KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is not only a platform for cooperation among the Ummah, but also a stage to launch a defence against extremism and Islamophobia at international level, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The prime minister said that the growing negative perceptions and insults against Islam had exacerbated hostilities against Muslims, especially those living in the West.
"It is for the Ummah to project and promote the true image of Islam by highlighting the universal values, the rich heritage and achievements of this sacred religion that teaches its followers tolerance and respect for others," he said in his message on the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of establishment of the OIC Friday.
The message was released here.
Najib also said that after 40 years, the OIC had evolved into a body that served and safeguarded the interests of the Ummah.
The prime minister is pleased to note that the organisation has actively involved in the promotion of activities to further enhance cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the 57 member states with a population of more than 1.5 billion.
Najib said however that the world was a vastly different place today than it was 40 years ago, and that many new challenges had emerged.
"For the OIC to remain relevant in the globalised, technological and a borderless world, it must move with the times," he said.
"Members must work together, maximise the use of their combined resources for the collective good and benefit of the Ummah.
The OIC must recognise the new challenges in the post Sept 11 era not only in the political and security areas but also in the economic and social sphere."
Najib said the OIC must play the role of catalyst and provider for the economic and social development among the least developed members of the organisation.
"As the world moves on, we cannot afford to be left behind. Joint and concerted efforts are needed to remove the shackles of poverty still afflicting millions of our fellow Muslims around the world.
"It is for us to shape our own destiny and therefore we must aim to grow through self-reliance. Poverty, hunger and disease are the common enemies of mankind," he said.
The prime minister said while the international community was addressing these problems, the OIC must play its part.
"While the challenges are many, they cannot be ignored. Members must close ranks to address them for the benefit of the present and future generations," he said.
On the Palestinian issue, Najib said despite international efforts to resolve the matter, "we are disheartened and dismayed over the grave and volatile situation that continues in the occupied Palestinian territories."
On Malaysia's role in the OIC, Najib said as a founding member of the organisation, Malaysia played an important role in its establishment.
He added that while holding the OIC chairmanship from Oct 2003 until March 2008, Malaysia had reoriented the focus of the organisation from solely deliberating on political issues to one that also emphasised on economic issues.
"To this effect, the government of Malaysia remains committed to enhancing economic cooperation among the OIC member states and promoting intra-OIC trade.
"Despite the potential, intra-OIC trade currently stands at 16.7 per cent of total world trade," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment