicated that they would like to start with the return of 100,000 Rohingya there are reports that Myanmar wishes to begin with 4,500 Hindus who are also refugees in Ban-

gladesh. This does not inspire confidence in the Myanmar government’s intentions.

The OIC Delegation to Rohingya Refugee Camps in its reports observed that the repatriation agreement will not solve the Rohingya crises on its own since it does not ensure accountability of the Myanmar government. Therefore, the OIC and the international community will continue to demand access by humanitarian and foreign observers to Rakhine, to ensure the return of refugees in safety and dignity and with insured livelihood.

The delegation also stressed that the authorities in Myanmar must make serious efforts to address the anti-Muslim hate speech and rhetoric prevalent in the public spaces and in official media. A process of inclusive dialogue and the promotion of mutual respect and cooperation must also be developed to encourage the restoration of harmony and peace between communities. The OIC-IPHRC delegation also stressed the need for the implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission Report, which if completed would resolve the Rohingyas’ status and be the basis for their reconciliation with the local Buddhist majority.

The OIC delegation expressed its gratitude and support to the Government and people of Bangladesh for hosting such a huge number of refugees who have been provided with the necessary facilities after their flight from Myanmar.

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OIC NEWS

Al-Othaimeen: Egypt is a Model of Religious Coexistence Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), paid an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt from Monday, 15 January, to Wednesday, 17 January 2018. During the visit, he met with H.E. President Abdel Fattah Sisi, who received the Secretary-General at the Heliopolis Palace in Cairo on Tuesday, 16 January 2018.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations and current issues in the Islamic world, and OIC activities and programs.

President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi commended the OIC and its efforts at various levels. He also affirmed Egypt’s support for it especially in light of the circumstances experienced by the countries of the region. He equally affirmed his rejection of the principle of interfering in the affairs of other countries.

The president stressed his country’s backing and continued support to the OIC programs and projects.

President Sisi highlighted Egypt’s steadfast stance in support of the Palestinian cause with Al-Quds as the capital of the State of

Palestine, pointing out that “this must be achieved through a two-state solution.”

The OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef AlOthaimeen expressed his thanks and appreciation to President Sisi and reviewed a number of issues and crises in the region, most notably the efforts of the Organization in the fight against terrorism and extremism, noting the great efforts exerted

by Egypt to strengthen its internal front through the elimination of terrorism and extremism.

Al-Othaimeen stressed Egypt›s pioneering role, expressing confidence that it will always be present in issues concerning the Islamic world as it has always been. He pointed out in this context the importance of Egypt›s continued participation in the activities of the Organization.

He also reviewed the upcoming salient activities planned by the Organization, especially the convening of the 14th Islamic Summit in the Gambia, in addition to the national reconciliation conference to be held between the Iraqi political parties un-

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der the OIC auspices in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iraqi Reconciliation Commission.

Meets Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Al-Othaimeen also met Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed AboulGheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Tuesday.

The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between the OIC and the Arab League and ways to develop them further.

They also discussed the aspects of cooperation on common issues, especially the issues of combating terrorism and extremism as well as the joint work on the Palestinian cause through coordination with regard to collective action on the question of Jerusalem in international forums.

Religious Coexistence Dr Al-Othaimeen also met His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark on 16 January 2018 at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo.

Hailing Egypt as a praiseworthy model of religious coexistence, Dr Al-Othaimeen

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OIC NEWS stressed the Organization’s firm and clear stance against terrorism and extremism. He went on, “The OIC has always believed that terrorism and extremism cannot be associated with any religion or identity.”

In addition, Dr Al-Othaimeen explained that the OIC is committed, alongside such institutions as KAICIID, to bringing religions closer together, organizing and taking part

in countless conferences on ways to promote interfaith rapprochement. Dialogue and moderation should prevail as a counter discourse to misconceptions about Islam among the youth, he underlined.

Pope Tawadros, concurring with the Secretary General that extremism has no religion, explained that diversity and differences are an enriching component of society.

The Secretary General also took part in the opening of Al-Azhar World Conference in support of Al-Quds held on Wednesday morning where he met with Imam of AlAzhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

Al-Azhar International Conference in Support of Al-Quds was in response to US president Donald Trump’s decision to move U.S Embassy to occupied East Jerusalem.

OIC Congratulates Egyptian People on Successful Presidential Elections At the invitation of the Egyptian National Elections Board, a delegation from the OIC General Secretariat participated, as observers, in monitoring the presidential elections that took place on 26-28 March 2018. The OIC General Secretariat’s delegation was able to monitor all the stages of the election process since the opening of the electoral committees’ doors.

In addition, the OIC delegation paid visits to several electoral committees in different provinces of the Arab Republic of Egypt and noted that the ballot process was well organized, peaceful, free and transparent.

The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef Al-

Othaimeen, expressed his satisfaction at the presidential elections process in Egypt, and extended his congratulations to the people of Egypt on their commitment, once again, to the democratic values. He also praised

the Egyptian experience in consolidating democracy, sovereignty of law, human rights, development and good governance.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi secured a second term in office after winning 97% of the vote.

Sisi, who ran against just one other candidate, won more than 21 million votes, according to Egypt’s National Election Authority.

There was 41% turnout of almost 60 million registered voters.

Sisi’s only rival for the presidency was Mousa Mostafa Mousa, after several other candidates quit the race.

Turkmenistan Held Successful Parliamentary Elections Following the success of the parliamentary elections on 25 March 2018 in Turkmenistan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed deep congratulations and satisfaction to the government and people of Turkmenistan for the smooth running of the parliamentary elections and the organization that characterized the electoral process at all stages in the country.

The OIC Secretary-General, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, expressed his high appreciation of the transparency, professionalism

and national harmony of the elections in Turkmenistan.

He also praised the people of Turkmenistan, who voted in large numbers, expressing a high sense of responsibility and confirming determination and keenness to contribute to the promotion of democracy in their country. Al-Othaimeen wished Turkmenistan more prosperity, development and success in its endeavors to build a better future and present a positive image of leading Islamic countries.

It is worth noting that the OIC General Secretariat dispatched a team of experts to Turkmenistan to monitor the parliamentary elections following the invitation from the Government of Turkmenistan, specifically from the Central Election Commission.

A total of 284 candidates contested the elections; 117 from the Democratic Party, 28 from the Agrarian Party, 23 from the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and 116 as independents.

Satisfactions with the Successful Conduct of Elections in Djibouti The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) congratulated the people of the Republic of Djibouti for the successful conduct of the legislative elections held on 23 February 2018.

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the OIC Secretary General, expressed his satisfaction with the electoral process conducted in a transparent and professional manner and in an atmosphere of national harmony.

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He praised the people of Djibouti for voting in large numbers showing a high sense of responsibility to contribute to the promotion of democracy in their country.

Al-Othaimeen wished the government and people of Djibouti more success in their efforts to build a better future.

According to government figures, the ruling Union for the Presidential Majority won 57 of 65 seats in Parliament. The opposition

Union for Democracy and Justice–Djibouti Party for Development (UDJ–PDD) won seven seats in Djibouti city electoral district.

The UMP ran unopposed in three electoral districts (Dikhil, Obock and Arta, 18 seats).

It is noteworthy that the OIC had sent a team to monitor the legislative elections upon an invitation received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti.

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OIC NEWS

Extra-Ordinary CFM:

OIC Calls for Firm, Deterrent Action

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he Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an extraordinary session on 21 January 2018, at the OIC Jeddah-based General Secretariat, upon request from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to address the ballistic missile attack by the Houthi militias on Riyadh.

The meeting condemned in the firmest terms the Iranian-made ballistic missile attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias on Riyadh on 19 December 2017, decrying it as an aggression on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and taking it as evidence of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias’ refusal to cooperate with the international community and accept international resolutions.

Chairing the meeting, Saudi Foreign Minister Mr. Adel Al-Jubeir explained that the meeting’s purpose was to take an urgent

action regarding the Iran-made ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias toward Riyadh. More so, Mr. Al-Jubeir noted that the attack violates the provisions of the charters of both the OIC and the UN, and constitutes an affront to the principles of international laws and resolutions, particularly UNSC resolution 2216.

He added, “The Iranian regime continues to smuggle arms and missiles to Houthi militias in Yemen to attack the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, harm its people and damage its vital interests.”

Over 300 Iran-made ballistic missiles were fired from Yemen, 90 of which aimed at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the worst attack having targeted Makkah, the holy city and cradle of Islam, Mr. Al-Jubeir pointed out, asserting that this presents yet another proof that the Iranian regime is persisting in its course of aggression, support-

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ing terrorism and egregiously meddling in the region’s affairs.

Speaking at the meeting, the Secretary General of the OIC, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the extraordinary session. He went on to call on the meeting to take firm, deterrent action beyond condemnation and denunciation, to ensure that no such outrageous aggression perpetrated by the Houthi militias recur, and to push back those who back them, send monies, provide media coverage and help with weapons supply, manufacturing and smuggling.

Dr. Al-Othaimeen underlined that the OIC stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in every measure it takes, in keeping with the OIC and UN charters, to preserve its security and stability.

The meeting addressed the threat the Houthi attacks on Yemen ports pose to

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OIC NEWS

against Houthi Militias and their Backers marine navigation in the Red Sea, coupled with the countless acts of killing, detention, forced disappearance and sectarian strife carried out by the militia against Yemeni citizens. The Council also warned that to fuel their war machine, Houthi militias continue to hinder delivery of international relief aid, withholding it and selling it on the black market. This certainly is a matter of grave concern, the Council stressed, calling for firm action to be taken against the coup militias and their allies, to save the Yemeni people and land, and to shield Yemen’s neighboring countries from such acts of brazen aggression and violation of the principles of peace and togetherness recognized in the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The meeting in its communique condemned Iran’s violation of the CFM resolution adopted in the Makkah Conference in November 2016 and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, by continuing to provide Iranian-backed coup militias with arms, particularly Iranian-made ballistic missiles.

The Foreign Ministers also denounced Iran’s intervention in some countries of the region and called on it to stop policies that would fuel factional and sectarian conflicts, and to abstain from supporting and financing terrorist groups.

The communique affirmed that the Member States should assist and support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against terrorism and any attempts to undermine its security.

The ministers reaffirmed that the abject attack by the Iranian-backed coup militias, targeting densely-populated cities and towns, marks a grave development, and a brazen affront to the international community, a threat to regional and international security, and a breach of international humanitarian law.

The Council of Foreign Ministers recalled operative paragraph 2, of the resolution of its Makkah Al-Mukarramah extraordinary session (17 November 2017), calling for setting into motion the working group com-

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posed of the Member States sitting on the Executive Committee, to consider taking urgent practical steps to ensure non-recurrence of such aggression, and inviting this group to meet in the shortest possible time to take practical measures to keep such heinous attacks from happening again.

The communiques therefore called on the Secretary General to take all the measures to implement the resolution, communicate it to the United Nations along with regional organizations, and report thereon to the upcoming council meeting.

Legitimacy in Yemen Earlier at the opening of the meeting of the Contact Group on the Situation in Yemen, the Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC’s position in support of legitimacy in Yemen, represented by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Al-Othaimeen stressed that the Organization supports the efforts of President Hadi to establish a peaceful solution in Yemen and work for the country’s stability and territorial integrity in accordance with UN resolutions, the Gulf Initiative and the outcome of the national dialogue. He denounced the Houthis’ refusal to respond to the peace efforts and their continued violations of human rights in Yemen.

The secretary general also condemned the Houthis’ killing of the former Yemeni presi-

dent and senior politicians as well as the imposition of a siege on Sana’a. He pointed out that the Houthis’ terrorist acts destabilize regional security, which is an integral part of international security.

Al-Othaimeen renewed the OIC’s condemnation of the Houthis continued targeting of Saudi Arabia’s territory, in a blatant disregard for the Organization’s decisions that condemn the firing of ballistic missiles toward the kingdom and call for holding accountable those who supply the militias with missiles.

He praised the Saudi initiative to support the Central Bank of Yemen with $2 billion, under the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to boost the economy and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

The Secretary General called for the provision of financial and humanitarian support for the OIC representative office in Yemen to continue its relief work. He explained that the OIC coordinates with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) in its relief work in Yemen, lauding in this regard the Saudi initiative to establish a unified center for the coordination of humanitarian assistance to Yemen.

The OIC Contact Group on the Situation in Yemen includes 17 countries at the level of foreign ministers, in addition to the OIC Secretary General.

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OIC NEWS Workshop on Role of Religious Education in Preventing Radical Extremism

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he Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic University of Niger (IUN) has organized a three-day workshop entitled “The Role of Religious Education in the Prevention of Violent and Radical Extremism”. The training took place from January 28 to 30, 2018, in Niamey in Niger.

The training was organized in accordance with the vision of the organizing parties on the role of religious education in combating the phenomenon of violent extremism, which has become a global issue that threatens international peace and security.

The workshop included the presentation of several working papers that addressed the various angles of the issue. It suggested a set of recommendations to prevent falling into radicalism on the one hand, and putting an approach of treatment after falling on the other.

The workshop was opened by Prof. Dr. Moncef Al-Jazar, Rector of the Islamic University of Niger, in the presence of H.E. Bazoum Mohammed, Minister of Interior of Niger, H.E. Judah Thalou, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Said Zatou, Governor-General of Niamey Region, Amb. Musinov Askar, the OIC representative, and a number of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Niger, as well as representatives of some official and charitable bodies.

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Bazoum Mohamed, stressed the interest of Niger in discussing these issues as a Sahel country, which have been suffering from terrorism and extremism. He indicated that radical-

ism and violent extremism emanate one way or another from universities directly or indirectly. Therefore, addressing this phenomenon should start primarily from the universities. He also indicated the need that specialists consider this phenomenon in light of its remarkable growth in the African Sahel region.

Mr. Bazoum Mohamed underlined that universities are the bodies able to develop appropriate strategies to reduce their spread.

He concluded by expressing his pleasure at attending the opening session of the workshop, wishing it would result in such results that would address the roots of the phenomenon, and stressing the readiness of Niger to implement the practical recommendations that will result from the in-depth discussions on the phenomenon.

Representing the OIC, Ambassador Askar Mussinov delivered a keynote address during which he highlighted the OIC’s principled position against terrorism, stating that it has always condemned terrorism, regardless of its source, race, religion and nationality. The Ambassador added that the OIC and its member states are resolutely confronting the threats of extremism and radicalism. The OIC was one of the first international organizations to draft a comprehensive convention against terrorism and a code of conduct on the fight against terrorism.

The holding of this workshop in a country of the Sahel region is of prime importance as it provides an appropriate framework for reflection on a crucial issue related to the spread of the phenomenon of terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa region general,

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he said.

Amb. Mussinov pointed out that the political leaders of the OIC have entrusted the Organization and its affiliated institutions with the task of prevention through education against the radical extremism in the member states, which necessitates the deployment of intense and sustained efforts.

Since Islamic religious educational institutions are the foundation for dialogue and religious studies as well as the perpetuation of ethical principle, it is essential to focus on the study, research and innovation means of education to equip them, he added. This workshop provides an opportunity for all to develop the basics that will pave the way for radical changes in the religious education system to deal with radicalism.

The IUIN rector praised the efforts exerted by the OIC in combating the phenomenon of extremism and radicalism across the world and highlighted the need of implementing of the recommendations.

The in-depth discussions resulted in several recommendations, which include: • To reformulate educational programs within the curricula of schools and educational institutions in the region in order to promote a culture of pluralism and peaceful coexistence among all sectors of society, spread the spirit of love, cooperation, and warn of ideas that cause division, hatred and strife within the efforts for updating curricula.

• To provide the appropriate educational means, create the appropriate training spaces for teachers, scientific institutes and universities to enable them to carry out their duties in the best possible way, and allow the exchange of experiences between universities, schools and educational and academic staff regionally and internationally.

• To establish a regional council to conduct an independent field study of extremism managed by academic research centers in order to reach effective and lasting solutions to the phenomenon of violent extremism.

• To introduce moral education in sufficient hours in the formal school system from primary to secondary to inculcate noble morals and lofty human values ​​that are the pillar of social cohesion.

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OIC NEWS The Secretary General Visits Gambia and Senegal

Discusses Preparations for the Islamic Summit and COMIAC The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef AlOthaimeen conducted an official visit to the Republic of the Gambia on 5 March 2018 where he was received by the President HE Mr. Adama Barrow at the State House in Banjul. The meeting was also attended by the Vice President HE Mrs. Fatima Jallow Tambajang and top government officials.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed several issues of common interest and concern including the preparation for the upcoming 14th OIC Summit scheduled to be held next year in the Gambian Capital.

The Secretary General congratulated the President for the peaceful and successful political transition which brought him to power a year ago and commended the overall leadership and his efforts to restore democracy and stability to the country. He paid tribute to the Gambia for its active role in the OIC and contribution towards the promotion of joint Islamic action. He briefed him on the engagement of the OIC and its institutions in support of the development of the Gambia and proposed ways and means to further boost the visibility of the Organization in the Gambia and the region.

The President on his part expressed the gratitude and appreciation of his country of the OIC for its valuable contributions in the peaceful settlement of the post electoral dispute in the Gambia. He highlighted the importance of the OIC as an international partner and conveyed the readiness and willingness of his country to host the forthcoming Summit of the Organization.

The President informed the Secretary GenThe Secretary General went on from the Gambia to the Republic of Senegal also on an official visit on 6 March 2018. He was received in audience by the President HE Mr. Macky Sall in Dakar. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sidiki Kaba and top Senegalese government officials.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed several issues of importance for the Ummah including the preparation for the convening of the 11th session of the OIC Standing Committee for Information

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eral of the establishment of an Organizing Committee for the Conference headed by the Vice President and requested full support of the General Secretariat and the Member States.

An OIC delegation headed by Ambassador Tariq Bakheet, Director General of Political Affairs, had earlier met with the Vice President in Banjul on 14 February where it expressed the OIC General Secretariat’s determination to support the Republic of The Gambia in its preparations leading to the next Islamic Summit.

During that meeting the Vice President expressed her country’s gratitude for having been selected to host the summit and briefed the delegation on efforts being and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) in Dakar in May 2018.

The Secretary General commended the President’s leadership pivotal role in stabilizing the sub region. He paid tribute to the Republic of Senegal for its prominent role in the OIC and active contribution in the promotion of joint Islamic action including the counter terrorism and violent extremism. He also updated him on the related to the forthcoming OIC Summit to be held in the Gambia next year.

President Sall on his part commended the

made by The Gambia to host a successful summit. Over the course of two days the OIC delegation conducted site visits to facilities that are being put in place for the summit, including the International Conference Centre under construction. Following the site visits, the delegation was invited to brief members of the Gambian Cabinet at their meeting held on 15 February 2018.

As part of the visit by the Secretary General and his accompanying delegation to the Gambia they had earlier met with the Foreign Minister Usseynou Darboe with whom he discussed OIC-Gambia bilateral cooperation and other developments including the fight against extremism and terrorism in the West African sub-region. leadership of the Secretary General and highlighted his commitment to revitalize the COMIAC to deal with the current challenges facing the Ummah. He also stressed the need to enhance intra-OIC cooperation, especially in the socioeconomic domain.

As part of the visit, the Secretary General and his accompanying delegation had earlier met with the Foreign Minister Mr. Sidiki Kaba with whom he discussed OICSenegal bilateral cooperation and issues affecting the region.

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OIC NEWS

A

OIC Delegation Reviews Progress of Muslims in Thailand

delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) visited Southern Thailand from 26th February to 3rd March 2018 as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of the visit was to assess the efforts of the Government to improve the situation Muslims in the country, in line with the implementation of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ resolutions.

The delegation included Ambassadors and Representatives from Bahrain, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey and the General Secretariat.

At the outset of the visit, the Deputy Foreign Minster received the delegation in Bangkok and expressed the strong and friendly relations of the Government of Thailand with the OIC. The Minister also expressed his deep appreciation to the OIC delegates for participating in the visit to Thailand. He further noted that as an Observer state, Thailand wished to maintain its positive relations with all OIC members and play an active role in the organization.

The Minister went on to highlight the situation of Muslims in the country and noted that Islam was officially recognized as one the state religions alongside Buddhism. The government officially supported Muslim institutions and Islamic centers across the country and in 2018 the $410 million will be spent on development in the Southern region. There are more than 3,000 mosques across Thailand and the capital Bangkok has more than 160.

The delegation subsequently embarked on a tour of the Southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala where they were able to meet and interact with local residents.

The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Head of the Government Representatives in Southern Thailand and Deputy Minister of Education to receive a comprehensive briefing on the efforts of the Government to improve the plight of Muslims in the region. It was noted that the government provides an annual subsidy for each student in school in the South to cover tuition, textbooks, educational accessories, uniforms and student development. The amounts for tuition and student development are paid directly to the schools.

The Secretary General of the Southern Border Provinces Adminis-

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trative Center (SBPAC) organized for the delegation wide-ranging and constructive meetings with key officials regarding the educational and social programs provided for communities in the South.

The delegation also discussed the ongoing peace process in the South and reiterated the position of the OIC to support all peaceful efforts that guaranteed the human rights of citizens and developed mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of all communities. The OIC delegation further welcomed the steps of the Government of Thailand, in cooperation with Malaysia, for the constructive dialogue with Muslim groups in order to develop a road map to resolve the existing problems in the South through dialogue. The delegation called upon authorities to continue to take measures that would improve the lives and livelihood of communities living under emergency law and to ensure that security measures are not disproportionately affecting Muslims in the region.

The delegation further reiterated the stance of the OIC that such dialogue should expand and be more inclusive so that all organizations and groups representing Muslims in Southern Thailand can participate.

While in the South the delegation also visited the Ban Sai Khao Village in Pattani’s Khok Pho district, where the 300-year-old Najmuddin mosque is located. This community serves as a model where Buddhists and Muslims worked together in joint farming initiative and lived together in harmony. The delegation then travelled to the north where they met with the diverse and multi-ethnic Muslim community of Chiang Mai. They visited the 170 year old Chang Klan Mosque and met with local Muslim civic leaders and merchants that had contributed to the success of the Thai economy.

Before departing the country the delegation was able to review with senior Thai officials the impressions of their visit. The OIC delegation welcomed the efforts by the authorities to provide for the Muslim community, particularly in the South and expressed the willingness of the organization to contribute to the process of confidence building, dialogue and economic development in the region through the support of OIC organs and agencies.

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OIC NEWS Nigerian and Afghan Ambassadors Present their Credentials to OIC Secretary General The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef AlOthaimeen, on 1 January 2018 in his office received the new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Isa Muhammadu Dodo, who presented his credentials as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the Organization.

Ambassador Dodo expressed his country’s appreciation for the Secretary General’s leadership to drive the Organization ahead, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the values upon which the OIC was founded and expressing strong resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation ties. He also requested the Secretary General’s support in the discharge of his duties as permanent representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the OIC. Congratulating Ambassador Dodo on his new assignment, Secretary General Othaimeen termed the bonds between the OIC

Ambassador of Nigeria

and Nigeria as outstanding, and commended the leading role Nigeria plays, as a very important Member State, in furthering peace and security in the region. He equally expressed solidarity with Nigeria and commitment by the OIC to work closely together with Nigeria on counterterrorism and other challenges.

The Secretary General also received at his office on January 14, 2018, Ambassador Mohammad Wali Naeemi, the new Perma-

nent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the OIC. The Secretary General and his guest discussed ways and means of strengthening Afghanistan-OIC bilateral relations and mutual cooperation. Ambassador Naeemi presented to the Secretary General his Letter of Credence accrediting him as the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the OIC and its organs. He also reiterated his country’s commitment to the OIC and its programs and activities and expressed his interest to work very closely with the General Secretariat.

Welcoming the new Permanent Representative, the Secretary General underlined the important role of Afghanistan, a founding Member of the OIC, in materializing the objectives of the Organization. Dr. Othaimeen assured the Ambassador of required support and assistance from the General Secretariat during his assignment as Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the OIC.

Al Othaimeen Receives Ambassador of Norway & France’s New Special Envoy to the OIC The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, received, at his office on January 2, Mr. Øyvind Stokke, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the Secretary-General and his guest had useful and extensive exchange of views on various issues of common concern. Dr. AlOthaimeen commended the role of Norway in conflict resolution and peace-building initiatives. He reiterated OIC’s interest to work closely with Norway on mutual issues for common benefits and further strengthening bilateral relations.

Consul General of France

On the other hand, Mr. Mostafa Mihraje, the new Consul General of France in Jeddah and the French Special Envoy to the OIC, presented, on January 10, to the Sec-

retary General, his Letter of Credence accrediting him as the Special Envoy of France to the OIC. During the discussion that took place after the presentation of Credentials, Mr. Mihraje reiterated the commitment of France to work closely with the General Secretariat on shared issues for mutual benefit of both sides.

Accepting his Letter of Credence, the Secretary General emphasized on identifying common issues and working together to strengthen bilateral relations. Dr. Al-Othaimeen assured the Special Envoy of OIC’s support and cooperation during his assignment with the OIC.

OIC Commemorates the 1992 Khojaly Massacre On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the commemoration of the massacre in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the 1992 atrocity.

The Secretary General reiterated that the Khojaly incident was a result of the illegal

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occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia. He referred to the Cairo Final Communiqué of the 12th Session of the Islamic Summit and resolutions adopted by previous sessions of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which considered the actions perpetrated against civilian Azerbaijani population in the occupied Azerbaijani territories

as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Secretary General further reiterated the OIC’s full support to the initiatives and efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to put an end to the occupation of its territories and to restore its territorial integrity.

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OIC NEWS King of Bahrain and the Foreign Minister Receive the OIC Secretary General

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

tions of Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture

of the Kingdom of Bahrain received the OIC

2018.

Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen

H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Moham-

at Al-Sukhair Palace on 28 January during

med Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Af-

HM’s reception of the guests to the celebra-

fairs also received the Secretary General on

28 January at his office.

Sheikh Khalifa commended the OIC and its vital roles in attempting to address the challenges encountered by the Muslim Ummah.

He also acclaimed its success in dealing with several issues. Moreover, he praised the conscious efforts exerted by the Secretary General to promote the OIC’s performance to achieve further development and welfare for Muslim nations and peoples. While wishing the OIC further progress and success, he reiterated Bahrain’s readiness to maintain continued participation and coordination with the OIC as it represents the Muslim Ummah in international fora.

On his part, the Secretary General expressed his thanks and appreciation to H.E. Shaikh Khalifa for the warm reception accorded to him and the accompanying delegation.

Both sides exchanged views on issues of common interest at the regional and international levels.

Al Othaimeen Receives Arab Parliament Speaker & Sudan State Foreign Minister The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef AlOthaimeen, received on 11 January 2018 in his office the Arab Parliament Speaker Dr. Meshal bin Fahm Al Sulami and his accompanying delegation. The two parties discussed the general situation in the region, particularly as regards support for the Palestinian cause. Dr. Al Sulami briefed Dr. Al-Othaimeen on the Parliament’s efforts in defending the rights of the Palestinians.

Talks also touched on bilateral relations, between the OIC and the Arab Parliament,

along with issues of common interest.

The Secretary General also met on 23 January 2015, in his office the Sudanese State Foreign Minister, Ambassador Atta al-Mannan Bakhit al-Hajj. They explored ways to boost bilateral relations and cooperation between Sudan and the OIC, with focus on joint implementation of the resolutions of the Islamic Summit and the Council of Foreign Ministers. The two parties also discussed preparations for the Secretary General’s anticipated visit to Sudan during which Dr Al-Othaimeen looks forward to

meeting President Al-Bashir and the Sudanese Foreign Minister.

Talks centered on the Organization’s work to promote Islamic solidarity and joint Islamic action, and on the preparations underway for the 45th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, due in May 2018 in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. The meeting also focused on recent developments regionally and worldwide, along with ways to foster cooperation between the OIC and other regional and international organizations.

OIC Secretary General Appoints New Envoy to Afghanistan The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen appointed Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali of Turkey as OIC’s new Permanent Representative in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali presented his Credentials to the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Kabul.

In the meeting where Foreign Ministry’s senior executives were also present, the

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan expressed his gratitude for the OIC’s long-

28 OIC Journal January - April 2018

standing support to peace efforts in the country.

Permanent Representative Ambassador Botsali reiterated the OIC’s firm commitment to peace, stability, reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. He conveyed the OIC Secretary General’s readiness to further enhance cooperation with the Afghan leadership and Government towards implementing mutually agreed projects and programs.

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OIC NEWS UAE and Lebanon Ambassadors Present their Credentials to OIC Secretary General The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef AlOthaimeen, on 4 February 2018 in his office received the Ambassador of the State of the United Emirates in Riyadh, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al-Nahyan, who presented his credentials as the UAE permanent delegate to the OIC. The Secretary General commended the supportive effort of the UAE in promoting Islamic solidarity, underlying its role in countering extremism and terrorism via its Sawab and Hedayah centres.

He also hailed the OIC-Hedayah Centre Agreement, concluded in Abu Dhabi, as a step in the right direction to achieve synergy of effort to eliminate extremism and terrorism.

For his part, the Emirati ambassador underlined the special importance his country ac-

cords to supporting the Organization and enlarging scope for joint Islamic action. He equally commended the Secretary General’s outstanding role and earnest work to serve the interests of the Muslim Ummah.

The Secretary General also received in his office on 18 March 2018, Mr. Fawzi Kabbarah, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lebanon to Riyadh, who presented his cre-

dentials as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lebanon to the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

During the meeting, the Secretary General praised the important role played by the Lebanese Republic in supporting solidarity among Islamic countries and developing the Islamic Joint Action. In addition, the recent developments of the situation in the region have also been reviewed. The Secretary General affirmed the Organization’s continued support for security, stability and development in Lebanon. For his part, Ambassador Kabbarah stressed the importance of preserving the unity of the Islamic world and his keenness to support the work of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in serving the Islamic Ummah.

Islamic Solidarity Fund Supports 85 Projects The Islamic Solidarity Fund, a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, announced that the aid provided by the Fund exceeded $ 6 million during 2017. An overall amount of $ 6 079 000 was spent on 85 projects, Executive Director Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Khuzayem said, explaining that the State of Palestine topped

the list of recipient countries, with over a million dollars.

This financial assistance is indicative of the importance the OIC accords, through the Islamic Solidarity Fund, to human development and capacity building for Muslims in social, economic, educational, cultural, health and various other fields, Mr. Al-Khu-

zayem pointed out.

For his part, the OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, hailed the efforts of the ISF team, asking the Member States to continue supporting the Fund and contributing to its financial resources for optimal discharge of its duties.

Meeting with African Group Ambassadors & UK Director of East Africa Department

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, met on 22 January 2018 in his office at the Jeddah-based General Secretariat the ambassadors of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Cameroon to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing the African

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group in the Organization.

As well as boosting cooperation between the OIC and its African group, talks centered on continuous consulting with the African Union on issues of shared interest.

The two sides also agreed on intensifying cooperation between the African group

and the General Secretariat on various issues of mutual concern.

For his part, Dr Al-Othaimeen stressed continued engagement by the OIC in security and peace building and economic development in the African continent.

On the other hand, the Secretary General also met on 22 January the Director of the East Africa Department of the British Embassy Julian Riley. The two parties explored areas of cooperation on Somalia and ways to boost political stability and economic development in the country.

Mr. Riley briefed Al-Othaimeen on the UK’s efforts to bring political and humanitarian stability in Somalia and in the region.

For his part, Dr Al-Othaimeen described the OIC’s efforts in helping achieve stability in Somalia and underlined its commitment to bring lasting peace, stability and development to the country.

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OIC NEWS Tunisian President Receives OIC Secretary General

H.E. Mr. Baji Qaid Sebsi, President of the Republic of Tunisia received in his office, on 3rd April 2018, Dr. Yousef A. Al Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). President Sebsi welcomed Dr. Al Othaimeen and praised the OIC’s efforts in the service of the causes of the Islamic Ummah, which is facing multiple challenges foremost of which the issues of terrorism, illegal emigration, and the difficulties faced by Muslim minorities in non-Islamic countries.

The OIC Secretary General, in turn, expressed his profound thanks to H.E. the President for the opportunity thus availed him to seek His Excellency’s insights and

President Sebsi evoked the OIC’s role in combating terrorism and noted that Tunisia paid particular interest to the fight against terrorism with all possible measures and with the participation of all its societal components. benefit from his longstanding experience in dealing with complex issues, and paid

tribute to the Tunisian experience and particularly for the role played by His Excellency in the national dialogue among the various political stakeholders.

Al Othaimeen also congratulated H.E. the President on Tunisia’s prompt reemergence and quick recovery of its political, economic and investment position. He also expressed thanks to Tunisia for its gracious acceptance to host the OIC’s Investment Conference scheduled for the end of 2018, which is expected to open broad investment opportunities for the private sector in the OIC Member States. In this connection, the Secretary General expressed satisfaction with the excellent relations between the OIC and Tunisia.

President Sebsi evoked the OIC’s role in combating terrorism and noted that Tunisia paid particular interest to the fight against terrorism with all possible measures and with the participation of all its societal components. In this respect, the OIC Secretary General expressed interest in observing the Tunisian experience. At the meeting’s conclusion, the Tunisian President stressed his country’s determination to keep up its active support for the OIC towards the achievement of the Islamic Ummah’s common objectives.

Special Envoy of Georgia to the OIC and Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan Present their Letters of Credence to the Secretary General The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, received in his office, on 1 March 2018, the Ambassador of Georgia in in Riyadh, H.E. Amb. George Janjgava, who presented his credentials as Georgia’s first special envoy to the OIC. Ambassador Janjgava expressed his country’s appreciation of the role of OIC in promoting peace, fostering inter-state relations and standing for its principled position on the various issues of common interest to humanity.

The Ambassador reaffirmed Georgia’s desire to further its relations with the organization and to explore possibilities of enhancing relations in political, economic and cultural domains.

The Secretary General appreciated and welcomed Georgia’s representation to the OIC, and congratulated the Ambassador in his new assignment, the first from Georgia to the OIC. He also expressed OIC’s desire to closely work with Georgia on matters of mutual interest.

The Secretary General also received in his office on 13 March 2018, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Riyadh, Amb. Shahin Abdulayev, who presented his credentials as Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to the OIC. Congratulating Ambassador Abdulayev on his new assignment, Secretary General Othaimeen termed the bonds between the OIC and Azerbaijan as outstanding, and commended the active role of the leader-

30 OIC Journal January - April 2018

ship of Azerbaijan in furthering OIC’s agenda. He also expressed OIC’s desire to work closely with Azerbaijan in promoting trade, tourism, culture, sports and youth affairs, among others, for the common benefit of all Member States.

Ambassador Abdulayev expressed his country’s appreciation of the role of OIC in promoting peace, fostering intra-OIC relations and standing for its principled position on the various issues of common interest to humanity.

The Ambassador reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to further its relations with the Organization and to explore possibilities of enhancing relations in political, economic and cultural domains.

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OIC NEWS OIC and Imam University Sign Cooperation Agreement

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University signed a memorandum of cooperation in the academic, training and research fields of common interest.

The signing ceremony took place on 11 March 2018 in the University’s headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed AlOthaimeen, and Dr. Sulaiman Abdullah Aba Al-Kheel, member of the Council of Senior Scholars, signed the memorandum of coop-

eration.

The main items of the agreement include joint efforts of the two parties to support Sawt Al-Hikmah ‘Voice of Wisdom’ Center in the General Secretariat as one of the OIC channels to combat deviant thought, extremism and Islamophobia. The two sides will organize exhibitions, seminars and specialized intellectual conferences in Islamic countries and the West to convey the true message of Islam based on solidarity, tolerance, openness, rejection of extremism, ex-

tremism, and violence and terrorism. They will also highlight the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one of the most prominent OIC Member States in this field.

The two sides also agreed to coordinate on grants for the students of the OIC Member States, implementation of joint projects in the fields of Islamic and economic studies and research, and promoting the status of Arabic language as one of the OIC three official languages and empowering its learners based on the experience of the University in this area.

It is noteworthy that this agreement comes within the framework of cooperation and partnership programs aimed at following up the implementation of the resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summit, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and sectoral ministerial meetings and in fulfillment of the objectives of the Tenyear Program of Action OIC-2025. The OIC General Secretariat is in the process of evaluating educational exchange programs to assist Member States in promoting knowledge and strengthening the bonds of communication and solidarity.

Al-Othaimeen Receives the Canadian Special Envoy, the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus and the Chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, received, at his office on 09 April 2018 Mr. Masud Husain, Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates the Special Envoy of Canada to the OIC. During the meeting, the Secretary General and his guest had a useful and extensive exchange of views on various issues of common concern including the Rohingya crisis, fighting Islamophobia and radicalization and promoting tolerance and peace. Dr. Al-Othaimeen commended Canada for its multiculturalism and diversity. He thanked the Ambassador for his country’s interest in the activities of the OIC. The Special Envoy reiterated his country’s keen interest to engage with the OIC on mutual issues. Both sides agreed to identify common issues and to consolidate bilateral relations through concrete cooperation.

On April 10 the Secretary General received,

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Ambassador of Canada

at his office today 2018, H. E. Prof. Dr. Kudret Özersay, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Cyprus and members of his delegation.

During the meeting, the Secretary General and the Minister focused on a wide range of issues pertaining to OIC-Northern Cyprus relations. During the meeting, the two sides also examined the ways of improving their bilateral relations in all areas.

The Secretary General suggested to the Minister increasing bilateral interactions

with OIC Member States and institutions to strengthen relations. He further reiterated OIC’s continued support for the rightful cause of the Muslim Turkish Cypriots who constitute an integral part of the Islamic world and for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus issue.

The Secretary General also received on April 10 the Chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and Former Prime Minister of Russia H.E Mr. Sergei Stepashin in his office.

During the meeting, both sides underlined the importance of promoting understanding, tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence among different communities of diverse religions, beliefs and cultures and encouraged dialogue among people of different civilizations.

The Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, founded in 1882 is a scholarly organization for the study of the Middle East.

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31

OPINION The First Steps in the Muslim World’s Political Forum

P Dr. Abdallah bin Mosa Altayer Director General of the Cabinet/Senior Advisor

This dual, though not impossible, task makes working at the OIC Secretariat a daily challenge.

Delivering to the task requires thinking outside the box, employing all possible tools for the OIC to perform faithfully, and commensurate to the trust and financial engagement of all the Member States

erhaps it was furthest from my mind that I would ever one day work for the Organization of Islamic Organization. More than another professional step forward in my career, joining the OIC is a crowning to my years of public service. Working for the OIC in Saudi Arabia - the center to which Muslims turn - offers a unique opportunity to serve all fellow Muslims.

No sooner had I reported to duty than I received several inquiries and comments exuding a great deal of optimism, support and farsightedness, which I found to be admirably befitting the standing and reputation the Secretariat and the Organization have built up over 50 years of existence. The OIC has been serving the will of 57 member countries, reconciling their varied and sometimes conflicting interests. The second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, the OIC has in its membership countries stretching from Indonesia in the east to Guyana in Latin America in the west. Rising up to a myriad of challenges over half a century is a success in itself. More than that, the OIC is credited as having actively contributed to coordinating policies among the Muslim countries, ensuring steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause, and placing the Al-Aqsa Mosque at the heart of the international community’s concern, giving equal attention to other issues of concern to the Muslim Ummah.

For me, every day at the OIC is a new learning experience in how to manage conflicts, and stimulate confidence that the OIC Member States will make headway in their drive for development in all areas of intellectual achievement, progress in their plans and counterterrorism efforts. What keeps me constantly motivated and enthusiastic is the keen interest of the Secretary General, Dr. Yousef AlOthaimeen, takes in placing the youth and their aspirations at the heart of the General Secretariat’s activity and endeavors, especially in the area of education.

Indeed, this goes hand in hand with the utmost attention His Excellency accords to the fight against terrorism as a constituent element of the global effort to counter extremism and terrorism. While involving the Member States and highlighting their efforts in this area, the OIC along with its organs is acting in association with non-Muslim countries, particularly in the West, to contain incitement to hatred of Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia has been mounting as a response to the terrorism acts wrongly attributed to Islam, but it has equally been feeding on populist policies nurturing ethnic and religious strife and inciting hatred against others in general, particularly Muslims.

This dual, though not impossible, task makes working at the OIC Secretariat a daily challenge. Delivering to the task requires thinking outside the box, employing all possible tools for the OIC to perform faithfully, and commensurate to the trust and financial engagement of all the Member States. And I affirm that the Secretariat team, led by the Secretary General, are certainly prepared to rise up to the challenge whatever the circumstances. The OIC General Secretariat is endowed with a wealth of experience and an extensive pool of expertise, combining the effort of people from different cultural and ethnic walks of life, working together under one roof toward the common objective of building a future full of hope and brighter prospects for the entire Muslim community.

While efforts are mobilized for the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC Member States in Bangladesh, I look forward to a qualitative dose of orientations and discussions, which will eventually lead to a new era to be inaugurated by Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers in Dhaka, not far from one of the tragedies staining humanity in the current century, namely the tragedy of the Rohingya.

There is no way the OIC and its General Secretariat could continue to achieve the objectives for which they were established but to embrace optimism, turn challenges into opportunities, overcome marginal differences and give precedence to purposes over differences in coping methods. This trend is bolstered by the wisdom of Islamic countries’ leaderships. The commitment of the host country - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - to keep the doors of the OIC wide open to all members without exception facilitates the work of the Secretary General and his team in achieving the objectives of the OIC. I will work hard to provide my colleagues with support, and I pray Almighty Allah to assist me in bringing a qualitative contribution to them, and to crown our efforts and endeavors with success, for indeed all success and guidance is from Allah.

32 OIC Journal January - April 2018

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HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS Al-Othaimeen Praises Royal Sponsorship for RIHF Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hailed the sponsorship by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, of Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF) under the theme “Humanitarian Action …

International Responsibility”. King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action (KSRELIEF) convened the First RIHF in the King Faisal Conference Hall in Riyadh on 26 February 2018.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, has long devoted his time and effort to the service of humanitarian and relief work,” Al-Othaimeen said, “based on his deep faith in his Islamic and humanitarian responsibilities.

He supports every effort to alleviate human

suffering in this world.”

“Humanitarian work and relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons because of wars, natural disasters and ethnic cleansing receive utmost attention and unlimited support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz. This emanates from their deep belief that Saudi Arabia is the heart of the Muslim World,” added the OIC Secretary General.

Al-Othaimeen valued the humanitarian efforts of KSRELIEF for the Yemeni people, Syrian refugees, Somali refugees and Rohingya refugees, and the continued and unlimited support of the Palestinians. “The Saudi humanitarian action system is an ex-

ample and a model for institutional giving based on scientific foundations and international standards of humanitarian organizations.”

At the end of his statement, the OIC Secretary General expressed his thanks to the Saudi leadership, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, for the generous support for Muslims and their issues at all humanitarian and political levels. He commended KSRELIEF, which has achieved a lot in a short time under the direction and guidance of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and his successful team.

It is noteworthy that KSRELIEF and the OIC work side by side in several joint humanitarian projects for the benefit of some Member States, such as Yemen and Somalia.

Capacity-building Program for the NGOs in the OIC Member States The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New York, in September 2016, in an effort to enhance the capacity of the Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in the OIC member States. The agreement aims to advance the engagement with the international humanitarian system in a manner that improves overall response and coordination to benefit people affected by humanitarian crises and disasters as well as implement the Organization’s policies and recommendations that have been decided by the Member States.

In line with the resolutions of the 42nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in the State of Kuwait from 27-28 May 2015, the program works to enhance the humanitarian cooperation between the OIC and other partners and humanitarian organizations including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It came also within the framework of implementation the OIC 2025 Program of Action, in an efficient and results-oriented way. In partnership with the USAID, U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the OIC has ensured the delivery of 14 workshops across Asia, Africa and the Arab regions for the benefit of 250 Nongovernmental

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Organizations over a two-year period. The training initiative, entitled “Building a Better Response,” which essentially aimed to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian workers from different NGOs. The initiative supported the move towards building local and national capacities, which was a key theme of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) held in Istanbul in May

The initiative supported the move towards building local and national capacities, which was a key theme of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) held in Istanbul in May 2016.

2016. Another outcome of the WHS was an agreement between more than 30 of the most significant donors and aid providers, which aimed to get more means into the hands of people in need and ensure greater direct funding for national and local responders (25% by 2020), and cutting bureaucracy through harmonized reporting requirements.

The program increased the recognition in the international humanitarian community of the vital role that local and national NGOs play in response to humanitarian emergencies. However, due to the complexities of funding and reporting procedures inherent in working with international donors and engaging in global coordination structures, many local and national NGOs face barriers in gaining the institutional knowledge that would enable them to meet many of the demands of an effective response to emergencies. In this regard, the OIC Member States played a vital role in the success of the capacity-building program in which 11 Member States have hosted 13 workshop.

The OIC welcomed enhanced humanitarian cooperation between the OIC and other partners and humanitarian organizations including ICRC, UNHCR, WFP, the African Union, the League of Arab States, USAID, the EU, SDC, the UK, Switzerland, Australia and other partners. Further welcomed the joining of the OIC General Secretariat to the Good Humanitarian initiative, which is an important vehicle for addressing humanitarian policy issues of interest to the OIC General Secretariat, its Member States, major donors and the humanitarian community at large. The OIC General Secretariat is currently consulting with USAID on future partnership for 2018 and 2019.

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HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS Employment Market Gives Hope to Syrian Refugees in Camps in Jordan

Al-Azraq camp (Jordan) (dpa): Ibtisam Mohammed moves from one table to another to register her name among those wishing to get a job in the first employment market organized in the Al-Azraq refugee camp in Jordan. Ibtisam, a mother of six, registered to work in textile factories looking to employ Syrian refugee women.

«I came to the camp three years ago, and throughout this period I only worked for one month,» said Ibtisam. «I worked in the cleaning operations inside the camp and got a total of 135 Jordanian dinars (about USD 190).»

Work inside Al-Azraq Camp is licensed but limited, putting pressure on aid organizations and Jordanian authorities to provide jobs for refugees outside the camp. Jordan currently hosts more than 650,000 registered Syrian refugees, more than 80 per cent of whom live on less than USD 3 a day.

As Ibtisam stood in line at another table, a man came to ask for a job, and when told the factory was looking for female workers only, he registered his wife›s name.

Twenty-four companies offering more than 850 vacancies available in industry, agriculture and services sectors participated in the employment exhibition.

Employers point out that nearly 600 job opportunities favor women›s employment applications, and the wages of the available job start at 220 Dinars per month up to 700 Dinars for those who have seven years› experience and appropriate job education.

Minimum wage limit in Jordan is 220 Dinars per month.

One employer in the market was looking

for farmers and received dozens of applications, «We will contact them and give them a probation period of a few days. Each applicant says she has experience in agriculture, which is why we need to test them first.»

This market comes after the opening of the first employment office recently in AlAzraq refugee camp, about 90 km east of Amman, Jordan, and hosts 35,000 Syrian refugees. The office has been operating for some time and has issued work permits for more than 8,600 refugees.

A report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that only 5 per cent of refugee women were issued work permits at the camp, making the increase in the share of women in the formal labor market a challenge.

«The Employment Office will be a lifechanging event for many refugees, and such initiatives are an important contribution to improving the lives of both refugees and their host communities,» said Alia Khatar-William, Assistant Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan. «This would bring stability to refugee families and support the local economy.»

The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UNHCR established the Employment Office in coordination with the Government of Jordan to facilitate access to formal employment opportunities for refugees living in camps throughout Jordan.

The office also aims to facilitate the movement of refugees from inside and outside the camp. If they are granted a travel per-

34 OIC Journal January - April 2018

mit, they may seek opportunities to work on their own, or seek assistance from the ILO office.

The Za›tari refugee camp northeast of Amman witnessed the establishment of an employment office in 2017 that organized more than 20 events in this office to allow the refugees to work.

Hani Khalifat, Secretary General of the Jordanian Ministry of Labor, said that since 2016, the Ministry issued some 90,000 work permits to Syrian refugees.

The new office opened in Al-Azraq refugee camp, comes within the framework of Jordan›s Comprehensive Agreement signed in 2016, under which Jordan pledged 200,000 jobs in an effort to attract more investments by «turning the Syrian refugee crisis into a development opportunity». The agreement has led to an increase in international aid to Jordan.

Abdul Jawad Jasim, 29, has just received a permit from the employment office of AlAzraq Camp to work in the construction field. He had previously worked in Amman without a permit, earning 25 Dinars a day.

«Having these papers makes it safer for me. Before that, we were subject to fines,» said Jasim, who left the southern suburbs of Aleppo and came to Al-Azraq Camp on his own.

To obtain the permit, each refugee must pay a subsidized amount of 10 Dinars. For construction workers such as Jasim, they have to receive insurance, which costs them another 45 Dinars.‬

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HUMAN RIGHTS Al-Othaimeen to Human Rights Council:

Racism & Islamophobia Threatens Achievements in Multiculturalism

T

he Human Rights Council held its thirty-seventh regular session from 26 February to 23 March 2018, during which it addressed a wide range of human rights issues with numerous human rights experts, working groups and investigative bodies. The Council adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of 14 States, and heard statements from 91 dignitaries during its high-level segment, including from the Heads of State of Austria, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mozambique and the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, in his address to the highlevel session of the 37th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 27 February 2018, stressed that more than 1.5 billion Muslims are waiting for the Council to speedily resolve a number of issues affecting the lives of millions of Muslims suffering from the most egregious violations of human rights.

He pointed out that the growing tide of racism in all its manifestations, such as xenophobia and Islamophobia, threatened to undermine the progress achieved over the past 70 years in the area of human rights and multiculturalism. “Right-wing populist ideologies feed on each other imposing a new reality that establishes discriminatory and polarizing tendencies that may lead to outlaw violence God forbid,” said Al-Othaimeen.

The Secretary General expressed the OIC’s concern over the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. He urged the Human Rights Council to continue to play its role in dealing with the suffering of the Palestinian

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people living under the yoke of the worst and longest occupation of modern times, and condemning the culprit.

Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC’s call for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute and the suffering of the Rohingya in Myanmar. He urged the Myanmar government to fully implement the Kofi Annan Committee recommendations and relevant UN resolutions and to guarantee the rights of its Rohingya residents, including their legitimate rights to nationality.

The Human Rights Council heard from 34

more than 1.5 billion Muslims are waiting for the Council to speedily resolve a number of issues affecting the lives of millions of Muslims suffering from the most egregious violations of human rights independent experts, including two commissions of inquiries - on Burundi and on Syria, the commission on South Sudan and the fact-finding mission in Myanmar, and heard the presentations of 95 reports addressing 35 themes and 50 country situations. The Council filled nine vacancies of Special Procedure mandate holders, and adopted 42 resolutions on a wide range of themes as well as on human rights situations in Syria, Myanmar, South Sudan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the oc-

cupied Palestinian territory, Mali, and Iran.

After holding an urgent debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Eastern Ghouta in Syria on 2 March, the Council adopted on 5 March, an orally revised resolution requesting the Commission of Inquiry on Syria to urgently conduct a comprehensive and independent inquiry and update the Council at its June session. In another resolution on the human rights situation in Syria adopted on 23 March, the Council extended for one year the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, and demanded the Commission to provide an oral update to the Council at its June session and written reports at the thirty-ninth and fortieth sessions.

In the context of technical assistance and capacity-building, the Council extended the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali, and requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office to present an oral update on the situation of human rights in Libya at its thirty-ninth session.

Under its agenda item on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, the Council adopted a resolution on human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan; an orally revised text on Israeli settlements; and a text on right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. In a resolution on human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Council urged Israel to refrain from holding criminal proceedings against Palestinian children in military courts.

OIC Journal

January - April 2018

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OPINION Human Security Operationalization for Rohingya Women within the UN Triple Nexus

I Amb. Aissata Kane Deputy OIC Permanent Delegation to the UN, Geneva

This participatory, sustained and dignified approach is what the Rohingya women were and are still dreaming for, either in the controlled areas or IDP camps inside their native lands, in their exile routes or in the refugees’ settlements, outside their home country

t is now a general consensus and concern to re-center the UN work on people and to call for a greater empowerment and resilience of vulnerable populations. This strategic orientation is not new to the work of the United Nations nor to other regional policy frameworks established to assist populations to face the effects of man-made or natural crises.

The Human Security approach was established in 1994 by the UNDP to provide a comprehensive response to people, confronted with fear and want, within the triple nexus of Development, Peace and Security and Human Rights.

In his 2005 report, “In a Larger Freedom”, the former UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan emphasized, in addition, an important dimension of the nexus: the dignity of people. He clearly highlighted the interconnectivity of the three dimensions as well as the intersectionality of rights in the Human Security framework.

Furthermore, the people-centered concept of the Human Security was entrenched in all approaches to underline the shift of the preoccupations, which are no more exclusively dedicated to the State’s security.

A more humanistic focus on people reminded us of the need to have a comprehensive return to what constitutes the essence of the State’s existence, its population.

In this regard, the orientation of the security evolved to incorporate the need to save life and restore dignity of women and men, and to allow them to “be free from want and from fear”. This shift on strategic goals of the political, humanitarian, development actors, as well as human rights advocators was meant to ensure maximum protection to people in need, in taking into account their culture, religion, socioeconomic conditions and life expectations.

This participatory, sustained and dignified approach is what the Rohingya women were and are still dreaming for, either in the controlled areas or IDP camps inside their native lands, in their exile routes or in the refugees’ settlements, outside their home country.

There is no need to recall here numerous well-documented human rights violations and abuses, physical and mental harassment and exactions women Rohingya have been going through since decades and that reached inhuman degree and scale during recent months.

The approach allows to measure the operationalization challenges of the Human Security concept to the Rohingya women and the real test case application of closely linked international agenda for prevention and protection.

As the Human Security “Protection and Empowerment” framework builds on the correlation of the topdown and bottom up approaches to address people centered vulnerabilities, it is important to identify institutional and legal means as well as confidence building measures to reach this goal.

As “empowerment” under this framework encapsulates strategies that build upon the capacities of affected communities to be ready to face identified threats and to strengthen their resilience and choices in inclusive and participatory manner, there is then an urgency to come up with adapted solutions. However, the reach of these inclusive responses, embedded on the enjoyment of both dignity and safety, is only a matter of the adoption of laws against women discrimination. It is rather a shift on women’s perception that “others” have in their capacity to shape their own route, and to engage in activities that “protect” them from the threatening dangers of life.

Therefore, the issue of the restoration of women’s rights within their family and communities, and more broadly at State level is to be addressed, knowing that social norms of women inferiority are still so heavily anchored in people’s mind and make them more vulnerable to threats. Here resides then the primary and real challenge to the operationalization of the Human Security dimensions for the Rohingya women, if not for all discriminated women in other parts of the world.

Finally, it is worth recalling that application of the Human Security concept to the Rohingya women should address the two sides of the same coin of each and every element of the triple nexus. The prevention side that supposes long-term approach to address discrimination and vulnerabilities, and the short term protective responses to threats that would give immediately and sustainably positive protective effects on the life of individuals and restore their dignity.

Without dignity, how can Rohingya women consider worth engaging again for restoring decent living conditions out of fear and want and continuing to trust the International community’s ability to empower them within a people centered approach and equality of rights framework?

36 OIC Journal January - April 2018

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Religion World Interfaith Harmony Week

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he Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) partook in the annual dialogue in commemoration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week held, February 9, 2018, in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, entitled “Advancing Peace through Interfaith Harmony”. It hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Geneva and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of Holy See, the Permanent Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta and the United Nations Christian Association.

The discussion focused on respective efforts and joint collaborations to address growing manifestations of intolerance and discrimination, which challenge interfaith harmony and international peace.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) statement delivered by Ambassador Aissata Kane, Deputy Permanent Observer of the OIC Observer Mission to the UN in Geneva, presented a detailed overview of OIC peace and conflict resolution architecture, specific projects and actions, and joint initiatives with relevant peace-building stakeholders, while emphasizing the fact that Islam promotes coexistence and respect of diversity.

The OIC 2015– 2025 Plan of action complemented this vision, by setting strategic goals to mainstream the role of the OIC in peaceful settlement of disputes and conflict prevention through preventive diplomacy, promotion of dialogue and mediation. In this regard, the OIC engaged itself, as key regional player, in the operationalization of these goals by establishing necessary functional peace mechanisms and tools for interfaith and intercultural harmony.

A Peace, Security and Conflicts Resolution Unit (PSCU) was established at the OIC General Secretariat. Thus, in recognition of its comparative advantage and position to contribute to peace through dialogue, the UN has offered to build an enhanced institutional partnership with OIC. As result, the OIC’s Peace Unit will integrate and join the UN’s Mediation Support Unit and partner in international community’s efforts for peace, conflict resolution and mediation, she said.

Amb. Kane asserted that the OIC has been

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at the forefront in combatting any kind of intolerance that leads to hatred, which in turn constitutes a driver of dramatic crisis in many regions.

In this regard, several recent projects on interfaith and intercultural dialogues were implemented in view to preventing unnecessary misunderstanding and damaging hatred among people from different backgrounds: A joint roundtable on interfaith dialogue was co-organized by OIC in Dakar, Senegal, in December 2017, with KAICIID and the Network for religious leaders and Traditional peacemakers (NETW) to strengthen the role of religious leaders in peace and reconciliation process in the Central African Republic. The objective of this event was to give a significant push on the implementation of the peace process. It provided the opportunity for Muslims and Christian religious leaders to identify collaborative and meaningful responses to the challenges to peace in this country.

A strategic workshop was co-organized

by OIC in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2017, as joint initiative with KAICIID, the interreligious council of Thailand (IRC), the Institute of human rights and peace Studies (IIHP) of Thailand, Mahidol University and Fatoni University. This event brought together a diversity of religious and civil society leaders, policy makers and government representatives to identify the challenges facing religious communities across South and Southeast Asia.

The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) held, in November 2017, a thematic debate on the “Importance of cultural diversity in the protection and promotion of human rights”. While welcoming the adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal, it recognized the respect for cultural diversity as an inte-

gral element for ensuring sustainable development of nations and cultures through inter-cultural understanding, global citizenship and shared responsibility.

In terms of outreach and the restoration of true image of Islam, misused and hijacked by radical and terrorist groups, Amb. Kane said that the OIC established Sawt Al-Hikma Center for Dialogue, Peace and Understanding at the OIC headquarters. The objective of the center is to use all available means and mechanisms, including the media and social networking to expose and deconstruct extremist discourse and reveal the intellectual and religious premises underlying this phenomenon. The Center is looking forward to coordinating with the United Nations Center for Counter-Terrorism and other specialized entities of Member States and beyond, to unify efforts and formulate joint counter-terrorism policies.

Meanwhile, the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission issued a statement on the occasion of Interfaith Harmony Week where it expressed its strong belief that cultural and religious diversity can serve as a soft power tool to share knowledge and bridge differences between nations and societies. To this end, IPHRC called upon the Media houses, in particular, regulators of Social Media, which have become powerful vectors for shaping the public opinion, to use their outreach and connectivity strengths positively for promoting mutual respect, accepting diversity and differences for building multicultural societies.

It called upon Member States to actively involve women, youth and religious leaders in promoting interfaith harmony that would lead to better understanding, wider acceptability and bringing lasting reconciliation and peace for sustainable development of societies where “no one is left behind”.

OIC Journal

January - April 2018

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Religion

Saudi Arabia Implements Massive Projects

Jeddah (UNA) – Saudi Arabia has implemented massive projects to serve the Two Holy Mosques as part of its a long-standing approach followed by the leadership of the Kingdom since the period of King Abdulaziz (May God have mercy on him) through his sons, Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahd and Abdullah until the period of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

These projects are noble works that the Land of the Two Holy Mosques adopts to serve Islam and Muslims, pays them the utmost attention and care and puts the construction and expansion of the Two Holy Mosques as well as taking care of them at the forefront of its attention, based on its deep belief that it has been honored with serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors from around the world.

The First Saudi Expansion of the Makkah Holy Mosque was implemented during the period of King Abdulaziz. It included the annexation of Masa’a to the Grand Mosque and the addition of floors that doubled the Grand Mosque total area with the basement. The Mataf (circumambulation area

around the Holy Kaaba) had also been expanded.

The Second Saudi Expansion of the Holy Mosque was carried out during the period of King Fahd. A block, which is interconnected and homogeneous with the Grand Mosque in terms of the architectural character, was added to the western side of the Mosque. The roof and the surrounding areas of the Mosque were arranged for the worshipers, bringing the total area of the Holy Mosque to accommodate 600,000 worshipers. King Fahd had also carried out the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. So, he added prayer spaces to increase its total area.

Unprecedented increase in number of pilgrims, visitors There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of visitors, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in recent years. With the development of means of transportation and the increase in number of worshipers, the Makkah Grand Mosque needed urgent expansion. Finding a solution to this issue became the focus of King Abdullah’s attention

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to expand the Masa’a area by four folds, making the largest expansion in the history of the Holy Mosque, to accommodate more than 1.6 million worshipers in normal circumstances and accommodate significant numbers of pilgrims and Umrah performers during the crowding seasons of Hajj and Umrah.

The Historic Expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah The historic expansion by King Abdullah was carried out in the northern side of the Holy Mosque. It included six main components, namely the expansion building; open courtyards; bridges; terraces; pedestrian corridors and the service buildings, including health centers, civil defense and hospital; as well as the central air conditioning and backup generating station. These components are integrated to create a comprehensive modern vision with the use of the latest equipment and techniques to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims and Umrah performers and their easy access to the Grand Mosque.

This expansion embraces King Abdullah

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Religion

to Serve the Two Holy Mosques and Pilgrims

Gate, above which rises a minaret bringing the total number the Haram minarets to 11.

The expansion was designed in a way to facilitate the smooth and safe movement of worshipers, in addition to being more secured for managing and unloading movement of crowds. It also includes a number of bridges connecting the northern terraces with the current building of the Holy Mosque, and penetrating the expansion building from all parts.

The plazas created between the expansion building and the northern terraces can accommodate a significant number of worshipers. The architectural system in the new northern plazas will be decorated with canopies which can rapidly be opened and closed to protect the worshipers from the sun and rain. The water cycles and public utilities located below the plazas are well-secured. There are also more distinctive plazas for worshipers on the roofs of the expansion building.

The Expansion Project of Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah The project to expand the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, its courtyards and the associated elements of the mega projects sponsored by the government of the Kingdom, comes within the projects of expansion of the Two Holy Mosques to ensure the pilgrims’ comfort with more facilities.

The expansion project includes the construction of 10 new minarets and implementation of an extension to the eastern part of the Prophet’s Mosque on an area of 100,000 square meters. It also includes the implementation of mobile and fixed glass domes that allow natural ventilation and lighting in a modern engineering system. This is in addition to the installation of

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escalators in some parts of the expansion building, the implementation of the second floor to accommodate 180,000 worshipers and the installation of elevators to serve the elderly and people with special needs, as well as the implementation of the extension building to the eastern part of the Prophet’s Mosque on an area of 82,000 square meters.

The project will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase accommodating more than 800,000 worshipers. In the second and third phases, the eastern and western plazas of the Prophet’s Mosque will be expanded to accommodate another 800,000 worshipers. The expansion will cover an area of 1,020,500 square meters, including the roofed buildings and plazas, which will surround the Prophet’s Mosque from all directions and accommodate 600,000, with the presence of gates on all sides of the Mosque.

This achievement of the expansion highlights King Salman’s keenness in serving Islam and Muslims through establishing mega development projects in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites and in serving the pilgrims who came from all over the world.

Developmental vision in expansion of Two Holy Mosques The development vision in the expansion of two Holy Mosques, includes the continuation of the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, the completion of the metro train network at holy places, housing projects and the tents of pilgrims, including the conclusion of expansion and establishment of big airports to receive pilgrims.

The Kingdom has also expanded its health services to pilgrims, which include hospitals and medical centers, providing information

and awareness services, nutrition, comprehensive and constant hygiene around the clock, with advanced sanitation services, tree planting and lighting in the holy sites.

Global vision for the Kingdom’s crowd management

The Kingdom earmarked throughout its history, an open budget for the facilities and services of the Two Holy Mosques and have not levied any fees from pilgrims.

Also, the Saudi experience in crowd management is a global experience as many countries are looking at how to benefit from it.

As the Kingdom reaches an advanced stage in managing these millions, it still puts efforts to enhance managing these crowds through tracks and electronic gates and the distribution of bracelets to pilgrims and the use of surveillance cameras as well as the continuous training of thousands of staff and security personnel and paramedics, in addition to efforts to coordinate the arrival of pilgrims with countries that send sometimes more than 10,000 persons at one time, and facilitate their stay and movement.

King Salman is keen to direct all the concerned agencies to redouble efforts and provide all facilities that assist the pilgrims, as well as to follow up the services given to the guests of God and its development personally, in addition to the careful follow-up by the Crown Prince and the efforts of officials, in order to provide the best services as well as ensuring security and safety for each person who comes to this blessed land. The Kingdom thus creating an overall impression to the whole world that the pilgrims in this country are in safe hands.

OIC Journal

January - April 2018

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T

Muharraq

he history of the Kingdom of Bahrain is traced back to the 3rd century B.C. Excavations point to possible settlement and civilization in the form of trade clusters in the islands of Bahrain, known then as Dilmun, which was the leading trader in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. The country is also referred to as “Tylos” and “Arados” in maps drawn by Ptolemy. The Islamic history of Bahrain began at 630 A.D/ 8-9 A.H. when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sent Abu AlAla’a Al-Hadrami to conquer Bahrain. This year marks a turning point in the history of the Bahraini society as it shifted from tem- city of Al-Hirah ablaze, etc. In any event, all porary settlement for trade to a permanent these narratives are evidence that the name one and the country was renamed Bahrain. “Muharraq” is history-steeped.

Arab Region’s Capital

of Islamic Culture 2018

Located in the east of Manama, the current capital of Bahrain, Muharraq is the second largest island in the country and is connected to the capital with three modern bridges. According to historical narratives, the Canaanites inhabited the shores of the Gulf and some of them settled in the Tarout and Arad Islands, renamed A’rad. Other narratives mention that Aradus Island used to produce cotton in 1st century B.C. Many communities populated the island in the past and each community named it differently, thus the various appellations of Muharraq.

These migration movements continued during the Islamic era throughout the successive Muslim dynasties that ruled Bahrain.

The Modern history of Muharraq begins with the advent of Al Khalifah dynasty led by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fateh at Bahrain Islands in 1783. After his death, his son Abdullah bin Ahmad Al-Fateh made Muharraq a capital for his country. Therefore, the year 1796 marks the establishment of Muharraq as the epicenter of political power. After many political conflicts in the Gulf, which culminated in the victory of Al Khalifah at the Battle of Khakeekera in 1810, Muharraq became an Historical accounts differ about the etymol- important political, trading and economic ogy of “Muharraq”. Some say the name was center. a title of the pre-Islamic Arab poet Imru’ alQais. Other accounts argue that Muharraq As many cities in the Gulf, Muharraq suf(from haraqa, “burn” in Arabic) was the title fered from the scourge of colonialism. of the Ghassanid kings who used to penal- However, it quickly regained its trade and ize their enemies by torching their homes. economic importance. More interestingly, The same title was also said to have been Muharraq still maintains a large portion of conferred on Al-Mundhir ibn al-Harith, the its historic and architectural landmarks more famous Ghassanid king, for having set the than other cities in the Gulf.

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Monuments in Muharraq: Siyadi House: is the house of Ahmed bin Jasmine Siyadi, a well-known pearl merchant in Bahrain in the 19th Century. It is one of the architectural landmarks of the “Pearling Trail, Testimony of an island economy” Project thanks to its beautiful architecture. Its special corners and curves make it a unique historical monument.

Siyadi Mosque: one of the historic mosques in Muharraq. It is part of Siyadi Complex built by the famous pearl merchant Ahmed bin Jasim Siyadi in the 19th Century.

Sheikh Isa bin Ali House: located in downtown Muharraq, the house was built by Sheikh Hassan bin Abdullah bin Ahmad AlFateh at the end of the 18th Century. The house is known for its large walls and small gates designed to shield it from heat in summer and freezing cold in winter.

Arad Castle: situated in westernmost Arad, the Castle is built in the architectural style of Islamic Castles prior to the Portuguese invasion of Bahrain in 1622. This square-shaped castle is one of the integrated defense forts in Bahrain.

Bu Maher Castle: in south of Bu Maher area.

It was built by Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al-Fateh following the victory of Al Khalifah in the Battle of Khakeekera in 1810.

Education Al-Hidayah Al-Khalifiyah, the first boys’ school in the Gulf, saw light in Muharraq in 1919. Khadija bint Khuwailid School, the first girls’ school also in the Gulf, was established in Muharraq in 1928. Muharraq, as other cities in Bahrain, is known to have an illiteracy rate lower than 2.5%.

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CULTURE Diving in Bahrain: Searching for Underwater Treasures

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anama (dpa): Adel Alnassar goes everyday on a fishing mission, however the fishing ground he goes to is deep in the sea.

To get there in the deep sea, Alnassar rides his little white boat while the waves hit its sides in the midst of the sound of boiling fuel in the boat’s engine.

Alnasser is one of the pearl hunters in Bahrain, and for years he dives looking for oysters which could contain shiny pearl balls.

Alnasser thinks that pearl hunters need abundance of luck.

“Besides that, you have to be able to bear heat of the sun as the temperature here could reach 50c.” he clarified.

His equipment for pearl hunting are mere gloves, a net, an empty plastic container, and diving glasses. The gloves are for the protection of his hands from sharp stones and shells.

Once Alnasser goes well enough in the middle of the sea, he stops his boat and jumps into water where he finds oysters on the sand underwater and each shell could contain one pearl. He collects big oysters and puts them in his net. He spends half an hour going in and out of the water.

When his clothes are completely wet, he goes up slowly to his boat, and throws the oysters in the boat and starts opening them with a knife.

Carefully, he pushes the shellfish to one side with a finger and with the thumb looking for pearls as they are sometimes very small and hard to find.

Alnassar spends only few minutes to open all the oysters.

Today, Alnassar found three little pearls but he is still happy with them.

“I cannot imagine doing any other job” he point out while throwing the oysters back in the sea - if it is not opened carefully enough they do not die.

Alnassar is one of the very few pearl hunters in the sea nowadays. He says he is not sure of how long he will continue doing this. “I need to feed my family,” he explained.

He wishes to continue selling what he hunts as long as he can to sustain himself; however, this trade is no longer profitable as it was in the past.

Only few years ago, the diver could ask for USD2400 for a pearl of the size of the small finger’s tip, but now divers get half of that amount.

The diver might spend months trying to find a big pearl, the work is exhausting and tourists also try pearl hunting.

The Bahraini Tourism Commission tries to take advantage of the country’s heritage of pearl diving to offer special tourism programs that include taking tourists on boats and allowing them to catch up to 60 oysters. As soon as they get back to seashore, they open the oysters and evaluate the pearls found in them.

The Tourism Commission says that tourists should be strong, patient and insightful besides having plenty of time.

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OIC Journal

January - April 2018

41

CULTURE Azerbaijan: an active proponent of Islamic solidarity

and the Muslim world’s candidate for World EXPO 2025

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Azerbaijan’s First Vice President

he end of each calendar year provides an opportunity for taking stock of what has been accomplished and what this year will be remembered for. In case of Azerbaijan, without any doubt, 2017 will go into history under the motto of Islamic Solidarity. Not only the Year 2017 has been formally declared by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev as the Year of Islamic Solidarity in Azerbaijan, but also the whole year was marked by a whole series of concrete deeds and actions that justified this dedication.

Azerbaijan has taken a number of actions in support of Islamic countries in the spirit of Islamic solidarity including political support and humanitarian assistance. The most recent example was the participation of President of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev in OIC extra-ordinary summit session on the issue of Al-Quds in Istanbul on 13 December 2017. Speaking at the summit held under the motto “Unified Action in Solidarity with Al-Quds” President Aliyev stated that the US decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to transfer the US embassy to this city runs counter to international law and UN Security Council resolutions”. Earlier this year, in July 2017, an international conference on the issue of Jerusalem was held in Azerbaijan with the

participation of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the United Nations Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs, the OIC, and various non-governmental and civil society organizations. The conference adopted a statement condemning the occupation of East Jerusalem and the restrictions imposed on believers performing their prayers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

On another case, Azerbaijan strongly condemned the crimes committed against Muslims,in particular, the facts of genocide perpetrated against the Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar earlier this year, and provided humanitarian aid of 100 tons of food to Rohingya refugees.

Azerbaijan has also contributed to the development of Islamic cooperation in the field of education. On 6 December 2017, President of Azerbaijan signed a decree on the establishment in 2018 of an educational scholarship program for citizens of OIC member-states as the country’s contribution to the OIC Educational Exchange program. Within the forthcoming five years a hundred students from brotherly Muslim countries will have an opportunity to study in the universities of Azerbaijan.

An international conference in Baku marking the fact that this year has been the

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Year of Islamic Solidarity was another contribution to strengthening cooperation and mutual support between the OIC member states.

The biggest event of the year in Azerbaijan was the country’s hosting of the 4th Games of Islamic Solidarity in May 2017. The choice of Azerbaijan as the Games’ venue was a sign of respect of Islamic countries towards Azerbaijan. At the same time, this was a tremendous responsibility well accomplished.

More than 3,000 athletes from some 50 Muslim countries and thousands of guests took part in this magnificent celebration of friendship and brotherhood. Most importantly, the Games proved to become a demonstration to the whole world that Islam is the religion of peace, mercy and equality.

In general, Azerbaijan has been an active member of the Islamic Ummah since joining the Organization of Islamic cooperation in 1991. During these years Azerbaijan has contributed to further development of OIC, ISESCO and other Islamic organizations, strengthening of Islamic Solidarity in the world and hosted in its capital Baku several high-level events of these organizations. Only in the last few years, the country hosted a number of OIC events including ministerial meetings of foreign affairs, culture, tourism, education and labor. At the initiative of Azerbaijan, the OIC Youth Forum and the Association of Journalists of OIC member-states have been established.

Next year the OIC Labor Center will be inaugurated in Baku.

The OIC, for its part, also provides Azerbaijan with great support, which the latter has always felt. The OIC has always demonstrated a fair position on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, calling for the resolution based on unconditional support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its internationally recognized borders.

OIC has always condemned unequivocally the armed aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan that resulted in the ongoing illegal occupation of twenty percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, forced displacement of more than one million of ethnic Azerbaijanis from their homes and inhuman

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CULTURE destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage including mosques, museums, architectural monuments, etc.

With the Islamic solidarity being the overarching theme in Azerbaijan in 2017 and the OIC-Azerbaijan relations being on the highest possible level, Azerbaijan, in its turn, hopes it can count on the support of the OIC member-states for its major bid of the year, i.e. the bid for hosting the World EXPO – the world biggest 6-month exhibition under the aegis of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions. The expectation of OIC support to Azerbaijan is only reinforced by the fact that Azerbaijan is the only Muslim state and OIC member among the three registered candidates for EXPO 2025, the other two being the Russian Federation (Yekaterinburg) and Japan (Osaka).

For two thousand years, the ancient Silk Road passed through modern-day Azerbaijan. Much like World Expos, it served as an important channel for sharing knowledge and skills. It shaped the history, culture and tolerant outlook of the country. Different ethnic groups and religions have been coexisting in Azerbaijan throughout centuries in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual respect. Ethnic and religious diversity and multiculturalism have been an integral part of Azerbaijan’s history and its today’s reality.

Today, Azerbaijan is recognized as one of the world’s centers of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue. On numerous occasions, Azerbaijan has created international platforms to promote better understanding between people of different cultures and religions that would allow us to address more efficiently many serious problems that

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the world faces today. World EXPO 2025 in Baku could be another such platform.

There are other objective arguments in support of Azerbaijan’s candidacy for EXPO 2025. The key two of them are the new EXPO venue or destination and the challenging and truly universal theme “Developing Human Capital, Building a Better Future”.

If selected, Baku will be a new destination for World Expo. It will enhance BIE’s Expo geography and will also be a strong encouragement for all other states that have never hosted EXPOs to try to compete and win in the future.

As for the theme, Azerbaijan offers the world an opportunity to explore the future of our humanity through the theme of Human Capital development. The sub-themes Azerbaijan proposed -Talent, Vitality and Achievement – refer directly to the future of education, health and work – and fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Human capital brings into debate the skills, experience and knowledge of people and the opportunities that lie ahead for individuals, nations and entire humanity. “At Baku Expo 2025, we believe it will be crucial to look beyond technology, and to focus on the people who power economies, communities and creativity – from leaders to ordinary citizens. We will put people… human capital – the world’s most powerful resource – at the centre of universal debate”, said Azerbaijan’s First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva addressing the reception devoted to Azerbaijan’s EXPO candidacy on 14 November 2017in Paris.

This theme also has a particular significance for Azerbaijan. Our history since the resto-

ration of independence back in 1991 provides an illustration of how foresight and careful policymaking can rapidly improve a nation’s human capital. Organization of the World EXPO 2025 in Baku will allow sharing to the world Azerbaijan’s story of rapid development. In 2015, Azerbaijan was awarded with the South-South Award for the improvement of the welfare of the population, diminishing the illiteracy and poverty as well as the actions taken in the successful implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Today Azerbaijan is ranked 35th among 137 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2017-2018 Global Competitiveness Index.

The potential host of World Expo 2025 – Baku – is a beautiful, comfortable and attractive destination. With its modern futuristic designs combined with beautiful ancient Azerbaijan architecture that formed within a rich culture, Baku’s beautiful buildings are truly a stunning sight.

Last but not least, in fact, last and most important, there is a wide-ranging government support for Baku Expo 2025. The entire government, including individual ministries, parliament as well as the local authorities where the Expo site will be located and civil society are fully behind the bid, and the Government is ready to allocate all the necessary funds for the EXPO site’s construction and operation.

Dmitri Kerkentzes, Deputy Secretary General of the BIE, on his working mission to Azerbaijan on 12 December 2017 said that “Baku as a truly international city has much to offer to the world”. Azerbaijan, in its turn, is hopeful that the OIC member-states will offer their support to Baku’s EXPO 2025 bid in the spirit of Islamic solidarity.

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Dialogue Deconstructing and Delegitimizing Extremist Narratives through Internet and Social Media

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yber platforms are increasingly being used by terrorist groups to spread hate messages and disseminate distorted and self-coined interpretations of the Holy Quran and Hadith; exploit socioeconomic frustrations of the Muslim youth; recruit and train terrorists; spread war propaganda and terrorist ideology; and incite people against their governments among other things.

Since legally and technically it is not always possible to censor all such activities on the internet, the only remedy to effectively counter this terrorist narrative is to use the same online communication and social media tools.

The penetrating ability of the ‘soft power’ and its leverage to engage the minds of the extremists has, therefore, emerged as an effective tool in the battle of ideas.

In this regard, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Centre for Dialogue, Peace and Understanding (CDPU) hosted a training workshop for its staff on delegitimizing and deconstructing the extremist narratives propagated by terrorist and extremist forces through internet and social media.

The three days course combined lectures, discussions, case studies, and group work.

It aims to equip the staff of the OIC Sawt Al Hikma and other concerned departments and institutions with requisite skills on identifying messaging, vision, target audience, and desired audience actions.

“Sawt Al-Hikmah got its mandate from the OIC which commits its Member States to promoting international peace and security, understanding and dialogue among

civilizations, cultures and religions and fostering noble Islamic values concerning moderation, tolerance and respect for diversity” said Ambassador Moiz Bokhari, who represented the Secretary General of the OIC Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen.

“We consider Sawt Al-Hikmah as part of the OIC’s contribution to the global war against terrorism,” he added.

The training was hosted in partnership with the Global Engagement Center (GEC), an interagency entity, housed at the US State Department, which is charged with coordinating U.S. counterterrorism messaging to foreign audiences.

The training builds on the momentum work of Sawt Al Hikmah, which started its operations in October 2016 to counter messaging and develop authentic narrative to delegitimize the extremist discourse and project the true message of Islam through the social media and the internet. The overall responsibility of the center is to plan and undertake activities that contribute in providing intellectual and ideological foundations for promoting respect for diversity, values of mod-

Since legally and technically it is not always possible to censor all such activities on the internet, the only remedy to effectively counter this terrorist narrative is to use the same online communication and social media tools.

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eration, tolerance, peaceful co-existence and building bridges with other cultures and civilizations.

Social Media Strategy The workshop offered an appropriate framework to update the skills necessary to advance the OIC social media platforms. It provided the guidelines of how to develop and implement a robust social media strategy that fosters trust and increases interest of the followers.

The OIC has a principled position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomsoever and wherever and rejects all attempts to attribute it to any country, race, religion, culture or nationality.

The OIC believes that violent extremism cannot be tackled by security or military means alone and that due attention, analysis and concrete plans of action must address the multifaceted dimensions of this phenomenon.

The establishment of the OIC Center for Dialogue, Peace and Understanding (CDPU) with Sawt Al-Hikma (the Voice of Wisdom) as its operational arm, is an important contribution by the OIC in the war against international terrorism and violent extremism. It works through internet and social media to delegitimize and deconstruct the extremist narratives propagated by terrorist and extremist forces.

Sawt Al-Hikma (The Voice of Wisdom) acts in support of the CDPU in counter messaging, developing authentic narrative to delegitimize the extremist discourse and projecting the true message of Islam through the social media and the internet. The overall responsibility to plan and undertake activities that contribute in providing intellectual and ideological foundations to the larger efforts for promoting respect for diversity, values of moderation, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and building bridges with Muslim communities in non-OIC states, rests with the CDPU. Such outreach efforts focuses on both generic and specific themes including concept of Jihad in Islam, Islamic guidelines during war, treatment of prisoners of war, Takfiri ideology, family values, societal behavior, protection for cultural diversity, Islamophobia, Media and Violence among others.

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ISLAMOPHOBIA

ISLAMOPHOBIA Anti-racist protesters rally as anti-immigrant sentiments surge in Italy

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acerata City, Italy (UNA-OIC) Much like in the rest of Europe, immigration and the European Union (EU) have become hot-button issues for most Italians.

Tensions exploded on February 23, 2017 when a man opened fire in public in the town of Macerata and seemed to only target African immigrants, wounding six but killing none. The 28-year-old suspect, Luca Traini had no prior criminal record but apparently was a candidate for the antimass immigration Northern League in the local election for the city of Corridonia last year, a race that he lost. Traini told police that he was out to avenge the death of 18-year-old Pamela Mastropietro, who was found brutally murdered and dismembered.

Protesters in Macerata denounced what they perceive to be the rising far right in Italy, shouting anti-racist and anti-fascist slogans. Some of them also claimed that unemployment has nothing to do with mass immigration and that the government is purely at fault for that.

“If there›s unemployment, blame the government, not the migrants,” protesters shouted.

“The political parties are using populism to create hate, terror, and division,” said Valentina Guiliodora, one of the protestors in Macerata.

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Immigration is an issue affecting the entire continent both criminally and politically.

Many European nations have seen a somewhat substantial rise in anti-immigration sentiment, a feeling that been rising ever since German Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to de facto open Europe›s borders to not only Syrian civil war evacuees and refugees, but also many people from Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, most of whom made their way to Europe via Turkey, Greece or Italy.

The role the EU has so far played in this crisis hasn›t been minor. The United Kingdom›s decision to leave the EU, for example, was largely driven by public opinion of not only non-EU but also intra-EU immigration, mainly from the eastern bloc, which has also been vehemently fighting the EU on the issue of immigration, not wanting to take any immigrants in.

More than half of Poland›s citizens, for example, would instead leave the EU than take in immigrants; the same goes for other countries in the Visegrád group, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

These anti-EU sentiments have spread in Italy just as they did in Greece a few years back. While concerns with the EU in Greece were largely based upon economic issues, Italians are suffering not only from economic but also migratory mismanagement

on behalf of the EU, which has given rise to Eurosceptics there as well as everywhere on the continent.

However, while most other member states have Eurosceptic parties on one side of the aisle and pro-EU parties on the other, most major and minor Italian parties have been very critical and other times outright hostile towards Brussels.

Three-time former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of the Forza Italia, has said that the 600,000 illegal immigrants in Italy are a “social time bomb.” He has instead proposed a “Marshall Plan” for Africa that would create jobs and dissuade immigrants from leaving their home countries.

Deborah Bergamini of the of Forza Italia has said that opposition parties cannot be allowed to ignore the issue, pointing to official data that showed that in the first seven months of 2017, 1,534 Italians and 904 illegals were charged with rape.

“Some 40 percent of rapes are being committed by foreigners who make up 8 percent of the population. You can›t sweep this under the carpet,” she said.

Unfathomably, despite having the fourth largest economy in Europe, Italy also has the fourth largest unemployment rate in the EU, at 11.2 percent, and the second biggest youth unemployment rate at a little over 40 percent, second to Greece.

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FAMILY

AFFAIRS

Al-Othaimeen: Our Priority is to Support Women across OIC Countries to Continue to Excel

Designates First OIC Goodwill Ambassador for ​​Women Empowerment

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Her Highness Princess Lalla Meryam of Morocco

ecretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, used the occasion of the 2018 International Women Day celebrated on 8 March, to stress the organization’s resolve under his leadership to promote women empowerment and highlight their role as key actors in the preservation of the values of family institutions and as key drivers of economic growth.

The Secretary General stressed that the International Women Day is of special importance for OIC, which makes it a priority to support the role of women in the development of society and to help them overcome difficulties and the challenges they face in achieving their rights.

Al-Othaimeen pointed out that the suffering experienced by women in many countries of the world results from instability due to wars and armed conflicts, in addition to marginalization, exclusion, and the inability of women to contribute effectively to decision-making. He called on Member States to further cooperation in order to enhance the participation of women in all fields, noting what has been achieved in some Member

States and underlined the need for more efforts to empower Muslim women in their societies.

The Secretary-General also noted that, despite these challenges, women have been able to balance their role in society, educational and social responsibilities and have made great personal achievements.

Dr. Al-Othaimeen congratulated the women all over the world, praising particularly those in the areas of conflict, crisis and war, especially women in the occupied Palestine, Syria, Yemen and other Member States and in the Rohingya camps. He called on the international community to intensify efforts in order to alleviate the suffering of women and children in those areas.

Goodwill Ambassador The Secretary General also used the 2018 International Women Day to announce the first OIC Goodwill Ambassador in the area of ​​women’s empowerment, the defense of the values ​​of the Marriage and Family Foundation, and the fight against the marriage of underage girls.

Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, handed Her Highness Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco,

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daughter to the late King Hassan II credentials designating her the first OIC Goodwill Ambassador, during his meeting with her on the sidelines of the international woman day celebration held in Marrakesh, kingdom of Morocco.

The Secretary General underlined that Princess Lalla Meryem has a substantial role in furthering the ideals and aims of the OIC and its Member States in the area of women empowerment and preserving family and marriage as well as supporting OIC endeavors in these domains.

Dr Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC continued efforts in the advancement of women and called on Member States that have not yet ratified the Statute of the Organization for the Advancement of Women to expedite the ratification process as a matter of priority and accelerate the empowerment of women and strengthen their capacities in Member States.

For the record, the designation of Her Highness Princess Lalla Meryem Goodwill Ambassador of the OIC, with the special mission to help promote women empowerment, advocate the values of family and marriage, and combat early marriage of girls, was by virtue of a resolution of the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 2016).

“SheCAN” To mark the International Women Day, The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) a specialized institution of the OIC also launched an initiative geared towards removing the barriers to women’s empowerment.

The new drive constitutes the IsDB’s renewed commitment to achieving women’s empowerment as enshrined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Bandar Hajjar, the President of IsDB Group launched the “SheCAN” Initiative in Tunisia at the occasion of International Women’s Day. The initiative calls for stepped up efforts and concerted global actions to enable women to realize their full potential, such as lack of access to basic services, resources and opportunities for economic advancement.

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FAMILY

AFFAIRS OIC Participates in UN Women Sessions

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delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Consultative Committee on Women, and the Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights (IPHRC) and the OIC Mission to the United Nations participated in the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN Women). The Session took place from 12 to 23 March 2018 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, entitled “Challenges and opportunities for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.

UN Women is a technical committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which develops global policies to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and makes recommendations on the promotion of women rights in the political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. UN Women also monitors, reviews and evaluates the progress made and problems faced by States and societies in achieving UN goals in the field.

In cooperation with the Republic of Turkey, Chair of the current session of the Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in Development in Member States, the OIC contributed to holding a high-level meeting to discuss issues related to the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees, especially women and girls. It focused on the means to enable them to obtain their rights and meet their needs. The attendance of the meeting included H.E. Fatima Betül Sayan Kaya, Minister of Family and Social Policy of the Republic of Turkey, Amb. Agshin Mehdiyev, the OIC Permanent Representative to the UN, members of the Consultative Committee on Women, specialists, experts, representatives of relevant UN agencies and a large number of civil society organizations and OIC Member States in New York. The meeting called on the international community to take specific steps to address humanitarian crises resulting from migration and asylum.

The OIC also cooperated with the International Islamic Relief Organization to hold a session on the empowerment of rural women and the promotion of gender justice in the Muslim World. Amb. Naela Gabr from Egypt, Dr. Aisha Al-Yashafi from Saudi

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Arabia and the representative of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Saida Mbamba of Uganda, Eman Sandra Bertek, in charge of gender policies in the World Relief Organization, and Dr. Mohamed Nasri, Director of the Regional Office of UN Women for the Arab Region were among the speakers.

The most important objectives of the meeting was to highlight the achievements and challenges of the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW), promoting gender equity, exchanging experiences among institutions concerned with the empowerment of women, and strengthening cooperation with civil society organizations.

The OIC delegation met with many international organizations and delegations of the OIC Member States. On 13 March 2018, Ms. Laura Londén, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), met with members of the OIC Women Consultative Committee to know more about the Committee and study ways of cooperation with the OIC in areas of

The most important objectives of the meeting was to highlight the achievements and challenges of the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW)

common interest The two sides discussed means of cooperation and partnership between the OIC and UNFPA in the field of mental health care for women and children in areas of conflict and war, especially in Yemen and Syria and in the Rohingya camps. They also reviewed ways to strengthen the capacity of religious leadership towards population and development issues to reduce maternal and child mortality rate in the OIC Member States.

The members of the Consultative Committee expressed the OIC readiness to cooperate with the UNFPA either through the General Secretariat or through its relevant bodies, especially the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and within the framework of the Ministerial Conference on Women. The Committee also suggested that UNFPA work towards the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) from a family perspective and indicated that the Ministerial Conference on Family, hosted by Saudi Arabia in February 2017, called upon Member States to do so. The Committee indicated that it expected the UNFPA to work towards the inclusion of a separate SDG on family within the SDGs upon their review. For her part, the UNFPA Deputy Executive Director expressed her willingness to cooperate with the OIC to achieve these goals and to provide the necessary data on motherhood and childhood in Member States. The two sides agreed to work towards holding joint workshops in the mentioned fields.

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AFFAIRS

Al-Othaimeen: We will spare no Effort in Protecting the Children in the Islamic World

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mid difficult circumstances and turbulent situations witnessed in many member states of the Organistion of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the number of children victims of conflicts and lack of peace, security and stability is continuously growing. There has been a noticeable rise in the forms and methods of violence to which children are subjected to, particularly the Palestinian, Syrian, Yemeni, Somalian and Rohingya children. Cognizant of this development, the Secretary General of the OIC Dr. Yousef Ibn Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, called for urgent action to end their suffering. He stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of the Organization’s plans to safeguard the rights of children.

The Secretary General address the issue of the suffering of the children in a statement to the Fifth Islamic Conference of Ministers in Charge of Childhood, held at the headquarters of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 21 and 22 February 2018 under the slogan “Towards a Safe Childhood”. Ambassador Hesham Youssef, Assistant Secretary General for Cultural, Family and Humanitarian Affairs of the Organization, delivered the address on his behalf.

Al-Othaimeen noted that in recent times, some States were affected by the actions of the treacherous terrorist militias, as hundreds of children were thrown into battlefronts by the Houthi militias, and hundreds more were forced by the Boko Haram ter-

rorist group to carry out suicide bombings in north-eastern Nigeria and Cameroon, “not to forget the abduction by Boko Haram of hundreds of girls from a Nigerian school “.

On the other hand, the Secretary General thanked the Government and the people of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco, for the gracious hospitality and for the efforts exerted in support of the joint Islamic action. He also extended his thanks to ISESCO Director General His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and ISESCO’s Working Group for their tireless efforts to promote cultural, scientific and educational, affairs, including the issues related to the challenges faced by children in the Islamic The Fifth Islamic Conference of Ministers in Charge of was organized by ISESCO in cooperation with the Ministry of Family, Solidarity, Equality and Social Development in the Kingdom of Morocco, and coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The agenda of the conference featured the presentation of the Report of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) on the State of Children in OIC Member States, and Statements and Reports of Heads of Delegation of Participating Member States and Regional and International Organizations. At its close, the Conference adopted the Rabat Declaration.

The conference also adopted key resolutions

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on child protection against violence and its necessary mechanisms and approved various related reports.

The Conference commended the efforts sustained by all Member States, since their accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to promote children’s issues and secure their best interest and rights to survival, development and protection from different forms of violence.

The ministers invited Member States to reinforce these efforts by developing national action plans on countering all forms of violence against children in different settings, while guided by the relevant international, regional and national instruments. They also hailed the efforts of civil society organizations in supporting Member States’ governmental institutions in drafting and implementing policies and programs of childhood promotion and protection from the various forms of violence.

Further, the Conference condemned the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territories; denounced all forms of violence and abuse targeting children; and called on international organizations and bodies to expose and counter these practices.

Similarly, the Conference denounced the heinous crimes against Syrian children in Eastern Ghouta and condemned the inhuman and brutal practices against the Rohingya children by the Myanmar authorities, calling for their return with their families to their country and preservation of their rights and dignity. The conference also denounced the brutal practices against the children of India-occupied Kashmir and children in the Armenia-occupied Azerbaijani NagornoKarabakh region.

In addition, the Conference stressed the key role of families in caring for children and shielding them against violence, and the measures necessary for upholding and supporting the family institution as a child-care provider. The meeting called for protecting children from all forms of violence, especially violence against children in servicedelivery institutions including schools, care centers, residential homes and safe institutions, and violence exercised against them by armed groups.

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AFFAIRS OIC Youth Strategy Would

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Empower Youths in Member States to Face Challenges

he OIC General Secretariat, in coordination with the Republic of Turkey, Chair of the current session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM) and the ICYF-DC, organized a meeting of Intergovernmental Experts Group to finalize the draft OIC Youth Strategy at the OIC Headquarters on 8-9 January 2018.

Twenty-nine delegations representing OIC Member States, as well as representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, subsidiary organs, specialized institutions and affiliated organizations active in the field of Youth participated in the meeting.

The 3rd session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM), held in Istanbul on 5-7 October 2016 took note of the OIC Youth Strategy prepared by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) as an initial draft and requested Member States to submit their inputs to allow the 3rd ICYSM Chair to call for an Intergovernmental Experts Group Meeting to finalize the Strategy.

After receiving numerous observations from a number of Member States on the document, the OIC Youth Strategy was redrafted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), in partnership with the OIC General Secretariat and the ICYF-DC. In his statement during the Intergovernmental Experts Group meeting, Ambassador Hesham Youssef, the OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs expressed deep appreciation to SESRIC, the ICYF-DC, and ISESCO for their positive contribution and effort in preparing the draft Strategy.

Ambassador Youssef pointed out that there are around half a billion-youth living in the Islamic World and this impressive demographic advantage should be harnessed for change and development in Member States.

He also expressed his hope that the adoption and implementation of the OIC Youth Strategy would contribute to the efforts to empower youth and may ensure a better future for them in view of the ever-increasing

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challenges they are facing. He underlined that considering the generational gaps between young and adults, the OIC Strategy should take into account the new approaches, ways of life and way of thinking of young people with a view to facing their challenges and meeting their concerns.

On his part, Salih Mutlu Şen, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey as Chair of the 3rd session of the ICYM called on member states to strengthen the role of the OIC institutions active in field of youth such as the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in the domain of Sports and ICYFDC in youth related issues as well as the role entrusted to the OIC General Secretariat in coordinating the follow-up mechanism of the OIC decisions. He expressed his wishes for every success to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, host of the 4th session of the ICYM to be held in Baku in 2018 and reiterated his hope that the Strategy will be finalized and adopted by the Ministers of Youth and Sports in Baku.

Ambassador, Elshad Iskandarov, the President of ICYF-DC made a presentation on the initiatives undertaken by his institution as part of the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the 3rd Islamic Conference for Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM) held in 2016 in Istanbul. He requested the col-

laboration and participation of all Member States and OIC institutions with a view to showing a strong and common position of the Islamic Word towards the Palestinian Cause.

Mr. Mohammed S. Al Garnas, the Secretary General of (ISSF) expressed thanks to the parties that have participated to the development of the OIC Youth Strategy stating that main aim of the strategy is to meet the urgent requirement of empowering Youth in order to face the ever-increasing challenges regarding peace, security, solidarity and dialogue.

Dr. Cim Tin Tin, Researcher at SESRIC made a presentation on the OIC Youth Strategy, which is composed of nine main fields of priorities, which were identified to reveal major challenges and come up with policy-options. They are Education, Youth Employment, Social Inclusion, Youth and Extremism, Entrepreneurship, Health Services, Marriage and Early Marriage, Youth Engagement and Civil Society, New Social Challenges and Globalization.

The participants at the meeting discussed the whole document and most of the delegations expressed thanks to the OIC General Secretariat as well as to the institutions that have taken part in drafting of the document.

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FAMILY

AFFAIRS Workshop for the Preparation of the OIC

Draft Strategy to Empower Marriage and Family Institution

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n 29-30 March 2018, the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Organization (OIC) organized in cooperation with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, a workshop to prepare the OIC Draft Strategy for the Empowerment of Marriage and Family Institution in the Muslim World. This step is in implementation of the resolutions issued by the first Ministerial Conference on Marriage and Family Institution and Preservation of its Values, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in February 2017.

In its three sessions, the meeting discussed the “OIC Strategic Framework to Empower Marriage and Family Institution” prepared by the International Islamic University in Malaysia (IUM) and the “Sudan Initiative for the Family Strategy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation”. It also reviewed the study prepared by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission on “Gender identity in the light of Islamic interpretations and the international human rights framework.”

Representatives of some Member States of the Ministerial Committee of the First Ministerial Conference on Marriage and Family Institution and Preservation of its

Values and some participating institutions presented a series of papers. Ms. Haila bint Muhammad Al-Mukarish from the Council for Family Affairs in Saudi Arabia presented a paper on national policies and trends that aim at strengthening the capacity of marriage and family institution and maintaining its values and status in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Sakina El-Yabouri, Head of the Family and Elderly Section of the Ministry of Family, Solidarity, Equality and Social Development in Morocco, presented a paper on Morocco’s efforts to strengthen and empower the family.

Ms. Magit Ndiawar Diak of the Ministry of Women, Family and Gender in the Republic of Senegal presented a paper on the economic challenges of the marriage and family institution of Senegal. Dr. Neslihan Cevik of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) presented a paper on safeguarding the values of marriage and family institution in the Muslim World. Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Alim Abdel-Latif from the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) presented a paper on Islamic policies, efforts and orientations aimed at strengthening the capacity of marriage and family institution and preserving its values and empow-

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erment, which highlighted the meaning of marriage and family and their importance in Islamic consideration. It also highlighted the IIFA efforts and some proposals to support the institution of marriage and family.

The participants agreed to re-categorize the OIC Strategic Framework to Empower Marriage and Family Institution and to develop the main themes of the OIC Draft Strategy project to Empower Marriage and Family Institution in the Muslim World. The themes included the challenges facing marriage and family the institution in the Muslim World divided into major and secondary challenges, which include conceptual, moral, cultural, economic, social, educational and health issues, the problem of interactions between generations, family disintegration, issues related to refugee and migrant families, rising divorce rate, extremism and domestic violence and others The themes included ways to address the challenges faced by marriage and family institution in the Muslim World, the means of confrontation, and the opportunities available to Member States to cope with the challenges and their suitability, through curricula, how to invest the media, and work towards achieving sustainable development goals from a family perspective. They also covered the role of NGOs and civil society organizations in strengthening the capacity of the marriage and family institution.

The themes also included building partnerships and alliances to address the current challenges by intensifying efforts with regional organizations that agree with the OIC in views and positions in the field, especially the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union, Islamic organizations in non-Muslim countries and other international organizations. They also highlighted the need to activate coordination and cooperation with the leaders of the divine religions who agree with the Muslim World in the field of enabling the preservation of the values of the marriage and family institution.

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MEDIA

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OIC Stresses Vital Role of Media in Refuting Islamophobic and Extremist Discourse at IBRAF Conference

he Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stressed the vital role of media in refuting Islamophobic and extremist discourse, noting that there must be a united stand against all forms of terrorism and manifestations of Islamopobia, which threaten world peace and societal fabrics of nations This came during the International Conference on the theme of “Media for World Harmony – Role of Media in Combating Terrorism & Islamophobia” held prior to the Sixth Annual Meeting of the OIC Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities Forum (IBRAF) respectively on 19 and 20 February 2018 in Cotonou, capital city of the Republic of Benin. The conference was organized

by IBRAF in cooperation with Benin High Authority of Audiovisual Communication.

Twenty-one (21) IBRAF member and nonmember national broadcasting regulatory authorities participated in these two events, including six new authorities whose applications for membership were accepted during the Annual Meeting. The new members accepted are Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Mali, Cameroon, Guinea, and Ghana, which was accepted as observer member.

H.E. Mr. Joseph Djogbenou, Minister of Justice and Relations with Institutions, who represented the President of Benin, inaugurated the International Conference on Media for World Harmony and IBRAF’s Annual Meeting. In his welcoming statement, the Minister thanked the delegates for their participation in these events, which discuss important media and broadcasting regulatory issues.

The Moroccan High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HAAC), the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission and Benin High Authority of Audiovisual Communication also made presentations on the theme of the Conference.

The OIC General Secretariat highlighted major media programs, including the specialized workshops, held by the Information Department in coordination with OIC institutions during last year to face up Islamohpobia and Terrorism. The new major tasks to be undertaken by IBRAF as requested by the tenth session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, and which

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are for IBRAF to serve as an Audio-visual observatory for the OIC and to prepare a code of conduct with legislations and legal procedures for the media to counter terrorism were also emphasized during these events. Broadcasting regulatory authorities were urged to support IBRAF in carrying out these two tasks for the benefit of OIC member countries.

The Sixth Annual Meeting reviewed the 2017 report of IBRAF Permanent Secretariat and report of the term-presidency of the Fifth Annual Meeting, which was convened in Bandung, Indonesia, on 21-23 February 2017. Representatives of IBRAF member institutions made presentations on their countries’ progress reports covering 2017 and their institutions’ projects, achievements and plans.

The participants had a discussion session on the theme of “Rapidly Changing Technology and Consistency of Broadcasting Legislation.” They exchanged views and experiences on how their respective broadcasting regulatory authorities catch up with technological advancements and keep consistent with legislations pertaining to broadcasting regulation. In this regard, the OIC General Secretariat outlined media advancements adopted by the Organization and achievements made through social media networks to achieve more visibility and outreach for the Organization.

The new term-President of IBRAF and President of Benin High Authority of Audiovisual Communication Mr. Adam Boni Tessi and IBRAF Secretary General, Dr. Hamit Ersoy, co-chaired the Sixth Annual Meeting, which discussed and adopted minor amendments to IBRAF Charter. The amendments included

changing the designation of IBRAF Secretary General to be called IBRAF Director General in order to be in conformity with other OIC institutions; and consideration of the new tasks entrusted to IBRAF by ministers of information to serve as audiovisual observatory to the OIC and to prepare a code of conduct with legislations and legal procedures for the media to counter terrorism.

The meeting discussed proposals for the main theme of the next annual meeting, nomination for the next term-presidency, and adopted the Cotonou Declaration on the Al-Quds. The Declaration called on IBRAF members to act in cooperation and coordination to defend the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds in the field of audio-visual media; to advise broadcasting regulatory authorities to ensure broadcasters under their authority to use a sensitive audio-visual language while making programmes about Al-Quds; to recommend public service broadcasters to publish reports, produce programmes and documentaries on AlQuds, and to continue monitoring developments of the Palestinian cause; and finally to encourage broadcasters for providing space in media to underline the great importance of protecting the multi-cultural and multireligious character of Al-Quds for establishing peace and stability in the region and in the world as a whole.

Worth mentioning that IBRAF is an affiliate institution of the OIC and is headquartered in Ankara, Republic of Turkey. The Forum endeavors to meet the need for increasing cooperation among OIC Member States’ Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities against the backdrop of digitalization and convergence.

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51

MEDIA

Celebrating Radio in the Age of Social Media Cairo, (UNA-OIC) - The world celebrated the International Radio Day on 13 February, an event that celebrates the vital role played by the medium. The date was chosen in conjunction with the anniversary of the launch of the United Nations Radio in 1946.

The idea of celebrating this day was presented by the Spanish Academy of Radio and was officially submitted by the Permanent Delegation of Spain to UNESCO at the 187th Session of the Executive Council in September 2011 and was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 3 November 2011, with the General Assembly approving it in December 2012. Thus it became a day to be celebrated by all United Nations agencies, funds, programs and partners, and it was supported by various radio agencies.

On the occasion, the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA-OIC) interviewed Dr. Lamia Mahmoud, president of Egyptian Radio Sawt Al-Arab (Voice of the Arab).

Sawt Al-Arab was established on July 4, 1953. It was one of the first and most prominent Egyptian transnational Arabiclanguage radio services. It became known to many Arabs and non-alike, as the primary medium through which former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser spread his speeches on Arab unity and revolutions across the Arab world.

Dr. Lamia said the International Radio Day in the current age is an opportunity to appreciate the radio by recognizing its importance, especially after many doubted it would continue to exist expecting it to loose its place

President of Sawt Al Arab

after the appearance of television.

“Radio is an enjoyable medium that connects the public with information, culture, and entertainment, and makes the listener interactive with it because it entices the imagination,” she said.

Asked about the threats of the boom in social media to the traditional radio, she stressed that radio is able to withstand the presence of social media and that radio is the best medium of conventional media to face the advances of technology. But she noted that the radio must adapt and harness social media to its benefit in order to achieve a broader geographical spread and reach a greater audience.

She underlined that while the glamor of

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television is attractive to the public, as the dazzle of the motion picture may give it a visual pleasure, it requires the person to give it full attention, unlike the radio, which can be followed while doing other tasks.

“Television also makes the receiver passive, because it gives him all the details, unlike the radio that makes the participants indulge in completing the image by drawing it in their minds.”

Speaking on the features of a radio broadcaster, Dr. Lamia said that they must have good mastery of the language and culture, great charisma, the ability to recall information, as well as the ability to improvise when needed.

“The radio host must have presence and wit and ability to recall information quickly, which requires continuous reading and update on issues as well as having the technological tools and the know-how of suing them to perform well,” she said. She stressed on the need to modernize the studios and provide training to broadcasters.

Dr. Lamia urged all Arabic and Islamic broadcasting agencies to cooperate and to hold workshops between them in order to discuss methods of tackling important issues, such as combatting terrorism, Islamophobia, and advocating the true image of Islam.

She pointed out that radio is very effective and efficient in reaching the public with important messages and information because it is cheaper than other mediums, but the way the message is presented has to be attractive to the listener.

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Education 30 Years of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)

Achievements and Prospects

3

0 years ago, on February 10th, 1988, history was made when Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) opened its doors to 80 pioneer students in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. This was a realization of the vision of the founders of the Organization of Islamic Conference, now Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), who at their 1974 Summit Meeting in Lahore, Pakistan decided to establish Universities in Uganda and Niger, in order to redress the colonial legacies and their negative impact on Muslims in Africa.

The 30th anniversary celebration of IUIU was celebrated on February 10th 2018 to highlight the incredible growth and development of the University as a major institution of higher learning in Uganda and the region.

Over 25,000 graduates in various disciplines have been produced at IUIU; many of these graduates are employed in public and the private sectors and some of them are in key positions, as members of Parliaments, Ministers, senior officers in the Civil service in Uganda and other African countries. Others have joined the academia and with postgraduate degrees are now occupying key positions at IUIU and other Universities in East Africa. Many public and private employers in Uganda prefer IUIU graduates because of their discipline and ethical behavior, thanks to IUIU’s Islamic value-based

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education that stresses both skill and character development.

IUIU now has seven faculties, having started with two faculties: Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language and Faculty of Education. The others are: Faculty of Management Studies, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Faculty of Law, and the newest Faculty of Health Sciences.

The student population has grown from the pioneer 80 students to the current over 8500 students. From the original campus in Mbale at a former secondary school, IUIU now boasts of four campuses with the addition of Kampala Campus, Arua Campus, and Females Campus (the only female campus in the region). From the original two programs offered in 1988, IUIU now offers over 70 programs at Certificate, Diploma, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees.

In 2013 the IUIU Habib Medical School started training medical doctors and the pioneer doctors are due to graduate in 2019.

In the research area, IUIU staff have increased their publications in the past few years. IUIU is also publishing two journals, and it is planning that all the seven faculties will each be publishing a Faculty Journal.

As part of its service function, IUIU has carried out community service activities including medical camps for hernia and cataract surgeries in collaboration with the Doctors World Wide of Turkey; immunization cam-

paigns in collaboration with Ministry of Health; Da’wa activities with local mosques and communities; workshops and training of staff in Muslim founded primary and secondary schools in collaboration with the Uganda Muslim Teachers Association (UMTA) among others.

To commemorate its 30th anniversary and celebrate the above accomplishments, IUIU carried out several activities and events culminating in the main anniversary celebration on Saturday February 10th 2018 at the main grounds of the Main Campus in Mbale. His Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi was the Chief Guest. Other invited guests were OIC General Secretariat and institutions, Uganda Government officials, IUIU alumni and parents as well as IUIU local and international friends and well-wishers. Around 2000 guests attended the celebrations.

The above accomplishments have only been possible with the consistent support of IUIU’s benefactors and friends. The OIC Secretariat, the Uganda Government, OIC affiliates, especially the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other OIC countries including Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Malaysia and Islamic NGOs in Uganda have contributed a lot to IUIU in various forms.

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January - April 2018

53

ECONOMY Al-Othaimeen: Family-friendly Tourism

Attracts 173.4 million Tourists to Islamic Countries

T

he steady growth in the intra-OIC tourism took center stage as Ministers of Tourism from member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) converged on Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh for the 10th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM) on 6 February 2018.

In his address to the conference, the Secretary General of the OIC, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, stated that one of the main factors behind the positive change in intraOIC tourism is the introduction of Islamic tourism, also known as family-friendly tourism, in which all tourism activities, services, facilities and products are designed and served in line with the principles of Islam and the traditions of Islamic countries. He said that the OIC countries attracted 173.4 million tourists in 2015 compared with 160.6 million in 2011.

The Secretary General delivered the address during the opening of the Conference tagged “Session of Reinforcing Regional through Tourism” in the presence of Her Excellency the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikha Hassina, and ministers of tourism from the OIC member states.

Al-Othaimeen stated that the adoption of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development and Promotion of Islamic Tourism and the Study on Muslim-Friendly Tourism Branding in the Global Market, are of special importance for the further development of Islamic tourism in Member States. This move will give an additional impetus for increased cooperation in the area of tourism and the rejuvenation of national economies.

During the session, H.E. Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the OIC Secretary General, presented his report to the Ministers of Tourism on the implementation of the OIC Framework for Development and Cooperation in the field of Tourism in terms of promoting Islamic tourism, celebratory activities of Islamic tourism capitals, promotional tourism activities, organizing tourist exhibitions, establishing tourism portal, tourism capacity building programs, tourism publications, tourism statistics and studies.

The ICTM also discussed the development of Islamic cultural and heritage tourism, the strategic roadmap for the development and promotion of Islamic tourism, and a study on branding Muslim-friendly tourism in the global market. The participants reviewed the progress in tourism infrastructure proj-

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ects, such as the Regional Project for Sustainable Tourism Development in a Network of Cross Border Parks and Protected Areas in West Africa.

The ICTM addressed the challenges faced by the OIC on the successful organization of various tourism fairs and the development of a joint strategy for the successful organization of Islamic tourism exhibitions.

The Session selected the two Islamic tourism capitals of 2019 and 2020 in line with the mechanism and the selection criteria adopted and review the annual celebration of the capital of Islamic tourism and programs to facilitate the mass and diverse celebration of this yearlong event.

The Conference therefore endorsed the election of the city of Dhaka in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as the Capital of Islamic Tourism for the year 2019, and the city of Gabala in the Republic of Azerbaijan as the Capital of Islamic Tourism for the year 2020.

The Conference called for planning Islamic tourism fairs on the margin of Islamic conferences of tourism ministers with full participation and involvement of private sector institutions and SMEs in OIC member countries.

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ECONOMY The Conference welcomed the selection by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) of the city of Al-Quds as capital of Islamic Youth for 2018.

Agenda items for the conference featured Cultural and Heritage Tourism Development in the Muslim World, Strategic Roadmap for Islamic Tourism Promotion, Islamic Tourism Branding in the Global Market, and Progress on Tourism Infrastructure Projects, which include Regional Project for Sustainable Tourism Development in Cross-border Parks and Protected Areas in Western Africa.

Also discussed was the development of a joint strategy to ensure successful staging of Islamic tourism fairs.

Dhaka Declaration At the end of the conference, the Tenth Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers issued Dhaka Declaration which recognized the important role of tourism for intercultural exchanges, preservation, conservation and popularization of Islamic tourism and Islamic historical and cultural heritage, promotion of better knowledge and mutual understanding among civilizations, as well as the overall improvement of the image of Islam.

The declaration added the conference was pleased to note the steady growth of intraOIC tourism as indicated in the number of OIC tourist arrivals, which averaged 34.8 percent of the total OIC international tourist arrivals in 2013, including the growing popularization of Islamic tourism brand.

The ministers reiterated the relevance of sustainable tourism to the actualization of OIC poverty eradication strategies and poli-

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cies and as a potential contributor to sustainable development.

The tourism ministers welcome the launching of Madinah Al Munawwarah as OIC City of Tourism 2017, held in Madinah on 18 February 2017, and expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its efforts in facilitating the successful launch of the various activities aimed at promoting intra-OIC tourism within the awardee city.

The Tourism Ministers therefore commend the Secretary General for his detailed Progress Report on the implementation of ICTM resolutions as well as the Framework for Development and Cooperation in the Domain of Tourism among Member States.

The meeting reviewed extensively the recommendations contained in the Strategic Roadmap for Development of Islamic Tourism in OIC Member States, presented

by SESRIC, and approved the recommendations, which will guide future activities aimed at promoting Islamic tourism as a global business brand.

The conference also reviewed the various findings of the Study on Muslim Friendly Tourism Branding in the Global Market, presented by ICDT, and endorsed major recommendations with a request to the Secretary General to submit appropriate implementable modalities thereon.

The Ministers of tourism welcome the proposal to establish an institute in Bangladesh as part of the capacity building for skill development and certification of tourism stakeholders among the member states.

The Islamic University of Technology (IUT) would prepare a comprehensive concept

document to be submitted to the ministers in an upcoming session.

The 10th ICTM welcome the proposal of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the 3rd OIC Tourism Fair in 2018 and welcome the offer of the Islamic Republic of Iran to host the 4th OIC Tourism Fair in 2019.

In order to galvanize tourism activities in the selected OIC City of Tourism, the conference requested the OIC Secretary General to ensure that commemoration of OIC City of Tourism includes two major activities namely, cultural/Arts/Heritage Festival and Development of One Tourism Infrastructure Project.

The Dhaka declaration called on Member States, IDB Group and other funding institutions, bilateral and multilateral development assistance bodies, enterprises and institutions of the private sector and concerned OIC institutions to actively participate in the Second Donors’ Conference to be organized in 2018 in a bid to mobilize resources for the implementation of the Regional Project on Sustainable Tourism Development in a Network of Cross-Border Parks and Protected Areas in West Africa.

The conference welcome the Muslim Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (MYFDC)’s election of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as Muslim Your Capital for the year 2018.

The Ministers expressed their profound gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for its warm reception, generous hospitality and the excellent arrangements, which contributed to the successful conclusion of the 10th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers.

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ECONOMY Developing a Common Strategy for

Manpower Development in OIC Member States

I

n recognition of the significant role of employment in promoting people’s wellbeing and economic growth, the Fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers (ICLM), of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in Jeddah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 21 and 22 February 2018, to promote job creation and address the economic and social consequences of unemployment, underemployment and preventing social exclusion among the OIC member states.

In his address to the Conference, the Secretary General of the Dr. Yousef Ibn Ahmed Al-Othaimeen confirmed the Organization’s eagerness to assist job seekers in Member States, stressing that choice of the theme “Developing a Common Strategy for Manpower Development” for the Conference, reflects the attention given to developing personal and organizational skills, knowledge and skills and facilitating access to the labour market.

The Secretary General thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the session, which demonstrates the attention given by the Saudi authorities, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, May God protect them, to promoting all issues likely to elevate Islam and Muslims and defend their legitimate causes, as well as their

continued support for the Organization as the host State.

Dr. Yousef Ibn Ahmed Al-Othaimeen stated that the Organization developed three legal frameworks in order to harmonize standards and practices in the labour field among OIC Member States: Draft OIC Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangement of Skilled Workforce; Draft OIC Standard Bilateral Agreement on Exchange of Manpower; and the Draft OIC Labour Market Strategy.

Al-Othaimeen therefore called for the implementation of the Executive Program for the OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labor, Employment and Social Protection, which includes the development of a database of migrant workers, the setting up of an OIC Labour and Professional Training Observatory, the creation of a job market information unit, and the provision of legal protection for employees as well as the development of a labour market legislation.

On the other hand, the Secretary General urged the Member States to expedite the signing and ratification of the Statute of OIC Labor Center, the most recent specialized institution of the Organization, to be based in Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ministers and Heads of Delegation from 43 OIC Member States, 3 Observer-Countries, 3 OIC institutions, 3 regional and international organizations participated at the

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Conference.

In his opening address, H.E. Mr. Ali bin Nasser Al Ghafees, Minister of Labor and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirmed Saudi Arabia’s strong support in advancing intra-OIC cooperation in the domain of labour, employment and social protection.

A host of participating Ministers and Heads of Delegation addressed the Conference on their national experiences on improving employability, increasing productivity, welfare and social protection of workers, skills development and training systems, occupational safety and health, youth and women employment, employing people with disabilities, and movement of workers within OIC member states, among others.

The Conference welcomed the gracious offer of the Government of the United Arab Emirates to host the Fifth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers in 2020.

The ministers unanimously adopted the Resolution on the Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection among the OIC Member States, and Jeddah Declaration.

The Resolution on the Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, stressed that the ministers were conscious of the fact that unemployment, especially among youth, remains one of the serious challenges for developmental efforts of many OIC member states. The resolution also noted that the causes of unemployment in many OIC member states are attributed to shortage of job opportunities, skills mismatch, low productivity, macroeconomic instability, seasonality of jobs, disconnect between the demands of employers and the output of education systems, among others. The ministers in their resolution also recognized that young people in most OIC member states continue to lack access to basic social services and decent work opportunities and therefore recognized that creating more quality jobs is an indispensable factor for strong, sustainable and balanced growth, and a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development in OIC

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ECONOMY member states.

The ministers of labour stressed that unemployment and underemployment are the ultimate causes of radicalization of youth in Afghanistan and other OIC member states, they reaffirmed the importance of public and private investment, well-functioning skill systems, as well as programs for promoting better employment opportunities in order to address unemployment. The ministers also stressed that the OIC member states feature countries that export labour force and countries that receive foreign labour force, and the need for a safe, orderly and regular labour migration within the OIC member states.

The ministers approved the provisions of the OIC Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) of Skilled Workforce aimed at facilitating intra-OIC skilled labour mobility and urged member states to enter into bilateral or multilateral negotiations on sectoral MRAs. They also approved the provisions of the OIC Standard Bilateral Agreement on Exchange of Manpower aimed at facilitating admission and movement of workforce within OIC member states, and urged member states to proceed expeditiously with its execution on bilateral basis.

They also welcome the OIC Labour Market Strategy, which outlines the priority areas of intra-OIC-cooperation on labour, employment and social issues, and to this end, encourages member states to take necessary measures to implement the Strategy in a holistic and efficient manner The ministers invited member states to intensify efforts to implement Executive Program of the OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, with particular reference to development of programs on occupational health safety and health at workplace; establishment of an OIC Labour and Professional Training Observatory; legal protection for employees and labour market legislations; social security protection for workers; and exchange of knowledge and best practices on labour issues.

The OIC Ministers of Labour affirmed the resolution adopted by the Third Session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers on Turkey’s proposal to establish an OIC Occupational Safety and Health Center in Ankara in the framework of the proposed OIC Labour Center. They reiterated continued support for the Palestinian people par-

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ticularly its workers, especially in the fields of training and rehabilitation and support for the employment and social protection fund. They equally urged member states to follow-up the annual report of the Director General of International Labour Organization (ILO) on Palestinian workers and to create executive mechanisms to help in stopping aggression by Israel, the occupation authority, against Palestinian workers.

The ICLM specifically called on OIC member states, which have not done so, to sign and ratify the Statute of OIC Labour Centre to be headquartered in Baku, Azerbaijan, at their earliest convenience in order to enable early take-off of the Centre. They expressed appreciation to the Government of Azerbaijan for facilitating the early take-off of the Secretariat of OIC Labour Centre within the process of consolidating the approved organs of the new OIC specialized institution, upon the provisional entry into force of the Statute of OIC Labour Centre.

In their Jeddah Declaration, the Ministers of Labour renewed their commitment to implement a comprehensive strategy, including policies to facilitate transition from school to work, strengthen quality employment and apprenticeship opportunities as well as action to improve employability, equal opportunities and entrepreneurship. They expressed concern about the unemployment rate in OIC Member States, which reached

the average of 7.4% in 2016, considerably higher than the world average, with youth and women being more affected by unemployment. In this regard, they agreed to strengthen their efforts on creating productive and quality employment opportunities for all that will make the greatest contribution to reducing unemployment and increasing people’s welfare.

Ministers and Heads of Delegation expressed deep appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his continued support and high patronage of the Conference. They also expressed their gratitude to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to the delegates and for the excellent arrangements made to ensure the success of the Conference.

They also welcome the offer of the Government of United Arab Emirates to host the Fifth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers (ICLM) in 2020, and requests the Secretary General to consult with relevant authorities of the United Arab Emirates on the date and other arrangements thereto.

The Conference also commended the OIC Secretary General H.E. Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen for his dedicated efforts towards the realization of the objectives of the Conference.

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ECONOMY The Islamic Development Bank Launches

$500m Innovation Fund to Fuel Economic Growth in Developing World

T

he Transform Fund is a multimillion-dollar fund set to tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges through the power of science, technology and innovation announced by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) – one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks and a specialized organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The fund is a new $500M to support science, technology and innovation initiatives that will tackle development challenges around the globe.

The Transform Fund will work in line with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, accelerating progress towards achieving greater food security, healthier lives, inclusive and equitable education, sustainable management of water and sanitation, access to affordable and clean energy, and sustainable industrialization across the developing world.

The Transform Fund will provide seed money for start-ups and SMEs to develop their ideas and facilitate the commercialization of technology among the IsDB’s member countries, many of which are developing nations.

Innovators, scientists, SMEs private companies, NGOs, Governments and academic institutions are all eligible to apply for funding from Transform via its website.

Transform will run in tandem with IsDB’s new online hub, ENGAGE which is designed to connect innovators in the world’s developing communities with market opportunities and funding.

Speaking at the launch event for the fund, which took place during IsDB Group’s Annual General Meeting held from 01 – 05 April 2018 in Tunis, Republic of Tunisia, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank said: “The Islamic Development Bank understands that people living in the developing world need more than just grant funding. They need sustainable solutions to help them build their own way out of poverty. At the same time, we do need to offer access to the resources they need to realize their goals and change the world. That is why we have launched Transform. We know that real financial support in the science and technology sectors is needed in order to drive inclusive and sustainable development. Transform will ensure our members have access to a vital flow of financing facilities to help finance innovative ideas linked to real development solutions.”

In his statement to the Annual General Meeting of the IsDB, OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen expressed his happiness with the various items on the agenda of the meeting which are very relevant to intraOIC developmental activities in such critical sectors as infrastructure development, human capacity building, promotion of the private sector, technological advancement and innovation, as well as socio-cultural rejuvenation, among others.

Trade Preferential System The OIC Secretary General noted that the balance sheet of “our socio-economic activities has continued to indicate a favourable outcome in terms of economic growth and development of the financial services sector, notably Islamic finance.”

“The total gross domestic product of OIC countries, expressed in current $US and based on purchasing power parity, has constantly increased from US$17.1 trillion in 2015 to US$18.3 trillion in 2016. Similarly, the global Islamic financial services industry also increased from US$2.14 trillion in 2015 to US$2.29 trillion in 2016,” said Al-Othaimeen.

“On the flip side, the need to address the infrastructure decay in many

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ECONOMY of our countries as well as deepening integration in the productive sectors of our economies has necessitated the elaboration of OIC Infrastructure Development and Regional Integration Policy,” he added.

The OIC Secretary general therefore, stressed that, there is no doubt that various components of the policy, to which the management of IDB Group has closely partnered with other OIC institutions, are aimed at increasing intra-OIC cooperation in such sectors as: transportation; energy; industry; agriculture; trade; and telecommunication and postal services.

Al-Othaimeen however observed that, in spite of OIC efforts towards increasing intra-OIC trade through its tariff reduction policy known as OIC Trade Preferential System as well as the robust trade financing incentives provided under the relevant IDB Group activities, intra-OIC trade, which had steadily improved from US$ 205 billion in 2004 to US$ 802 billion in 2014, has now began to slow down due to non-diversification of OIC economies, which continue to be basically mono-cultural.

Nevertheless, the Secretary General noted that, “as we move into the validation phase of this policy, it is gladdening to note the progress made in developing suitable institutional framework for the early implementation of the policy.”

In this regard, the Islamic Organization for Food Security in Astana, Kazakhstan, which Statute was approved at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Conakry, Guinea in 2013, has entered into force on 19 February 2018, having completed its ratification process.

Similarly, Strategic Roadmap for Development of Islamic Tourism as well as OIC Labour Market Strategy will provide the much-required enabling environment for tourism development and promotion of youth employment in OIC member states.

He therefore commended the copious support of the IDB Group in this regard.

Global Report on Islamic Finance The IsDB Group and the World Bank Group also jointly launched the second edition of the Global Report on Islamic Finance, which highlights the potential of Islamic finance in mobilizing resources to meet long-term financing needs for sustainable development.

The report – entitled, “The Role of Islamic Finance in Financing Long-Term Invest-

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ments” – was unveiled by IsDB Group President Dr. Bandar Hajjar during the 13th IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance, held on the sidelines of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the IsDB Group in Tunis, Tunisia.

The report presents a global perspective on the need for long-term investments in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and proposes the use of Islamic finance, which is based on risk sharing rather than risk transfer, towards overcoming the challenge of underfunding.

In a speech during the launch of the report, Dr. Hajjar said Islamic finance has an important role in mobilizing resources for longterm investments to achieve sustainable development.

Resources mobilized by traditional development partners, including governments and multilateral development institutions, for long-term financing of development remain insufficient.

Among the major reasons for this, according to the report, are the over-allocation of savings to short-term and medium-term instruments, excessive leveraging, and incentives for risk transfer.

The report finds that risk-sharing finance can play a key role in mobilizing funds to long-term investments, and provides examples of the ways that Islamic finance can be utilized to release the potential of longterm financing that advances social, environmental, and economic goals.

Despite the huge potential in Islamic finance, the report notes that the Islamic financial sector is a small player in the global financial markets and requires a concerted push for the regulatory and legal changes to take root.

The biennial Global Report on Islamic Finance is a joint initiative of the Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI) of the IDB Group and the World Bank. The first edition of the report was released in 2016.

Youth Unemployment IsDB Group also displayed its commitment to the youth development, during the first side event at the 43rd Annual Meeting in Tunis.

During the first session of the side event of the 7th IsDB Youth Forum, practical solu-

tions and steps for the youth development were identified.

The event provided a significant opportunity for participants to have constructive and meaningful discussions with experts and well established young entrepreneurs.

The youth received practical and innovative business ideas from the experts. The event panel comprises renowned and well-established academicians, politicians and entrepreneurs who stressed on the unemployment issues and the challenges youth are facing in the IsDB member countries.

Role of social entrepreneurship was advocated as an alternative solution to tackle unemployment. The panel also a shone spotlight on the importance of public-private partnerships,

characteristics of the suitable entrepreneurial ecosystem for youth and the role of IsDB in partnership development.

Dr. Hayat Sindi, Science and Technology advisor to the IsDB President, opened the session by stressing the role of women in science and society.

At the end of the session, Vice President Dr. Mansur Muhtar distributed prizes among three projects on behalf of the IsDB president.

The first prize of USD 5000 was awarded to Instapower, the second prize of USD 3000 was given to Podosave and the third one of USD 2000 was granted to Artisanteam.

The Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group) holds an annual meeting to discuss development issues and institutional matters.

The meeting attracts over than 1,000 participants and offers an ideal platform for decision makers to discuss challenges and explore opportunities facing IsDB Group member countries.

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59

ECONOMY Reasons of Difficulty and High Prices of Air Travel between African Countries

Addis Ababa (dpa): Whoever wants to travel from the Nigerian capital Abuja to the Kenyan capital Nairobi has to stop for transit in Dubai! Those who plan to travel from Algeria to Cameroon may need to stop in Istanbul first, and to reach their destination more economically from the Moroccan capital Rabat to the Guinean capital Accra, they may need to stop at least twice in two European cities.

Air travel across Africa is difficult, complicated, expensive and nerve-racking.

The problem lies mainly in the constraints imposed by domestic markets. Planning for air travel within Africa means trying to break through protectionist policies, without hope of achieving anything. Experts warn of losing everything. Technically speaking, Rafael Kuuchi, the Vice President of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for Africa, said, “Some countries in the continent cannot allow carrying out flights because their take-off airstrips are still incomplete.”

Contrary to what is in force in Europe, there are no agreements in Africa to unify airspace, and thus only airlines of the same continent can cross the airspace of neighboring countries in the case of bilateral agreements that allow that. It is inconceivable that routes of flights between two countries of the same continent include change or transit in third countries outside it. “We cannot offer cheap flights like Irish / Ryanair on its European routes between

Spain and Greece,” says Ethiopian Airlines Director, Tewolde GebreMariam. ‬However, this situation should now change thanks to the recently launched Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative (http://dpaq.de/qhJ4r) reached in Addis Ababa. Although the African Union countries attempt through this initiative to create a unified airspace, there are strong doubts about whether the countries of the continent really want to activate this initiative.

About 20 years ago, 44 ​​African countries agreed to liberalize their markets through the Yamoussoukro Agreement but there was nothing achieved on the ground so far. In fact, the African Union needs a lot of tools and resources to be able to activate the new initiative successfully.

However, Africa has strong air transport components, including the promising growth of many economies of the continent recently, the boom of many of its cities, and the high standard of living of the middle class in many of its communities.

According to the IATA estimates (http:// dpaq.de/nYpzt), by 2036 more than a quarter of a billion people will be added to the continent’s users of air travel across the continent.

It is noteworthy that African airlines do not improve their benefit of this improvement in the economic situation in many countries of the continent. GebreMariam says that only 20% of passengers travel within the countries of the continent on national air-

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lines while the rest are using airlines from outside the continent.

“Unifying airspace would facilitate flights across the continent,» said a study conducted by InterVISTAS Consulting Group commissioned by IATA. «If only 12 of the continent major countries open their markets, this could lower ticket prices at least 35% and five million Africans will be able to travel by air freely.»

African airlines are currently in a very bad situation, with 1.61 USD loss per passenger in 2016, compared to a rise in European and US airlines› profits to USD 8.86 and 18.10 per passenger, according to IATA reports.

Ethiopian Airlines (http://dpaq.de/Ha8CC) is one of the African companies that still maintains a cohesive position. A member of the Star Alliance, it has individually concluded very liberal agreements with many countries depending on important factors, such as interconnecting flights, according to InterVISTAS. This renders it one of the continent strongest and most profitable government airlines, along with South African state airlines as well.

Twenty-three states have already ratified the Unified Airspace Convention, an initiative that the African Union hopes will contribute to the revitalization of trade and tourism investment and expects it to contribute more than 300,000 direct jobs and an additional 2.5 million indirect jobs. GebreMariam believes that responsibility lies with governments in the first place.

«There is a misconception in Africa that air travel is only for the rich,» GebreMariam said. «This concept must change now.»

However, he asserted that flights could not become a «public transport means» in any way.

On the other hand, many obstacles encounter the air transport sector, such as high taxes, political instability, visa complexity, and low investment in airport infrastructure. For example, in Juba, capital of South Sudan, an African country torn apart by civil wars, the airport is two tents. Even Nigeria, the most densely populated country on the continent, had to close Abuja Airport for six weeks to maintain landing and takeoff airstrips.

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ECONOMY IsDB Launches Innovation Platform to Accelerate Economic Growth

T

he Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) – a specialized institution of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) - has launched Engage, a new digital platform that will promote technological and scientific solutions to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The President of the IsDB, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, announced the launch of Engage at an event hosted at Bloomberg’s European Headquarters in London, alongside the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Dr. Hayat Sindi, Chief Scientific Advisor to the IsDB and a group of business, innovation and development experts.

The IsDB launched Engage in recognition of the crucial role that science and technology play in enabling the Global Goals.

The Engage platform will create a global innovation network, connecting the latest scientific and technological knowledge with market opportunities and funding. It will provide a space for innovators to interact with each other and incubate unique ideas that can be translated into real development solutions.

Speaking at the launch event, H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank said: “The Islamic Development Bank understands the need to innovate and collaborate across all sectors to help build capacity within countries to address their own development requirements. Engage will provide the right tools and a supportive environment, so innovators and businesses can harness the great potential of science, technology and innovation as strategic drivers for economic growth among their local communities.”

Dr. Hayat Sindi, Chief Scientific Advisor to the President of the Islamic Development Bank said: “Engage offers three main services: match-making, technology transfer and Calls for Innovation. Through Engage, innovators, SMEs, private sector companies, Governments and NGOs will benefit from tailored mentoring services and expert knowledge-sharing that will help activate their ideas and proposals to an internationally recognised standard.”

The platform will focus on six SDGs, spe-

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cifically working towards achieving greater food security, healthier lives, inclusive and equitable education, sustainable management of water, access to affordable and clean energy, and sustainable industrialisation across the developing world; ultimately helping to improve the lives of millions of people.

Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Under Secretary General of the UN and Executive Secretary ESCAP said: “Engage and Transform will power the policy shifts needed for science, technology and innovation to have a positive impact, not just on our economy, but on our society and the environment. The initiatives will also spur a new era of open and collaborative innovation to ensure no country is left behind in the technological revolution.”

She added, “The partnership agreement between IsDB and ESCAP will bring together the skills and sources of capital needed to support innovation solutions for sustainable development.”

To ensure its members have access to financing for innovation, the Islamic Development Bank has established a new Fund – The Transform Fund – which will finance innovative ideas linked to development solutions. It will provide seed money for innovators, start-ups and SMEs, as well as funding partnerships between researchers and

entrepreneurs that will tackle development challenges in line with the SDGs. The event also saw the signing of two landmark MoUs by the IsDB. The first, with the United Nations ESCAP, committing to build a global network of scientists, technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors; and to nurture and scale high potential innovations to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

The second, with the Shell Foundation, an independent UK-registered charity, is a commitment to share market insight and investment opportunities to support social enterprises that are providing energy access and affordable transport for people in lowincome areas. By providing critical earlystage support to pioneer innovators, the partners aim to lift millions of people out of poverty and improve their quality of life.

H.E. Dr. Bandar noted: “We recognise that ideas can come from anywhere, but ideas need to be nurtured so they can grow into long-term projects that can make a lasting difference to the world. We are grateful to our partners at UN ESCAP and the Shell Foundation for their support and look forward to collaborating with many more companies, entrepreneurs, investors, governments, academics and NGOs as we focus on the importance of investing in science, technology and innovation.”

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ECONOMY IsDB President, Mayor of London Join Global Experts and Investors for Islamic Development Bank’s Sukuk Summit in London The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), a specialized institution of the OIC on 5th March 2018 hosted the 2018 Sukuk Summit – in partnership with the UK Government and London Stock Exchange Group – by convening experts and investors from across the world to discuss Islamic finance and the Sukuk.

The Sukuk is a bond designed in accordance with Islamic law, which is structured to generate returns to investors without infringing Shariah law, which prohibits taking or charging interest. The Sukuk market represents a key component of the Islamic financial system, which has grown at a double-digit rate for the last decade and reached approximately $3.5 trillion (£2.4 trillion) last year.

The Islamic Development Bank announced its funding plan for the first half of 2018, which is estimated at $2.5 billion - the largest since the Bank’s inception - where a benchmark sized Sukuk issue will soon be launched, subject to market conditions. The proceeds will be used to support infrastructure, education and health projects across the IsDB’s 57-member nations, which span across four continents and include 1 in 5 of the world’s population.

The summit brought together over 125 experts from government; senior management of supra-national institutions; representatives of central banks; representatives of international and regional banks; FinTech and academia in order to explore trends and opportunities in Sukuk-led Islamic capital markets.

The Summit was hosted at London Stock Exchange, with H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank, formally opening trading in London with Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, and Sultan Choudhury OBE, CEO of Al Rayan Bank.

Following the main Summit, the Chancellor of the Exchequer hosted a reception for delegates at Number 11 Downing Street.

The Summit’s location reflects the UK’s growing expertise in Islamic finance and the UK Government’s support for the sector over a number of years. This has included the launch of the UK Government’s own

£200m Sukuk in 2014: cementing Britain’s position as the western hub for Islamic finance by becoming the first country outside the Islamic world to issue sovereign Sukuk. Furthermore, in February 2018, Al Rayan Bank - the UK’s largest Islamic bank became the first bank in the world to issue a public Sukuk in a non-Muslim country.

The Bank’s ‘Tolkien Funding Sukuk No.1 Plc’ is the largest ever Sterling Sukuk issued and the first UK RMBS issue to be structured on Islamic finance principles.

H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank, said: “We called this Summit

to bring together experts and investors from across the world to look in depth at the Sukuk. Sukuk are based on risk sharing contract backed by real assets. We want to explore the great growth and investment opportunities that this product offers the whole finance industry - here in the UK, in our Member Countries and across the world.” “We have seen growing numbers of investors attracted to the Sukuk market due to the diversification benefits for their portfolios. Furthermore, an IsDB Sukuk provides investors with a high degree of certainty that their money will be used for a specific purpose:

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developmental projects that have a positive, sustainable development impact.” Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “I’m proud that London has been chosen to host this summit, which reflects the capital’s emergence as a powerhouse in the Islamic finance sector – an area which is driving positive and ethical change around the world. This is further evidence that London is open for business and open to investment from across the globe.”

Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “With over 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, Islamic finance is a massive global industry with huge economic potential to expand. The Government has long backed the development of Islamic Finance in this country. So much so that back in 2014, Britain became the first Western country outside of the Islamic world to launch a sovereign Sukuk.”

John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, said: “Britain is open for business, and our support for Islamic finance is a perfect example of our ambition to promote London as the financial centre of the world. We’re already recognised as the Western hub for Islamic finance and we’re committed to ensuring this continues.”

All IsDB Sukuk are registered at the London Stock Exchange, with a program size of US $10.25 billion and a “AAA” rating by the three major international rating agencies.

Nikhil Rathi, CEO of London Stock Exchange PLC, said: “The Summit builds on the success of the UK’s standing as the leading global hub for Islamic finance and further demonstrates London Stock Exchange’s ability to offer international issuers access to deep liquid pools of investor capital. We are delighted to host IsDB, the Mayor of London, UK Government and the global Islamic business community, and proud to be the partner of choice for funding the growth of global Islamic finance.”

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COUNTRY PROFILE Republic of maldives

The Maldives is an Islamic republic which lies off the Indian sub-continent. It is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, most of them uninhabited.

None of the coral islands measures more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level, making the country vulnerable to a rise in sea levels associated with global warming.

With its abundant sea life and sandy beaches, The Maldives is portrayed by travel companies as a tropical paradise. The economy revolves around tourism, and scores of islands have been developed for the top end of the tourist market.

CULTURE: Traditionally the island communities were very close-knit. This togetherness is still prevailing in the small island societies. Accordingly men will be mainly engaged in fishery, carpentry and toddy tapping. Women were mainly engaged in household duties and raising families. Certain rituals and practices were followed in the islands on special occasions like weddings. Some of these rituals survive to this day. The advent of tourism in the 1970’s accelerated the modernisation process of the country.

Maldivians are known for being avid craftsmen.

MALÉ CITY Male’ is the capital city of the Maldives and the seat of the executive, legislature and judicial branches of the government of the

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Capital: Area: Population: Language: Religion :

Male 71.710 sq km 402,000 Maldivian (Dhivehi) Islam

Maldives. Male’ is also the financial and commercial capital of the country. Accordingly major government offices, banks and businesses are based on Male’.

Male’ city is one of the most densely populated cities of the world. Administratively neighbouring islands of Villingili and Hulhumale’ are considered as constituencies of Male’ City. Hulhumale’ is an artificially reclaimed island.

TOURISM The country is spread out over 90,000 square kilometers and some 187 inhabited islands, making it one of the worlds’ most geographically dispersed. The development of tourism fostered the overall growth of the country’s economy. It created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries. The first tourist resorts were opened in 1972 with Bandos island resort and Kurumba Village (the current name is Kurumba Maldives), which transformed the Maldives economy.

ATTRACTIONS Republic Square Once you reach Male’ you will be greeted by a giant flag located in the Republic Square proudly displaying the national colours of the Maldives. This square has a small park where locals and visitors hang-out. The Republic Square is found close to the north shore of Male’.

Right next to the Republic Square you will find the Headquarters of the Maldivian National Defence Force and Maldivian Police Service. The Islamic Centre is also found next to the square.

Islamic Centre The Islamic Centre opened in 1984, is a popular attraction for tourists. The Islamic Centre is known for excellent architecture fused with traditional Maldivian and Islamic concepts. The magnificent golden domes of the Centre ornament the skyline of Male’.

The interior of the mosque is adorned with intricate wood carvings and Arabic calligraphy.

Tsunami Monument The Tsunami Monument is located in the southwest corner of Male’. This monument commiserates the devastation caused to the Maldives by the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami. Many lives were lost and inhabited islands were decimated that day. The stainless steel structure has round circles representing the number of the people killed during the Tsunami.

National Museum The National Museum was first opened in 1952. However, the place underwent a major revamping process and a brand new National Museum was opened in 2010. The museum preserves a wealthy collection of items.

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VIEWPOINT Strengthening Interfaith Dialogue

W Maha Mostafa Akeel Chief Editor

Recognizing this delicate and critical juncture in international relations where acts of violence by few can reverberate into serious consequences on many by association, the OIC has been active in countering this trend

ith the increasing rate of hate crimes on the basis of religion, whether in the East or West, it is more necessary than ever to focus on promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding and tolerance. The heightened sense of insecurity and fear in different parts of the world due to terrorist acts committed by extremists in the name of religion, and the similar rise in feelings of fear by religious minorities due to acts of discrimination, bigotry and persecution perpetrated against them, have created an atmosphere of mutual distrust and intolerance among community members.

Recognizing this delicate and critical juncture in international relations where acts of violence by few can reverberate into serious consequences on many by association, the OIC has been active in countering this trend. At a conference in Vienna organized by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) the OIC Secretary General along with leading representatives of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and other religious communities worldwide spoke up in one voice for social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and respect for religious diversity.

Over the two days of the conference, which is the focus of this issue of the OIC Journal, the gathered religious leaders, policymakers and experts participated in a series of dialogues on topics such as the role of religious leaders and policymakers in promoting social cohesion and common citizenship, global partnerships for dialogue and promoting social cohesion, interreligious education and common citizenship values, and social media as a space for dialogue. At the conclusion of the conference, participants presented their recommendations for the Centre, and its partners.

While promoting social cohesion, interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence is the focus of our OIC Journal, some world events that contradict this approach are also addressed.

The outrageous aggression perpetrated by the Houthi coup militias in Yemen and their backers on Saudi Arabia, coupled with the countless acts of killing, detention, forced disappearance and sectarian strife carried out by the militia against Yemeni citizens in addition to their attacks on Yemen ports and the hindering of the delivery of international relief aid, are a threat to peace and stability in the region and consequently a matter of grave concern for OIC. An extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers was held to address this issue. It adopted a strong communiquĂŠ that condemned Iran for continuing to provide the coup militias with arms and money as well as its intervention in some countries of the region. The Council called on Iran to stop policies that would fuel factional and sectarian conflicts, and to abstain from supporting and financing terrorist groups.

In Myanmar, the horrific attacks by the military and Buddhist mobs on the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State forced hundreds of thousands of them to flee and seek refuge in neighboring Bangladesh.

An OIC-IPHRC delegation visited the refugee camps in the border region where it heard appalling stories of torture, rape and murder, and examined the miserable living conditions in the camps despite the generous efforts by the Bangladeshi government and some OIC Member States, international organizations and NGOs. The OIC delegation concluded that unless the Government of Myanmar reinstates the Rohingyas their denied citizenship rights, there would be little progress in repatriating them. It remains uncertain whether the Myanmar authorities are sincere in their claim that they will take back Rohingya refugees and if they will do so in a safe and dignified manner. The OIC and the international community will continue to demand access by humanitarian and foreign observers to Rakhine, to ensure the return of refugees in safety and dignity and with insured livelihood. The delegation also stressed that the authorities in Myanmar must make serious efforts to address the anti-Muslim hate speech and rhetoric prevalent in the public spaces and in official media.

Meanwhile, the OIC continues to address other important issues of interest to the Muslim world. The Tenth Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM) was held in Dhaka where it was made clear that one of the main factors behind the positive change in intra-OIC tourism is the introduction of Islamic tourism, also known as family-friendly tourism.

As for the Fourth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers held in Jeddah to promote job creation and address the economic and social consequences of unemployment, underemployment and preventing social exclusion among the OIC Member States.

Reports on both these conferences are found in this issue of the OIC Journal as well as reports on other activities concerning humanitarian, human rights, culture, and family matters.

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Bangladesh Hosts the 45th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers

Lalbagh Fort (Fort Aurangabad) is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah who was son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dhaka, 5-6 May 2018