Statement of His Excellency Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference at the 9th Session of the Standing Committee for Information & Cultural Affairs

Date: 13/10/2010

Dakar, Republic Of Senegal 3-5 Zulqada, 1431h (11-13 October, 2010) Your Excellency Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairman of the OIC Summit and Chairman of the Standing Committee for Information & Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. At the outset, please allow me Mr. President Abdoulaye Wade, to express our feelings of great delight and happiness to be in this beautiful city of Dakar once again since the leaders of the Organization of the Islamic Conference had gathered here in March 2008 for the 11th OIC Summit. The Summit Conference constituted a crucial turning-point in the process of joint Islamic action as it adopted the new Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Mr. President, This auspicious occasion of the 9th session of the Standing Committee for Cultural and Information Affairs (COMIAC) is a day of great significance as it coincides with Senegal’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of its independence. I congratulate you and the people of Senegal, for the progress and development achieved in this vibrant democracy under your wise leadership. A very important aspect of the 9th COMIAC Session is that it is being held when the OIC would be an opportunity for a mid term review of the TYPOA. In this exercise, we will be able to analyze our achievements and the shortcomings over the past five years in the fields of information and culture and take new decisions to fulfill our targets. Mr. President Your guidance and patronage as Chair of the OIC Summit has been a constant source of inspiration and strength to the work of the Standing Committee. Your enlightening and visionary statement today will once again vindicate the trust and confidence that the OIC has reposed on you. As being the second largest international organization outside the United Nations, and inspired by its guiding principles of moderation and modernization, the OIC has emerged as a major player in international affairs and is recognized for its constructive contributions. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting (ACM) held in New York last month accepted the OIC as “a strategic and crucial partner of the UN and plays a significant role in helping to resolve a wide range of issues facing the world community” Excellencies In the present day digital globalized world of information and communication technology, the media has attained unprecedented power and influence. Media can and does indeed, play a role in manipulating national and global policies and shaping societies. This newly acquired power can be both beneficial and detrimental to humankind depending on how we use it. Freedom of expression is sacrosanct but not absolute Abuse of the media to infuse mistrust, and incite hatred and turmoil defies and undermines the sanctity of the media. This is a question that calls for the urgent attention of the international community and to reach a consensus on where to draw the lines. Excellencies, The Organization of the Islamic Conference is committed to the exercise of responsible freedom of expression. Our efforts in this regard consisted of constant communication and interaction with media and the clarification of consistent positions in all political, economic, scientific, cultural and other issues taken in hand by the OIC. As was mandated by the TYPOA, I have undertaken a number of steps towards developing and modernizing our information network at the General Secretariat. We have strengthened the Information Department by recruiting a team of dedicated and efficient professionals and I have tasked them with specific responsibilities to bring out quality publications including the OIC journal. This team is also tasked to project the various activities and developments of the OIC and its Member States. This is being done through issuance of press releases, publication of articles and news coverage in international newspapers as well as broadcast of interviews in the electronic media. The wide coverage of the OIC’s 40th Anniversary is a case in point. The TYPOA inter-alia, had entrusted me to evaluate the situation of the two vital OIC institutions namely the International Islamic News Agency (IINA) and the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU). The two bodies can play an effective and vital role in dissemination of information of the OIC and its Member States and need to be modernized and strengthened. Unless we take some urgent and drastic actions, we will continue to lag behind the media of the developed world. I am happy to note that a study on the restructuring of the IINA has now been completed and put into force gradually. The Digital Solidarity Fund that was established at the initiative of His Excellency President Wade offers a practical way out to develop our capacity in meeting the challenges in this regard. The last Islamic Meeting of OIC Information Ministers had underlined the need to set a US$25-million fund to finance cooperation and interaction with the international media. I would call on the Member States for their support in the matter. I would like to commend many Member States which have or are in the process of launching satellite channels to communicate with other parts of the Islamic world, such as the Arab-speaking Turkish channel. These endeavours serve to bring together the diverse cultures of the Muslim world and help promote solidarity and brotherhood. We hope that other countries will follow suit and launch channels in the languages of multi-ethnic Muslim peoples. Mr. President, Excellencies, The rising intolerance of Islamic culture and traditions being perpetrated by marginal yet backed by powerful and motivated patrons and ultra right wing extremist political parties and their followers in parts of the western world is a matter of alarm to all Muslims . Over the past five years, the OIC had to face daunting and formidable challenges that sought to demean, insult and make mockery of our beloved and revered Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), defile the Holy Quran and distort the principles of tolerance and compassion embodied in Islam. The recent incidents of publication of a book containing the insulting cartoons of the noble Prophet (PBUH) by a Danish newspaper and the call to burn the Holy Quran by a pastor in Florida were disseminated by mass media. It fell on the General Secretariat and the Member States us to sensitize the conscience of the international community through use of the media of the dangerous implications of such actions. Mr. President, Excellencies, The OIC had to stand up to a well orchestrated and determined attack to undermine the overwhelming richness and greatness of Islamic culture and traditions and demonize Muslims as terrorists and extremists. The perpetrators and activists of Islamophobia are doing their best in using all available mechanisms to corrupt the mindset of the ordinary people, in particular the youths, in developing a distorted view of Islam and Muslims. This attack on our poses a serious threat to global peace and security. We are engaged with our Western counterparts to sensitize them of the mischief being caused by intolerance of Islam and Muslims and to encourage them to learn, understand and appreciate the values of tolerance and embracement of diversity that lies at the heart of Islamic culture. This culture of intolerance against Muslims and Islam has to be countered by a more committed political will on the part of the OIC Member States and I would appeal to all that we realize that it is high time to rise to the occasion. Our policy to deal with the issue should not be based on vengeance or revenge but to effectively prove the senseless absurdity and foolhardiness of those involved in taking the world towards the brink of instability and political and social disorder. Excellencies, The TYPOA had underlined the need to collectively endeavour to reflect the noble Islamic values, counter Islamophobia and defamation of Islam and promote dialogue with non –OIC Member states. In accordance with the directives of the Heads of State and Government, we have established an Observatory on Islamophobia at the General Secretariat. Since its establishment, the Observatory has brought out three Annual Reports: the first one was released at the Dakar summit. The Observatory monitors Islamophobic incidents including attacks on Islamic culture and discriminations and violation of cultural and political rights of Muslims on a daily basis and compiles the same as monthly reports and makes available on the OIC website. The Observatory has undertaken an active role on countering attacks on our culture by issuing rejoinders and statements of condemnations. At the same time we are actively engaged with the political leadership and reputed international organizations and institutions of the west to underscore our concerns and to draw them to join us on a common platform to combat this dangerous phenomenon. The OIC had pioneered the concept of dialogue among civilizations as early as 1988. We have championed the cause of the dialogue as we believe that it is the only viable option for peace, security and tolerance in the present day globalized world. In this respect, I would like to make particular mention of the visionary initiative taken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia for promoting interfaith dialogue held in Makkah, Madrid, Geneva and New York. We also appreciate the noble initiatives taken by other leaders of the Muslim World to promote dialogue for furthering the cause of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among people of diverse cultures and religious beliefs Excellencies, Family is the most basic and important institution in society. A strong and good family gives shape to the character of the society and it is of paramount importance to put our collective efforts for the development of the family based on the moral values and principles embodied in Islam. The establishment of the new Family Affairs Department in the General Secretariat will be devoted to the cause addressing issues concerning the family. The issues concerning women have been among the top priorities of the OIC. I would like to inform this august session that the progress in this field has been exemplary. The General Secretariat has held two Ministerial level Meetings on women, the first in Istanbul in 2006 and the second in Cairo in 2008. The Third OIC Ministerial Meeting on Women is scheduled to be held in Tehran on December 19, this year. The Member States at the Second Ministerial Meeting in Cairo adopted the OIC Plan of Action for Advancement of Women (OPAAW). This document provides a road map to effectively address the various issues and problems faced by women. The CFM decision to establish a specialized agency in Cairo for advancement of women of the Member States was another significant development towards addressing women related issues. Children and youths are our future. The OIC General Secretariat together with all its concerned bodies active in the field are devoted to the task of their development. The Second OIC Ministerial Meeting on Childhood that was held in Khartoum, Sudan in February 2009 underscored the issues of children’s welfare including education, recreation and protection from child abuse and exploitation. The OIC General Secretariat and the ISESCO are already engaged with the Government of the Libyan Jamahiriya in preparation of the holding of the Third Islamic Ministerial Meeting on Childhood in Tripoli in February next year. Excellencies, Here, I must point out the great injustice and inhuman policies adopted by Israel in restricting or in some cases preventing, Palestinian children from receiving education in the occupied territories. I would urge the Standing Committee to take a strong position on this grave issue and to take up the matter with the international community particularly at the UNESCO, to exert effective pressure on the Israeli authorities to put an end to the discriminatory policies that are surely designed to deny the Palestinian children to their basic right of education. Within the reform process in the International Islamic Fiqh Academy its new Statute was approved by the 33rd ICFM in Baku. I have to mention here however that the functioning of the Academy has scope of further improvement and we are committed to achieve this objective. It is of vital importance to exchange views on the rapprochement among Muslim schools of thought and articulate visions and ideas on the need to deepen dialogue among Muslim schools of thought and to embrace a clear-cut approach to issuing religious edicts (Fatwas). Mr. President, Excellencies, The disastrous floods that hit Pakistan was one worst humanitarian disasters in recent history. The loss of valuable lives was enormous. I personally visited the flood hit areas and saw the staggering extent of the devastation and human misery. I convened an emergency meeting at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on August 18, 2010 and made an appeal to all to come forth in the spirit of Islamic solidarity and to stand by the people of Pakistan in their hour of need. While expressing my deep appreciation to all who responded spontaneously and generously to our appeal, I would like to urge you to continue with your generosity to the affected people, so that they can return to their normal lives at the earliest. In conclusion, let me reiterate that the challenges we face in the information and cultural fields are real and difficult that will not go away any time soon. While we can take some satisfaction that our efforts in some areas have borne fruit, complacency cannot be an option. Our efforts at the General Secretariat and those of our specialized agencies, subsidiary organs and affiliated institutions will continue without relent and we would need constant support of the Member States. I would strongly urge to your Excellencies that we pool our collective resources to invest on the following: •To build a strong and effective state of the art digital information and communication digital network to disseminate our ideals and our activities both within and outside the OIC. Our message of moderation and modernization must reach, understood and appreciated by all segments of society in our present day globalized world. •To embark on effective training programmes so that our media personnel can project the OIC for what it stands and counter the campaigns that are out to malign us •To help in making the OIC Observatory on Islamophobia develop into a strong mechanism that can motivate world opinion against the dangers of the phenomenon. •To showcase the richness of our cultural heritage, traditions by expositions and celebrations all over the world so that no one remains ignorant of the glorious values of peace and compassion engrained in Islamic culture and to remove the existing misgivings and prejudices. •To invest on the vulnerable segments of our society including women, youths and children by ensuring their proper upbringing and create access to better education, health care and healthy recreations and character development. •To further enhance a close and constructive working relationship with the United Nations and its affiliated bodies to bring our issues of concern into the agenda of the international community and to work towards their resolution. Excellencies, A committed support by the Member States will inspire us to move forward. We are confident that the vital domain of the COMIAC through the media under the wise leadership of His Excellency President Maitre Abdoulaye Wade will not fail in living up to the expectations of the Ummah. Last but not the least, I would like to express on behalf of all of us gathered here and my own behalf, our sincere gratitude and thanks for the warm, generous and brotherly hospitality provided to us by the Government and people of Senegal and for the excellent arrangements made to make the 9th Session of COMIAC a success. I thank you all

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