SANAA, 29 June 2005 — The 32nd meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) kicked off here yesterday with the issue of restructuring the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) topping the agenda.
The three-day gathering is expected to approve a plan for reforming the OIC’s structure, to be presented to an extraordinary Islamic summit that would be held in Saudi Arabia at end of this year.
The plan was drafted by the OIC’s 16-member Committee of Eminent Persons that comprises prominent Muslim figures.
Giving a boost to the organization’s annual budget is also on top of the meeting’s agenda.
OIC sources told Arab News that the meeting would also consider renaming the OIC. Among proposed new names were the Organization of Muslim Countries and the Organization of Islamic States, said the sources.
Representatives from the 56 member states and 52 regional and international organizations are attending the meeting. Delegates from other non-Muslim governments have also been invited to attend as guests or observers.
Addressing the opening session of the meeting, Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Bajammal called on the Islamic countries to deal with the US calls for reform with “mindfulness and historical responsibility based on our political, social and cultural situation.”
“We must say it clearly that no one would accept pressures or interference in our internal affairs, because the will for reform must come from the people.”
Bajammal also called the OIC member states to “adopt reforms from inside to be stronger.”
Addressing heads of participating delegations, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said “the Islamic world is going through a dangerous stage.” “Islam and Muslims are facing accusations of terrorism. Islam is the religion of justice and right that condemns all kinds of terrorism.”
Saleh said that more than two billion Muslims deserve to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
