Islamic World to be Renovated 'From Head to Toe'

By Suleyman Kurt

Foreign Ministers of 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) have signed reforms that will both renovate the organization from head to toe and open a new era in the Islamic world's democratization and the introduction of Islam to West in better ways.

A final declaration published after a three-day conference in Yemen represents consensus on democratization of the Islamic world. The OIC members fully supported "democratization principles" proposed by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. These principles will be approved at a leaders' summit that will convene in Mecca at the end of November 2005. The OIC will acquire a new image and effici
ency with the decisions that have been taken. The ministers have also supported reports prepared on restructuring of the organization. OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has been ascribed full authorization to execute and develop this study. Ihsanoglu will conduct studies with a team of specialists on changing the OIC's name, renewing its founding regulations, and other reforms. Top reform areas are as the following:

-First of all, the secretary-general will appoint a "special representative" to solve conflicts.

"Think-tanks" of intellectuals will be formed and led by the secretariat- general.

-Islam will be better represented to the West by using all instruments including the media. Contributions will be made to develop democracy, human rights, and civil society in member countries.

-The Secretary General will be allowed to work more efficiently on issues of preparation of decision texts, solution of conflicts, development of inter-religions dialogue, democracy, good governance, and fight against anti-Islamism.

-Applicability of decisions and the organization's power to implement sanctions will be increased. A unit similar to the United Nations Security Council will be formed between the organization and the secretariat-general. This unit might take interim decisions. Permanent representatives will gather periodically.

-Studies will be conducted to consolidate democracy, civil society and human rights in member countries.

-Studies will be held to effectively represent Islamic countries at the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

-Problems of Muslim minorities outside of member countries and in the Western countries will be closely dealt with.

-Funds will be created for socio-economic development in Islamic countries and studies to increase women's activities as well as participation in social life will be held.

-Relations with the European Union (EU) will be developed. Importance will be given to relations with Japan, Korea, China and the Latin America.

The OIC members gave full support to six-article "democratization and reform principles" presented by Foreign Minister Gul. While summing up these principles, Gul had drawn the attention these reforms should not be imposed from outside, rather they should be sustainable, legal, realistic, flexible, and gradual, held in accordance with structure of societies and their needs, take transparency, basic rights and superiority of law as priorities.

Zaman, Sana'a
2 July 2005