MAKKAH, 8 December 2005 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has urged OIC countries to work hard to become a progressive society, standing proudly in the comity of nations. "We have to break from centuries of stagnation," he added.
In a statement to the Islamic summit in Makkah, he also called for launching a strategy for Islamic renaissance, taking appropriate actions at national and Ummah levels.
Musharraf, who is attending the summit, urged Muslim leaders to make the Makkah summit a defining moment in their endeavors for the betterment of the Ummah.
"Let this be our tryst with destiny. The challenge is indeed enormous but failure is not an option," the president said in an eight-page statement, defining the solutions for Muslim problems.
"We should vigorously pursue good and accountable governance, designed to serve the best interest of our people," he told the leaders.
He stressed the need for promoting macro-economic policies to accelerate growth, attract investment, alleviate poverty and create jobs. He also called for the development of education systems and the protection of human rights.
The Pakistani leader hoped that the Makkah summit would become a summit of decision and action. He commended the work done by Muslim scholars and intellectuals in drafting the 10-year action plan for Muslims.
Musharraf said the OIC secretary-general must be empowered to implement the recommendations of the summit. The OIC secretariat should have separate departments to deal with peace and security, trade and investment, economic and technical assistance, science and technology, Islamic thought and inter-faith dialogue.
"Within the restructured secretariat we should institute mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution within member states," the president said. He called for the establishment of a network of centers of excellence in science and technology in the member countries.
Musharraf called for the establishment of a permanent forum of Islamic thought to provide guidance and opinion. The forum should bring together enlightened scholars of mainstream religious schools of thought and those with grasp of the present day environment.
He said the new OIC charter should give full and permanent membership only to Muslim majority countries. He also urged member countries to extend adequate financial support to the OIC for its effective functioning.
He emphasized the need for restructuring the organization to make it a dynamic and futuristic body. "It's only through such a restructuring of the OIC that we can meet the objectives of enlightened moderation and the aspirations of the Ummah."
Musharraf advised Muslims to adopt a conciliatory approach to ensure continuity of progress. "A confrontationist course can only lead us to further destruction and deprivation," he said.
He said the failure of Muslim countries to achieve a just solution of disputes such as Palestine and Kashmir had spawned desperation, confusion and extremism. The senseless acts of terrorism by misguided individuals had tarnished the image of Islam, he added.
The president explained the great achievements made by Muslims in the past. "It was the philosophic accomplishment of Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd which gave inspiration to later day Western philosophers," he pointed out.
He also noted the outstanding contributions of Ibn Sina, Al-Beruni, Jabir ibn Haiyan, Mohamed Al-Khawarizmi, Al-Zahrawi and Omar Al-Khayyam in the fields of medicine, chemistry, mathematics, medical surgery and science.
"Even today numerous shelves of libraries in the West are filled with books written on these famous Muslim scholars," he said. "All these scholars were the products of madrassas in those days. It's unfortunate that most madrassas of today insist on restricting education to religion alone," he added.
Speaking about the present situation of the Muslim world, which accounts for one fifth of humanity, Musharraf said 17 out of 57 OIC member states are the poorest in the world.
"We are among the most illiterate. Our literacy level is shamefully low in spite of the fact that Islam enjoins us to acquire knowledge from anywhere," he said.
Musharraf also decried the dismal economic development of Muslim countries. "We remain stuck in dire predicament, facing formidable challenges at political, economic and intellectual levels. ... Most of us remain far removed from the expanding frontiers of knowledge, education and science and technology," he said.
Musharraf said most economies of Muslim countries were dependent on raw material supply. "Even the rich among us are consumers of the fruits of modernization and innovation of other advanced countries who are shaping the direction of progress and the future of the world."
He urged Muslim extremists to change their ways. "They should shun the path of violence, which offers no salvation and will only lead to more pain and more misery," he said.
He sought God's help in the collective efforts of Muslim leaders toward the emancipation of the world of Islam. He thanked Saudi Arabia and all other countries which extended generous donations for Pakistan's earthquake victims.
By P.K. Abdul Ghafour
© Arab News 2005
