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.