ISLAMABAD, 10 December 2005 — The Pakistani press welcomed the outcome of the two-day extraordinary summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and praised the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for presenting an action plan to cope with the challenges facing the Ummah.
King Abdullah in his speech urged Muslim countries to open a new era of unity, strength and glory by setting aside their differences and working together for their overall progress. He also wanted to see an end to extremism, projecting the beauty of Islamic tolerance.
Opening the OIC summit, Abdullah urged all OIC member states to join the global fight against terrorism without sitting as helpless observers.
He stressed the need for developing educational curricula and overhauling the Islamic Fiqh Academy to combat extremist ideologies and thoughts.
Pakistani English and Urdu-language newspapers appreciated the role played by King Abdullah for Muslim unity.
The News daily in its editorial praised Abdullah’s call for combating extremism saying it reflected the growing realization among mainstream Muslims that extremism, especially when it manifests itself in violence, is the greatest enemy of their religion — next only to powers that themselves indulge, or acquiesce in bloodshed, in Iraq, Afghanistan and occupied Palestinian territories.
The daily Dawn said King Abdullah’s call to develop educational curricula and overhaul the Islamic Fiqh Academy to combat extremist ideologies and thoughts was a step toward unifying all sects.
The Nation and Daily Times echoed similar opinions. Daily Ausaf described Abdullah’s speech a ray of “hope against despondencies.”
Another newspaper Ibrat praised King Abdullah and President Pervez Musharraf for providing guidance to the Muslim world.
