Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 20/12/2011
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu addressed today 18th December 2011, the Opening Session of the 7th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers in Algiers, Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Algeria . The Secretary General in his statement which was delivered by Ambassasdor Sameer Bakr Diab, Assistant Secretary General stated that culture has been receiving increasing interest within the Muslim countries as indicated by higher budget allocation, frequent cultural activities and emergence of deeper interest in tangible and intangible heritage which made culture a strategic sector. He mentioned that multiplicity and diversity provide a chance for civiliations and cultures to open up to one another in an interactive dialogue that would enrich the human civilization and culture at large. He added that there was no doubt that Islamic culture with its noble message and rich human heritage was worthy of a distictive status among other cultures. While warning against the dangers of excavations under the Al-Aqsa Mosque and building illegal settlements by Israel, the Secretary General urged the international community and the UNESCO to persuade Israel to respect the International Law and put an end to its illegal practices in Palestine. He also expressed his satisfaction that the State of Palestine had acquired full-fledged membership in UNESCO which is a historical breakthrough and a positive prologue to obtain a full-fledged membership in the UN as well. The Secretary General underscored that Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims are among the biggest challenges that have exceeded personal behavior to be rather a systematic political action to gain supporters. He also stated that the phenomenon has taken legal and constitutional forms in some Europaen countries. He reiterated that freedom of expression should not be abused in instigating hatred and misunderstanding and that it should be responsible and law abiding. The Secretary General also extended his support to the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullan Bin Abdul Aziz on the Dialogue Among the Followers of Religions and Civilizations and welcomed the establishment of the Center of King Abdullah for this purpose in Vienna and wished it all success in its mission.
