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Realizing the Future Collectively

Think Tanks Forum: 'Muslims need to unite against challenges'


Source : The Express Tribune    Date : 09-03-2015   

Think Tanks Forum: 'Muslims need to unite against challenges'
Army chief General Raheel Sharif. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Muslim world faces common challenges and they need to collaborate with each other to overcome them, speakers at the 6th Think Tanks Forum of Islamic Countries stressed this on Sunday.

“The best brains from across the Muslim world have gathered here to discuss the various issues that the Muslim world faces today,” said Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed while addressing the audience on the second day of the conference.

“The issues being discussed at this forum may be specific to the Muslim world, but to deal with them it is necessary to build coalitions and partnerships with other nations, religious communities and regions too.”

Sayed also announced the think tank body would now be renamed as the ‘World Islamic Forum’, with its international secretariat in Istanbul. Sartaj Aziz, adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs and national security, delivered the keynote address at the forum. He believed that of the many challenges facing the Muslim world, the issue of intellectual development was of critical importance.

Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, while addressing the closing ceremony of the forum, said: “In the wake of newly emerging threats, there is a dire need for Muslim countries to sit together and deliberate on the multi-faceted challenges they face.”

This year “The Islamic World Istanbul Awards” were given for the first time. The ceremony was held at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad, where President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest. Pakistan Army and its chief, General Raheel Sharif, were given the Istanbul Special Islamic Award for demonstrating leadership in the struggle against terrorism with transparency, commitment and courage.

The next meeting will be hosted by Iran.