OIC Press Release

OIC Secretary General highlights the importance of the role of the Islamic Fiqh Academy in deepening the Islamic Ummah's sense of belonging to its religion and noble civilization.

Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Dr. Abdelouahed BELKEZIZ has stressed the importance of the efforts by the Islamic Fiqh Academy in shaping public opinion, establishing thought and deepening the Ummah's sense of belonging to the noble Islamic civilization, which deserves to remain strong in the face of all odds.

Speaking to participants at the Fourteenth Session of the Islamic Fiqh Academy being hosted by the State of Qatar from 8 to 13 Dhul Qa'ada 1423H (11-16 January 2003), Dr. Belkeziz said:

"The real importance of the Islamic Fiqh Academy's work in Islamic Jurisprudence can be appreciated from the foregoing … the Academy works theoretically and practically to strengthen ideological, fundamental and cultural bonds. It defines theories of Jurisprudence and general Islamic principles in matters relating to justice and freedom and their manifestation in the application of the Sharia, by bringing together modernity and open-mindedness in accordance with contemporary demands. The Islamic Fiqh Academy answers questions on Jurisprudence, presented by realities of daily life, doing so with originality and without sacrificing the Islamic ideology."

Fortifying the Islamic essence in the face of external factors resulting from international political developments and the current conditions in which the Islamic Ummah faces unprecedented attack requires the Ummah to unite and to determine to defend its sanctuaries and heritage, Dr. Belkeziz said. This, he added, should be on the top of the Islamic Fiqh Academy's priorities.

Dr. Belkeziz reviewed a number of contemporary Jurisprudential issues which the Academy should consider in this session. Among them are human rights, international terrorism, new world order and globalization, the issues of deposits in Islamic Banks, as well as that of human cloning which had entered a new stage, pointing out that these new questions and issues must be given utmost attention and in-depth study since they deal directly with the lives of individuals, families, the societyand the relations with non-Muslim individuals and societies.

At the end of his speech, the Secretary General expressed his confidence in the sound Judgment, wisdom, vision and the wide knowledge of the distinguished scholars in the nature of the vicissitudes and complexities of contemporary times. These characteristics, the Secretary General said, enable the scholars to find appropriate solutions and answers to issues and problems confronting Islamic societies at the moment. Dr. Belkeziz affirmed the support of the OIC for the scholars' efforts, and its readiness to cooperate fully with the Islamic Fiqh Academy in everything that could strengthen Islamic Joint Action.