Courtesy Of "The Gulf-Times"
The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani called upon the Islamic capitals and cities to preserve their Islamic culture and heritage, while pursuing economic, social, political, cultural and scientific development.
He was speaking at the 12th Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC) conference in Doha yesterday, organised under his patronage.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim pointed out that the Islamic capitals and cities were facing modernity challenges.
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| Delegates attending the conference |
The official observed that the OICC was established three decades ago to promote brotherly relations among the members, as well as preserve their cultural heritages.
“The most important objective is to set up comprehensive plans and systems to promote the members’ economical, social, environmental, cultural and urban level,” he added.
OICC secretary-general Omar Abdullah pointed out that the organisation’s 10th international seminar, which will be held on the sidelines of the conference, under the title “The Impact of Information and Communications Technology on the Development of Municipal Services Towards e-Government”, is to address the current and future requirements, obstacles and priorities towards an e-government and municipal services.
He explained that the seminar would feature many presentations and researches, tackling the issues of capacity-building and development of skills.
He further explained that advanced techniques of information systems and communications would be on display at the “ICT and achievements of the municipalities of Islamic capitals and cities” exhibition.
Doha Municipality director Mohamed Ahmed al-Sayyed observed that the conference was being held at a time when Qatar was witnessing the biggest development in its modern history.
He pointed out to Qatar’s achievements, regarding its Arab and Islamic obligations, such as the inauguration of Mushaf Qatar, celebration of “Doha, Capital of Arab Culture 2010”, and after successes in many mediation roles, leading to peace agreements in Lebanon, Darfur and others.
The mayor of the Greater Municipality of Ankara, Melih Gokcek, explained the significant achievements during his presidency for the OICC 11th conference, held in Ankara in 2007, including the exchange of information, experiences and the implementation of recommendations.
“Doha will play a significant role in improving the OICC role during its presidency for the next three years,” he remarked.
Gokcek called for the launch of joint activities between the OICC member capitals and cities, in order to exchange information and address common problems.
“I also suggested a campaign including Arab and Muslim writers and intellectuals to act together against all activities attacking Islam and Muslims”, he added.
The Islamic Development Bank representative Nael Hajjaj, noted that the bank has promoted joint action since its foundation in 1975, with all bodies and organisations, including OICC.
“The Islamic Development Bank has adopted the 2020 vision, which aimes to reach the international level based on Islamic Shariah and contribute to human development”, he stated, adding “the bank funds infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water, environment, human development and social services projects, in the Islamic capitals and cities, which promotes their development”.
Furthermore, the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning HE Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani opened the exhibition “ICT and achievements of the municipalities of Islamic Capitals and Cities”, where a number of Islamic Capitals and Cities, public institutions, as well as local and regional authorities are displaying advanced technologies for information systems and communications, as well as their most important achievements.
The first session of the general conference is scheduled for today, and will discuss the conference’s agenda and election of OICC vice-president, board of directors and secretary general of the Organisation for the 13th edition of the conference in 2013.
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