Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : CASABLANCA, MOROCCO
Tarikh/Date : 13/12/94
Tajuk/Title : THE SEVENTH ISLAMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE
It is indeed a privilege and an honour for me to be
asked to speak on behalf of the Asian Group on this
auspicious occasion commemorating the 25th Anniversary of
the OIC.
2. We are pleased that our Summit is taking place in
Morocco, the birth place of our Organisation. We share with
you, Your Majesty, your pride in playing host for the third
time to the Islamic Summit coinciding as it does with the
twenty fifth anniversary of the founding of the OIC.
Morocco under Your Majesty's wise guidance has played a
leading role in advancing Islamic solidarity and
cooperation. I am confident that during your tenure as
Chairman of this Organisation, Your Majesty will continue to
play an active and effective role in articulating the
interests of the Ummah.
3. On this august occasion it is only appropriate that we
should pay tribute to the founding fathers of the
Organisation whose vision and foresight have given Islamic
nations and the Ummah an indispensable forum to pursue their
common aims and aspirations. In this regard Malaysia is
proud to have been able to contribute to the Organisation
during its formative years.
4. As we look back towards the past twenty-five years, we
can take reasonable pride in the fact that our Organisation
had been able to articulate the common concerns and
interests of member states and the Ummah and had succeeded
in bringing these issues to the forefront of the
international agenda. Our Organisation has gained
recognition in pursuing the cause of the Palestinian
liberation and Al-Quds. We have been continuously engaged
in trying to find peaceful solution to the conflicts and
disputes which have affected many of our members. We have
also evolved organisationally, from one primarily concerned
with the challenge following the tragedy at the Al-Aqsa
Mosque to the promotion of economic, commercial and cultural
cooperation among member states. The enlargement of our
membership from the initial 22 in 1969 to 52 today,
including significantly those from the newly independent
states of Central Asia, had further enriched and
strengthened the Organisation.
5. While we have moved many steps forward, it would be
wrong for us to ignore our failures. We could have done
more if we are more united. We could have a stronger voice
in world affairs if we are more cohesive. We would have
been more credible if we are more efficient, and truly
committed to our cause. Muslims would have been held in
higher esteem and respect if our economies are strong and
our governments are more effective and stable. It is
therefore appropriate on this auspicious occasion for us to
reflect on our weaknesses as well as our strengths and to
reaffirm our sincere resolve to seek ways to strengthen our
Organisation so that it can play the role as the credible
voice of Islamic solidarity and cooperation.
6. On this occasion, it is appropriate for us to take note
of the rapid transformation that is taking place following
the end of the cold war. A new world order or more likely,
disorder will unavoidably impact upon us and our interests.
This Organisation and the Ummah need to be appropriately
equipped to respond to the challenges and opportunities that
the 21st century will present. We need to be more serious
and committed towards enhancing the effectiveness of the
Organisation when called upon to do so. It is imperative
that we dicard pratices and values which are neither truly
Islamic nor relevant and instead promote greater discipline
in our observance of those Islamic virtues which in the
first century of the Hijrah helped to spread the faith far
and wide.
7. I am happy to note that our meeting here has taken
recognition of these realities. Our Ministers have agreed
to the establishment of an Eminent Persons Group to take
stock of our achievements and our weaknesses and to provide
guidance for the future direction of this Organisation. We,
the Heads of Government should endorse it. I am confident
that with Your Majesty's wisdom, we will successfully evolve
a strategy for the rebirth of Islamic unity and the
restoration of our credibility as a force for a more
equitable and just world.
8. In the short space of time available I would like to go
straight to the matters which are of concern to the Muslim
Ummah and their countries.
9. We must admit that the Muslim Ummah and Muslim
countries are still under threat and are very weak. We do
much damage to ourselves by our lack of cooperation and our
frequently violent and debilitating struggles for power in
our own countries. As a result, whenever our brothers are
in need of help, not only are we unable to extend meaningful
help, but we are even unable to influence those agencies
whose decisions and actions will affect the fate of our
brothers.
10. We understand that in our society as in other societies
there are groups outside the power structure who feel
strongly and are frustrated about what takes place within
their societies. But extremism and violence is not the
answer. Extremism begets extremism and violence begets
violence. Even if they succeed in seizing power the same
extremism and violence will assail them. In the end Islam
and the Islamic Ummah will remain weak and continue to be
pawns in other peoples' political games.
11. We cannot achieve everything that we wish to achieve
overnight. The road to strength and greatness can be
accelerated but it will still take time. We must accept
small gains if we cannot achieve quantum leaps. Most of us
I believe are unhappy with the progress of the peace process
in Palestine. The Israelis have been dilatory and
insincere. But wrecking the peace process will not get us
anywhere. Indeed if the sabotage succeeds it will force us
to begin all over again. And how can we believe that the
strategy which got us nowhere after decades of costly
struggle will achieve success if we begin again? I would
appeal to all our Palestinian patriots of all shades and
political leanings to unite and strengthen their resolve so
that the small gains that they have made can be consolidated
and enhanced. In time you will achieve your objective. It
is absurd to think that by fighting each other you will
advance your cause. You will, albeit inadvertently, be
helping the Israelis and the other enemies of Islam.
12. In Bosnia-Herzegovina we must admit that we are
ineffective, if not completely irrelevant. The Europeans
have blatantly declared their intention to leave our Muslim
brothers in Bosnia- Herzegovina at the mercy of the
genocidal Serbs. If they do, we will be equally guilty.
For we have left our Muslim brothers at the mercy of the
Serbs long ago.
13. There is quite a lot that we can do. I need not
elaborate here. It need only the political will. There is
no doubt as to what Islam wants us to do. Whether we do it
or not is really a measure of our commitment to our faith.
14. I am sure that we are all here because we take our
responsibilities to the Muslim Ummah and to humanity in
general seriously. Malaysia is ready to contribute whatever
little we have to resolve the problems facing us,
insya-Allah.
15. We pray that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will guide us
and give us courage so that we will make the right decisions
and succeed in our endeavours.
16. I thank you, Your Majesty.
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