JEDDAH, 27 July 2005 — The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has proposed a telethon to raise funds for victims of catastrophes in the Islamic world and urged member states to participate in this much-needed vital humanitarian project.
The proposal was made in a speech by Secretary-General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the meeting of the ministerial follow-up committee of the 6th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (ICIM) that began in Cairo on Monday. It was presided over by Egypt’s Minister of Information Anas El-Feki, and attended by 11 ministers and representatives of the member states who are on the committee.
Professor Ihsanoglu stressed the importance of creating a tangible mechanism to enable Islamic states to provide hasty and speedy relief to the victims in times of crises, catastrophes and disasters.
He said the OIC Secretariat General was working to start the project within the next few months with the cooperation of the media in the member states.
“The aim is to establish a mechanism that provides a strong and sustainable financial cover to provide urgent aid to the Islamic states and peoples affected by disasters,” he added.
He requested OIC member states to coordinate with the Secretariat General in order to pay relief aid without routine procedures that take time.
He said Western states mobilize all their technical, financial and human capabilities and efforts to help the affected people to send almost immediate aid and relief to them and launch campaigns to raise funds. The Ummah was affected by absence of organized and common action.
Professor Ihsanoglu highlighted the role of the media in presenting the various dimensions of the crises and catastrophes and mobilizing public opinion to help the needy by making generous donations in cash, kind and services.
Referring to the deadly blasts in Egypt, he said such criminal acts were condemned by all religions. He reiterated OIC and member states’ support to Egypt in combating terrorism in all its forms.
He extended his deepest condolences to the victims and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
The secretary-general welcomed the decision by the Islamic Group to participate in the World Summit for Information Society, which will hold its second meeting in Tunis in November.
