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while working towards a goal or to satisfy the emotional needs

of its members. This definition includes important aspects of

cohesiveness, including its multidimensionality, dynamic nature,

instrumental basis and emotional aspects.

The Islamic world and the West

An important denominator for world peace, stability and security

is improved andmutually respectful relations between the Islamic

world and theWest. In that respect, it is worth noting that a signifi-

cant portion of theMuslimworld is going through difficult times: a

period of momentous change and transformation. For that reason

also, I attach importance to initiatives for the engagement and

development of relations between the Islamic world and theWest.

It would not be out of place to mention here that most of

the crises going on at present are seen in different parts of the

Islamic world. Nevertheless, the effects of these crises do not limit

themselves within the physical boundary of any state or nation-

hood. They pose risks to global security and stability as a whole.

Therefore, a relationship between the Islamic world and the West

towards building a more secure world on the basis of peace and

friendship concerns everybody and is in the interest of all.

Many eminent statesmen have underscored on different occa-

sions the areas that need to be addressed in order to improve

these relations. They also underlined the common concerns

about the negative trends in the relations between the West and

the Islamic world and the challenges in reversing those trends.

Some improvements have taken place recently. But more

needs to be done to introduce a paradigm shift, as well as

a new dimension in Islamic world-West relations. In that

respect, we have to discuss in an intellectually charged

discourse on where things stand today.

Let me now refer to the role the OIC can play in engaging

the Islamic world with the West in a constructive and mean-

ingful partnership. The OIC is an intergovernmental political

organization and is not a religious body. It has grown into the

second-largest international organization outside the United

Nations system. The important exercise of reform and restruc-

turing at the OIC is essentially centred on strengthening the

resolve to accord primacy to multilateralism in seeking solu-

tions to contemporary issues.

Propelled by the vision of ‘moderation and modernization’,

the OIC today is engaged in implementing a diverse agenda

including human rights, good governance and cultural diplo-

macy emanating from its Ten Year Programme of Action. It

has established an OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights

Commission (OIC IPHRC) to deal with human rights issues in

its Member States.

Furthermore, the OIC believes that there exists no reli-

gious fault line between the West and the Islamic world:

neither between Islam and Judaism nor between Islam and

Christianity. In most of the contentious cases, religion is

being used by quarters with vested interest for their narrow

political and economic gains.

On the other hand, negative stereotyping and profiling people

on the basis of religion, as well as combating intolerance and

discrimination, has been a priority for the OIC for quite a long

time. In this field, it exerted its best efforts to tackle the issues

faced through a broad-based partnership. As such, it was the

OIC’s constructive role that helped to bring about the consen-

sual adoption by the United Nations Human Rights Council

Resolution 16/18 and the United Nations General Assembly of

the Resolution 67/47 on incitement to violence, stigmatization

and stereotyping on religious grounds, based on the eight points

that the OIC had proposed.

In this connection, I wish to express the hope that concrete

recommendations for even closer relations between the West

and the Islamic world will be found. In that respect, a deeper

appreciation by the leadership in Europe and the USA that

the Islamic world constitutes a constructive partner in inter-

national relations comes at the forefront. Additionally, greater

sensitivity needs to be shown to the concerns of Muslims

by avoiding double standards and discriminatory practices.

Finally, recognition and involvement of the OIC as a bridge

and a credible partner in the conduct of wide-ranging politi-

cal, economic, social and cultural relations with the Muslim

world would definitely be of great utility.

In conclusion, I am convinced that a hand of cooperation

should be extended by all concerned in order to overcome the

misunderstandings, biases, prejudices and manifestations of

intolerance and hate that divide the Muslim and Christian socie-

ties. We must have not only the wisdom, but also the courage

to shape the future for a better life where our children can live

in harmony. To put it differently, we must be able to visualize

the future, we must be able to grasp the future and we must also

be able to direct the future. We must work towards a civiliza-

tion founded on positive reciprocity; on the balance of rights and

responsibilities; and on duties and obligations. We must follow

a path that will take us towards a sustainable and just civiliza-

tion that is based on human solidarity and on cultural pluralism

built on the conviction that multiple identities and beliefs are

not only a reality, but are also beneficial for human interaction.

One does not need uniformity to seek a common ground. Under

the present international circumstances, there is a need to exert

greater efforts to create new opportunities for real rapproche-

ment, mutual recognition and understanding.

Group cohesion can be multidimensional, dynamic, and instrumental to

achieving a goal or satisfying the emotional needs of the group’s members

Image: OIC

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