The first meeting of ISTTP (Think Tanks Platform of the Member Countries of the OIC) Wise Persons Board which was suggested to be formed in 1st Think Tanks Forum of the OIC Countries and confirmed to be formed in the second forum; was carried out on 1st of March 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The second meeting took place in Cairo, Egypt. The third meeting of the Wise Persons Board and the second preliminary meeting of the 5th Think Tanks Forum of the OIC Countries which will take place in Bagdad on 21-22 February 2013,; were carried out on 28th of October 2013 in Bagdad with the following agenda.
A. ISTTP Wise Persons Board and Mutual List of Other Participants
01. H.E. Torhan Mudher Hassan AL-Mufti, Minister of Communications and Local Administrations, Iraq
02. Süleyman ŞENSOY, Chairman of TASAM, Turkey
03. Dr. Watheq AL-HASHEMI, Iraqi Prime Group for Strategic Studies, Iraq
04. H.E. Hamid Ali AL-TINAY, Ambassador of OIC in Iraq
05. Ambassador (R) Ömür ORHUN, OIC Consultant & TASAM, Turkey
06. Prof. Zaleha KAMARUDDIN, Rector of International Islamic University of Malaysia
07. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mostafa DOLATYAR, General Director of IPIS, Iran
(He was represented by Dr. Mostafa ZAHRANI, IPIS, Iran)
08. Senator Mushahid Hussaın SYED, IPRI (Islamabad Policy Research Institute)
Member of the Board of Directors, Pakistan (He was represented by Ambassador (R) Sohail Amin, President of IPRI)
09. H.E Ambassador Humayun KABIR, Director of BEI (Bangladesh Enterprise Institute), Bangladesh
10. Dr. Yasser ALI, Director of IDSC (Information and Decision Support Center), Egypt
11. Prof. Shamseldin Zeinal ABDIN, Khartoum University, Sudan
12. Elnur ASLANOV, Political Analysis and Information Provision Department of Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
13. Dr. Abdulaziz SAGER, President of GRC (Gulf Research Center), UAE
14. Absettar DERBISALI, Director of Oriental Studies Institute and Former Supreme Mufti of Kazakhstan
15. Mr. Mehrdad KIAEI, Director for Persian Gulf Studies, Iran
16. Mohammed Munir, Senior Researcher, IPRI, Pakistan
17. Dr. Muharrem Hilmi ÖZEV, Secretary General of ISTTP (Think Tanks Platform of the Member Countries of the OIC), Turkey
18. Dr. Raad Al Al-Asady, Senior Expert, Department Director of Al-Al-Nahrain Strategic Research Center
B. Agenda of ISTTP 1st Wise Persons Board Meeting
01. Introduction
- Duties, functions and new members of Wise Persons Board (2013-2014 Action Plan)
- Suggestions about 5th Think Tanks Forum of the OIC Countries
- Special visits and meetings in Iraq; preparation of Iraq draft report/declaration
- Negotiations about the latest developments in Syria with regards to Crisis Management
- Ideas about the interaction between Think Tanks of the OIC Countries and their peers in the West
- Ideas about OIC and OIC Countries
- Other Issues
C. Summary of Meeting Speech Notes
For the first time in history; with the emergence of multi-dimensional power system in global politics, countries that possess similar technological instillations and human resources coexist at global and regional levels. This multi-dimensional environment causes extraordinary complex rivalry among countries. In the past ten years; many big events and developments were witnessed and the policies that will be persuaded for the next ten years will have decisive effect on shaping international structure and countries in the next century.
Multi-dimensional rivalry has resulted in three basic concepts; “regional integration”, “micro-nationalism” and “unpredictability”. On the one hand; regional economical and political integration efforts which take European Union as an example, are on the rise, on the other hand ethnic and sectarian divisions are increasing. It is argued that in the next ten years; the current number of members in United Nations may double itself. The age of predictability has ended due to increase in micro-nationalism, terrorism and cyber attacks. The process which has started in North Africa and Middle East has been affecting many countries. The divisions in North Africa, Middle East and South Asia have been growing day by day. Ethnic and sectarian conflicts among groups have intensified. This situation is in the interest of external powers that want to destabilize the countries in question. The countries which are behind the times and lack of human resources are in a much weaker position.
When considered from the aspect of global politics; it is seen that the world is divided between competitors and rivals. The main rivalry areas are North Africa, Middle East, South Asia, Latin America(partially), Central Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost all of the OIC countries are in these regions. Therefore the risk of instability is quite high in OIC countries.
The area where Iraq is located has been exposed to intensive ethnic and sectarian divisions lately. Therefore the only solution to this problem is to reach a settlement among ethnic and sectarian groups.
The Shia and Sunni Crescents which cross each other are effective in the region with regards to sectarian affiliations. Sunni Crescent includes Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, partially Iraq and Syria, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors in the region. Shia Crescent includes Iran, partially Iraq and Syria, and Southern Lebanon. The junction point of these crescents is the region where Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait are situated.
In order for regional conflicts to be resolved; it is vitally important that these three countries should develop a common understanding and create a political unity to end sectarian conflicts. Besides cultural and linguistic leveling, these three countries also have similar attitudes when it comes to decision making in foreign policy which can make cooperation and integration efforts successful. A consensus among these countries which have dense Shia and Sunni populations would not only relieve these countries but also the region.
The success of this type of consensus depends not only cooperation among these countries but also the support of other regional countries like Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia and international powers like USA, EU, Russia and China.
Especially; with regards to preventing ethnic and sectarian conflicts in the region, activities that would be carried out by Iran and Turkey are crucially important for the security of countries in the region especially Iraq and Syria. In a more broad sense, among all Islamic countries from North Africa to Central Asia, primarily; prominent countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria should cooperate in the fields of politics, economy and culture.
The purpose of 5th Think Tank Forum of the OIC Countries; are in compliance with the ideas of “ How Islamic World should greet 21st century” which are mentioned in 3rd Extraordinary OIC Summit in Mecca on December 2005 by King of Saudi Arabia and emphasized in Final Declaration of the Summit. Therefore 5th Forum deserves the support and patronage of the OIC.
The main theme of 5th Think Tank Forum of the OIC Countries; “Unity within diversity; the source of power” reflects the message of Islam which is a universal religion. Islam does not approve extremism and fundamentalism on behalf of language, religion or skin color and commands for parties to find consensus and balance. As a matter of fact in Hadith, it is mentioned that “All of you come from Adam, and Adam comes from the soil”. All of mankind is created by God from one origin and then divided among nations and tribes. Plurality and diversity are in the nature of men and these force men to act in consolidation and solidarity. Constant conflicts and wars are not good for a better future. History of the Islamic Civilization contains good examples of people from different religions and cultures coexist peacefully. One of the prominent examples of this; is the era of Abbasid Caliphate in Bagdad where philosophers, scientists and intellectuals from different religious, ethnic and cultural background had lived and worked together. (In terms of the conditions of that time)
In this respect; extremism, fundamentalism, coerciveness and intolerance have no place in Islam, but sympathy, tolerance and plurality do. The method of Islamic society should be engaging dialogue with others within the framework of equality and respect among peoples. In this regard, It is necessary to deepen dialogue between sects of Islamic faith at domestic politics level, prevent the declaration of someone as an unbeliever, secure the life and property of all sects’ members, institutionalization of fatwa activities in Islamic World, prevent related-unrelated explanations to have a great influence, teach that terrorism has no religion, ethnicity or language and cooperation against terrorism at regional and global levels, contribute to the educational and cultural activities.
It is necessary to promote publications that show Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance which rejects fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism and to use media tools efficiently and effectively.
It is also necessary for Organization of Islamic Cooperation to become an active participant in resolving conflict between religions and sects, and deepen, widen and strengthen the activities with regards to dialogue between religions and cultures.
D. Preparation for 5th Think Tanks Forum of OIC Countries
A set of decisions have been taken in the meeting for the necessary preparations of 5th Think Tanks from OIC Countries which will take place on 21-22 February 2014. In this regard, TASAM will be responsible for inviting Forum participants and providing them to reach Bagdad International Airport from their home countries. Iraqi government is responsible for issuing visas for participants on time and providing security. Accommodation of participants, the meetings and the activities with regards to Forum will take place in Al Rasheed Hotel which is in Green Zone. Prime Minister of Iraq H.E Nouri Al-Maliki will be invited to give a speech in the opening session. It is decided that other senior members of the Iraqi Government, statesmen from OIC Countries and intellectuals will be invited to deliver speeches in special sessions.
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