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Islamic Countries to Convene for Structural Reform
By Suleyman Kurt
Zaman, Turkey
June 29 2005
Islamic countries will be convening in Yemen's capital Sana'a in order
to undertake a more effective role in the international arena and to
better express Islam to the West.
The foreign ministers meeting for the Organization for Islamic
Conference (OIC) starts today. The historic transformation within
the organization and the reform issues will be the main point on
the agenda during the meeting, in which Turkey will be represented
by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. He will draw a framework for the
reform efforts in Islamic countries during his opening speech at the
meeting that will continue for three days. The Minister will emphasize
that internal dynamics should be activated for reform efforts, and
should be sustainable and based on a real process. A call will be
made for the abolition of the isolation on the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to bring the situation of the Karabagh
occupation to the agenda are also among the points that Gul will
make. Ministers will also attend an exhibition of Ottoman documents
relating to Yemen. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi chose
the historic Ottoman Barracks for a luncheon that he will host.
Three reports prepared by sixteen specialists from Islamic countries
within the framework of reform efforts initiated after the election
of Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as OIC secretary-general will be
discussed during the meeting. Proposals regarding changing the title
of the organization will also be debated. A suggested new title
for the organization will be either the "Organization for Islamic
Countries" or "Organization for Muslim Countries" it was revealed.
The reports focus on problems faced by the Islamic world in the 21st
century and alternative solutions required to combat these problems.
A "security council" similar to that of the United Nations (UN) will
be formed in the structure of the organization. The OIC will also
fight against anti-Islamism though science and more productive and
open explanations of Islam to the West. In this respect, a concept
of "enlightened moderation" will be prompted, think tanks will be
formed and Islamic media will be strengthened. Contributions for the
development of democracy, human rights and civil society will be held
in member countries.
The reports stress the motivation of Muslim countries for democratic
norms and values, decreasing the gap between governors and the
governed and principals like self-determination of the people. A
center is planned to be opened to provide women the opportunity to
have effective roles in daily life and governance. The three-day OIC
meeting will discuss issues like increasing the authorization of
the organization's secretary-general, strengthening its financial
structure and forming socio-economic funds, solving disputes among
member countries and establishing centers for Muslim minorities.
By Suleyman Kurt
Zaman, Turkey
June 29 2005
Islamic countries will be convening in Yemen's capital Sana'a in order
to undertake a more effective role in the international arena and to
better express Islam to the West.
The foreign ministers meeting for the Organization for Islamic
Conference (OIC) starts today. The historic transformation within
the organization and the reform issues will be the main point on
the agenda during the meeting, in which Turkey will be represented
by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. He will draw a framework for the
reform efforts in Islamic countries during his opening speech at the
meeting that will continue for three days. The Minister will emphasize
that internal dynamics should be activated for reform efforts, and
should be sustainable and based on a real process. A call will be
made for the abolition of the isolation on the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to bring the situation of the Karabagh
occupation to the agenda are also among the points that Gul will
make. Ministers will also attend an exhibition of Ottoman documents
relating to Yemen. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi chose
the historic Ottoman Barracks for a luncheon that he will host.
Three reports prepared by sixteen specialists from Islamic countries
within the framework of reform efforts initiated after the election
of Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as OIC secretary-general will be
discussed during the meeting. Proposals regarding changing the title
of the organization will also be debated. A suggested new title
for the organization will be either the "Organization for Islamic
Countries" or "Organization for Muslim Countries" it was revealed.
The reports focus on problems faced by the Islamic world in the 21st
century and alternative solutions required to combat these problems.
A "security council" similar to that of the United Nations (UN) will
be formed in the structure of the organization. The OIC will also
fight against anti-Islamism though science and more productive and
open explanations of Islam to the West. In this respect, a concept
of "enlightened moderation" will be prompted, think tanks will be
formed and Islamic media will be strengthened. Contributions for the
development of democracy, human rights and civil society will be held
in member countries.
The reports stress the motivation of Muslim countries for democratic
norms and values, decreasing the gap between governors and the
governed and principals like self-determination of the people. A
center is planned to be opened to provide women the opportunity to
have effective roles in daily life and governance. The three-day OIC
meeting will discuss issues like increasing the authorization of
the organization's secretary-general, strengthening its financial
structure and forming socio-economic funds, solving disputes among
member countries and establishing centers for Muslim minorities.