Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 12/12/2018
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stressed that the success of Saudi Arabia's experience in the face of the advocates of classification, exclusion, and aberrant ideologies conducive to extremism, violence, and terrorism has made it the reliable reference for Islam-related issues. He pointed out that the Saudi experience has become a source of appreciation and interest of the Muslim countries, which benefit and have recourse to it. “This has made scholars of the Ummah consider the Land of the Two Holy Mosques the reference in renewing the religious discourse, fighting extremism, and spreading moderation and tolerance,” added Al-Othaimeen.
In his opening speech at the World Conference on Islamic Unity: Risks of Classification and Exclusion organized by the Muslim World League in Makkah Al-Mukarramah on December 12, 2018, Al-Othaimeen praised “Saudi Arabia's sincere efforts to purify Islam from extremist ideas. Saudi Arabia has taken bold steps and enacted firm policies that have pulled the rug from under the hijackers of religion and debunked the fake Shari'ah-cladded rationale they used to mislead the commoners.”
Al-Othaimeen expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for their generous patronage of this important international conference. He indicated that the event was another manifestation of the clear and principled positions of Saudi Arabia towards the causes of the Muslim world, its spiritual leadership, and its continued support for all that unites Muslims.
The OIC Secretary General said that the establishment of the OIC about 50 years ago upon the initiative of the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, a leader of Islamic solidarity, emerged from the standpoint of the unity of purpose and destiny and the sincere intention to realize Islamic solidarity. “Now, it is under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who accord the OIC the greatest care and attention and maintain its independence as a collective platform for Muslim countries.”
Al-Othaimeen added that in order to combat exclusionist tendencies, the OIC has established a Dialogue and Outreach Department with the view to establishing bridges across the spectrum without discrimination and forging close cooperation with other stakeholders, such as Muslim World League and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.
