World's power shifting from West to Asia

Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Prof Ekmeluddin Ihsanoglu yesterday said the world's economic and political power is transferring from the West to Asia and the Muslims need to take the benefit through modernisation of OIC.

The Islamic world wants to build new partnership through mutual respect and interest that the US President Barack Obama has also pledged, he said while delivering a special lecture at the Dhaka University Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of OIC.

"We stand in a transitional period where world's power is transforming from the West to Asia. We need to understand where we stand in this transformation process. Muslims can be benefited with this transformation," he said.

The OIC has been changing and will change to modernise it, he said at the lecture titled 'OIC's vision: Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century'.

About the relationship of the Muslims with the United States, the OIC secretary general said, "We have sent an open letter to the US president where we said the Muslim world is looking for new relationship with the US based on mutual respect and interest."

"President Obama also vowed that he would build up new partnership with the Islamic world, now it has to be seen how the Obama administration would implement its pledge," he added.

He also said OIC is actively involved in negotiations with the Western countries both at the UN and bilaterally.

About the OIC's role and goal, Prof Eklemuddin said the OIC is committed to democracy and upholding basic freedoms.

"The OIC is convinced that modernisation cannot be achieved if women who comprise a major segment of the society are left lagging behind in their empowerment and access to the opportunities. The issue has been taken up by us with all seriousness," said Ekmeluddin.

He also said the OIC would replicate the micro-credit system in the member states to eradicate poverty.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddque, Pro-Vice Chancellor Harun-or-Rashid and Treasurer Prof Mijanur Rahman also spoke. Deans of different faculties, teachers and students of the university were present at the lecture session.