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Date: 25/05/2009
STATEMENT BY NAWABZADA MALIK AMAD KHAN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AT THE THIRTY-SIX SESSION OF THE OIC COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
( Enhancing Islamic Solidarity )
Damascus , Syria , 23-25 May 2009
Your Excellency Mr. Waleed Al-Muallim, Foreign Minister of Syria ,
Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanogulu, OIC Secretary General,
Distinguished Foreign Ministers,
Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,
Asslam Alaikum
It is a great privilege for me and my delegation to be in this ancient city which is also a center of Islam's glorious culture and traditions. We are grateful to the Government and people of Syria for their generous hospitality.
I wish to congratulate you, my brother Foreign Minister Waleed Al Muallim, on your assumption of the Chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. Our deepest gratitude also goes to Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda for the guidance and contribution as the Chairman of the CFM.
May I also appreciate the valuable contribution of Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanogulu as the Secretary General of our Organization. The Secretary General's efforts and vision have greatly enhanced the stature of the OIC. His skills are great assets in these challenging times.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters
Islam declares that each one among us is a source of strength to the other. Throughout history, this founding tenet of Islamic community has inspired Muslims belonging to diverse ethnicities, regions and language groups. Our successes as a community are a tribute to our unity; our failures - a consequence of divisions and disharmony in the community.
We must learn from history to address our contemporary challenges. I am confident that this assembly would produce practical and realistic recommendations for greater cohesion, unity and solidarity among all Muslims.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters
Islam has brought the eternal message of humanity and egalitarianism; of tolerance and moderation; of compassion and charity. It empowered the weak and the vulnerable against injustices and exploitations. It revolutionized old social structures and eradicated ignorance and injustice. The message of Islam is universal.
We must fully grasp Islam's message and apply it to political, social and economic problems that we confront today.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters
A misguided minority among us is trying to hijack our great religion. They are trying to promote extremism and terrorism in the name of religion.
It is a matter of pride for us that the OIC states are united in eradicating terrorism and extremism from the world and in their respective societies. We have done more than anyone else in the world to fight terrorism and promote moderation, not merely through counseling and lectures but by actually fighting terrorists even when the stability in our own societies is at risk.
Pakistan 's continues its fight against militancy, violent extremism and terrorism. We are fighting ideologies of violence and a retrogressive interpretation of Islam.
Terrorists have martyred over 6000 innocent men, women and children in the last eight years in Pakistan . Recently, their atrocities have forced hundreds of thousands of innocent Pakistanis to leave their homes and seek shelter in other parts of the country. This huge cost notwithstanding, the people of Pakistan are united in eradicating this menace, root and branch. Their sacrifices must be supported by the international community, particularly the Islamic states and in particular this Organization.
Let us utilize this meeting to renew our pledge that we all will persevere in our efforts to deal with this menace.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters
Fanaticism and extremism have many forms. One of their manifestations is the rising trend to defame Islam and its holy personalities by associating them with terrorism. There is no justification for stereotyping and insulting Islam or any other divine religion in the name of freedom of expression. We understand that those who are promoting this trend are also a minority in their societies.
Unfortunately, they enjoy freedom to promote their odious agendas.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Mr. Chairman,
We all agree that interfaith dialogue and cooperation is necessary to promote international harmony. However, this dialogue must lead to evolving an effective international framework to prevent the defamation of religions. The OIC Secretary General enjoys the support of this body to explore establishment of such a framework.
The establishment of OIC Observatory on Islamophobia is a welcome development. We hope this Observatory will meticulously record and report incidents of defamation of Islam, Islamophobia and related intolerance in all parts of the world.
Excellencies, Dear brothers and Sisters,
Peace is not just absence of war. It cannot be sustained if it is predicated merely on preservation of the right of the strongest. Peace and stability are the most visible manifestations of justice and equity, the most pronounced expression of harmony, impartiality and even-handedness. For durable peace and stability, international community must address injustices done to the occupied Muslim peoples. Their just causes must not be de-legitimized. They should be enabled to exercise their inalienable right of self determination.
The OIC must remain united in its support to end foreign occupation of Islamic peoples and territories. We must not allow abuse of fight against terrorism to justify violation of the right of self determination of the occupied Muslim peoples.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters
Our Palestinian brothers and sisters have suffered too much and too long.
Pakistan has consistently extended unequivocal support to the Palestinians in their struggle against foreign occupation.
We believe in, and strongly support the international efforts for the final settlement of the issue culminating in the shape of a viable and independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds as its capital.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are struggling for their right of self determination. Over a half century has passed since they were promised this right. Yet the promise is un-kept. We are thankful to our brothers for their unstinting support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle against foreign occupation.
Pakistan is committed to achieving durable solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspiration of the Kashmiri people. For this purpose, India should resume the Composite Dialogue process in all earnest and sincerity.
Dear Brothers and sisters,
Pakistan shares special affiliations with Afghanistan . Our two peoples share common roots of faith, culture and history. We recently hosted the 3 rd Session of Regional Economic Cooperation Conference for Afghanistan (RECCA) in Islamabad in which we agreed on renewed focus on development of Afghanistan .
Pakistan has been an active participant in the reconstruction of Afghanistan . We continue to host over 2 million Afghan refugees. We look forward to the creation of such conditions in Afghanistan that would enable their return and reintegration so that they can contribute to Afghanistan 's development.
It is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us that stability is returning to Iraq . It is, indeed, a tribute to resilience and courage of our Iraqi brothers and sisters. Pakistan will remain supportive to the Iraqi Government in its efforts to promote security, stability and prosperity in Iraq .
Excellencies,
In the post Second World War security architecture, the share of Islamic states was negligible. We must remain vigilant that the reform of the United Nations as well as the expansion of the Security Council should not relegate the vast majority of the UN membership particularly the OIC members to a second class status. Any reform of the Security Council must ensure adequate representation of the OIC Member States in any category of membership in an expanded Security Council.
Dear Brothers and sisters,
History bears witness that Islamic culture is opposed to stagnation and inaction. It has encouraged its adherents to seek and impart knowledge, build bridges and promote dialogue. In line with the spirit of our common culture, we need to put dynamic systems in place to promote scientific knowledge and technology.
The Tenth Islamic Summit Conference held at Putrajaya , Malaysia , adopted the resolution regarding the voluntary establishment of national funds for development of science and technology in the OIC member states. It could be useful for the OIC member states to establish a national endowment funds (WAQF Funds), with the participation of the public and private sectors, for promoting science and technology.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Pakistan 's democratic government attaches great importance to fundamental freedoms and human rights of all. We view the efforts to establish OIC's Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission with great optimism and expectation. I am sure this Commission will provide practical solutions which are also consistent with Islamic values to the human rights issues our states are confronted with.
Pakistan has expertise in this area. As OIC Coordinator on Human Rights and Humanitarian issues, Pakistan hopes that the Commission would, inter alia, provide much needed legal and intellectual support to the OIC Group in multilateral fora.
Excellencies , Brothers and Sisters,
OIC remains at the center of our common endeavours to promote unity, solidarity and IKHWA among Muslims. The adoption of its Charter last year raised hopes among Islamic peoples; hopes for OIC to emerge as a cohesive body; manned by competent staff; fully equipped to deal with our collective challenges and a premier contributor to our common efforts to bridge knowledge deficits in our societies.
The OIC must maintain its unique character and identity. It is only possible when the Amended Charter is closely adhered to and religiously implemented. With other members, Pakistan remains committed to transforming the OIC into a revitalized, cohesive and strong organization fully capable of protecting the interests of all its members.
Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters,
All preceding generations have faced critical moments of their age. Our generation also stands at a critical juncture of our history. Unity, solidarity and a strong sense of Islamic IKWA is the key to overcome the challenge it presents.
As our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) ordained let us act as one body in regard to affection and solidarity; when any limb of it aches, the whole body must ache.
This should be the key message from this Conference to our Islamic brothers and sisters and the rest of the world.
Thank you very much and Asslam Alaikum
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