Moslem urged to work together

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said Moslems the world over should work together to fight poverty and illiteracy, and improve the quality of human resources in Islamic countries.

"Moslems from different social and cultural backgrounds throughout the world should refer to the guidance of the Koran and Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings and deeds) so they are not divided by political differences," Tarmizi said.

The minister was addressing the closing ceremony for the Sixth Conference of Ministers of Awqof (mortmain) and Islamic Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) here Saturday.

He expressed confidence that a solid and integrated Islamic world would emerge if billions of Moslems united.

There are some 5.6 billion people in the world and Moslems, along with Christians, form the largest community, he said.

However most Christians live in developed countries while Moslems live in developing nations that face problems such as poverty and less access to information and technological development, he said.

The conference, opened Wednesday by President Soeharto, also issued Jakarta Message, a communique which appeals for greater attention to Islamic minorities in non-Moslem countries.

In the six-point message, the ministers agreed to preserve the rights of Islamic communities throughout the world.

The message also underlined the need for issues concerning religious, cultural and humanity matters to be given attention and assistance through scientific research and project realization.

The next OIC summit in Teheran, Iran, is expected to pay more attention to these less fortunate Islamic communities.

Malaysia will be hosting the seventh OIC conference of ministers of Awqof and Islamic affairs in the year 2000. Prior to this conference, the OIC's Executive Council is scheduled to meet in Egypt next year. (10)