OIC needs new vision for new age: Iftekhar
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) requires a new vision for a new age in order to survive and prosper in these challenging times, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said Tuesday, calling for reform of the forum, reports UNB.
He stated this in his speech in the plenary of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in the Senegalese capital Dakar, preceding summit meet of Islamic heads of state or government, beginning there Thursday (March 13).
The Foreign Adviser said that the OIC must be reformed to be better able to deal with the issues of the 21st century, such as poverty alleviation, development, climate change, women's empowerment and a need for knowledge-based skills for the youth.
Dhaka suggested that the vast material resources of the Islamic countries, including the huge sovereign wealth surpluses, could be pressed into this role and service.
"The time has surely come to move from talk to action, from vague deliberations to implementation with practical measures for the benefit of our people," he told the meeting ahead of the summit of Muslim world at a crucial time.
He underscored that trade amongst Islamic countries should be so designed that the poorer and least developed ones reaped special benefits.
As Chairman of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Bangladesh tabled a proposal for a Special OIC Programme for the LDCs.
The huge manpower resources of the Islamic countries should be better utilised to maximise their contribution and welfare, said Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury while mooting the proposal.
"The beauty of Islam," he said, "is that Muslims accept that it is the responsibility of all to remove the pains of some."
He mentioned the list of political crises that confront the Islamic World and said, "We cannot and will not succeed until we learn to speak in one voice."
Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury is also having a series of bilateral meetings in Dakar with his other Islamic counterparts.
Meanwhile, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury that Bangladesh's support for the Palestinian cause was unflinching.
"…at this very moment when the people of Gaza are facing ruthless aggression, Bangladesh stands untied behind them in solidarity," he said during a meeting with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riad Malki Monday on the sidelines of the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers, being held in Dakar of Senegal.
Dr Malki apprised the Foreign Adviser of the current situation in Gaza and the attempts under way to resolve its immediate crises.
Earlier Monday evening, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury arrived in the city to represent Bangladesh in the OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting preceding the summit and was received at the airport by the Senegalese Minister of the Office of the President, Professor Serigne Diop.
Later, the Foreign Adviser attended a reception hosted by the Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Gadio.
He stated this in his speech in the plenary of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in the Senegalese capital Dakar, preceding summit meet of Islamic heads of state or government, beginning there Thursday (March 13).
The Foreign Adviser said that the OIC must be reformed to be better able to deal with the issues of the 21st century, such as poverty alleviation, development, climate change, women's empowerment and a need for knowledge-based skills for the youth.
Dhaka suggested that the vast material resources of the Islamic countries, including the huge sovereign wealth surpluses, could be pressed into this role and service.
"The time has surely come to move from talk to action, from vague deliberations to implementation with practical measures for the benefit of our people," he told the meeting ahead of the summit of Muslim world at a crucial time.
He underscored that trade amongst Islamic countries should be so designed that the poorer and least developed ones reaped special benefits.
As Chairman of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Bangladesh tabled a proposal for a Special OIC Programme for the LDCs.
The huge manpower resources of the Islamic countries should be better utilised to maximise their contribution and welfare, said Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury while mooting the proposal.
"The beauty of Islam," he said, "is that Muslims accept that it is the responsibility of all to remove the pains of some."
He mentioned the list of political crises that confront the Islamic World and said, "We cannot and will not succeed until we learn to speak in one voice."
Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury is also having a series of bilateral meetings in Dakar with his other Islamic counterparts.
Meanwhile, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury that Bangladesh's support for the Palestinian cause was unflinching.
"…at this very moment when the people of Gaza are facing ruthless aggression, Bangladesh stands untied behind them in solidarity," he said during a meeting with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riad Malki Monday on the sidelines of the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers, being held in Dakar of Senegal.
Dr Malki apprised the Foreign Adviser of the current situation in Gaza and the attempts under way to resolve its immediate crises.
Earlier Monday evening, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury arrived in the city to represent Bangladesh in the OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting preceding the summit and was received at the airport by the Senegalese Minister of the Office of the President, Professor Serigne Diop.
Later, the Foreign Adviser attended a reception hosted by the Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Gadio.