ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has played an effective role in unifying the Muslim world and protecting its interests, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday.
“It is the OIC mandate to unify and protect the interests of the Muslim world,” she told Arab News in an interview in Islamabad, “and the OIC has played that role at regional and international level.”
“The world has become a global village,” she continued. “The Muslim world requires improved connectivity and all OIC member states must play their role for that purpose to further empower and strengthen the intergovernmental organization.”
Awan said all Muslim states had an equally important role in the OIC, adding that they should sit together since “a strong OIC will strengthen the voice of the whole Muslim world which will echo everywhere.”
Asked about the Kuala Lumpur summit, she said the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had clarified it was not an effort to create a substitute forum for the Islamic world.
“This summit began as a non-governmental platform and it was the personal initiative of the Malaysian PM to improve regional connectivity. The summit previously convened four times before, but it cannot be called a Muslim world summit or parallel the OIC,” the minister explained.
Awan said Saudi Arabia had always helped Pakistan deal with economic challenges. She also applauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a visionary leader and champion of women's rights who had changed the perception of his country around the world.
“He is a bright star of the Muslim world and the ummah has many expectations of him,” she said. “He has emerged as a young, dynamic, enlightened, moderate and progressive leader of the Muslim world.”
Awan said the Saudi leader had raised his voice for the innocent people of Kashmir and Palestine.
“The people of Pakistan consider him as their country’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia,” she added.