OIC organizes the First Symposium on Muslim Minorities in South and East Asia

Under the high patronage of the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah has finalized preparations to organize a Symposium on Muslim Minorities in South and East Asia in cooperation with Korea Muslim Federation in Seoul on 4 – 6 July 2008.
The Symposium, first of its kind to be held in Asia, has received support by the Korean government and some Muslim organizations.

The Symposium, whose theme is "Muslim Minority in South and East Asia – Challenges and Prospects in Multicultural Society", attempts to discuss the various conditions of Muslim communities and minorities in South and East Asia. It also looks into ways and means of supporting Muslim communities and minorities to overcome political, economic, cultural, social and environmental challenges.

This Symposium will be segmented into five sessions to address specific issues pertinent to Muslim communities and minorities namely: Poverty, discrimination, political conflicts, dialogue among religions, majority-minority relations in Asia, tolerance and multiculturalism in Islam, as well as new methodologies for Da'wah in the 21st century in Asia.

The OIC hopes that this gathering of non-governmental representatives of Muslim communities and minorities from non OIC Member States in South and East Asia will construct a concrete bridge for future cooperation with the rest of the Muslim world.