Kazakhstan takes chairmanship of reforming OIC

Kazakhstan has taken the chairmanship of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference to Tajikistan. Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerzhan
Kazykhanov has taken chairmanship at the 38th session of the OIC
council of foreign ministers today, Trend reports.

The OIC has come a long way in coping with problems, conflicts,
fighting drug addiction, Islamophobia and other problems in the last
40 years.

Kazykhanov mentioned that they will talk about the problems of the
Middle East today, including security issues, settlement of conflicts
and North Africa.

Talks will also concern socio-economic development and food security.
Another topic is interaction between the Muslim world and the West.
Kazakhstan is actively working on the issue. It has over 130
nationalities and several religions. Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev is expected to make a speech on a vision of the Islamic
world and cooperation. He will also talk about a special program for
Central Asian states.

The organization had been renamed the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), Kazykhanov said. He presented a new symbol,
approved by the OIC Secretariat.

The Secretary General of the OIC, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, noted the
problems in North Africa and expressed hope for peace in the region.
He called for the crisis in Libya to be resolved and violence against
the peaceful population to be stopped. The OIC is monitoring the
situation in Syria. The OIC supports national dialogue in Bahrain.

Ihsanoglu mentioned anti-Muslim actions in Palestine. The OIC supports
the Muslim appeal to the UN, the secretary general said.