Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat – Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has said that the unrest taking place in some Arab states is due to their lack of policies to combat poverty, and the lack of social justice in these countries, which is something that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz called for at the Mecca Conference. Saudi monarch King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz had called for the creation of a fund to combat poverty at the Mecca Conference.
Professor Ihsanoglu also spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat about the possibility of taking action in the states that are currently witnessing political unrest, particularly Libya. He said “what is currently taking place in Libya with regards to the killing of innocents through the use of excessive force cannot be justified, and we, in the region, are monitoring the Libyan position with great regret and sorrow. In such cases, where families are taking to the street to demand certain things from the government, this should be met with dialogue based upon considering these demands.”
OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu made these statements yesterday against the backdrop of the OIC signing a memorandum of understanding with British Muslim NGO Muslim Aid at OIC headquarters in Jeddah. Dr. Ihsanoglu criticized Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who has ruled the North-African state for over 40 yeas, after human rights organizations and media reports have claimed that more than 300 Libyan citizens have been killed in the unrest.
In a press statement distributed to the press on Sunday the OIC stated that the countries that are witnessing popular demonstrations must deal with these events “with a great deal of patience, wisdom, and forward looking vision.”
The OIC also called “upon all concerned [parties] to resort to peaceful means in order to avoid violence and bloodshed” adding that “the aspiration of the Muslim World for good governance, the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, fighting corruption, and the expansion of political participation and comprehensive development, is recognized by the OIC Charter in its fundamental principles.