Global issues at crucial OIC Summit
By Azlan Othman

Malaysian Police armed forces stand guard Friday, Oct. 10, 2003 outside the new Convention Center where the 10th Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) will be held on Oct. 16-18 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. AP

Brunei Darussalam will join 56 other Islamic nations in the Malaysian capital when the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) holds its summit next week.

The summit is expected to deal with critical global issues coming as it is just a few days after the successful Asean summit in Bali and few days before the Apec summit to be held in Bangkok, in which 21 world leaders including His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will attend.

The 10th OIC summit will be held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from Oct 16 to 18, 2003. Malaysia is fully prepared to assume the chairmanship for the next three years. It takes over as OIC Chairman from Qatar.

Speaking on the eve of the 10th OIC summit, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia would work towards strengthening the 57-member organisation.

This was to ensure that OIC played its pivotal role as a voice of reason and justice, and contributed effectively towards global peace, stability and prosperity, especially for its members, he said as quoted by Bernama news service last night.

"The task ahead for Malaysia as the chairman is enormous, given the political, economic and social scenario facing the Islamic Ummah today. Malaysia, however will not be deterred by these challenges," he said.

Meanwhile AP quoting the Malaysian Foreign Minister reported that the US could not expect significant Muslim peacekeepers in Iraq as along as Americans were running the show.

Syed Albar said Turkish troops would be unacceptable to Iraqis as peacekeepers and that most Muslim nations will refuse to participate in such operations unless they come under the United Nations. AP report added.

These observations were made at a press conference on the eve of OIC summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Some 1,800 media representatives, both local and international would be covering the event. Malaysia will take over as OIC Chairman from Qatar.

Brunei will exhibit some of the priceless collections of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the OIC Expo 2003 to be held from October 14 to 19 in conjunction with the OIC Conference summit.

Brunei exhibits would also feature the socio-economic and welfare aspects of the Sultanate and its system of Islamic banking and finance. The activities of BLNG and BSP would also be highlighted at the summit.

Meanwhile United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan is scheduled to deliver a special 10-minute address to the OIC Business Forum on 15th October. Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad will open the two-day forum.

Held in conjunction with the 10th OIC Summit, the forum will address the challenges confronting Muslim societies arising from globalisation, issues in bridging the digital divide and smart partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Dynamic Islamic financial instruments and their global potential, the harnessing of the media and communication technology, managing risks and diversity and promoting economic integration for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah will also be highlighted.

The business forum, to be attended by government leaders, captains of industry, regional experts, professionals and corporate managers, will also be a platform to promote multilateral support.

OIC was established on Sept 25, 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, to unite Islamic nations and strengthen cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural and scientific fields.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin