OIC Calls on Member States to Support Achievement of IBU Objectives

Jeddah, 25 Safar 1438/25 November 2016 )MINA) – The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Youssef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, called on the Member States to support the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU) to deliver its lofty goals.

The goals include getting Muslim peoples to know one another, promoting Islam’s basic tenets, advocating Islamic causes, entrenching the spirit of common brotherhood among Muslim peoples, promoting cooperation among broadcasting bodies and organizations operating in the Member States, and fostering production and exchange of radio and TV programs that serve the Organization’s objectives, Saudi Arabia news agency SPA reported Thursday.

Speaking at the opening of the fourth meeting of the IBU General Assembly, convened at the OIC General Secretariat, on 24 November 2016, Dr. Al-Othaimeen started by expressing gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, and to all Member States for unanimously electing him as Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

He pointed out, “essential to effectively addressing the myriad of challenges and threats facing the Muslim world is the attainment of Islamic solidarity through leveraging support for a strong, unbiased media portrayal of the major issues of concern to the Muslim world, and visibility for the goals and objectives pursued by the Organization.”

On the priority areas of intervention provided for by the OIC 2025 Programme of Action, adopted by the 13th Islamic Summit Conference, Dr. Al-Othaimeen explained, “building an effective media infrastructure in the Member States is a prerequisite for revitalizing OIC media outfits and will lead to greater solidarity,harmony and joint Islamic action on all planes.

As well as reviewing the decisions and recommendations of the Executive Council in its third meeting held on 23 November 2016 at the OIC General Secretariat, the IBU General Assembly examined the Union’s activity report, along with the action plan and budget for the next two years and closing accounts for 2015.

The participants welcomed the focus by the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation, in its paper presented to the meeting, on the need to produce radio and TV programs focused on the youth, along with radio programming to combat bigotry and extremism, and provide Islamic countries, particularly in Africa, with necessary technical assistance and training. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)