Bangladesh for action-oriented OIC
Sunday, 16 March 2008
DAKAR, Mar 15 (UNB): Bangladesh wants an action-oriented OIC focussed on implementation of resolutions rather than remaining satisfied with their adoption.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said this while briefing international media about the country's position on the need for revamping the forum at the conclusion of the OIC Summit here Friday.
The adviser said that Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, who led the Bangladesh delegation, made this point very clear twice when he spoke on behalf of the Asian Group of leaders at the beginning of the conference and also in his country statement.
"Bangladesh has been experiencing a series of fundamental transformation in her own society through home-grown ideas like microcredit and non-formal education," Iftekhar said.
He said Bangladesh was keen to share her experiences with others in the Islamic Ummah, including the brotherly countries of Africa who historically passed through ordeals.
Speaking on 'Islamophobia," in response to a question, Iftekhar noted it existed because of "misunderstanding' of the real values of Islam.
"If this gap in understanding can be reduced by spreading the real message of peace and tolerance that Islam stands for, then the apprehension will be gone," he told the newsmen.
He said Bangladesh, a country of 145 million people, is a harmonious nation that tolerates and celebrates differences in cultures and this is reflected in the resolution Bangladesh sponsors each year at the United Nations General Assembly entitled 'Culture of Peace'.
The foreign affairs adviser observed that there were many commonalties between Bangladesh and Senegal and both the counties were working together to secure peace in West Asia as "co-members of the Non-Aligned Committee on Palestine".
The adviser said the Ummah looked forward to the leadership of President Wade as the new chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said this while briefing international media about the country's position on the need for revamping the forum at the conclusion of the OIC Summit here Friday.
The adviser said that Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, who led the Bangladesh delegation, made this point very clear twice when he spoke on behalf of the Asian Group of leaders at the beginning of the conference and also in his country statement.
"Bangladesh has been experiencing a series of fundamental transformation in her own society through home-grown ideas like microcredit and non-formal education," Iftekhar said.
He said Bangladesh was keen to share her experiences with others in the Islamic Ummah, including the brotherly countries of Africa who historically passed through ordeals.
Speaking on 'Islamophobia," in response to a question, Iftekhar noted it existed because of "misunderstanding' of the real values of Islam.
"If this gap in understanding can be reduced by spreading the real message of peace and tolerance that Islam stands for, then the apprehension will be gone," he told the newsmen.
He said Bangladesh, a country of 145 million people, is a harmonious nation that tolerates and celebrates differences in cultures and this is reflected in the resolution Bangladesh sponsors each year at the United Nations General Assembly entitled 'Culture of Peace'.
The foreign affairs adviser observed that there were many commonalties between Bangladesh and Senegal and both the counties were working together to secure peace in West Asia as "co-members of the Non-Aligned Committee on Palestine".
The adviser said the Ummah looked forward to the leadership of President Wade as the new chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).