OIC Summit has focused on decisive efforts

13 March 2008

Dakar-The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's second largest body after the United Nations, is holding its 11th Summit in the Senegalese capital Dakar today and tomorrow.

At least 33 heads of state, and nearly 5,500 delegates representing member countries and international organizations have attended the summit.

Saudi Arabia, which has the OIC's headquarters, has highlighted the summit's significance and hopes it will strengthen Muslim unity.

"The summit is being held at a time when Muslims in the world are suffering from challenges and hardship that demand collective efforts," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said upon departure to Dakar, Senegal.

The conference has discussed ways and means to combat poverty in the Muslim world and a proposal for a special program for the development of Africa.

The Arab-Israeli conflict, the worsening security situation in Iraq and the political crisis in Lebanon also figured high on the agenda.

The United States has decided to send an envoy to the OIC summit for the first time.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki protested presence of the US representative owing to the US propaganda campaign against Muslims and the US blessings for Israeli crimes against civilians living in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, however, welcomed Washington's decision and hoped that it would contribute to improving US relations with the Islamic world.

"There are plenty of problems and misunderstandings. But still there is plenty of potential for cooperation," he said.

The US government said it had appointed Texas entrepreneur Sada Cumber to the OIC "to promote mutual understanding and dialogue between the US and Muslim communities." Ihsanoglu said, the OIC's position on issues like the Palestine-Israel conflict is often misrepresented in the United States.

"We want (Cumber) to listen and learn," Ihsanoglu said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the appointment of Cumber signals the deep respect for the values and ideals of Islam held by the US government and the American people.

"This appointment is one part of a much larger effort that our government has undertaken to increase our engagement with Muslim communities worldwide," she said.

Ihsanoglu said the Summit of leaders would also review the progress of the 10-Year Program of Action approved by the extraordinary Islamic summit in holy Mecca in December 2005.

The program includes restructure of the OIC, revising of the organization's charter and reactivation of its institutions.

A high-level panel has already revised the organization's charter which have been presented to the Summit of leaders for approval.

Under the program, serious efforts will be made to enhance the scope of political participation, ensure equality, civil liberties and social justice, and promote transparency and accountability, and eliminate corruption in member countries.

Ihsanoglu, who took charge as OIC secretary-general in January 2005, has played a significant role in strengthening the organization, the largest in the Muslim World.

The OIC, which was founded in 1969, aims to promote Islamic unity and serves as a voice for the Muslim world.

The OIC chief said a detailed report on Islamophobia, including the publication of cartoons blaspheming Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), would be presented to summit of leaders.

The report is an attempt to comprehensively record anti-Islamic speech and action around the world.

"The Islamophobes remain free to carry on their assault due to absence of necessary legal measures against the misuse or abuse of the right to freedom of expression," charges the report.