Moslem urged to work together

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)