Thursday October 16, 2003 09:02 AM

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Your Excellency Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Your Majesty Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa AI-Thany,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

On behalf of the Asian Group, allow me at the outset to express our highest appreciation to His Excellency the Prime Minister and the people of Malaysia for hosting and the excellent arrangement of this important Summit. Our profound thanks also go to His Majesty the Emir of Qatar for the wise leadership over the Organization during the past three years.

Since the last Summit in Doha, members of our Organization have been experiencing tremendous development. Numerous challenges and conflicts seem to come and go. The increased tensions between Palestine and Israel, and unilateral attacks against Iraq have raised concern over the deteriorating situation in the region. Meanwhile, a number of inhuman acts of terrorism have not only caused loss in human life and property but also have created false perception about Islam as if it is the religion of violence and aggression.

At the beginning of this millennium, the situation in many member states seems to have been engulfed with conflicts and challenges. Most of them are yet to be resolved. Moreover, same members of the OIC have taken different attitudes and positions over a number of issues, and hence have clearly posed constraints to build a unified stance. The experience has taught us a valuable lesson that concrete action is needed to overcome those constraints. Now, during this very Summit, we are gathered to respond to the challenges and find the answers.

We all come here with clear mind and objective. We need a thorough reform in the Organization. We need a renewed determination, attitude and conduct among the membership, and fundamental review over the structure and mechanism of the OIC. We should have the courage to see all this.

The theme of the OIC Summit, Knowledge and Morality, for the Progress of the Ummah, should become our main reference to ponder upon our past failures and should inspire us to create new goals that are both pragmatic and achievable. Obviously, this is not easy. Yet, we are encouraged that a member state from the Asian Group has taken initiative to pave the way and lead the reform movement.

We believe with the strong commitment and able leadership of His Excellency Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, as he has demonstrated for the last two decades, our Organization would achieve significant progress. We are all aware that his tenure will soon come to an end. Nevertheless, we remain convinced that his leadership, statesmanship, dedication and commitment will continue to guide the Organization in the future.

Finally, may Allah Subhanawata'ala bestow upon us His Blessings in our concerted efforts to pursue the victory of Islam and to achieve the goals and aspiration of our Ummah as contribution to the well-being of the whole mankind on the earth.

Thank you.

Wassalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.