JEDDAH, 8 May 2006 — The Organization of Islamic Conference has formed the OIC Observatory on Islamophobia at the general secretariat in Jeddah, which is mandated to monitor and document all activities indicating hatred of Islam around the world, particularly in Europe, according to Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
Addressing a meeting here on Saturday, the OIC secretary-general said that the aim of the observatory was to tackle the issue of Islamophobia head on.
He explained that this was one of the multiple innovations in substance and in form and various activities and initiatives taken by the OIC based on the spirit of reform and a new work culture that believes in concrete work rather than mere talk.
Ihsanoglu said that for the first time in OIC history, the organization made a demand for adequate representation of the Muslim world at the United Nations Security Council. “We are closely following this issue with the OIC Office and the Islamic Group in New York,” he said.
“At the general secretariat, we have established an interactive working methodology based on meetings with the ambassadorial councils of Islamic countries in several world capitals, particularly in international decision-making centers, such as the UN in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Paris, so as to ensure a stauncher defense and closer follow-up of the causes of the Ummah,” he added.
He said that as for another important initiative, the general secretariat was preparing to set up an OIC Contact Group on Iraq mandated to cater to Iraqi affairs and look into the possibility of opening an OIC Office in Baghdad.
The secretary-general said that he would be visiting Iraq to meet with the Iraqi leadership and discuss the possibilities of cooperation between the OIC and the new Iraqi government.
He said the OIC calls for efforts to complete the political settlement process, and condemns sectarian trends, violence and vandalism.
On Palestine, Ihsanoglu said the OIC welcomes the organization of fair elections to the Palestinian Legislature and condemns the economic and financial stranglehold imposed by certain European quarters against the Palestinian people and the newly-elected government.
He said that the OIC is planning to organize a workshop of an Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGGE) aimed at evolving a study on what should be done at the Islamic level on the issue of Al-Quds.
It has also been decided that IRCICA (Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture) should document the Islamic architectural heritage in Palestine, in general and Al-Quds, in particular, and also compile a database on Islamic architecture and historic monuments.
