| Azrol Azmi & James Kon |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, yesterday left to attend the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which will be held from April 14 to 15 at the Istanbul Congress Center, Republic of Turkey.
Before leaving Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was recited by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
Present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.
Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria; the Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; members of the Privy Council; deputy ministers; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; the Commissioner of Police; and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Brunei Darussalam, Fikret Oguz Ates.
The 13th Summit of the OIC is an important global event because it is taking place at a time when the Islamic world is facing turmoil and challenges such as terrorism, sectarian violence and armed conflicts, Turkish Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Fikret Oguz Ates said yesterday.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, bidding fare-well prior to his departure to Turkey. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with His Roy-al Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar in Rimba
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah bidding farewell to His Majesty
His Majesty along with dozens of other world leaders will be attending the summit.
In an interview with the Bulletin, the Turkish Ambassador said, “Unity and reconciliation among Islamic countries are crucial at this time, therefore the theme of the summit is ‘United and Solidarity for Justice and Peace’.”
He added, “It is our common responsibility to end discriminatory policies and sectarianism that have caused various challenges in the Islamic countries.”
A final communiqué will be adopted by the head of states at the end of the summit to make a joint stand that will represent the position of the Islamic word on global issues, he said.
Another aspect of the communiqué is to provide a venue for the OIC to take important legal and political decisions, he said.
The summit is also expected to make a declaration on the Palestine issue, he said, adding that Turkey will take over the chairmanship of the OIC for the next two years.
“Turkey has always support the two state solution based on 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine,” he said.
He said one of the problems faced by the OIC is the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia which the Islamic world should take necessary steps to address.
“One of the causes of Islamophobia is the rise of terrorism in Syria. Therefore Islamic countries must have solidarity and be united in tackling the issue of terrorism.”
Another challenge for Turkey during its OIC chairmanship is to seek a political transformation that could meet the expectations of the people in Syria under the Geneva Convention, he said.
The migration of refugees is another important issue which needs to be tackled.
The Turkish Ambassador said, “Turkey is hosting around three million refugees and almost all of the refugees are Syrians. 250,000 are in camps while the remaining are outside the camps. No country in the world can meet the requirements of hosting the huge influx of refugees. Turkey is providing free education to the children at the camps. Healthcare is also provided. And the refugees in the camp have the right to work.”
Turkey has spent $10 million on the refugees, the Turkish Ambassador said.
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