Editorial
Dakar Declaration
Action-oriented OIC need of the hour
THE Dakar Declaration at the end of the 11th summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) pledged to preserve world peace and security, face the challenges of Muslim Ummah and ensure development of the member countries. It may sound a mouthful but we believe all of this is extremely relevant in the context of present global economic and security situation. We also believe all of this is definitely doable. But, this needs to be mentioned at the same time, that the onus rests on the shoulders of the oil-rich members of OIC that have enormous resources at their disposal, which they need to share with the developing Muslim countries for the ultimate progress of the Ummah.
We feel the Bangladesh delegation, led by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, rightly focused on the burning issues like facing the challenges to poverty alleviation and maintaining peace and security. It is only stating the obvious that we wish to see the OIC become action-oriented in the future. While letting the conference know its mind, Dhaka also gave emphasis on OIC remaining focused on implementation of the resolutions, once these have been adopted unanimously by the member countries.
OIC, for all its potential, has not been proactive in the past in stepping forward to offer assistance to the developing Muslim majority countries of Asia and Africa that are facing funds constraints in undertaking major developmental projects. It watched from a safe distance these countries carrying the legacy of pervasive poverty, high rate of illiteracy, miserable sanitation and health condition, internecine conflicts and cross-border terrorism, which continue to drain out their meagre resources. There is no denying that because of such nonchalant attitude, OIC failed to carve a bigger role for itself in resolving crises faced by the member countries.
With oil price soaring and oil producing countries making windfall profit, it would therefore be natural for the developing Muslim countries to expect them to join as partners for the development of their export industries, roads, bridges, education, human resources, IT, health care and transportation including the aviation sector. Such partnership should not be viewed as doing charity or philanthropy but a justified investment towards making collective benefit under a broader vision. We feel the efficacy of OIC now hinges on its actions and not words anymore.
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