Speech of his Excellency Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Secretary General of the organisation of the Islamic conference on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the organisation of the Islamic conference

Date: 26/09/2009

Speech of his Excellency prof. Ekmeleddin ihsanoglu secretary general of the Organisation of The Islamic Conference on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the OIC new york: 25 september 2009 I would like to welcome you all to this happy occasion, organised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. I would like to thank you for gracing this occasion by your kind presence with us tonight. Ladies and Gentlemen, We assemble in this place to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The OIC is an intergovernmental organisation set to enhance the bonds of solidarity and cooperation among its Member States, coordinate their endeavours in the political, economic and cultural fields. After four decades of its existence the OIC now constitutes an arena where a significant part of its Member States’ external relations is streamlined. It is the second largest political organization of the world after the United Nations. It is the voice and representative of 1.5 billion Muslims spread over a wide geography extending from the Atlantic shores to the confines of China and the shores of the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia, and in addition, countries in South America. The establishment of this Organisation in 1969 at a Summit meeting of Muslim leaders is probably the most significant development in the contemporary history of the Muslim world. The birth of the OIC came as a realization of Muslim nation-wide aspiration for founding an umbrella institution for Muslim solidarity. Its birth provided the Muslim world with a modern institution different from the traditional umbrella represented by the Caliphate under which the Muslim world lived until the year 1924. As a modern regime in the contemporary life of the Muslim world, the OIC serves as an engine for progress and prosperity in the Muslim world. The OIC is considered the rallying assembly of Muslims, where their leadership meet to discuss their affairs, and elaborate their common decisions to better serve their interests and concerns. One of the duties of the OIC nowadays is to project the true enlightened message of Islam to the world, based on Islam’s compassionate image through presenting its noble values and supreme principles. Presently, the OIC is regarded as the unique and the most trusted and authoritative spokesman for the Muslim world on the major global issues. It is in this light that the United States administration has recently came to appreciate and recognize this role and took the decision of nominating a Special Envoy to the OIC. It is also based on this premise that both President Bush and President Obama acknowledged the OIC role in the international arena. The OIC firmly stands for moderation and tolerance. It condemns and rejects all forms of fanaticism, extremism and bigotry. It emphasizes the inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogues based on mutual respect and equality among the interlocutors. The OIC also stands to defend respect of human rights, endeavours to promote good governance, to widen political participation, establish the rule of law, ensure transparency and accountability, while combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejecting all attempts to justify this abhorrent phenomenon. A great deal of the effort of the OIC is directed toward human development in the socio-economic spheres in its Member States through concrete and practical programmes, including poverty alleviation, education, science and technology, and empowering woman and elevating her status. Fighting Malaria and Polio has recently become an important priority for our organization. We are working hard for reconciliation between Islam and the West because we believe that today’s human civilization is one civilization with a multitude of tributaries and branches. We in the OIC, inspired by our new Charter, are striving to build the new Muslim man and woman with new vision, by merging the rich heritage of the past with the positive aspects of the present and future. We are eager to see the Muslim world go forth in the world with all developed bodies, fairly developed brains and developed hearts. We look forward to the day when we can together conquer the prejudices that divide us, and eradicate the stereotypes which stoke the enmity among nations and peoples. We also look forward to the day when we could together build a world free from hostilities and bigotries, a world where peace, concord and friendship prevail, where cooperation, progress and prosperity thrive, and where humanity will become the driving force which inspires our minds and deeds. So, let us work together to safeguard humankind, our planet and the nature around us for our future generation and for our shared interests. Let us be an instrument of God, the unlimited ocean of love. Thank you for joining us in this happy occasion wishing you all the best.

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