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Current Affairs
Raja Zafarul-Haq stresses on coordination between
OIC and Muslim NGOs
Raja
Muhammad Zafarul-Haq, Secretary General, World Muslim Congress, addressed
the opening session of the 14th Meeting of the Coordination Committee
on Joint Islamic Action at the OIC Conference held on 4-6 June 2005, in
Tripoli.
He stressed upon the need for coordination between OIC and the various
Muslim NGOs and using all means of mass media and developments in the
fields of technology to project the truth about Islam and spread the universal
message of Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Following is the text of his speech:
“Excellency Professor Ekmeluddin Ihsanoglu,
Secretary General of the
Organization of Islamic Conference
Brother Delegates.
At the very outset, on behalf of the participating delegates, we express
our deep gratitude to the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic
Conference for his initiative to hold this important meeting to coordinate,
analyse and to chalk out the future programme of the Coordination Committee
on Joint Islamic Action. We also express our sincere gratitude to the
World Islamic Call Society in this Conference for extending generous hospitality. |
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| 1. |
There
is a large number of Muslim Organizations working in the field of
Islamic action, or Daw’a. It was decided some years back that
the major organizations in this field, may be recognized and registered
with the OIC and a Coordination Committee be constituted to oversee
their work. The objectives of the establishment of a Coordination
Committee remain as important today, if not more, as they were at
the time of its establishment but there is a qualitative change in
the global atmosphere. The new situation requires re-assessment of
the ground realities, as well as, the requirements of conducting our
affairs in a manner in which we can on the one hand meet the new challenges
and at the same time take advantage of the new opportunities. |
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| 2. |
The challenge
today is that it has always been there right from the advent of Islam
that some very strong quarters imbibe hatred and malice against Islam
and Muslims. The rapid worldwide spread and growth of Islam, is also
taken as a challenge. It is also evident that deliberate steps not
only to discourage but to stop and reverse the progress of Islam,
has been the top agenda of some powerful societies. The antagonism
and enmity coupled with the sporadic reprisals, retaliation and sometimes
revenge by some elements in the Ummah, have been adding fuel to this
fire. Islam has been tabooed and deprecated as the ‘green menace’
and Muslims in general as fundamentalists and terrorists. The cleavage
between Muslims and certain extremist elements in some non-Muslim
quarters, has become too deep and wide. |
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| 3. |
Literature; print
media and very large number of websites, running into thousands of
windows, are pouring anti-Islam and anti-Muslim baseless propaganda
to further pollute the minds of not only policy makers but also common
citizens and the youth, which is reflected in the hostile behaviour
we witness and experience in day-to-day interactions in some areas
of the non-Muslim world. On the other hand, this very situation has
also created opportunities. The eagerness to know more about the Islamic
faith has increased tremendously. In a recent report, it was revealed
that the Islamic Section in the British Museum has registered 6 times
more visitors than the previous years and the number is ever increasing.
A good number of educated non-Muslims have embraced Islam after studying
it thoroughly. |
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| 4. |
It is also a
fact that a new realization is also growing that the dreaded Islamic
hegemony was only a myth than a real threat and it was desirable in
the interest of all major revealed religions to imbibe a spirit of
constructive mutual accommodation. This positive movement though slow,
yet is expected to gather speed progressively. Judaism, Christianity
and Islam share the common basic faith in God, as the supreme sovereign
Master; the resurrection; the Day of Judgement; the second life; the
one brotherhood of mankind as children of God. |
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| 5. |
It is also a
fact that the Muslims are today the focus of unprecedented attention
although they live in different climates; practice different customs
and political systems; living in different societies either as majorities
or minorities; speak different languages but they retain an abiding
sense of Islamic affinity - affinity which is the hallmark of Muslim
faith. |
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| 6. |
Hence the basic
task before us is to meet the challenges collectively, pooling our
sources and experience in different societies; selecting the methods
which are more effective, using all means of mass media and developments
in the fields of technologies and institutions, to project the truth
about Islam, the eternal message of Holy Quran; the unique and exalted
Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). |
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| 7. |
Almost 40% of
the total world Muslim population is living in 105 non-Muslim countries
and territories. In most of these countries, they live peacefully
and integrated in their societies but there are about a dozen countries
where they suffer from denial of fundamental rights, repression and
outright genocide resulting in bloody conflicts and further weakening
of the Muslim communities. This hostile setting has created deeper
repercussions universally. We are aware that appreciable efforts have
been made to resolve these conflicts by some of the Muslim countries,
but unfortunately the problems still persist. It is required that
renewed efforts be made to resolve these conflicts through pro-active
and coordinated strategies as these are a big stumbling block in the
way of better understanding amongst communities and the work of Projection
of Islam. |
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| 8. |
Muslim communities
especially the Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries should be
impressed to become a respectable and productive part of their societies
through avoiding un-necessary conflicts, extremist behaviour and should
seek empowerment through education. In this context, OIC and various
NGOs working in the field of Daw’a should come forward individually
and collectively to help these communities to establish educational
institutions through which they learn to become productive components
of their communities. Science, applied technologies and informatics
could be preferred subjects, for their employment. |
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| 9. |
Coordination
is necessary to improve, expedite and to make the task more efficient.
For these objectives, I suggest the following: |
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| i. |
There
should be regular meetings of the Coordination Committee at
least, once a year, at different Centres; |
| ii. |
A new Website
be established at the 0IC Headquarters dealing with the current
issues regarding fundamental Islamic beliefs and practices,
the Holy Quran; its authenticity; its finality and the methods
of its interpretation; Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with
material on Seerah; the importance of Ahadith as one of the
two basic sources of Islamic Shariah; Five pillars of Islam;
institution of family, the rights and duties of each component
of the family human rights; sanctity of treaties and covenants;
moral basis of Muslim conduct; rights of minorities; marriage
and mutual rights; status of women in Islam; projection of Muslim
history; culture and civilization; the correct meaning of Jihad
and its valid parameters. |
| iii |
There should
be a system of exchange of material produced by members of the
Committee on regular basis. |
| iv |
Arrangements
should also be made to organize exhibitions and sale of printed
material and computer software, in different countries, in relevant
languages. |
| v |
Preparation
of lists of writers, individuals and companies available, to
produce pamphlets and software. |
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| 10. |
Before concluding
my submissions, I may add that the basic teachings of Islam for their
propagation amongst Muslims as well as non-Muslims, has to be in a
manner based on Hikmah i.e. it has to be pleasant, positive, friendly
and does not in any manner offend sentiments of the projected people.
I pray to Allah (SBT) for His guidance as well as grant of perseverance
and wisdom to carry forward His message in the manner He likes.” |
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