Challenges for the OIC<\/p>\n
Indonesia assumed the chairmanship of the Organization of
\nIslamic Conference (OIC) this week by calling on its 54 members
\nto tackle two major challenges facing the Islamic world: raising
\nthe standard of living of Moslems, who make up quite a sizable
\nportion of the world's poor, and changing the perceptions in the
\nWest that tend to equate Islam with terrorism and violence.<\/p>\n
These challenges are additions to the perennial problems that
\nthe OIC has had to deal with, such as supporting Palestinians'
\nquest for a homeland, bringing about a comprehensive and lasting
\npeace in the Middle East, helping the Moslems in Bosnia-
\nHerzegovina achieve a better future and solving many intra-OIC
\nconflicts. These and a host of other problems were discussed at
\nthis week's OIC ministerial meeting in Jakarta, which winds up
\ntoday.<\/p>\n
Lifting the welfare of the ummah (Moslem community) appears to
\nbe the more ambitious of the two new challenges. But it is not
\nimpossible, and probably is the more feasible one. As Minister of
\nForeign Affairs Ali Alatas, chairman of this week's OIC
\nconference, has pointed out, the OIC already has some of the
\ninstitutions and mechanisms that could be used to promote intra-
\nOIC trade and investment cooperation. Trade and investment are
\nstill the best means of promoting the welfare of poor and
\ndeveloping countries which make up the OIC.<\/p>\n
The OIC has policy-making bodies at the highest level. It has
\nestablished centers of cooperation in various fields and has the
\nIslamic Development Bank, making it the only group of developing
\ncountries with its own bank. The organization has established a
\ntrade preferential system, a long-term financing scheme and an
\ninvestment and export credit cooperation.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's job as chairman is to encourage fellow members to
\ntake full advantage of these facilities. They are not perfect or
\ncomplete, but they are sufficient to start with. New institutions
\nand mechanisms can be developed along the way as the need arises.<\/p>\n
Presently, intra-OIC trade is put at a meager 10 percent of
\nits members' total trade volume. Historically, for practical
\npurposes, it was easier for OIC countries to trade with developed
\ncountries. But now that OIC members' economies have become
\ndiverse -- from the rich to the poor, and from the resource-based
\nto the industrialized ones -- it makes sense for them to start
\ntrading with one another more vigorously. It's time that OIC
\nmembers put those statements of brotherhood and solidarity that
\nwe hear so often at their meetings into action.<\/p>\n
The second challenge -- improving the image of Islam -- is
\nmore daunting. Changing an image and perception takes time, and
\nis next to impossible if they are based on prejudices. It is
\nstill fresh in our mind how the American media tried to pin the
\nbombings in Oklahoma last year and the TWA flight this year on
\nMoslem groups. That kind of prejudice, rather than the reality of
\nIslam, underlies the West's perception to equate the religion
\nwith terrorism and violence.<\/p>\n
The reality of the Islamic world is far different from that
\nperceived by some people in the West. Islam by definition is a
\nreligion of peace and tolerance. Fortunately, many leaders, such
\nas Prince Charles and U.S. President Bill Clinton, see that
\nreality, and this has helped to lead to greater understanding in
\nthe West about Islam. Ultimately, changing perceptions and
\nprejudices could only come from within the West itself. There is
\nlittle that the Islamic world can do to change them, other than
\ncontinuing to spread the message of Islam.<\/p>\n
The one-year tenure given to a chairman is hardly enough to
\ntackle the two major undertakings. It would be unfair to expect
\nresults in 12 months. But Indonesia can at least lay down the
\ngroundwork to set these projects on their way.<\/p>",
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