OIC Technical Committee Meeting studies vital sectors in Al-Quds Al-Sharif 
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu chaired the meeting of the Technical Committee entrusted with the study of the vital sectors in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, held at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 13 March 2010. In his statement to the participating delegations, the Secretary General stated that the meeting embodies the real will of the Member States to shoulder responsibility and do whatever is necessary to defend Al-Quds City, support the resistance of its people and enable them to counter the unrelenting Israeli plans aimed at judaising the City.

The Palestinian delegation gave a detailed presentation on the Israeli violations in terms of intrusions, closure, excavations, settlement, segregation, house demolitions, economic restrictions, expulsion of Palestinian citizens and prevention of worshipers from reaching the Blessed Aqsa Mosque. The delegation also presented an exhaustive study on the situation of the sectors of urgent priority in the City pointing out its actual needs for the next three years in the sectors of housing, education, health, youth, social affairs and maintenance and restoration of relics. Such would enable the City to play its inevitable role of preserving the Arab Islamic character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

In its report, the Technical Committee emphasized that the current situation in Al-Quds Al-Sharif poses a serious challenge at the level of economy, education, health, building, culture, religion and social and political affairs. It warned that leaving these vital sectors in their current situation without urgent intervention would lead to a serious deterioration in their services. Thus, the Committee made recommendations, for adoption prior to the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, an action to support the various sectors of the City and allocate the resources needed for the implementation of urgent projects.

OIC Secretary General condemns Israeli measures in Al-Quds, discusses developments with President Mahmoud Abbas 
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the arbitrary acts committed by the Israeli occupation authorities in the Occupied City of Al-Quds. He said that the Israeli escalation represented in the construction of synagogues on an Islamic Waqf property, expansion of settlement and assault on unarmed Palestinian citizens is a flagrant violation of international law and a blatant assault on the sanctities and religious inviolabilities of Muslims.

The Secretary General pointed out that when the OIC sensed the seriousness of the Israeli measures in Al-Quds City, he addressed a number of world officials, almost ten days ago, including the US Secretary of State, Foreign Minister of Spain, currently holds the rotating European Union Presidency, and EU's Commissioner for External Relations to bring to familiarize them with the intention of the occupation authorities and extremist groups to do such provocative acts. He also cautioned against Israel's efforts to drag the region into a religious war, and requested them to pressure Israel to end its violations.

The Secretary General discussed on the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the exacerbating developments on the Palestinian scene in view of the Israeli measures in Al-Quds and ways to act at various level to stop such.

The Secretary General has condemned Israel’s construction of a Jewish synagogue on an Islamic Waqf [endowed] plot of land near Al-Aqsa Mosque. He pointed out that the Al-Kharab synagogue, so called by Israelis, has been built on the ruins of an Ottoman building that is located within the confines of Islamic buildings adjacent to Al-Omari Mosque in Al-Sharaf District, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. After capturing the area, Israel expelled its Palestinian residents, demolished the majority of houses, and constructed a settlement zone on its grounds called the ‘Jewish Quarter’. The synagogue is erected at the heart of the Muslim Quarter, just dozens of meters away from the Western Wall of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, making crystal clear the grave implications of Israeli schemes that target the Noble Sanctuary and the future of the City of Al-Quds.

Following Israel’s decision to build new settlement units, Ihsanoglu says UN had a special duty to stop Israel’s infringements 
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned in strong terms the Israeli government’s approval of building 1600 additional settler homes in the occupied Palestinian territories. This provocative step is a premeditated disdain for the collective will of the international community and comes at a time when the Palestinian side has exhibited huge cooperation for efforts to revive the peace process killed by Israel’s unceasing violations.

The Secretary General said the OIC, which supported the peace process since its launch in Madrid and the international efforts to ensure that it succeeds, thus achieving the goal of ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestine state, believes that Israel’s behavior and practices are a serious affront to the international community. This calls for action on the part of the international community to curb Israel’s arrogance and deprecation of resolutions of international legitimacy.

The Secretary General added that the United Nations (UN) had a special duty to stop Israel’s infringements. He called on OIC Member States to support activating the role of the Security Council and the General Assembly under the “Uniting for Peace” formula to compel Israel to end its violations and occupation of the Palestinian territories and to establish an independent State of Palestine on the entire land occupied by Israel in 1967.

Ihsanoglu, Miliband discuss enhanced bilateral cooperation between OIC and UK 
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met with the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on 11 March 2010 in London in the framework of his visit to the United Kingdom upon the official invitation by the Foreign Secretary. In their talks the Secretary General and Foreign Secretary exchanged views on ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation between the OIC and the United Kingdom (UK) on all issues of mutual concern as well as overall cooperation between the OIC and the EU.

The Secretary General conveyed to the Foreign Secretary the deep concern of the OIC over the recent worrying developments in the occupied territories of Palestine and particularly in East Jerusalem. He emphasized that in the view of the OIC, the recent decisions by Israel related to the settlements would not only jeopardize the chances of resumption of peace negotiations but also create an atmosphere of confrontation. He took the opportunity to call upon the international community to put serious pressure on Israel to reverse its unconstructive and clearly provocative decisions.

The Secretary General also had the opportunity to brief the Foreign Secretary on the OIC’s efforts to maintain peace and security and to address the humanitarian needs especially in the OIC Member States such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia. Situation in Yemen and Nigeria also came up in their discussions.

They discussed the OIC’s endeavors in promoting moderation, modernization and socio-economic development in the Muslim world as well as fighting extremism and terrorism; and emphasized the need to promote mutual understanding and tolerance. They highlighted the potentials for playing constructive role in defusing tensions and removing misperceptions, which have recently affected the relations between the Muslim World and the West. The Secretary General pointed to his conviction that with its historical relationship with the Muslim World and its deep experience in cherishing understanding and tolerance, the UK could play a crucial role in the better understanding of the positions and concerns of the Muslim World.

The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary General agreed to continue their mutually beneficial engagement and consultations in all the issues, and the Secretary General extended an invitation to him to visit the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah.

Ihsanoglu and Miliband expressed their satisfaction over the recently established ties of cooperation between the OIC and the British Department for International Development (DFID) in the field of international development, relief and humanitarian assistance. In this framework, the Secretary General met immediately after his meeting with the Foreign Secretary, with Mike Foster, Minister for International Development. Following up on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the OIC and DFID in November 2010, and ways and means of furthering cooperation in humanitarian assistance and development projects were in the focus of the meeting.

Ihsanoglu assures Somali President of OIC’s continuing engagement 
On the sidelines of his visit to London the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met H.E Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the President of Somalia. The meeting discussed the latest developments in the political, security and humanitarian fields in Somalia and the OIC’s contribution to peace building efforts in the country. Ihsanoglu reiterated the continuing engagement of the OIC with Somalia and assured the Somali President that the Organization will continue to mobilize Member States in order to extend their full assistance to the efforts of reconstruction of Somalia.

On his part, President Sheikh Sharif expressed his appreciation to the endeavors of the OIC in trying to contribute to lasting peace and sustainable development in the country. OIC Secretary General welcomes the signing of agreement between the Somali government and an opposition group.

The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu welcomed the signing on 15th March 2010 in Addis Ababa of the agreement between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the opposition Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a.

Ihsanoglu who commended the two parties for their patriotic and courageous decision, expressed satisfaction that this positive development will further strengthen the Djibouti Peace Agreement and national reconciliation in Somalia. He then urged other groups still outside the Djibouti Accord to abandon violence and join the peace process in the interest of their country.

The Secretary General again reaffirmed the determination of the OIC as an observer under the Djibouti Agreement to continue to contribute to its implementation. 

The Secretary General emphasizes OIC’s support to development in Comoros 
The Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu emphasized that the OIC accords particular attention to the support of socio-economic projects in the Federal Republic of the Comoros. He pointed out that the 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Damascus urged all Member States to extend assistance to the Union of Comoros.

In his statement to the opening session of the Conference for the Support of Investment and Development in the Federal Republic of the Comoros held in the Qatari Capital, Doha on 9 March 2010, the Secretary General said that the OIC called upon the Member States' NGOs and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to contribute to the accomplishment of development and investment projects in the Union of Comoros. He reiterated the keenness of the OIC on following up the implementation of the relevant resolutions through sending two high-level missions comprising senior staff from the OIC General Secretariat and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) as well as representatives of Senegal and Turkey to hold discussions with Comoros' officials and make a list of development projects.

Ihsanoglu stated that the OIC Islamic Solidarity Fund paid special attention to the projects submitted by the Comoros in accordance with an integrated work program of assistance in coordination with the Comoros officials and charitable organizations. The total amount of assistance provided by the ISF to the Union of Comoros in the areas of emergency, health and education facilities amounted to $852,000.00 till the end of last year.

Similarly, Ihsanoglu pointed out that the OIC Department of Humanitarian Affairs (ICHAD) was instructed to set up a special program of $10 million, which will be implemented over a three-year period, to address the humanitarian situation and support development efforts in the Comoros. He explained that the OIC would coordinate with the Government of the Comoros, and in accordance with the mechanism devised by the Conference, to fulfill its pledges over the three-year period.

OIC Islamophobia Observatory spokesman condemns reprint of blasphemous cartoon by Swedish newspapers 
A spokesman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference’s Islamophobia Observatory condemned the reprint of the controversial drawing of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Swedish artist Lars Vilks in three Swedish newspapers, namely Dagens Nyheter, Expressen, and Sydsvenska Dagbladet, and electronic media including radio and television broadcasts as a reaction to an alleged plot to murder the cartoonist, which was uncovered in Ireland on March 9, 2010.

The spokesman said that the OIC had always spoken against violence including death threats against the originators of the blasphemous cartoons. He said however, that the Swedish media’s explanation of the action taken to reprint the cartoons in the name of freedom of expression was unacceptable, unwise and irresponsible, as it has caused hurt and insult to the Muslim citizens of Sweden as well as the 1.5 billion Muslims across the world who had nothing to do with the alleged death threat. The spokesman added that there was other options available for the Swedish media to show their protest instated of resorting to an action that could potentially open a raw wound and incite avoidable unrest.

The OIC spokesman hoped that the Swedish newspapers will show restraint and exercise the right to freedom of expression in a responsible manner. 

IDB approves around $334 million for new development projects 
The Board of Executive Directors (BED) of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) which concluded its 266th session at IDB Headquarters in Jeddah under the chairmanship of IDB President Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, approved $333.9 million for financing new development projects.

The Board approvals included new project financing in Bahrain, Benin, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The Board also approved a Technical Assistance (T.A.) Grant for the Syria-Turkey Inter-Regional Cooperation Program (STICP), a program that the Bank is seeking to generalize in similar border areas in member countries. In addition, T.A. Grants were approved for Muslim communities in non-member countries including India, Fiji Islands, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand and USA.