Recommendation No13/22-C
on
Enhancing The OIC Role in Dialogue among Civilizations

The Twenty-second Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 6 to 9 Shawal 1419H (23-26 January 1999),  

Recalling the provisions of the Tehran Declaration adopted in December 1997 by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference confirming that the Islamic civilization has consistently been throughout history and based on peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual understanding among civilizations, as well as constructive dialogue with religions and other ideas, and underlining the need to establish understanding and interaction among cultures in conformity with Islamic teachings of tolerance, justice and peace;

Welcoming the resolution passed by the UN General Assembly on November 3rd, 1998, proposed by HE. Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Chairman of the current Summit, in which the latter expressed firm determination to facilitate and encourage dialogue among civilizations at the beginning of the third millennium and which named the year 2001 as the "UN Year for Dialogue Among Civilizations" and called on governments and the UN System including the relevant non-governmental societies, to develop and implement adequate educational and social programs aimed at enhancing the concept of dialogue among civilizations;

Also welcoming the constructive statements made by some senior officials of the European Union in response to the General Assembly calling for engagement in a top level dialogue between the European Union and the OIC on issues of common concern;

Declaring its categorical rejection of the theories of inter-civilization conflict which should generate lack of confidence and curtail the basis for peaceful interaction among States;

Renewing its deep conviction in the tremendous cultural contribution offered by the Islamic world to the entire humanity in different fields in the middle ages, and the ability of the Islamic civilization to confirm its performance and interaction with contemporary human civilizations particularly in the age of globalization and the revolutions of transport, telecommunications technology and the age of space;

REQUESTS the Secretary General to communicate the results of the consultations conducted with the Chair of the current Summit on this matter among the Member States to sound their views on appropriate means to achieve the objectives sought by this dialogue.

ALSO REQUESTS the Secretary General to form a Group of Experts nominated by the governments of Member States, while taking into consideration leaders of Islamic thought who, in addition to their knowledge of the superior values of Islam, are widely conversant in the conditions, ideological philosophies and practical practices of the contemporary world, aimed at defining themes of priority, appropriate frameworks and bodies with which to conduct dialogue, as well as the necessary basis which may lead to a remarkable achievement.

REQUESTS the Secretary General to follow up this subject and to report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.