Doha, May 18 (QNA) - HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani on Tuesday inaugurated the 12th conference of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC) Doha hosts and lasts for three days.
In his opening address, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister welcomed the OICC member states delegations hailing the OICC established 30 years ago to strengthen bonds of fraternity and cordiality and enhance ties of cooperation between the member states and preserving their heritages and identities.
The convening of such a conference on such a good earth falls amid a very significant stage of the history of the Islamic capitals and cities which are in need to safeguard and preserve their identities and Islamic heritages amid the modern challenges facing them.
HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani has recalled the several and successive events occurring in all political, economic , social , cultural , scientific and environmental domains , the matter which could easily affect the status of our Islamic cities, stressing meantime that the Islamic capitals and cities should keep pace with such a global development for their benefit , keeping into consideration the need to maintain their Islamic heritages and identities which reflect their long history and civilization progress.
''We in Qatar and in view of the sublime directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent, are duly keen to strictly adhere to our Arab and Islamic identity in all urban development ventures the Qatari cities and districts are currently witnessing'', HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister told the participants.
HE the Premier and Foreign Minister wished the conferees all success in their deliberations and hoped they come up with fruitful recommendations that would benefit all the Islamic capitals and cities.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC) Omar Abdullah Qadi said that Doha's hosting of the event confirms the keenness of Qatari government and people to promote their important role in serving the causes of the Muslim world and work to develop it.
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for his patronage of and attending the opening ceremony of the 12th Conference of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities.
Qadi said the conference in its 12th edition has many events including to celebrate the winners of OICC eighth session's prizes, the general Conference, which will review the activities undertaken by the Organization since its last 11th General Conference in Ankara in 2007, along with the scientific seminar and exhibition.
He pointed to the importance of the OICC's 10th international seminar which will be held on the sidelines of the Conference under the title "The Impact of Information and Communications Technology on the Development of Municipal Services Towards e-Government" - the second round.
The seminar will address the current and future requirements, obstacles and priority issues of the electronic technologies in the areas of municipal affairs and e-government, and will review the best practices at the regional and international levels, he added.
Qadi said scientific presentations and research to be presented in at the seminar will also cover capacity-building and development of skills and experiments and present experiences of the OICC's members, governmental and non-governmental organizations and international bodies.
He explained that the exhibition entitled "ICT and achievements of the municipalities of Islamic Capitals and Cities" will display the advanced techniques of information systems and communications.
He briefed on the Organization's efforts since its inception thirty years ago, and said it aims to become an institution that serves the issues of sustainable development, and preserve the identity and the heritage of Islamic capitals and cities.
He said that the Organization has 141 capitals and cities as members, from 54 countries members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. It also has eight member cities, as observers, from six non-OIC countries, and fourteen Associate members from ministries, commissions, organizations, universities, institutes, research centers and cultural centers from Islamic and non-Islamic countries in relation to the activities and goals of the Organization.
Qadi noted that the OICC's goals include promotion and development of capacity building programs in member capitals and cities and preservation of the identity and the heritage of Islamic capitals and cities as well as serve the cause of sustainable development.
He pointed out that the Organization has many regional and international successes including the general advisory to the UN Economic and Social Council, and consultative status with the UN Industrial Development Organization and UN International Emergency Children Fund, and access to the membership of various regional and international organizations as well as the signing of friendship and cooperation agreements.

For his part, Doha Municipality Director Eng. Mohamed Ahmed Al-Sayyed expressed pleasure over Doha hosting of this big event which he said gave it the honour to receive a large gathering of municipal work leaders across the Muslim world.
The selection of Doha city as a venue for the organization's 12th meeting came at an opportune time, Al-Sayyed said explaining in this respect that Qatar is witnessing the  biggest multi-faceted development in its modern history under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HH the Heir Apparent.
The convening of the conference came after Qatar inaugurated 'Mushaf Qatar' (a new edition of the Holy Qur'an) on Tuesday 9th March 2010 at Museum of Islamic Art. After a long journey of examination, revision, and correction the Mus'haf of Qatar finally saw the light of day, recounting on each of its pages a story of love for the Word of God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, and Revealer of the Qur'an.
Al Sayyed added that the conference is being held as the State is celebrating Qatar Capital of Arab Culture 2010, which has Islamic roots.
He added that the meeting is also being held after Qatar succeeded in its reconciliation efforts between Arab and Muslim brethren in Lebanon, Darfur  and others, referring in this respect to the endeavours the State of Qatar is making through its charitable organizations and society which benefits many Muslim capitals, towns and areas.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was the Mayor of the Greater Municipality of Ankara Melih Gokcek, who is also President of the organization's 11th General Conference.
The Mayor presented a review on the most significant achievements during his presidency of the previous session over three years in terms of other cities of the organization, the exchange of information, experiences and the implementation of the previous conference's recommendations.
He stressed that the 12th General Conference being held in Doha, gives a greater impetus, adding that Doha today is one of world's most important capitals showing progress and will play a significant role in the enhancement of activities of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities during its presidency of the Organization for the next three years.
He noted to the keenness of the Municipality of Ankara to exchange information and experiences with all of the cities and capitals of, members of the Organization, noting in this context that Turkey has canceled the entry visa with a number of Arab and Islamic neighbors.
Gokcek raised a number of proposals including a call to launch joint activities aimed at exchanging information and experiences between Islamic cities and capitals as well as addressing common problems.
He also suggested launching a campaign involving writers and intellectuals from the Arab and Islamic countries to work together to cope with all activities offensive to Islam and Muslims.

For his part, the representative of the Islamic Development Bank Dr Nael Hajjaj said his Group was keen to strengthen and coordinate the cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities to serve the development in member states.
Dr Hajjaj said the bank has worked since its inception in 1975 with all bodies and organizations in order to promote joint action, including the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities.
He added that the group of the Islamic Development Bank has recently adopted a 2020 vision, which aims to make the Islamic Development Bank, a leading international development institution based on Islamic Sharia and play a prominent role in bringing about a shift in human development.
Dr Hajjaj said the Group of the Islamic Development Bank is active in funding projects in the infrastructure of cities and capitals of the member states, in issues of transport and communications, energy, agriculture, water, environment and human development and social services, noting that such programs and initiatives will help develop the Islamic Capitals and Cities. (END)