By IINA,
Jeddah : A delegation representing the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), headed by Ambassador Izzat Kamel Mufti, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, conducted an official visit to the South Korean capital Seoul. The delegation attended the constituent meeting held by the Korea-Arab Society (KAS). The visit was undertaken following an invitation addressed to the OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu by South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, according to an OIC statement.
In a statement delivered at the opening session on behalf of OIC Secretary General, Ambassador Mufti affirmed that the invitation by President Lee Myung-Bak to Prof. Ihsanoglu to participate in the important event reflects the esteem he holds for the OIC and his willingness to consolidate relations between South Korea and the Islamic world. The statement stressed the tremendous efforts deployed by the OIC to disseminate messages of moderation across the Muslim world as it helps build bridges of dialogue with other religions, cultures and civilizations in order to promote peaceful coexistence as well as to reinforce the foundations of peace and security in the world. The statement confirmed OIC’s readiness to take on an active role in lending support to the mission and endeavors of the KAS in order to further enhance relations with the Arab world which constitutes a key component of the Islamic world.
The statement also mentioned that the OIC has wrapped up the preparations for the symposium on Muslim groups and communities in Southeast Asia titled ‘ Challenges & Prospects in light of a Multicultural World’. The symposium will be held July 4 and 5, 2008 in cooperation with Seoul-based Muslim Association of Korea. Assistant Secretary General Izzat Kamel Mufti was the main speaker at the Korea-Arab forum entitled ‘Enhancing Exchange and Understanding between Korea and the Arab world’. He also held a meeting on the sidelines of the inauguration of the KAS with Korean Prime Minister Han Seung and Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade along with a number of officials from the Foreign Ministry and the KAS.