The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Masum Billah

The OIC ended its 11th summit which was a gathering of fifty-seven Muslim countries at Dakar in Senegal. This summit adopted 'Dakar Declaration' pledging to preserve world peace and security and face the challenges of the Muslim Ummah and ensure development of the member states. Every year the same kind of declaration and pledges are made by OIC members but the world scenario particularly Muslim world get bleaker year after year. No noticeable change appears here, rather it seems to deteriorates with the passage of time. Where is the weakness and loophole must be truly identified by the member countries. The whole developing world particular some Muslim world at present seriously suffers from food crisis and uncontrollable price hike endangering their lives. OIC must come up with some practical and reasonable solutions to register itself as a true Muslim Organizaiton.

" The leaders of the Muslim countries hereby renew their pledges to preserve world peace and security and thus to fully adhere to the United Nation's key mission in this regard as well as international legality as rule for all without any political double standards" said the declaration adapted on the concluding day of the summit.The summit leaders reaffirmed the need for complying with all the security council resolutions on Al Quids and issue for which the OIC was established and ensure just and lasting peace in the Middle East and inalienable rights of the Palestinians to establish an independent state within international guaranteed borders.

The declaration condemned Israel's refusal to fully comply with the UN resolution to allow establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quids al Sharif as its capital without any territorial discontinuity, pull out of the Golan Heights of Syria and respect Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Serious diplomatic and effective role must be played by the OIC in this regard only declaration or paper writing will not bring solution to this chronic problem. Why you still fail to exert due pressure on the Israeli occupation? Israel is a small country backed by America but you are fifty seven countries blessed with natural resources. Still you get afraid of them. Definitely there lies some serious loopholes.

Terrorism is a global phenomenon which does not relate to any religion, race, caste and country and the scourge should be distinguished from 'legitimate resistance against foreign occupation that prevents one from shedding the blood of innocent civilians." The word terrorism has been used as a political and diplomatic word by the West now -a-days The declaration strongly condemned all sorts of extremism and dogmatism which are incompatible with Islam, a religion of moderation and coexistence. True spirit of Islam and practical aspect of it must be seen and exposed with right perspective. Only religion based education can be given further thought which are sprouting in many Asian countries.

The declaration says since we share the international community's major concerns over terrorism, we would like to confirm that the OIC always seeks to make sure that it is not found wanting what it comes to join actions designed to overcome the major challenges facing generations as a result of globalization. The declaration also vowed to set example of human rights and good governance but I think there should be a clear cut direction, strategy and way to materialize these points

Natural disaster, environmental pollution and poverty eradication are the major issues the world people are facing over the years. The poor and developing countries cannot bear the burden of natural calamities. How to get rid of it is a big challenge now. Worldwide public awareness and sustainable policy must be chalked out by the OIC to minimize the losses caused by various disasters. Research centres of environmental issues and give immediate help to the affected people must come under the purview of OIC initiatives. Only declaration can hardly bring any change. Why not OIC take the initiative to form an international organization similar to Red Cross? Only Islamic Relief Fund cannot make itself prominent with its limited outreach.

It expressed that members resolve to fully take part in the global campaign to bridge the digital divide through voluntary contributions so as to address the energy problems and promote worm, the family and children as major social requirement. Members have given utmost importance to the need to urgently implement the provision of the Ten Year Prgoramme of Action against poverty in Africa. This is a laudable step. Its full implementation and materialization may invite smile on the mouths of hungry Afirans. Similar plan may be taken in South East Asia as well.

" Within the same drive of Islamic renewal ,w e call on the member states and their scholars to seek to unify the Islamic calendar and thus boost Islam's image in the world." It should be definitely done to boost up the image of Islam.

To meet the worldwide food crisis, OIC can play significant role by establishing world famous rice and wheat research institute like IRRI. The scientists of the Muslim countries will conduct research and contribute to the world in a positive and practical way. To distribute the wealth of the rich OIC countries' wealth among the less developed and poor Muslim countries, the rich Muslim countries can import different professional mostly from OIC member countries which will consolidate the friendly relations as well as directly cooperate economic development and cooperation.

It really looks odd to see when the whole Iraq has been devastated by the USA on a false plea, when the Palestinians lead an abnormal life living in the roars of cannons and shedding unlimited blood almost everyday, the Saudi Shieks pass their times in enjoying horse race which definitely claims hundreds of dollars. Absolute waste of money it is. Rich Muslim particularly the Middle Eastern still use the poor children of brother countries as camel jockey. How inhuman and ridiculous it is! This is our deeds and this is our Muslim leaders' performance. See, how Fidel Castro showed the thumb to the powerful America. How the Cubans have survived themselves through the rocking of American terrorism and poverty. Not a single child in Cuba live at home without going to school. All the families have the food security. But what we have done? Some of our Muslim brother countries change carpets of the their houses and mosques several times of the year. Whereas, many African countries starve days together and America goes there with humanitarian aids. How farce the matter is! Yes, rich Muslim The rich Muslim countries give monetary help to some comparatively poor courtiers to establish mosques and orphanages. They think that this is the solution of poverty and the result we see. This money could been spent for establishing technical institutes to feed the growing demand of skilled labour force in these countries making the avenues of friendship stronger and alleviating poverty.

57 Muslim countries sleep when the oldest centre for Muslim civilization has been completely destroyed for nothing. Muslim countries just took complacency to see the fall of Saddam. Even, these countries cannot get united which is a subtle diplomacy of the shred western world. Still the Muslim countries have been struggling to see a mirage. The whole western world and the evil forces would have been afraid of the united force of these countries but surprisingly they try to take shelter in the corner of their own houses.

A group of frustrated or misguided or less analytical ability Muslims have resorted to taking revenge or spread Islam in another form which has been exposed as terrorism and made this religion scorned by other religious followers. Islam has seriously been misinterpreted by them tarnishing the pure image of Islam. The evil forces have got the chance to further tarnish and misinterpret Islam. Now it is duty of the Muslim scholars and leaders to explain and show the real picture of this religion.

The religious prayer houses I mean our mosques which was supposed to be the centre of spreading knowledge both worldly and after the world but the religious preaching has been limited to only some explanations of the after world which sometimes also raise questions in the inquisitive minds and the our religious leaders cannot fully satisfy the queries of others. Conducting serious and comprehensive research on knowledge, science, culture, morality, economics should be the focal issues among the religious houses and strong and genuine cooperation must be established among the Muslim countries narrowing the existing gaps and loopholes lying among them.