DAKAR (UNI/APS) - The XNUMXth session of the Standing Committee on Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) kicked off on Monday in the Senegalese capital Dakar with a meeting of senior officials, awaiting the official opening of the event on Tuesday by Senegalese President Macky Sall.
The twelfth session will be held under the title “What Role for Muslim Youth in Promoting the Islamic Values of Peace, Solidarity and Tolerance?”
On this occasion, the representative of the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, delivered a speech in which he recalled the objectives and priorities of COMIAC with regard to cultural diversity and its role in bringing peoples together, intercultural dialogue, and enhancing cooperation between media institutions within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He also reiterated the OIC's strong condemnation of the dangerous and unprecedented aggression against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and throughout the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. He also stressed the need to combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments, such as burning copies of the Holy Quran under the guise of freedom of expression.
For his part, Pierre Fay, representative of Senegal, the host country of the twelfth session of COMIAC, expressed Senegal's pride and honor in hosting this meeting. He stressed the importance of the role of COMIAC in promoting solidarity, promoting common values, and protecting Islamic cultural heritage.
He also pointed to the challenges facing the Islamic world, such as Islamophobia and the burning of the Holy Quran, explaining that violent extremism cannot be linked to Islam. He stressed the importance of building lasting peace in the world in general and in the Islamic world in particular.
During the first day, the members of the Bureau of the twelfth session of COMIAC were elected, and the draft agenda and draft work program were approved.
Discussions focus on agenda items and deliberations on draft resolutions.
This meeting will be held over two days in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha.
The session is co-organized by the Senegalese Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the COMIAK Secretariat.
COMYAC stated that Senegalese figures and representatives of member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations will participate in the meeting.
In Dakar, reports on the activities of the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the COMYAC Secretariat on information, culture, dialogue of civilizations, tourism and youth will be studied.
During the meeting, recommendations and decisions will be adopted, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and solidarity among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in these five areas.
The issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine and supporting the media work of COMIAC will be on the agenda of the preparatory meeting with senior officials.
Participants also look forward to launching an international award for institutions and media professionals.
Topics related to the protection of Islamic holy sites and the issue of Palestine in relation to culture and media will also be on the agenda.
(is over)
