Statement by H.E. Hamid Karzai
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
At
The Extraordinary Session of
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit
Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia
(14-15 August 2012)
1

Your Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Khadm ul Haramian ul Sharifain,
Your Majesties,
Distinguished Heads of State and Governments,
Mr. Secretary General of the OIC,
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies,
Brothers and Sisters,
I am deeply honored to participate at this august and timely gathering, the
Extraordinary Session of the Summit of the Organization of the Islamic
Cooperation, hosted in the most blessed city of Makka Mukarramah.
Coming together in the Holy month of Ramadan, a month when the Holy Quran was revealed to our great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to guide Mankind out of darkness into light, gives this conference a particular significance.
At the outset, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to His Majesty Khadm ul
Haramian ul Sharifain for calling this important and timely Summit.
I would also like to express, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, my deepest condolences over the losses both in human and material as a result of the recent devastating earthquake that affected our brothers and sisters in Iran.
Mr. Chairman!
The Muslim world that once served as a center of great human civilization, today is sadly burning in the flames of the fires of extremism, violence and terrorism.
2

The situation in today’s Muslim world unfortunately is a sad one. A study conducted by the OIC and other international institutions show that Muslim countries are rated lowest in education, scientific research, progress and social development. Moreover, in 2010, over 60 percent of all the terrorist attacks in the world have taken place in three Muslim countries alone, Afghanistan, Pakistan and
Iraq.
Terrorism, as the most despicable phenomenon, takes hundreds of innocent lives in our countries on daily basis. Terrorists brutally kill women, children and innocent civilians and destroy mosques, religious centers, schools, and academic and economic infrastructure, leaving our countries to fall behind in the journey of human civilization and development.
Using the name of Islam, terrorism has defamed the Muslim Ummah and thus has provided the ground to further spread Islamophobia in the world. In the environment of fire and blood created by terrorism, there is less space left for the humanitarian messages of Islam to be heard.
However, it is unjust to degrade a great religion and civilization and to ignore the way of life of over one and half billion peace-loving Muslims because of the actions committed by just a handful of terrorists. This will not only hurt the feelings of the entire Muslims, but would further fuel the fire that terrorists have flamed to spread hostility and strike fear and terror.
The world has to recognize the truth that Muslims are the most victims of terrorism. Therefore, treating and associating Muslims with terrorists is in fact criminalizing the victims, which result in nothing but contributes to the detestable goals of terrorism, and cause a conflict/misunderstanding among faiths and civilizations.
3

Responding to the threat of Islamophobia as a negative trend requires a responsible action by the western leaders.
In this context, mainly, it is in no doubt the responsibility and duty of the Muslim countries and of the OIC to work to promote the true image of Islam and to disseminate its humanitarian message. It is equally important for Muslim countries and their government and politicians to stop tolerating terrorism as well as its use as tool to interfere and influence other countries. The most humane and Islamic way to combat violence, extremism and terrorism is for us, under no circumstances, to remain in silence and inaction.
Mr. Chairman, sisters and brothers!
As just indicated, it is first the duty and collective responsibility of us as Muslims to combat the terrorism that abuses the name of our sacred religion. I, therefore, call on all Muslim scholars to unanimously and strongly condemn this menace, through fatwas, preachings and holding international events.
Inaction by the Islamic institutions does not benefit Muslims, but rather helps and emboldens the enemy of Islam to act more ferociously. Terrorism does not recognize any borders. It is therefore imperative upon us all to strengthen position of the Muslim world to isolate the terrorists.
Mr. Chairman, excellencies!
For several years now, we have been making every effort in Afghanistan and
Pakistan to ensure peace.
We are of the firm belief that ensuring peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan and eliminating the threat of terrorism in the region depends on a sincere cooperation by our brothers in Pakistan. I welcome the gestures of goodwill by our Pakistani
4

brothers and hope that we can take required actions within the spirit of Muslim brotherhood so that the aspiration of the two nations for peace and security- which they rightly deserve- can be realized at the soonest.
In this context, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the guidance of
His Majesty Khadm ul Haramain ul Sharifain and the cooperation of the brotherly
Saudi and Turkish governments, who have contributed greatly to our efforts in search for peace. We hope that His Majesty Khadm ul Haramain ul Sharifain kindly continues to his guidance of our efforts in ensuring security and peace in
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mr. Chairman!
Lack of a role by Muslim world in international issues is another major challenge that the Muslim world faces. Despite the fact that Muslims constitute one fifth of the entire world population and possess ample natural and human resources, it still can not play the role it needs in international political affairs.
It is important that the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim countries do more to provide education opportunities for the Muslim youth especially in the fields of science and technology and to explore further to provide employment to the Muslim youth.
I would like to express the grave concern of our people over what is happening in
Syria, where tens of innocent people are killed, historical monuments, cities and villages destroyed on daily basis. Thousands are displaced and forced to leave their homes. The Afghan government shares the grief of the Syrian people and wants an immediate end to the on-going conflict. The unrest and violence in Yemen, Mali
Myanmar as well as the continued conflicts and sectarian violence in other Muslim countries are of great concern to us.
5

It is over sixty years that our Palestinian sisters and brothers are homeless both inside and outside their own land. Afghanistan deeply shares the suffering of the
Palestinian people and strongly supports the Palestinian leadership in achieving peace. We want that the Palestinian people become the owner of a state on their own soil.
Mr. Chairman!
This gathering comes at a critical time for the Muslim world. Therefore, the message that this conference sends out is of immense importance and value to the entire Muslim Ummah and their future. I hope this conference serves as an icon for
Muslim unity and brotherhood within the Muslim Ummah and can be a reiteration of our will and determination to act in unity in seeking solutions.
In conclusion, let me reiterate our full support of the proposals by His Majesty
King Abdullah and once again express my gratitude to His Majesty, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for providing in this blessed month of Ramdan the opportunity to perform Umrah and to meet with our Muslim brothers.
Let’s pray that Allah (SWT) bless all Muslims around the world with peace, progress and justice.
Thank you and Salam-u-Alaikum
6