The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dakar

A two-day summit of the OIC began at King Fahad Complex in the Atlantic offshore city of Dakar with a call for giving a fit answer to those involved in creating 'Islamophobia' with ill motives and vested interest.

The opening session began at around 11:20 am local time with the theme of the 11th summit as "Islamic Ummah in the 21st Century'.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wadi in his speech as new chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Conference stressed the need for elevating the position of Islamic Ummah.

He also attached priority to peace between Palestine and Israel by recognizing Palestine as an independent state and called upon both the countries to stop all forms of violence and start negotiations to finally achieve peace.

A large number heads of government and state from 57 member-states of the organization, which represents a total of about 2.5 billion people, are participating in the summit. It was informed in the opening session that this time it beat the previous records of participation in the forum's conference.

On behalf of the Asian group, head of the caretaker government of Bangladesh Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed made the vote of thanks in the opening session while President of Djibuti as representative of the Arab group and President of Burkina Faso on behalf of African group.

Saudi Prince Faisal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read out the message of King of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah in the opening session.

Heads of government and state, including of Iran, Indonesia, Palestine, Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Nigeria, Emir of Qatar, Emir of Kuwait, Sultan of Brunei and Emir of Dubai are attending the summit.

The UN Secretary general, observer countries and organizations, religious leaders, experts, scientists, academics and students are also present.

On behalf of the outgoing chairman of OIC and Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Bin Ahmad Badawi, who was not able to attend the summit due to preoccupation with the formation of cabinet following recent general election in his country, Head of Senate of Malaysia Md Hamid Fawenth carried out the responsibility on behalf of the outgoing chairman in the opening session.

In the opening session it was announced that Senegal was elected on consensus chairman of the 11th OIC summit and Egypt, Turkey and Palestine elected vice-chairmen.

The chairmanship of the 11th summit was handed over to Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wadi to conduct the other proceedings of the summit.

OIC secretary general Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu also spoke in the opening session.

UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon and Palestine President Mahmud Abbas also spoke in the opening Session.

The second session held panel discussion on two themes-'Which Economic Partnership for the Ummah' and 'Sharing Knowledge within the Ummah'.