Kazakhstan Is Well Placed to Carry Forward the OIC’s Vision of Moderation and Modernization
An interview with Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretagy General of the Organization of Islamic Conference
How do you evaluate Kazakhstan’s activity in the Organization of the Islamic Conference?
The glorious history of Kazakhstan as a center of Islamic culture and tradition is recognized across the Muslim World. Kazakhstan’s strategic positions, political and economic stability as well as its constructive positions on contemporary world issues lend it a special position in the regional as well as global context.
The Central Asian states of the OIC membership share historical experience, geographical borders and a strong sense of belonging to the Muslim World. In about less than a decade since their independence, these countries have joined the OIC and are increasingly engaged in other international fora.
Kazakhstan is hosting the 38th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in June this year which signifies its growing interest in getting into the main stream of political and developmental activities of the OIC.
Under the sagacious leadership of President Nazerbayev, Kazakhstan has emerged as an important actor in the multilateral diplomatic scene and taken initiatives which highlight its credentials for steering the OIC towards bringing sustainable peace, stability and development in the Muslim World.
As a key member of the OIC, its recent presidency of the Organization for Security in Europe (OSCE), involvement with other important organizations like CICA and SCO, Kazakhstan is well placed to carry forward the agenda of dialogue of cultures and civilizations, rapprochement, inter faith harmony, tolerance and the OIC’s vision of moderation and modernization. It is, therefore, our hope that Kazakhstan, as the next chair of the CFM, would further contribute in the realization of the aspirations of the Organization.
What are your expectations from Kazakhstan’s forthcoming presidency in the Conference’s Ministerial in 2011?
Kazakhstan enjoys an excellent track record of extending unequivocal support on all issues of interest to the Muslim World. It is the first Central Asian country which maintains dedicated presence accredited to the OIC in Jeddah at the Ambassadorial level. Lately, two international seminars were held in Almaty and Astana in preparation of the forthcoming Chairmanship of the CFM in June 2011. This indeed is reflective of Kazakhstan’s keen interest in the OIC as well as its commitment to the OIC’s agenda of ‘solidarity in action’ for peace, progress and development. Kazakhstan with its sustained exposure to the Eurasian politics, along with strong commitment to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, can play an important role in building bridges between the OIC and its western counterparts.
Today, the Muslim World takes pride in the great contribution by the illustrious scholars, thinkers, historians, scientists and geographers who were the native of the Central Asian region and played a prominent role in advancing of Muslim culture and civilization. Kazakhstan as the stronghold of this magnificent heritage, could effectively lead the way for the Muslim World to strive and grow through advancement in science, technology and innovation, commerce and trade, good governance and human capital development.
Kazakhstan has made exemplary endeavors in the field of disarmament, which set the stage for making the world free from nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
The OIC’s strategic vision for solidarity between Central Asia and the Muslim World which was adopted by the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Dushanbe adds new dimensions to the prospects for future cooperation and growth.
We are confident that the OIC’s vision of promoting solidarity and joint action in the Muslim World will receive stronger impetus under the Chairmanship of Kazakhstan.
What further directions do you see for the progress of the OIC as an organization?
The OIC’s strategic vision revolves around the theme of development and reforms in all fields and reorienting its activities to be in sync with the realities of the 21st Century. The Makkah Extraordinary Summit in 2005 opened the doors for the OIC and the Muslim World to engage in an unprecedented internal and inter-governmental reform process. This collective will was manifested in a landmark document titled ‘Ten Year Programme of Action’. The unanimous adoption of the new Charter at the Dakar Summit in 2008 is yet another important milestone in the reform process of the Organization. Both documents provide a visionary road map for the OIC to meet the contemporary challenges.
An inter-governmental political Organization, representing 1.5 billion Muslims, with 57 Member States and five Observers, the OIC is the largest official body of the Muslim World committed to promoting and consolidating global peace, stability, harmony, security and development. Its areas of interest are no more confined to political or economic issues alone. It is concerned with issues related to human rights, democracy, good governance, science and technology, higher education, health, environment, women empowerment, disaster relief, combating extremism and Islamophobia.
Although it is mandated to coordinate and project collective voice of the Muslim World., the OIC, however, is not a religious organization. Like any other political organization in the world, the OIC can do as much as the role defined for it by its Member States. It works on the basis of consensus which requires functioning in close cooperation with other international organizations and stake holders. OIC today, is an important and credible partner with other stake holders on all issues of interest to the international community, and stands ready to cooperate on all matters of peace, security and development.
