JEDDAH, 14 September 2006 — The conference of OIC information ministers began at 10:10 a.m., only 10 minutes late — not bad, considering that events in the Kingdom are notorious for keeping attendees standing around well past the scheduled starting time.
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Once the event started, Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani maintained the festive mood: “This sounds like procedural clapping,” he said after he called for an informal vote on the meeting based on applause.
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During introductions, Madani pointed out that many countries have eliminated their ministries of information. He said he hoped this wasn’t a trend, but added that if it happened in Saudi Arabia he could at least still head the Ministry of Culture.
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Madani asked the Saudi TV cameramen not to focus on him alone, then assured them that their pay wouldn’t be reduced for doing so.
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Many of the attendees expressed appreciation when they learned that water from the sacred Zamzam well in Makkah was not only being served, but being poured from the traditional clay decanters with the pointy bases by men in characteristic Hejazi garb.
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Some delegates forgot to turn off their mobile phones when the speeches began. Suddenly a rooster ring-tone crowed in the auditorium; it was quite appropriate considering that it was still the morning.
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A member of the Turkish delegation said it was good to see women attending the conference. In fact, there were only a few women in attendance, including two journalists who asked Madani to discuss the matter of increasing the role of women in the media. The minister avoided answering the questions.
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The conference was accompanied by a photo exhibition by Saudi photographer Suzan Baagil. Crown Prince Sultan paused to view with approval some of her best works: Pictures of Islam’s holy sites.
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The most sought-after minister at the conference was from Lebanon. Nearly everyone, led by OIC chief Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, wanted to express their solidarity with Lebanon as the country picks up the pieces from Israel’s recent war.
