Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 15/06/2010
The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Tan Sri Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, assured the leadership of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) of the readiness of the OIC to work with the University in strengthening its efforts for the advancement of knowledge and human development through education and harnessing of modern technologies. ‘It is through polling of our resources and exchange of knowledge and expertise between the fortunate and the less fortunate OIC member states that we can promote our common well-being and the establishment of the International Institute for Islamic Unity by the IIUM is a step in the right direction.’ He noted.
Ihsanoglu said this in his acceptance speech at the special convocation ceremony held by IIUM on Tuesday, 15 June 2010 at its Kuala Lumpur campus where he was awarded a honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science by the University. The conferment of this degree is in recognition of the Secretary General’s leadership and outstanding contribution to the Muslim ummah and Islamic civilization, commitment to the promotion of the cause of Islam and the Muslim world and also for his contributions towards the progress and development of the IIUM.
In his speech, the Secretary General extended his thanks and gratitude to the president of IIUM, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Haji Hassan, for gracing the occasion and honouring him with this special award on behalf of the University’s constitutional head Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah. He also thanked the Rector of the University and the top management for recognizing his past endeavours and achievements in the service of the umman.
Ihsanoglu said that he is profoundly touched to be honoured by the IIUM, ‘an initiative that comes from a great Alma Mater of the Muslim world, which has served the ummah with diligence for the last four decades since its establishment in 1983. The IIUM’s commitment to knowledge and wisdom has remained firm and unequivocal and over the years it has produced scholars of high eminence who are currently engaged in promoting excellence in their respective disciplines. They are undoubtedly the true representatives of the OIC’s larger vision of moderation and modernization’, he emphasized.
The Secretary General noted that ‘Vision 1441 H for Science and Technology’, which was adopted in this great city of Kuala Lumpur in October 2003, resolves to make a community that values knowledge and is competent in utilizing and advancing science and technology to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the ummah. It provides a detailed road-map to promote research and development, innovation and creativity and applying science and technology for community goals which envisages a special role by educational institutions like IIUM. He commended the University for its role in commercialization of research and development achievements and for its promotion of science and technology as a way of life for the people.
After concluding his acceptance speech, the Secretary General delivered a talk on the ‘Challenges and Future Directions of the OIC’ in which he discussed a number of issues which included the expectation towards achieving the directions of the OIC in the next ten years, the challenges ahead, and cooperation among OIC member states in enhancing financial, physical and educational resources.
The Secretary General emphasised on the relevance of OIC as a major international organization to the Muslim ummah whose amalgamation is due to historical and sociological facts. He thanked Malaysia and its current and past leadership for its contribution to the OIC and its chairmanship of the 10th OIC Islamic Summit when Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi was Prime Minister of Malaysia who contributed immensely towards the betterment of the OIC. He also touched on intra-OIC trade, power in the world, restructuring of the OIC which resulted in a new OIC charter and Ten-Year Programme of Action document and the progress achieved so far with regard to the boycott on Ghaza especially after the aftermath of the attack on the Freedom Flotilla. He also talked about youth, human rights and cultural issues which included the approval of establishing an Independent Human Rights Commission and a centre dedicated to woman and family affairs to be based in Cairo, Egypt.
The special convocation ceremony was followed by a press conference in which the Secretary General responded to questions of journalists who represented Malaysian TV stations and newspapers.
