Speech by the delegation of Bangladesh

 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Honourable Heads of State or Government of the OIC Member States,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates, and
Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, for taking the momentous initiative of convening this Extraordinary Islamic Summit in this Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. This Summit is not only timely but necessary and one of crucial importance to the Ummah.

I must also thank the Secretary General of OIC for his tireless efforts in organizing this Summit in collaboration with the host country. I would also like to express our appreciation to the Secretary General for his report entitled “New Vision for the Muslim World: Solidarity in Action”. It contains an excellent analysis of the outcome of the Makkah Forum of Muslim Scholars and Intellectuals convened at the kind invitation of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in preparation for the Summit. In addition to the set of actions recommended by the Makka Forum, we also have before us the Report of the Commission of Eminent Persons set up during the tenth OIC Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

We have gathered here at a time when the Muslim Ummah is passing through a critical time. We have challenges before us that need to be addressed with a sense of urgency. The image of Islam is under attack. There is an unholy scheme to undo the message of peace that was brought to humanity by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). An orchestrated campaign to vilify Islam is underway and its effects are being felt all over the world. The Ummah is faced with various external threats and negative campaigns. A feeling of frustration and inaction is growing among the Muslims. This has to be addressed immediately, effectively and unitedly. The responsibility has fallen on us the leaders, who are gathered here. It is imperative that we overcome this state of near paralysis now through an action programme, based on contemporary realities. The political leaders of the Muslim world have indeed the historic responsibility to reassert our rightful position in the international community.

Mr. Chairman,

The first question that we need to face today is that of solidarity. We have always passionately spoken of Islamic solidarity, which has been and I believe continues to strongly bind us all. It has withstood challenges over the centuries. It is now time that we reaffirm our faith in our solidarity and display it in concrete action. We also need to adopt a common stand in the face of common threats. Surely, there can be no room for disagreement here.

On the question of Palestine, the rights of the Palestinians and the issue of Jerusalem, the Muslim Ummah should continue to speak in one voice as we have always done. We must maintain a principled stand for a comprehensive solution of the Palestinian question in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Plan and the Road Map. Palestine should indeed illustrate eloquently the unity of the Muslim world. Any wavering in this respect will only strengthen our detractors.

Mr. Chairman,

Our immediate task in the context of projecting our unity and solidarity will be to add vigour and substance to our existing institutions. In this respect, we need to approach the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the apex institution of our solidarity, in a more pro-active manner. This will enable the OIC to play a more effective role in the international system. We need to look closely at its mandate and its organizational aspects. This is necessary so that it can truly be an instrument of progress in implementing our vision for unity and solidarity. At the same time, we must renew our commitment by signing and ratifying all OIC agreements and implementing all Plans of Action taken up by OIC.

Another way of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood is through mutual assistance. Nowhere can the expression of our unity and solidarity be more visible than in helping fellow Muslims. I can think of three pre-eminent areas for immediate action, namely capacity building, poverty alleviation and disaster relief. In this respect, I would like to stress the importance of the on-going initiative of instituting a programme of Capacity Building for Poverty Alleviation in the Least Developed and Low-income Member States. This needs strong support from all of us.

A number of proposals and ideas in this respect have emanated with regard to funding mechanisms. First, establishment of a concessional fund with sizeable resources for poverty alleviation. We believe this will go a long way in meeting the needs of the least developed Member States. Second, the proposal of establishing an ‘OIC Emergency Relief Fund’. It will be an important instrument in the areas of disaster relief and rehabilitation. Third, with the establishment of an International Zakat Fund, private individuals in the Muslim world can be brought into the field of poverty alleviation efforts. In this context I may add that, the Islamic Solidarity Fund also needs to be strengthened and its range of activities broadened.

Mr. Chairman,

The third point for our consideration in this conference is cooperation in all fields. The focus will have to be on economic matters. For years, we have in place the OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation among the OIC Member States. But the progress in its implementation has not been very encouraging. There is a need for a meaningful push forward. Of particular importance is promotion of intra-OIC trade and investment. We believe that the target of intra-OIC trade reaching 20 percent of the total trade of OIC countries by 2015 is achievable given our sincere efforts. In this respect, the establishment of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation and the wider use of the Islamic Corporation for Insurance and Export Credit will contribute to the expansion of intra-OIC trade. The resource base of IDB also needs to be expanded, particularly in the field of trade promotion.

It is also important that all Member States of OIC sign and ratify urgently the existing agreements aimed at promoting trade and investment. I would stress, in particular, on a Framework Agreement for establishing a Preferential Trade System among the OIC Member States. We look forward to successful implementation of the Framework Agreement so that in the long run, it can lead to a Free Trade Area among the OIC countries.

Mr. Chairman,

The fourth crucial area of our common concern is combating terrorism. At this critical juncture of history, we are all experiencing unprecedented incidents of terrorism affecting our daily lives. In the war on terrorism, Muslim individuals and states have today become unfortunate targets. Efforts are being made to stigmatize Muslims and Muslim countries. Attempts are being made to equate our great religion Islam directly or indirectly with terrorism. Muslims, in general, all over the world, are victimized because of acts of terrorism by a handful of terrorists claiming to be Muslims or acting in the name of Islam. Let me state here categorically – a terrorist must be identified as a terrorist only, irrespective of his or her colour, creed or religion. We condemn terrorism as such and in all its forms or manifestations. We urge the OIC to clearly condemn all acts of terrorism in the name of Islam and to take concrete measures in this regard. We must send strong signals to perpetrators of such despicable acts that they will find no shelter in any Muslim country.

Mr. Chairman,

The fifth area that we wish to highlight is the alarming phenomenon of Islamophobia giving rise, in effect, to racism and discrimination against Muslims all over the World. We think that coinage of terms such as ‘Muslim or Islamic Terrorists, Militants or Fundamentalists’ in the media have contributed to the formation of an anti-Muslim feeling among the rest of the peoples. A significant portion of the non-Muslim population tends to believe in the venomous propaganda against the Muslims that are carried by certain dominant sections of the print and electronic media. This is only aggravating the situation. In fact, it is indirectly helping the handful of terrorists who exploit the sentiments of the common Muslims. The establishment of a multi-lingual OIC electronic media is badly needed by the Ummah to reach out to millions of people across the globe to fight against Islamophobia and misperceptions about Islam and to project a true image of Islam.

Bangladesh strongly supports and has participated in all moves to bring about inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilisation dialogue and cooperation. We sincerely believe that these can promote mutual understanding, respect and tolerance among religions, cultures and peoples. Bangladesh has tabled a resolution in the UN General Assembly on the “culture of peace”. It has been adopted unanimously. We need to intensify cooperation in this regard. We believe that a dialogue among civilizations should be based on mutual respect, dignity and reciprocity, and it should be all-inclusive, with special emphasis on removing all kinds of negative perceptions.


Mr. Chairman,

Once the Muslim Ummah were at the zenith of scientific and technological advancement. Our falling behind in the field of science and technology have contributed to the marginalization of the Muslim countries, particularly in the key areas of development. The more we educate ourselves the stronger we become. OIC member countries possess the necessary human resources with intellectual potentials. These need to be nurtured in an organized manner, in order to become globally competitive. Establishment of new centers of excellence and allocating adequate resources to those institutions must be given due priority.

In this context, I would like to respectfully recall Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who dreamt of a unified and prosperous Muslim Ummah through advancements in the field of science and technology. Today’s Islamic University of Technology (IUT) is the realization of the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The IUT has progressed over the years attaining an enviable academic standing. It began as the Islamic Centre for Technical and Vocational Training and Research (ICTVTR). Later, it was turned into the Islamic Institute of Technology (IIT). Now it is the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). These are not merely changes in name. With every change, it has achieved remarkable progress in academic excellence and human resources development. The Muslim Ummah can indeed be proud of this institution. I would like to make a special appeal for this great institution, which needs your support in a substantive manner.

Over the centuries, the Muslim world has faced various challenges. On each occasion, it came out recharged, strong in its faith and ever vigorous in holding the banner of Islam high. The challenge that we face today may seem as all-engulfing. But with the spirit of Islam properly infused in us all, we can surely tackle it to secure our position in the global community.

I thank you.

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