PRESS RELEASE OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS PUT FINAL TOUCHES ON PROCEEDINGS OF EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT CONFERENCE


OIC SECRETARY GENERALTO THE MINISTERS:
EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT IS A CRUCIAL STAGE IN THE HISTORY
OF THE ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY AND A MOVE FROM
STATE OF REACTION TO ACTION

OIC Secretary General, Professor Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu stressed that attention of the entire Islamic World is now focused on anticipated results of the Extra-ordinary Islamic Summit scheduled to begin its proceedings in Makkah Al-Mukarramah tomorrow, Wednesday. He stated that the Islamic World hopes that this Summit will be a turning point and crucial stage in the history of Islamic solidarity and that the Summit will define the malady and the huge challenges facing the Ummah in the present crucial juncture.

The Secretary General underlined that these formidable challenges have prompted the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz to invite his brothers leaders of Islamic States to hold an Extraordinary Islamic Summit to consider these challenges and seek effective means of countering them in a collective manner in order to rescue the Ummah and extricate it from the state of feebleness to a condition of strength and effectiveness, from a state of reaction to action. He pointed out that the host state, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will prepare “Makkah Al-Mukarramah Declaration” and, as customary in all Islamic Summit Conferences, will conduct consultations with the Member States before the adoption of the Declaration by the Summit.

In his speech to the OIC Member States Preparatory Ministerial Meeting of the Extra-ordinary Islamic Summit, which began Tuesday, 4th Dhul Qa’adah 1426H (6th December 2005), Professor Ihsanoglu further stated that these challenges continue to grow and gravely impact the Islamic World, particularly in the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and technological domains resulting in the weakening of the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and technological conditions which in turn have weakened the position of the Ummah in the contemporary world, and impeded the performance of its pioneering role in establishing the values of equality, justice, peace and development of the world.

Professor Ihsanoglu voiced his aspiration to the adoption of the Ten-Year Programme of Action to confront the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century which is deemed an adequate summary of the recommendations of the meetings of Muslim scholars and thinkers, held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah two months ago upon a proposal by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz. The programme also included many ideas and proposals by the Eminent Persons Committee established by the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference (Putrajaya – 2003), especially with regard to the enlightened moderation of Islam and the reform of the OIC, indicating that the Committee, in its report to the meeting has identified a comprehensive vision for the reform of the Organization. The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in (June 2005) was also an opportunity to foster the reform project. It made clear resolutions aimed at making of the OIC an efficient Organization that keeps up with the spirit of modernity and accountable for leading Joint Islamic Action and responding to the aspiration and expectations of the Muslim Ummah in the 21st Century.

The Ministerial Conference listened in the beginning of its activities to the Speech of His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he welcomed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the delegates of Member States taking part in the preparatory meeting of the Extraordinary Summit to their second country, where the Extra-ordinary Summit of the Conference takes place in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

His Royal Highness proposed, as a work method for this meeting, that emphasize be put on the documents submitted without addressing any other issues, so that the documents can be examined with a deep and more concentrated vision, while upholding the principles of accuracy and conciseness in the Ministers’ report to be submitted to the leaders in the Conference to be held tomorrow, Wednesday 7th December in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

His Royal Highness praised the efforts of the Secretary General, Professor Ihsanoglu in promoting the performance of the OIC at this difficult stage in the history of the Ummah, emphasizing that the actions of the Secretary General have improved the stature of the Organization at the international level.

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