In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful And thus We have made you a justly balanced nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you. (Quran, II: 143)

The Kings, Heads of State and Government of the Member-States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, assembled at the Eighth Islamic Summit Conference, the Session of Dignity, Dialogue, Participation, held in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, from 8 to I 0 Sha'aban 1418 H, corresponding to 9-11 December, 1997,     Stressing their full adherence to Al-Tawhid, as the foundation for man's true freedom, and their devotion to the progressive precepts of Islam which provide a delicate balance between spiritual and material dimensions of human life, and between liberty and salvation, based on tolerance and compassion, wisdom, justice and participation.     Affirming their strong determination to realize the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in particular as regards the unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah, safeguarding of Islamic values and principles,     Determined to realize the legitimate aspirations of Islamic nations and peoples for peace and security as well as comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development through active participation and the realization of the fundamental right to self determination of peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation,     Recognizing the importance of preserving the identity of the Ummah and of holding fast to their tradition and historical heritage as the main factor in cementing the fabric of the society and enhancing social stability,     Emphasizing the imperative of positive interaction, dialogue and understanding among cultures and religions; and rejecting the theories of clash and conflict which breed mistrust and diminish the grounds for peaceful interaction among nations,     Noting the transitional international environment and the enormous capabilities and potentials of the Islamic Ummah to play a constructive role in shaping a more just, equitable and peaceful global order,     Expressing their full confidence that Iran, under the leadership of His Eminence Ayatollah Khamene'i and the Presidency of His Excellency Khatami, will lead the OIC during its Chairmanship in the most able and constructive manner, further enhancing the role and participation of the Organization in international affairs, SOLIDARITY AND SECURITY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD 1 .     Pledge solemnly to promote solidarity, peace and security within the Islamic world as their top priority, and to pursue consultations on a forum for security cooperation, and entrust the Inter-Governmental Expert Group on Solidarity and Security of Islamic States to study and recommend appropriate strategies and practical measures to achieve this objective. 2.     Reaffirm their resolve to consolidate cooperation and coordination among the Member States and their expectation from all regional organizations within the Islamic world to take effective practical measures in order to expand cooperation in all fields, 3.     Emphasize that the goal of establishment of Islamic common Market constitutes a significant step towards strengthening Islamic solidarity and enhancing the share of the Islamic world in global trade. 4.     Condemn the continued occupation by Israel of Palestinian and other Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the Syrian Golan and Southern Lebanon; salute the steadfastness of the Palestinian Lebanese and Syrian peoples in their resistance to the Israeli occupation; call for the liberation of all occupied Arab territories and restoration of the usurped rights of the Palestinian people; condemn the expansionist policies and practices by Israel such as the establishment and expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as acts to change the demographic and geographic status of the Holy City of Al-Quds; and emphasize the need for Israel to desist from state-terrorism which it continues to practice in utter disregard for all legal and moral principles; call for making the Middle East a zone free of all nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction and the necessity for Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty and to put all its nuclear installations under IAEA safeguards. 5.     Underline their resolve and determination to regain the Holy City of Al-Quds and the noble sanctuary of Masjid Al-Aqsa and to restore the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, the exercise of the right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and property and the attainment and exercise of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of the independent and sovereign Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and their right to leave and return freely to their country. 6.     Stress their solidarity with the Muslim people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and underscore their confidence that the Ministerial Contact Group will continue to actively pursue the process of peace and reconstruction, 7.     Deplore continuation of conflict and violence in Afghanistan, and express their full support for inter-Afghan dialogue, formation of a broad-based government, and activities at the regional and international level to stop the bloodshed and to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan. 8.     Call for the rejection of the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against Republic of Azerbaijan and complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories and early and peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict. 9.     Reiterate their full support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions. 10.     Strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations while recognizing the right of peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation for self-determination, declare that the killing of innocent people is forbidden in Islam; reiterate their commitment to the provisions of the OIC Code of Conduct for combating international terrorism, and their resolve to intensify their efforts to conclude a treaty on this issue, and call on the international Community to deny asylum to terrorists, assist in bringing them to justice, and take all necessary measures to prevent or to dismantle support networks helpful in any form to terrorism. 11.     Pledge their commitment to extend full support to Muslim communities and minorities in non-Muslim countries in collaboration with their governments, and call upon all states to ensure their religious, political civil, economic, social and cultural rights. REVIVAL OF THE ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND IDENTITY 12.     Consider the revival of the Islamic civilization a peaceful global reality, express their concern at tendencies to portray Islam as a threat to the world, and emphasize that the Islamic civilization is firmly and historically grounded in peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual understanding among civilizations, as well as constructive discourse with other religions and thoughts. 13.     Reaffirm the need to establish understanding and interaction among various cultures, in line with the Islamic teachings of tolerances justice and peace, denounce various manifestations of cultural invasion disregard for religious and cultural traditions of other nations particularly as regards Divine values and principles, and call for the speedy conclusion of an internationally binding document to prevent blasphemy in accordance with existing decisions. 14.     Entrust "the Group of Experts on the Image of Islam" to formulate and recommend pragmatic and constructive steps to encounter negative propaganda, to remove and rectify misunderstandings, and to present the true image of Islam, the religion of peace, the liberty and salvation. I 5.     Welcome the increasing inclination towards the flourishing message of Islam in the world, and decide to take advantage of the technological achievements in the field of information and communications in order to present the rich culture and eternal principles of Islam to the whole mankind. COMPREHENSIVE, BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 16.     Consider sustainable and balanced development in the moral, political, social, economic, cultural and scientific fields as vital for the Islamic world, and inspired by the noble principles and values of lslam, reaffirm their unwavering determination to ensure free exchange of ideas and the fullest participation of broadest segments of the Islamic Ummah in various activities of the society, reiterate their support for the aims and principles of "the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam", and decide to undertake adequate measures to institutionalize and operationalize this declaration. 17.     Invite the Member States to make a collective effort towards substantial increase in trade and investments within the Islamic world and to put in place instruments including those decided within the context of COMCEC in order to expand the existing exchange of goods and services and transfer of technology and expertise, 18.     Emphasize their full respect for the dignity and the rights of Muslim women and enhancement of their role in all aspect of social life in accordance with Islamic principles, and call on the General Secretariat to encourage and coordinate participation of women in the relevant activities of the OIC. 19.     Underline the need for coordination among the Member-States to enhance their role and participation in the global economic system and the international economic decision-making processes; reject, at the same time, unilateralism and extraterritorial application of domestic law, and urge all States to consider the so-called D'Amato Law as null and void. 20.     Stress the need for environmental cooperation among Islamic countries in various fields at the bilateral, regional and international levels to achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development, as well as collaboration and coordination of positions regarding these issues in international fora. INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION 21.     Welcome the participation of the UN Secretary General, H.E. Kofi Annan, at the Tehran Summit as a sign of excellent relation and cooperation between the United Nations and the OIC, invite the UN Secretary General to pursue reform of the United Nations in a manner that ensures maximum democratization of the decision making within the UN system and stress, in this context, on the need for a more effective and equitable role and representation of the OIC membership in the UN organs particularly the Security Council. 22.     Emphasize that effective, constructive and meaningful participation of Islamic countries in the management of international affairs is essential for maintaining peace and security in the world, and establishing the new world order on the basis of equality, justice and shared prosperity and promoting morality and Divine values and, in this connection, call upon the General Secretariat to facilitate effective consultation and coordination among Islamic countries in all international fora. STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE 23.     Recognize that concerted measures to strengthen and revitalize the Organization of the Islamic Conference is also imperative, and express their determination to provide all necessary support with strong conviction to the ongoing process of reform and restructuring of the Organization to reach higher levels of efficiency and competence and enhance its effectiveness, operationalize and implement its decisions, and to constantly adapt the Organization with evolving international circumstances, mandate the "Open-ended Expert Group", in coordination with the Secretary General and the Chairman of the Organization, to study this issue with a view to achieving practical solutions. FOLLOW-UP 24.     Request the Chairman of the Organization to carry out regular and substantive consultations with member-states and take all necessary measures to pursue the implementation of this Declaration with the cooperation of the Secretary General. Back