Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 24/04/2010
Jeddah April 24-25, 2010 Distinguished Focal Points of the AoC Focal Points of the OIC Member States, I would like to extend to you all a very warm welcome to the Headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and to thank you for responding to our invitaion to attend this first ever meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) Focal Points of the OIC Member States. As you are all aware, the Alliance of Civilizations was established to form a bridge between diverse civilizations and cultures and to adopt strategies and action programmes that would effectively address the issues and concerns that seek to drive a wedge between the West and Muslim World. What is particularly relevant for us is that the Alliance of civilizations was conceptualized on the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations, which was an OIC initiative undertaken and put on the UN agenda in 1998. Furthermore, the fact that an OIC Member State, namely Turkey, being one of the founding co-sponsors of the establishment of the AoC makes it imperative for the OIC to play an active role in AoC programmes and activities. The OIC has actively supported the Alliance of Civilizations since its inception in 2005. The lofty aims and objectives set by the AoC found acceptability in the international community with governments and international organizations joining the organization as Group of Friends. The number of Group of Friends has exceeded more than one hundred and to my knowledge, 27 OIC Member States are among them. This Meeting today is an OIC family affair, and I would therefore like to be frank in expressing my views on our involvement in the Alliance activities and programmes. I find it somewhat disheartening to note that while the Western countries are active in taking advantage of the AoC forum to further their own agenda, the role played by the OIC Group has not been that - prominent. This situation needs appropriate action on our part. The purpose behind the holding of this Meeting was to create an opportunity to put our minds together on developing a common OIC stance at all AoC Forums. I am convinced that your deliberations today and tomorrow, will lead the way to better and sustained consultation and cooperation between the OIC Member States on matters related to the AoC. The OIC Focal Point and my Special Envoy Ambassador Omur Orhun can act as a conduit and coordinator to supplement our joint efforts. I believe that the Report of High Level Group that was mandated by the UN Secretary General should always be the reference point of all AoC Programmes and activities. I also believe that the raison d’être for creating the AoC forum was to negate the theory of “clash of civilizations”. The AoC, as I could understand from the Report of the High Level Group, would seek “to address widening rifts between societies by reaffirming a paradigm of mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious traditions and by helping to mobilize concerted action toward this end. This effort reflects the will of the vast majority of peoples to reject extremism in any society and support respect for religious and cultural diversity.” The OIC Charter and the TYPOA pursue the same vision and objectives. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, In outlining the political dimension of the Alliance of Civilizations, the Report mentions inter alia, that the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 set forth a chain of events that continues to be one of the most tortuous in relations between Western and Muslim societies. The report further stated that Israel’s continuing occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories and the unresolved status of Jerusalem - a holy city for Muslims and Christians as well as Jews – have persisted with the perceived acquiescence of Western governments. Those facts constitute the primary causes of resentment and anger in the Muslim world toward Western nations. In the context of relations between Muslim and Western societies, the High Level Group Report mentions that the perception of double standards in the application of international law and the protection of human rights are particularly acute. The Report also took into account the assertions in the West that Islam is inherently violent. The related statements by some political and religious leaders in the West – including the use of terms such as “Islamic terrorism” and “Islamic fascism” - have contributed to the propagation of the manifestation of Islamophobia. I would say that the HLG findings of 2005 stands to be true in 2010 and I fear that this state of affairs will exacerbate further in the days ahead unless the Western partners join us in earnest to address the phenomenon. To help in bridging the Muslim-West divide, I had called for a Historical Reconciliation between Islam and Christianity. I firmly believe that if we could achieve this, we would be able to go a long way in ending the strife, hatred, incitement and suspicions that fuel the divide. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I had on different occasions asserted that the OIC looks forward for a constructive relationship and useful cooperation and interaction with the AoC for the benefit of humanity, and for the furtherance of harmony, concord and peaceful co-existence among all the peoples of the world. The Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) and the OIC share the similar goals and objectives, and they travel the same journey for the betterment of humanity. The 36th CFM held in Damascus had tasked the General Secretariat to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the AoC and called on the Member States to join the AoC Group of Friends. The MoU was signed in April 2009 and we are now actively engaged in drawing up a joint plan of action that would serve the interests of the OIC family. The OIC and the Member states have taken many initiatives in organizing dialogues involving different sections in the societies of the West and the Muslim world to be sensitized of the dangerous implications of Islamophobia that is widening the chasm between the two sides. We have heard of many encouraging and positive recommendations coming out of the dialogue initiatives, but nothing concrete is visible to convince us that real actions are underway to curb the trend of Islamophobia. The OIC would like to go beyond mere dialogue, and would wish to attain familiarity and cordiality among and between all human beings. For these reasons, the OIC attaches special significance to its relationship and interaction with the AoC. The OIC’s observation of the year 2010 as the International Year for Rapprochement for Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue, as provided for under a UN Resolution, can provide a sound framework in that regard. I understand that you will be deliberating on the AoC Mediterranean Strategy which is expected to be adopted by the AoC Third Annual Forum in Rio. The OIC Focal Point has submitted its inputs for the strategy, but the draft document prepared by the AoC was sanitized to delete many of our immediate concerns. I will ask Ambassador Omur Orhun to brief you on this issue. I would only urge the OIC Member States to ensure that our common interests are not lost in the face of pressures from the West and that you will speak out forcefully to secure that final document to be adopted by the Rio Forum, will take on board all our concerns. I am happy to inform you that the OIC and AoC along with the Council of Europe would be holding a side event on “Addressing Islamophobia” at the Rio Forum next month. I would request your active participation at this event to raise awareness of our western partners on the gravity of the issue and the dangerous threat it poses to peace and security of humanity at large. In short, the OIC is and will be ready and willing to join the AoC in its efforts to establish contacts and to build bridges between civilizations and cultures. Like the AoC, we also believe that diversity is our wealth, and that universal human rights principles are our strength. On the other hand, we share AoC’s endeavors to protect human dignity, humanity’s common heritage, values and cultural identity. Furthermore, we endorse AoC’s efforts in combating intolerance, stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination and distortion of history. We are willing to work with the AoC in active participation to consolidate democratic institutions, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. On the other hand, we are also determined to defend the rights of the most vulnerable members of our societies: women, children, youth, elderly, the immigrants, and the disabled. What we want to achieve in this meeting can be summarized as follows: 1.Through your endeavors and with your assistance, we want to encourage OIC Member States to be more actively involved with AoC related activities through, for instance, the adoption of AoC National Plans on dialogue and interaction among civilizations and to initiate projects on the four targets namely media, education, migration and the youth; 2.We also wish to urge all OIC Member States to establish closer interaction with the AoC, as a relevant forum for dialogue by, for example, enlisting themselves in the AoC Group of Friends, if they are not yet members; 3.Display of solidarity among OIC Member States through consultation and coordination is of utmost importance. Therefore, we would also like to call for unified positions during AoC meetings and activities and to develop our media and communication network to reach the ordinary people of our own countries and those in western societies; 4.Furthermore, I believe we must aim to work constructively also within the context of the AoC on a common platform aiming at developing projects addressing the need for inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue at all levels With these words of introduction, I would like to wish a profitable exchange of views and positions and a successful meeting. I thank you.
