The Organisation of Islamic States (OIC) on Tuesday issued a clarion call for the West to better understand Islam and for Muslims to have hope in the future.
“We are creators of civilisations and we still contribute significantly to civilisation. Our future is in our hands and we need to sharpen our determination, said Iyad Madani, Secretary General of the OIC, while addressing guests and delegates at the ongoing Arab Media Forum at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
Madani reminded that Europe says everybody has the right to express themselves. But he posed a question to the audience and the wider world: Where does freedom of expression start and where does it finish? Do I have the right to abuse something in another culture?” he asked.
“It is not my right to enforce a particular aspect on the whole world,” Madani said while explaining that one of the challenges OIC is facing trying to change the perception of Islam in the Western World.
“It is our duty to open the doors and windows and ignite a new hope, to see the source of light at the end of the tunnel,” said Madani while pointing out that science and technology are the new basic tools that will help us recreate networks of education and exchange data.
“There is hope. We should not fall under the illusion that we are disabled or incapable of doing anything as Muslims,” Madani advised.
He explained the role of OIC saying that it is on a drive to change the perception of Islam while working on several fronts at the same time.
OIC is not a religious organisation, but a political one to face political crisis in its 57 member states stretching from Indonesia to Caribbean. It also has an economic role to play, which in the past focused on infrastructure development in member states, but is now bringing microfinance under the spotlight to reach the most vulnerable segments of society such as women and remote and rural communities.
Other major activities include cultural exchanges, humanitarian aid and empowerment of women, Madani added.
The Arab Media Forum 2015 is being attended by more than 2,000 delegates from the region and the wider world. A third of the speakers this year are foreign experts.
In keeping with the ‘2015 Year of Innovation’ in the UAE, AMF 2015 features two key new concepts – The Media Walk which features a brief history of media; and Davos-style 20-minute sessions sponsored by Nakheel. Additionally, AMF 2015 also features workshops sponsored by DP World.