OIC Calls For Urgent Action To Save Remaining Islamic Cultural Heritage
 
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OIC Calls For Urgent Action To Save Remaining Islamic Cultural Heritage

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The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently called on member countries for urgent action and appropriate ways of protecting the remaining Islamic cultural heritage against loss and neglect.

OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen made the call during an international conference on "Islamic Action for the Protection of Cultural Heritage" held in Istanbul, Turkey, November 1-2.

In his address, delivered by Mehla Ahmed Talebna, OIC general director of cultural, social and family affairs, Al-Othaimeen also called for adapting these ways through international initiatives and mechanisms for cultural heritage preservation as a whole, and to save and restore endangered heritage in Islamic countries.

He called on participants to develop cultural policies and plans on cultural heritage protection for adoption at the 10th Conference of Ministers of Culture to be organized by the Islamic, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in Khartoum, Sudan, on November 21-23.

He stressed that the OIC has committed itself to being a stronghold and protector Islamic cultural heritage and identity and accord the highest priority to the protection of cultural heritage in holy places.

Al-Othaimeen pointed out that the preservation, protection and enrichment of cultural heritage will contribute to countering the distortion of the image of Islam.

For her part, Talebna said that the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in the Muslim world was initiated by the general secretariat of the OIC and adopted by the 9th Islamic Conference of Cultural Ministers organized by ISESCO in Muscat, Oman.

She said the conference aimed to contribute to safeguarding the cultural identity and memory of the Islamic civilization in terms of historical knowledge, ancient sciences, universal values, traditional architectural knowhow, traditions, among others.

"We need to move urgently with the aim of saving our rich cultural heritage," she said.

The conference was organized by the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture in cooperation with the OIC General Secretariat and ISECO.

OIC pledges to cooperate with UNESCO for protection of cultural heritage

JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday pledged to cooperate with UNESCO in fighting intentional destruction and illegal trafficking of the cultural heritage in conflict zones.

Addressing the 39th session of UNESCO's general conference in Paris, OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen applauded the UN body's call to include protection of cultural heritage in the tasks of peacekeeping missions and other global programs.

Al-Othaimeen said combating terrorism and extremist ideology is at the top of his organization's agenda. In this regard, he said, the OIC has launched "Voice of Wisdom" project, which seeks to spread the concepts of tolerance and moderation.

The OIC, Al-Othaimeen added, seeks to raise awareness among the youth about the perils of joining the ranks of terrorist outfits.

The OIC chief also condemned Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and its persistent attempts to alter the demographics of the occupied East Jerusalem.

He urged the UNESCO to take necessary measures to ensure preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Palestinian state.

The OIC chief also met the newly elected director-general of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, on the sidelines of the conference.

Heads of both the organizations reiterated their commitments to further strengthen cooperation to ensure protection of cultural heritage, access to quality education and technology for sustainable development.

Speaking at the UNESCO event, the director-general of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Abdul Aziz bin Othman Al-Twaijri, said proper education is crucial to lasting peace.

Therefore, he said, UNESCO has huge responsibility over its shoulders, especially in the current global scenario marked by political tensions, economic crises and armed conflicts.

"As a result, millions of children are deprived of their right to pursue a decent education in a normal atmosphere of security and stability," Al-Twajiri said.

The ISESCO chief said education is a must for economic and political development.

He deplored the state of education in the developing word. "Today, the number of refugees in the world exceeds 50 million, 25 percent of whom are children…

"While ISESCO is monitoring this situation and making constant efforts to ensure access to education for refugee children … international cooperation in this important area is still a very pressing need," Al-Twaijri said.

He expressed hope that UNESCO will play its due role in this regard.

The ISESCO director-general said the world should take necessary steps to save the present and future generations from the dangers of ignorance, extremism and terrorism.

"A real mobilization is required to ensure security and peace and equal education opportunities for all …" he said. 


 

Topic: General - Technologies And Professions


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