Islamic think-tanks gather in Istanbul

Think-tanks from a host of Islamic countries gathered this week at the Think-Tank Forum of Islamic Countries under the theme Civilization of Peace and Cooperation, organized by the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) in Istanbul. The focus of the forum was the role of think-tanks in the Islamic world, which was late to recognize their importance in policy formation. The rising tide of conflict in the world was also discussed. These points were stressed in both speeches and seminars. TASAM Chair Suleyman Sensoy pointed to the "golden ages" in the history of the Islamic world. Instead of referring incessantly to the past, Sensoy urged, "It would be more useful to establish a foundation for cooperation in the name of the whole Islamic geography." The role and development of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) were discussed in a specific session, with appraisals and critiques. Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC's secretary general, said that think-tanks now shape daily life and explained the OIC's process of evolution in recent years. Ihsanoglu said that there are certain developments in the Muslim world that need to be properly considered. Stressing that for many years the OIC was not very active, Ihsanoglu said that over the last five years the group had asserted its presence, including a 2005 meeting in Mecca organized by Saudi King Abdullah which brought together leaders of Muslim countries. The summit produced a 10-year action plan on international commerce, sustainable humanitarian development, technological development, human and women's rights, the importance of family, and the image of Islam.