OIC’s relationship with Arab News

At the same time, it gives an insightful analysis of various issues of interest to the Muslim world, whether political, economic or social.
Arab News is important for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), not only as a source of information and a barometer of public opinion on the debates and causes of particular relevance to the OIC, but also as a means of publishing our stand and opinion on the diverse issues we address as part of our duty to the Muslim world. A top priority for the OIC has been — and will always be — Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Shareef until justice is done and our brothers in Palestine have gained their inalienable rights, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is protected from the destructive endeavors of the brutal Israeli practices that respect neither human rights nor international laws.
We have been consistent in our support and defense of the Palestinians in the international arena. Our stand was clearly demonstrated during the Israeli aggression and siege of Gaza through our mobilization of humanitarian assistance and our success in ensuring that UN investigates Israeli atrocities. These efforts also resulted in producing the Goldstone Report, which condemned Israel for war crimes. We depend on the professional reporting of such media outlets as Arab News for documenting not only the facts on the ground but also our efforts.
Arab News has been a reliable media outlet in covering our activities and, more significantly, in highlighting the change in outlook and work mechanism undertaken by the OIC since the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005 held on the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The summit has been a catalyst for the reformed role of the OIC. With the adoption of the 10-Year Program of Action and the new charter, the OIC has been active in facilitating development in member states on several fronts, including peace and stability, economic cooperation and social progress through better education, health care and human rights policies. Among our primary objectives is to establish an independent permanent human rights commission and implement the plan of action for the advancement of women in member states. The OIC has also been at the forefront in confronting the scourge of Islamophobia while raising the banner of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue.
Thank you Arab News for supporting the OIC and congratulations on your 35th anniversary.
— Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is the secretary-general of the OIC.