Islamic thought, Culture and Education



DRAFT

OIC TEN-YEAR PROGRAMME

OF ACTION TO MEET THE

CHALLENGES FACING THE

UMMAH IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Submitted to:

The Third Extraordinary Session of the

Islamic Summit Conference

Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

5-6 Dhul Qada 1426 H

7-8 December 2005

Introduction

The Muslim World is faced with grave political, socio-economic, cultural and scientific challenges with implications for its unity, peace, security and development. OIC Member States would need to cooperate decisively in order to face these challenges and to take necessary initiatives to overcome them. It has therefore become imperative for them to take joint actions within the framework of the OIC, based on our common values and ideals so as to contribute to the promotion of global peace and stability, in a manner that will help the Muslim Ummah to revive its glorious past as a pioneering force for peace, international harmony, enlightened moderation and tolerance.

Conscious of the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah and anxious to bring it out of its present situation into a new reality that achieves the vital objectives and aspirations for more solidarity and prosperity, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, while addressing the pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha Day in 1425 H, called upon the leaders of the Muslim Ummah to endeavour to close their ranks and put an end to the prevailing state of disunity and division, so as to enable the Ummah to fulfill its historic mission, by holding an Extraordinary Conference of the leaders of OIC Member States to consider the issues of solidarity and Joint Islamic Action in Makkah Al-Mukarramah under the aegis of the OIC.

In preparation for this Extraordinary Conference, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques took the initiative to invite the Scholars and Intellectuals of the Ummah to meet in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in order to consider the state of the Ummah, develop visions and concepts and propose optimal solutions to the challenges facing the Ummah in all fields. Accordingly, an elite group of Muslim Scholars and Intellectuals from different countries met in Makkah Al-Mukarramah from 5 to 7 Shaaban 1426 H (9-11 September 2005) and examined the challenges facing the Ummah in the intellectual, cultural, political, media, economic and developmental fields. They also formulated a number of recommendations to effectively address these challenges.

Based on the views and recommendations of Scholars and Intellectuals, and convinced of the potential for the Muslim Ummah to achieve its renaissance, and in order to take practical steps towards strengthening the bonds of Islamic solidarity, achieve unity of ranks, project the true image and noble values of Islam, and redress the intellectual deviation, a Ten-Year Programme of Action has been developed, which reviews the most prominent challenges facing the Muslim world today in the intellectual, cultural, political, economic and development fields, as well as ways and means to address them in an objective and realistic way in order to serve as a practicable and workable programme for all OIC Member States.

In the political field, major issues such as solidarity and cooperation between Member States, the question of Palestine, the rights of Muslim minorities and communities, conflict prevention, management, resolution and peace-building, good governance, imposition of unilateral sanctions, terrorism, Islamophobia and the marginal role of the Islamic media, require a renewed commitment to be addressed through effective strategies.

In the economic and scientific fields, the Ummah needs to achieve higher levels of development and prosperity given its huge economic resources and capacities. Priority must be given to implement the OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation, increase intra-OIC trade, reduce poverty in OIC Member States and in conflict-affected areas, and address the issues of marginalization, globalization, liberalization, environment, social problems, science and technology.

On education and culture, there is an urgent need to address the spread of illiteracy and low standards of education at all levels as well as a need to combat extremism and violence and to cater for the rights of women, children and the elderly.

In implementing the new vision and goals for the Muslim world, the role of the OIC is central. In this context, the Organization will have to undergo, with the support of Member States, a process of reform to include reviewing its Charter, changing its name and the restructuring of the General Secretariat and other Organs to enable the OIC to meet the aspirations of the Ummah in the 21st Century.

To achieve this new vision and mission for a brighter, more prosperous and dignified future for the Ummah, We, the Kings and Heads of State of the OIC Member States, decide to adopt the following Ten-Year Programme of Action, with a mid-term review, for immediate implementation:

1. POLITICAL AND MEDIA ISSUES

I. Political Will

1. Demonstrate the necessary political will in order to translate the projected new vision into concrete reality and call upon the Secretary-General to take necessary steps to present concrete proposals to the ICFM.

2. Urge Member States to fully implement the provisions of the OIC Charter and resolutions.

II. Solidarity and Joint Islamic Action

1. Demonstrate strong commitment and credibility in Joint Islamic Action by removing the gap between resolutions and their implementation and to limit the adoption of resolutions to those that can be practically implemented. In this context, the Secretary General should be empowered to fully play his role in following up the implementation of all OIC resolutions.

2. Affirm and renew commitment to Islamic solidarity and Joint Islamic Action and urge Member States to sign and ratify all OIC agreements, as well as implement all OIC resolutions, plans and programmes.

3. Adopt a common stand in the face of external threats against any OIC Member State and consider any threat against any Member State as directed against the security of all Member States.

4. Participate collectively and effectively in all international fora, including the WTO, and in the process of the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council in order to safeguard and promote the collective interests of the Ummah.

5. Play a more active role, forge a common position, and work, as far as possible, to adopt a united vote on causes of the Muslim world through the OIC Ambassadors’ Groups at all international and regional organizations as well as in major world capitals.

6. Demonstrate effective solidarity among Member States in order to actively support OIC candidatures for posts in international and regional organizations.

7. Steadfastly back the struggle of all Muslim people with a view to preserving their dignity, independence and national rights, foremost among which is their inalienable right to self-determination wherever they may be living around the world under foreign occupation and defending the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as a central cause of the OIC and the Muslim Ummah.

8. Establish a Special Africa Development Programme to boost trade, investment, and technology transfer in order to reduce debts, alleviate poverty and eradicate diseases in Africa along with other priorities.

9. Consider the eradication of illiteracy, diseases and epidemics (particularly Polio and AIDS) as urgent strategic objectives of the Muslim Ummah; endeavour to mobilize all available Islamic and international resources to achieve them; and request the General Secretariat to prepare a study on establishing a Special Fund to finance programmes to achieve these objectives.

10. Develop and adopt a clear strategy for Islamic Relief Action, proceeding from the teachings of our noble Islamic faith, which advocates mutual aid and assistance to all those in need, regardless of nationality or religion. Also support the coordination and cooperation of individual relief efforts by OIC Member States and between Islamic civil society institutions on the one hand, and the international civil society institutions, on the other hand, such as to include Observer States and Muslim communities in non-Member States.

11. Establish trilateral cooperation in the field of economic capacity-building by combining and coordinating the financing, expertise and raw material provided by respective States.

12. Establish relations with recognized Islamic NGOs in non-OIC countries.

13. Ensure coordination among Member States to counter policies or attempts which adversely affect their advancement, enhance Islamic cooperation and display full solidarity in all fields with Observer States and Muslim communities.

III. Reform of the OIC

1. Seriously endeavour to reform, restructure and provide the OIC with highly qualified manpower, and consider changing its name and reviewing its Charter and activities in such a manner as to promote its role, reactivate its institutions and strengthen its relations with NGOs and research centres in the OIC Member States, bearing in mind that the role of the OIC is a crucial one in implementing the new vision and reinforcing Islamic Solidarity and Joint Action in the face of old/existing and new threats and challenges. These endeavours should be carried out in accordance with the Sana'a Declaration as well as the relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit and the 31st and the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

2. Empower the OIC Secretary General with the necessary authority, flexibility and expanded budgetary resources to implement the new vision, mission and programmes, to take initiatives to resolve conflicts and preserve confidence, peace and security among the Member States.

3. Establish an Executive Body, comprising the Summit and Ministerial Troikas, the OIC host country, and the Secretary General to expeditiously implement Summit and Ministerial resolutions. The concerned Member States should be invited to participate in the deliberations of these meetings.

4. Strengthen OIC Subsidiary Organs and active Specialized and Affiliated Institutions, and consider the destiny of ineffective ones.

5. Reinforce the role of the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) by strengthening its resources and expanding the scope of its activities in order to make it the main Fund and entrust the Secretary General to prepare a study to develop the ISF according to a new vision so as to empower it to play a more effective role in providing its present and future services and fulfilling the new humanitarian and other missions that will be entrusted to it.

6. Study the establishment of institutional relations with national and international NGOs and civil society institutions, and elaborate an accreditation process thereon.

7. Consider the possibility of opening OIC Regional Offices.

8. Urge Member States to pay in full and on time their mandatory contributions to the General Secretariat and Subsidiary Organs, in accordance with adopted resolutions, in order to enable Member States to avail themselves of the facilities and services offered by OIC Subsidiary Organs, Specialized, and Affiliated Institutions.

9. Create a Waqf for the General Secretariat from donations to be provided by the Member States, individuals, communities, and private companies in order to achieve financial stability for the Organization.

IV. Human Rights

1. Strive to improve the management of public affairs in OIC Member States in order to achieve universal ideals in this regard by expanding the scope of political participation, guaranteeing equality and public liberties, social justice, transparency, and accountability, and eradicating corruption.

2. Elaborate an Islamic Charter for Human Rights and to work towards adopting a comprehensive vision in order to integrate both the economic and social dimensions in view of their intrinsic connection between bolstering the foundations of human rights and eradicating the root causes of exclusion and marginalization.

3. Disseminate the human rights culture, and establish an Islamic Human Rights body.

4. Endeavour further to protect and promote human rights, as enshrined in the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam.

V. Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories

1. Exert all efforts to end the Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, the Syrian Golan, and the rest of the occupied Lebanese territories.

2. Maintain a united stand on the comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian question according to OIC resolutions, UN resolutions (242, 338, 1515 and UNGA Resolution 194), the Arab Peace Initiative, and the Roadmap, in concert and consultation with the UN, the Quartet and other players.

3. Consider the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap as the main instruments for the settlement of the Arab-Israeli Conflict so as to ensure Israel’s full withdrawal as a pre-requisite for establishing normal relations with Israel.

4. Extend effective support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

5. Support the efforts of Al-Quds Committee in protecting the Palestinian presence in Al-Quds and to safeguard the city of Al-Quds’ heritage and Arab and Islamic identity, and to affirm the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its facilities against any violations.

6. Exert all efforts to regain the city of Al-Quds; safeguard its Islamic and historical character; provide necessary resources to preserve and protect Al-Aqsa and other holy places, renovate the Old City of Al-Quds, counter the judaization of the Holy City, support Palestinian institutions therein and establish Al-Aqsa University in Al-Quds.

7. Extend full support to the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to negotiate for the inalienable Palestinian rights and extend necessary assistance to build Palestinian economic institutions. In this regard, the OIC should be assigned a greater role in these peace efforts.

8. Work together with the international community to stop and dismantle Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan; remove the racist separation Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, including in and around the city of Al-Quds, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

9. Provide necessary political, diplomatic, technical and material assistance to the Palestinian Authority to extend its control over all Palestinian territories, international crossing points, to reopen the Gaza air and sea ports, and to establish a link between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in order to ensure the free movement of Palestinians and put an end to Israeli practices against the Palestinian people.

VI. Terrorism

1. Reaffirm the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reject any justification whatsoever of terrorism; condemn it as a global phenomenon that is not inherently connected with any religion, race, colour, or country and distinguish between terrorism and the legitimate struggle against foreign occupation that does not kill innocent lives; and emphasize the need to reach an internationally agreed definition of terrorism endorsed particularly by the United Nations General Assembly.

2. Introduce comprehensive and qualitative changes in national laws and legislations in order to criminalize all terrorist practices and all forms of support, financing, and instigating of terrorism.

3. Endeavor to bring into force the OIC Convention on Combating Terrorism; implement the resolutions of Special Meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers on Terrorism, which was held in Kuala Lumpur in April 2002, as well as the recommendations of International Counter Terrorism Conference held in Riyadh in February 2005; participate actively in international counter terrorism efforts, and support the establishment of an International Centre for Combating Terrorism in order to coordinate international efforts in this field.

4. Affirm that the teachings of Islam reject terrorism and the need to take necessary measures to counter the defamation of Islam and Muslims, and reject any linkage between Islam, Muslims and terrorism.

5. Strongly condemn terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, as a threat to international peace and security and as antithetical to the principles of human rights and contradictory to all lofty human values.

6. Elaborate a comprehensive strategy on combating terrorism and, in this context, underline the necessity of effective and appropriate coordination among Member States.

7. Address the real root causes of terrorism, which include, inter alia, foreign occupation, socio-economic and political injustice, deprivation, and poverty; the failure to resolve long-standing international disputes; and the ensuing frustration.

8. Endeavour to adopt an International Code of Conduct on Combating International Terrorism, along the lines of the OIC Code of Conduct.

9. Undertake collective international action, through the United Nations and other international organizations, to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism.

VII. Conflict Resolution and Peace Building

1. Enhance cooperation among the OIC Member States and between the OIC and international and regional organizations in order to protect the common rights and interests of the Member States in conflict resolution and in post-conflict peace and confidence-building.

2. Strengthen the role of the OIC in confidence-building, peacekeeping and conflict resolution in the Muslim world.

3. Enhance cooperation and interaction in this regard with relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

4. Invite the ICFM to consider the possibility and necessity of establishing an OIC Permanent Council for Peace and Security.

5. Take effective steps to ensure the signing and ratification of the OIC Statute for the Islamic Court of Justice.

6. Mandate the Secretary General to use his good offices for conflict prevention and resolution in the Muslim world.

VIII. Combating Islamophobia

1. Strive collectively towards stemming the tide of fear of Islam, as well as all measures to defame Islam and its values and desecration of Islamic holy sites.

2. Work actively, in particular with Western countries and institutions as well as international and regional organizations, in order to enact laws to combat Islamophobia as a form of racism and discrimination.

3. Emphasize the responsibility of the international community, including all governments, to ensure the respect of all religions and combating their defamation.

4. Call upon the General Secretariat to work actively to combat Islamophobia, particularly through establishing a unit to continuously monitor all new developments, deal with all aspects of Islamophobia, and issue an annual report on Islamophobia and religious intolerance. Also support cooperation between the OIC General Secretariat, the mass media, and NGOs in the West to counter the phenomenon.

5. Call upon the OIC to engage with the parties concerned in a structured and sustained dialogue to promote the true values of Islam and highlight the contribution of Islamic countries in the fight against extremism and terrorism.

6. Call upon the OIC to seek association as a formal dialogue partner in the ongoing initiative and efforts on Dialogue among Civilizations and Inter-religious dialogue.

7. Call upon the OIC to continue to voice concern over all incidents of violence against Muslims, the tenets of Islam, their places of worship, their identity, and cultural and social values.

8. Call upon the OIC to compile a database of such violations in non-Member States, which should be posted on its Internet website and brought to the attention of all UN Special Mechanisms concerned.

9. Endeavour to adopt a UN resolution to counter the phenomenon of Islamophobia and urge all States to enact laws to counter it, including the meting out of deterrent punishments.

IX. The Rights of Muslim Minorities in non-OIC member states

1. Mandate the OIC General Secretariat to collaborate with other international and regional organizations to protect and defend the rights of Muslim minorities in non-OIC member states, and to promote close cooperation with the Governments of those countries.

2. Revitalize the Department of Muslim Minorities and Communities in non-OIC Member States at the General Secretariat and provide it the necessary skills, in order to improve its performance in facing current challenges and addressing the issues of Muslim Minorities.

3. Grant observer status at the OIC to NGOs officially representing Muslim Minorities in non-OIC member states in accordance with the OIC bylaws and regulations in force and to encourage them to seek consultative status with international, regional, and sub-regional organizations.

4. Coordinate efforts to protect the social, cultural, and religious rights of Muslim Communities in non-OIC member states and to publish an annual report on the situation of Muslim Minorities.

X. Mass Media

1. Call upon TV channels and the mass media to deal with international mass media effectively in order to enable the Muslim world to express its perspective on international developments.

2. Encourage the mass media and private sector in the Muslim world to invest in, and develop, partnership with Western mass media networks.

3. Agree on a new Code of Ethics for mass media channels in the Muslim world.

4. Urge Member States and their media outlets to give wider coverage to activities of the General Secretariat and its Subsidiary Organs as well as activities related to Joint Islamic Action.

5. Call upon the Secretary General to prepare a report to evaluate the current situation of IINA, ISBO, and the OIC Information Department; consider ways and means to activate the role and mechanisms of information within the framework of the OIC System; and make proposals, in this regard, for submission to the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers for consideration and adoption.

6. Ensure optimal utilization of state-of-the-art technologies to achieve greater awareness in Muslim and international public opinion of OIC activities and to enhance the quality of the OIC Internet website.

2. ECONOMY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

I. Achieving a 20% level in intra-OIC trade by 2015:

1. Mandate the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) to adopt appropriate measures in order to expand the scope of intra-OI C trade.

2. Call upon the Member States to implement the related chapters of the OIC Plan of Action for Strengthening Economic and Commercial Cooperation among the OIC Member States, (foreign trade; transport and communications; industry; money, banking & capital flows, etc.).

3. Encourage the Member States to sign and ratify all existing OIC trade and economic agreements, in particular, the Framework Agreement for the Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States (TPS-OIC), as well as the Protocol on the Preferential Tariffs Scheme for TPSOIC (PRETAS).

4. Call upon the Member States to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers among OIC Member States in order to facilitate the harmonization of the economic process before national economies are marginalized by powerful global economies.

5. Consider the creation of a Free Trade Area among OIC Member States, as a step for economic integration, provided such steps shall not contradict with existing or possible international obligations of the Member States.

6. Promote endeavours for institutionalized and enhanced cooperation between OIC and regional and international institutions working in the economic and commercial fields.

7. Support OIC Member States in their efforts to accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and call for the application of objective criteria in the accession process.

8. Call for the strengthening of the capacities of financial institutions of the OIC Member States in order to encourage them to utilize the services of the other Member States.

9. Encourage utilizing the services of financial institutions of the OIC Member States in their direct and indirect economic and trade relations.

II. Extending Support to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

1. Commission the IDB Board of Governors to take necessary measures to achieve a substantial increase in the authorized, subscribed, and paid-up capital of the IDB, so as to enable it to strengthen its role in providing financial support and technical assistance to the OIC Member States.

2. Strengthen the newly created International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) within the IDB.

3. Encourage Member States to promote their export credit guarantee schemes and to further enhance the capabilities of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investments and Export Credit (ICIEC).

4. Strengthen and encourage cooperation between the Islamic Development Bank and Private Sector institutions in OIC Member States.

5. Accelerate the processes of decision-making and implementation at the IDB.

6. Facilitate investments by Muslim individuals, corporations, and countries in IDB activities.

7. Urge the IDB and its institutions to study and explore investment opportunities and intra-OIC trade and to conduct other feasibility studies to provide the necessary information to develop and promote joint ventures.

III. Extending Support to the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)

1. Call upon the OIC Member States to facilitate the movement of business persons, trade, and investment flows within and among the OIC Member States. In this context, also call upon Member States to study the draft “Makkah Visa Agreement for Business Persons” as proposed by ICCI and to submit their observations to the OIC General Secretariat for finalization and submission of the document to the 33rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers for consideration.

2. Welcome the establishment by the ICCI of a Consortium of Muslim Traders and Business Persons and encourage the participation of the private sector of Member States and business persons from non-member states in this Consortium.

3. Call upon ICCI to utilize the most effective technological methods in the exchange of expertise among the OIC Member States’ Chambers of Commerce.

4. Call upon ICCI to promote the expansion of electronic commerce among the OIC Member States.

IV Supporting African development

1. Encourage and support Member States to strengthen their activities for economic and social development in African countries.

2. Call upon the Member States and OIC institutions to assist in the building of manufacturing capabilities in order to support the social and economic development as well as the industrialization process of the African members of the OIC.

3. Call upon the Member States and the OIC institutions concerned to intensify the promotion of trade and investment in agriculture and food industries in Africa.

4. Further call upon the Member States and OIC Institutions to contribute to efforts to reactivate trade and investment in the cotton industry in Africa by pooling the expertise and financial resources available in Member States and the relevant OIC and international institutions.

5. Strongly support the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) initiative.

V. Poverty Alleviation in OIC Member States

1. Support global efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly, for reducing the proportion of people living in extreme poverty to half by 2015, and to also call for providing the necessary financial requirements for attainment of this objective.

2. Commission the IDB Board of Governors to establish a Concessional Fund for Poverty Reduction within the IDB Group, in line with the enormous economic needs of the Least-Developed OIC Member States.

3. Support Capacity Building for Poverty Alleviation in Least-Developed and Low-Income Member States and call upon the Member States to make financial and in-kind contributions to implement this Programme.

4. Call upon the Member States to participate in international efforts to support poverty alleviation programmes in the Least-Developed OIC Member States and to consider favorably the possibility of reducing or writing off the government to government debt of the Least-Developed and Heavily-Indebted OIC Member States.

5. Endeavour to alleviate the burden of foreign debts of Low-Income OIC Member States.

6. Urge the Member States and civil society to provide the necessary financial resources to the World Fund for Solidarity and Poverty Eradication.

7. Call upon the IDB to strengthen its efforts and cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in order to expedite poverty alleviation in the Least-Developed Member States and assist Muslim communities, refugees, and displaced persons in the OIC Member States and Muslim communities in non-OIC member states.

VI. Science and Technology

1. Encourage Member States to increase budgetary appropriations for research, development, science and technology activities, and support their efforts to strengthen and develop their science and technology institutions, particularly in the Least-Developed Member States.

2. Establish an OIC Award for Excellence in Outstanding Scientific Achievements by Muslim scientists with the assistance of the IDB.

3. Organize a Conference of Science and Technology Ministers once every year or every two years, in accordance with the resolution adopted by the 10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Malaysia.

4. Encourage public and private national research institutions and centres to invest in capacity building in creative technologies.

5. Review the performance of the OIC-affiliated universities so as to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

6. Support and further activate the Islamic Universities Union for the purpose of enhancing scientific research and providing academic opportunities.

7. Urge the IDB to further enhance its programme aimed at training scientists in all fields in all OIC Member States with a view to enabling them to boost production in all walks of life.

8. Call upon the Member States to focus on the environment and to request the OIC General Secretariat to integrate this subject in its activities.

9. Set targets and specific indicators to be achieved within a ten-year period as follows: (a) number of experts and scientists per one million people (800); (b) number of students between ages 18-24 having the opportunity to enroll in universities (30%); (c) ratio of students to professors (1 to 16); and (d) percentage of GDP allocated for R&D (1.2%). The targets and indicators for LDCs should be differently defined, for example by urging them to achieve one-third of the targets of other OIC Member States.

10. Emphasize the need to review Vision 2020, which was adopted by the 10th Ordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Malaysia, with regard to the targets to be achieved by 2015.

11. Provide political, economic, and financial support in order to limit the consequences of ecological problems in OIC countries.

12. Support the efforts of Member States to master advanced technologies, particularly those leading to self-sufficiency, such as the peaceful use of nuclear technology under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

13. Facilitate scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange among academic institutions of the OIC Member States.

3. ISLAMIC THOUGHT, CULTURE, AND EDUCATION

I. Moderation in Islam

1. Endeavour to spread the right ideas about Islam and direct educational and mass media strategies to raise awareness, particularly among the youth, and promote the role of Islam in combating extremism and fanaticism in the contemporary society.

2. Exert all efforts to reflect the true image of Islam as a faith of moderation and encourage the adoption of a comprehensive civilizational and contemporary approach for the development of Muslim societies.

3. Condemn extremism in all its forms and manifestations, as it contradicts Islamic and human values; and address the political, economic, and social root-causes, which are best tackled through intellect, persuasion, and good counsel.

4. Encourage moderation and deepen the religious knowledge of individuals so as to adapt to modern developments, with a view to protecting Muslims against extremism and isolation.

5. Encourage dialogue between Islamic schools, strengthen inter-religious dialogue, and promote common values and denominators.

6. Utilize the different mass media in order to serve and defend the causes of the Muslim Ummah, to promote the noble principles and values of Islam, and to correct the misconceptions about Islam in the world mass media.

7. Endeavour to introduce the teaching of Islamic culture and civilization at all educational levels and promote the universal values of Islam at the international level.

8. Call upon the OIC to assist the Member States in developing balanced school curricula, which strengthen human rights values, promote tolerance and understanding between Islam and other religions and civilizations, and foster pride in Islamic identity.

9. Urge Member States to develop educational curricula and introduce the teaching of Islamic education, culture, and civilization, as well as the jurisprudence and literature of difference in the various educational systems.

II. Multiple Schools of Jurisprudence

1. Implement the recommendations contained in the Declaration adopted by the International Islamic Conference held in Amman, Jordan in July 2005, on the issue of the respect of all recognized Islamic schools of jurisprudence and to prohibit excommunicating their followers. [This Declaration contained the following important principles:

a. Whosever is an adherent of one of the four Sunni Schools of Jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali), the two Shiite (Ja'fari and Zaydi) Schools of Jurisprudence, the Ibadi, and the Thahiri Schools of Jurisprudence, is a Muslim. It is not permissible to accuse him or her of heresy. His (or her) blood, honour, and property are sacrosanct. Moreover, it is not permissible to accuse of heresy whosoever practices the true Sufi doctrine or the followers of the true Salafi doctrine. Equally, it is not permissible to accuse of heresy any other group of Muslims who believe in Almighty Allah (Praise be to Him), in His Prophet (PBUH: may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him), and in the pillars of faith; respect the pillars of Islam; and does not deny any self-evident tenet of religion.

b. There exists more in common between the various Schools of Jurisprudence than there is difference. The adherents of the eight Schools of Jurisprudence are in agreement as regards the basic Islamic principles. They all believe in Almighty Allah, the One and the Unique; that the Noble Quran is the Revealed Word of Allah; and that our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), is a Prophet and Messenger sent unto all humankind. All are in agreement about the five pillars of Islam; the two testaments of faith (Shahadatayn); the ritual prayers (Salat), charity (Zakat), fasting the month of Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Allah’s Holy Haram. All are also in agreement about the foundations of belief: belief in Allah, His Angels, His Scriptures, His Messengers, and in the Day of Judgment, in Divine Providence—good and evil. Disagreement between scholars is only with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (Furu) and not the principles and fundamentals (Usul). Disagreement on the ancillary branches of religion (Furu) is a mercy. Long ago it was said that variance in opinion among scholars "is a good thing".

c. Recognition of the Schools of Jurisprudence in Islam means adhering to a specific methodology in the issuance of rulings (Fatwas): no one may issue a fatwa without the prerequisite personal qualifications prescribed by each School of Jurisprudence. No one may issue a ruling (Fatwa) without adhering to the methodology of the School of Jurisprudence concerned. And no one may claim to exercise interpretation (Ijtihad) without adhering to the methodology of the School of Jurisprudence concerned, to create a new School of Jurisprudence, or to issue unacceptable rulings (Fatwas) that take Muslims away from the principles, certainties, and fixed parameters of Sharia and Schools of Jurisprudence.]

2. Abide by the principles and pillars of Islam; and emphasize dialogue and convergence among schools of jurisprudence such as to promote moderation, balance, tolerance, mercy, and dialogue with the other.

3. Call upon Muslims to reject disputes between them, close ranks, unite their positions, respect each other, promote solidarity among their peoples and states, and strengthen the bonds of fraternity which unite them in the love of God; and not to leave any loophole that could be exploited to sow sedition between them or interfere in their affairs.

III. New Vision for the Islamic Fiqh Academy

1. Reform the Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA) so as to serve as a supreme and collective juristic reference for the Muslim Ummah. Competence, jurisprudential, scholarly, and professional aptitude should be applied as criteria for membership of the IFA.

2. Ensure that the IFA is the collective reference in coordinating between all Fatwa authorities of the Muslim world, combating religious and sectarian extremism, refraining from accusing Islamic Schools of heresy, and rejecting rulings which contradict the principles and constants of Islamic Sharia and all its Schools.

3. Ensure that the IFA Secretary General and its Chairman assume office by election from the most qualified jurisprudential scholars of the Muslim world who can serve the vision set out in this connection and who will update and accurately and effectively implement the IFA Statute and bylaws. Strict criteria of scholarly merit should be observed in nominating candidates for IFA high office bearers.

4. Ensure the inclusion of female scholars in the membership of the IFA, according to their jurisprudential and scholarly aptitude and competence.

5. Issue religious rulings “Fatwa” on the basis of the opinions of IFA specialized experts and to empower the IFA to recruit full-time researchers in order to improve its work so as to promote moderation.

6. Ensure coordination among religious ruling “Fatwa” authorities in the Muslim world through the Islamic Fiqh Academy.

7. Mandate the OIC Secretary General to work out the details of the implementation of the new vision for the IFA.

8. Implement all these measures; and request the Secretary General to submit his proposals, based on a study by a religious experts group, to the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, for appropriate decision thereon.

IV. Eradicating Illiteracy

1. Consider eradicating illiteracy as an urgent strategic objective to cater for both genders and set a time frame by each OIC Member State to eradicate illiteracy.

V. Higher Education

1. Link postgraduate education strategies with comprehensive development plans in the Muslim world and prioritize the study of science and technology.

2. Increase budgetary allocations substantially in order to provide quality education and enhance research and development.

3. Limit the phenomenon of Muslim brain-drain and endeavor to assimilate highly qualified Muslims in the Muslim world. Also develop a comprehensive strategy for immigrant Muslim competencies in order to benefit from them in the Muslim world.

4. Effectively upgrade and reform higher education institutions and their curricula.

5. Contribute generously to the two Waqfs dedicated to the two Islamic Universities operating under the aegis of the OIC in Niger and Uganda.

6. Call upon the Member States to develop a medium and long-term plan of action to overcome shortages in higher education. Such plans should highlight the areas in which excellence at higher level is imperative in order to empower OIC Member States to overcome their chronic dependence on developed countries. Appropriate institutions should be established to cater for the needs of the Islamic countries in the fields of science, technology, economy, energy, and sociology.

VI. Rights of the Child

1. Ensure that all children have access to free, compulsory, and quality primary education.

2. Strengthen national laws aimed at preserving the rights of children and protecting them from all forms of violence and exploitation.

3. Enhance national laws in order to ensure that the rights of children are protected and that children enjoy the highest possible standards of health; and take effective measures to eradicate polio and other endemic diseases in the Muslim world.

4. Urge Member States to sign and ratify the OIC Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam.

5. Accord utmost importance to the care, protection, and development of children in national, regional, and international programs, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol with regard to the Girl Child, and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in Islam adopted by the 7th Islamic Summit Conference.

VII. Needs of the Youth

1. Exert maximum efforts to tackle the problem of unemployment in the Muslim world, particularly among the youth, by providing adequate job opportunities.

2. Provide academic, vocational, and behavioral training in favour of the youth through educational institutions.

3. Call upon Member States to promote youth programs and youth forums.

VIII. Women’s Rights in the Muslim World

1. Strengthen national laws aimed at enhancing the advancement of women in the Muslim community in the economic, social, and political fields, in accordance with Islamic values of justice and equality; and aimed also at protecting women from all forms of violence and discrimination for the betterment of humankind and in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the Beijing Declaration and the outcome documents of the Special Session of the UN General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development, and Peace for the 21st Century”, while taking into account Islamic values.

2. Give special attention to women’s education and female literacy.

3. Convene a special conference on women in the Muslim world in accordance with the ICFM resolution in this regard.

4. Expedite developing “The Covenant on the Rights of Women in Islam”, in accordance with Resolution No. 60/27-P and the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam.

5. Call upon the OIC to contribute towards the projection of Islam as a religion that guarantees full protection of the women's rights and encourages their participation in all walks of life.

IX. Muslim Family

1. Accord adequate attention to the family as the principal nucleus of the Muslim Society.

2. Exert all possible efforts, at all levels, based on Islamic values, to face up to the contemporary social challenges confronting the Muslim family and affecting its cohesion.

3. Consolidate the role of the OIC in assisting the Member States in dealing with issues raised on the international scene, with regard to the family.

X. Dialogue among Civilizations

1. Emphasize that Dialogue among Civilizations, based on mutual respect and equality, is a prerequisite for global peace, security and peaceful co-existence.

2. Participate in developing specific mechanisms for promoting dialogue between Muslims and others as well as ensure effective coordination for the participation of OIC Member States and institutions in the Dialogue among Civilizations.

3. Consolidate Dialogue among Civilizations and religions by highlighting their shared values and common denominators.

4. Establish and facilitate channels of communication among different cultures and religions in order to promote mutual respect and understanding.

XI. Cultural and Sports Exchange among Member States

1. Implement programs of cultural and sports exchanges among OIC Member States including Observer States.

2. Focus on culture and sports as frameworks of cooperation among the OIC Member States, including Observer States.

3. Promote the Arabic language as the language of the Holy Qur’an.

4. Initiate programs for translation between the languages of the Muslim Ummah.

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EOS-DRAFT PROG OF ACTION dtd.3.12.05

(1930 Hours)

Disk 1/EX-SUM/2005

AH

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