Mega urges OIC members to open door for reform

Mega urges OIC members to open door for reform

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on members of the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on Wednesday to
introduce more changes and provide opportunities for their
citizenry to grow as part of efforts to improve the image of
Islam.

Addressing the OIC Business Forum dinner in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, Megawati said Islam was not opposed to reform, and
provided room for its followers to grow.

"We might have to pay greater attention to opening a wider
door for the concept of reform for individuals to grow," the
President said in her speech, a copy of which was made available
Wednesday evening to The Jakarta Post.

"This will be a considerable contribution to the modernization
of Islamic ummah (people) and hence, to better a understanding
and image of Islam," she stressed.

Megawati left for Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to attend a two-
day OIC summit that starts today.

During a joint press conference with visiting Algerian
President Abdelazis Bouteflika here on Monday, Megawati said the
OIC had to revitalize its existence, especially in facing the
global campaign against terrorism.

She said on Wednesday that modernization was possible in Islam
and would determine the welfare of Muslims around the globe.

"Since its inception, Islam has taught its followers to carry
out reform in their manner, behavior, way of thinking and
conduct, even in moral ethics.

"Only with greater flexibility in the development of
individual innovation, creativity and initiative, and with clear
paths aimed at encouraging and ensuring these changes, would
Islamic human resources be able to develop...," she said.

Megawati did not mention any countries that specifically
needed reform, but only a few of the OIC's 57 member countries
are a democracy and provide opportunities for individual growth.

The 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, was bestowed
the prestigious award for her struggle to introduce democracy in
her home country, Iran.

"All I've tried to do in the last 20 years was to prove that
with another interpretation of Islam, it would be possible to
introduce democracy to Muslim countries," the Iranian human
rights lawyer told Newsweek magazine.

"We need an interpretation of Islam that leaves much more
space for women to take action. We need an Islam that is
compatible with democracy and one that's respectful of individual
rights."

On the sidelines of the summit, President Megawati is slated
to hold bilateral talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Malaysian
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, President Kellenberger of the
International Committee of the Red Cross and Sudan President Omer
Hassan Ahmed.

On Friday evening, Megawati is to continue her overseas tour
to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in
Bangkok.

During the APEC Summit, she will also hold a series of
bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, New Zealand
Prime Minister Helen Clark, Australian Prime Minister John Howard
and Mexican President Vincente Fox.

She will take a one-day rest in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on
Saturday, as one of the presidential staff explained, "The
President is impressed with the situation in Chiang Mai as it
reminds her of the old days of Bali."

Upon her return to Bangkok on Sunday, Megawati is to attend a
working lunch with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).

After the seven-day overseas trip, Megawati will go straight
to Bali to host a meeting with visiting United States President
George W. Bush, who will transit on the resort island for four
hours.