Recommendations for OIC summit finalised

The two-day meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Commission of Eminent Persons has prepared a strategy and plan of action, enabling the Islamic Ummah to meet the challenges of the 21st century and to avoid confrontation or capitulation in dealing with the western world. The document will be submitted for consideration and approval of the Extraordinary Summit of the OIC in Makkah later this year.
The OIC Commission comprising eminent Islamic scholars and intellectuals from 17 member states and Secretary General OIC was mandated by the Tenth OIC Summit in October 2004 to prepare a comprehensive plan for promoting universally and in particular within Islamic societies programmes for promoting enlightened moderation and restructuring of OIC system.
The meeting was chaired by Foreign Minister Dato Sri Syed Hamid Albar of Malaysia and was assisted by Mushahid Hussain and OIC Secretary General.
The Commissioners in their deliberation analysed the challenges faced by OIC members in political security, economic education and media domains. They identified, inter alia, continued marginalization of the Islamic countries in international affairs, issues of democracy and good governance, foreign occupation of Muslim peoples and territories, economic underdevelopment, low quality of education, inadequate scientific and technological research and the need to project a positive image of Islam and Muslim people as the main challenges.
The commission recommended strengthening the unity and cohesion amongst Muslim states through full implementation of OIC resolutions, co-ordination at international forums including the United Nations, and extending moral political and diplomatic support to the oppressed Muslim communities and minorities, especially those facing foreign occupation. They stressed the need for the international community to address the root-causes of terrorism and to evolve effective co-ordination for countering this scourge. The Commissioners laid great emphasis on the integration of the Islamic economies to enhance economic development and growth in the Islamic world. The Commission also proposed formulation of innovative schemes to eradicate poverty, such as micro credit, promoting small and medium enterprises and promulgating land reforms. Enabling women to play their full role in all aspects of the society and to create conducive environment for growth of children were highlighted among key priorities of the Islamic countries.
The meeting outlined a comprehensive plan to implement the strategy of "enlightened moderation" internally by rejection of terrorism, religious extremism and promotion of moderation, good governance, rule of law, democratic reforms and separation of powers amongst various organs of state.
On the external front, there was a consensus that Islamic World should avoid either confrontation or capitulation in dealing with Western world and forging close co-operative relations with other civilisations. Creation of enabling environment to facilitate East-West co-operation including provision of assistance, funding and transfer of technology to Muslim countries has also been identified as a major aspect of enlightened moderation. Countering manifestations of extremism in other civilisations and religions was also recommended as an important plank of the strategy.