SECRETARY General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, recently visited the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) where he was asked how the OIC views the future of the Muslim Ummah and prospects of and Muslim solidarity. Responding to the point, the Secretary General emphasized on the need of comprehensive joint action plan and reconciliation between Islam and the West. Comprehensive joint action plan As the sole representative and spokesman of the Muslim world, the OIC Secretary General etucidated some of the goals on the international front, which the OIC seeking to achieve. “…to disseminate the true and correct teachings of Islam while trying to raise awareness of the unhealthy climate generated by some extremist elements in the West and the Muslim world who are trying to damage relations between the West and Islam.” “At this point I would like to share with you my strong concern that unless a comprehensive joint action plan is adopted and implemented by the leaders of the Western and Muslim countries with a sense of urgency, to stop the perceived rising animosity and attacks of incitement targeting Islam and Muslims in the West, we are probably heading towards more troubling times. Without this urgent attention, we would not be able to hold dialogue among civilizations, and transforming that dialogue into an Alliance of Civilizations would be much more elusive,” said Prof. Ihsanoglu and added, “There is a need for increased emphasis on understanding through dialogue and propagating unbiased information and true knowledge.” Reconciliation between Islam the West The OIC Secretary General also called for historical reconciliation between Islam and the West as was done between Christianity and Judaism. “Our challenge in the modern age is two-fold, to reclaim the roots of our common religions as a way to peace and concord, and at the same time to facilitate progressive dialogue between Islam and the West. Both challenges are inter-related and must be addressed together. We should share the one and the only thing that we need; mainly peace and stability for all human beings and free will for humankind, in order to be able to live in a better world. Tolerance and understanding will be our cardinal instrument in this endeavour. Our struggle should be a struggle for better ideas and nobler values,” the OIC Secretary General. Speaking about the internal plan of the OIC, the Secretary General mentioned the 10-Year Programme of Action, which constituted a paradigm shift with a practical and realistic time-table in order to realize the goals. This document, which is considered as the blueprint of reform in the Muslim world, was adopted unanimously by the leaders of the 57 OIC member states at the Makkah Summit. This Programme of Action deals with the most pressing challenges facing the Muslim world today and to work out the ways and means to address them in an adjective and realistic way. Foremost among these measures are strengthening the bonds of cooperation among the Member States, instilling the value of moderation and tolerance among the youth, while combating extremism, violence and terrorism, and countering the phenomenon of Islamophobia, said the OIC Secretary General. Prof. Ihsanoglu said that in the economic and scientific field, effective strategy was envisaged to achieve higher levels of development and prosperity given the abundant economic resources and capacities in the Muslim world with special attention to the poorest countries, mainly in the African region, due to poverty, disease, illiteracy, famine and debt burden. The OIC Secretary General also mentioned the new amended Charter, which was adopted at the 11th OIC Summit held in Dakar in March 2008. Speaking about the priorities of the 10-Year Program of Action along with those of the UN Millennium Development Goals, the OIC Secretary General talked about a fund for eradicating poverty in the Member States that has been established with a targeted capital of US$ 10 billion. A special program for the development of Africa is being prepared. __
