Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 25/07/2013
Jeddah, 23 July 2013 His Royal Highness Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, President General of Youth Welfare and President of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation. Excellencies, The Honorable Delegates, Assalamoalaikom wa rahmatullah and Ramadan Kareem It gives me great pleasure to address the opening of the 8th Session of the General Assembly of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation held during the holy month of Ramadan in this beautiful city of Jeddah. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, for his tireless and sincere efforts towards the advancement of youth and promotion of sports in the Muslim world particularly in his capacity as the head of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, which is an important affiliated organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Allow me also to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, his government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind support extended to the OIC in general and to the promotion and rehabilitation of youth and sports in particular. This support has tremendously contributed in strengthening the bonds of unity and solidarity among the youths of the Islamic world as well as in the improvement of the sport and its environment in the OIC Member States. Distinguished Participants, Strong and healthy societies are built by citizens who enjoy physical and mental strength and energy. It is in fact through a healthy body that the human brain functions better and the intellectual capacity improves. Islam as a religion of health, power and knowledge gives great importance to sports and physical and mental well being. Our prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than the weak believer”. The Organization of the Islamic Cooperation attaches great importance to the youth and sports sector. The OIC Ten Year Program of Action adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukkarramah in 2005 gave special attention to the issues of youth and sports in the Muslim world. I am happy that within the framework of this plan of action, Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation has already taken some major initiatives and exerted commendable efforts in coordination with the OIC General Secretariat. To promote sports in our countries, dedicated and committed efforts by all stake holders are of utmost importance. I am confident that further cooperation and coordination between the OIC Member States and their sports institutions and the OIC General Secretariat and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, will go a long way in achieving the aspired goals and will materialize the implementation of programs related to promotion of sports and advancing the status youth in the Islamic world in an optimal way. Your Royal Highness, Distinguished Delegates, In conclusion, I would like to reiterate OIC’s support to the efforts and activities of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and to the Members of this august General Assembly. I wish you all the very best and I have full confidence that your active participation will contribute to its success towards achieving the aspired goal Islamic solidarity as well as promotion and development of sports and healthy societies in the Member States. Thank you for your attention.
