#AlQudsOICYouthCapital2018 – Full story of the Launch of the Al-Quds Al-Sharif – Islamic World Youth Capital 2018 Program in Palestine
Launch of the National Youth Council of Palestine, which expressed its dedication to uniting and engaging all Palestinian youth, advocating youth interests and representing the cause of Palestine throughout the world.
ICYF Holds Successful National Model OIC
Dhaka, Bangladesh, 03 February 2018
On 03 February 2018, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) co-hosted with Lighthouse Foundation the 1st National Model OIC Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Conference was held as an official youth event of the 10th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers from OIC Member States. The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh Government was also in collaboration with this conference. The agenda and theme of the conference was similar to that of the 10th ICTM, with an emphasis on youth issues.
The first pre-meeting youth event as part of an OIC sectorial meeting was attended by 110 students from 12 different nationalities who discussed the roadmap and strategies on promoting intra-OIC tourism. The Conference ended with an 11-point proposed action plan which formed part of the presentation of ICYF to the 10th ICTM.
The Opening Ceremony was attended by Mr. Md Anwar Hossain, Director General, Department of Youth Development Bangladesh as chief guest, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Bangladesh Secretariat, Mr. Md. Mofazzal Hossain, Director General International Organization Wing Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. AFM Gousal Azam Sarker and ICYF Representative Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo Director General, General Directorate of Youth Policy, Education & Training who read the statement of the ICYF President while delivering opening remarks. Mr. S.I.M Shadman Sheikh, the Secretary General of the conference declared the official opening of the ceremony.
The closing ceremony of the conference was addressed by the guest of honor H.E. Mr. Munir M Merali, Resident Diplomatic Representative, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDM) in Bangladesh, followed by the Key Note Speech of the Closing Panel delivered by Prof. Dr. Omar Jah, Pro Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh. Chief Guest Mr. Kamrul Ahsan, Secretary, Bilateral & Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh who appreciated the engagement of young leaders as a platform to developing future leadership.
The national host organization, Lighthouse Imperium Foundation along with the entire team thanked the co-organizer ICYF for the cooperation and support to make this platform a reality. The Ministry representatives from of Youth and Sports and Foreign Affairs also expressed their positive notes on this program by wishing the expression of interest to host such youth programs in the coming days to further mobilize and engage youth potential.
#AlQudsOICYouthCapital2018 – Full story of the Launch of the Al-Quds Al-Sharif – Islamic World Youth Capital 2018 Program in Palestine
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expresses high appreciation for the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation’s efforts and work towards supporting of the Palestinian Youth and Cause, as well as preserving the Islamic Character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
ICYF Director General meets Bangladeshi Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports in Dhaka
On 04 February 2018, Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director General of Youth Policy, Education & Training at ICYF, was received at the office of H.E. Mr. Arif Khan Joy, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to discuss issues of mutual interest related to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
On a more specific note, the guest briefed the host on the successful holding of the National Model OIC Bangladesh, convened a day earlier at the city, as part of the 10th Conference of Tourism Ministers of OIC Member States. Mr. Mutualo also provided an early indication of the dates of the 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministes (ICYSM), to be held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan with the kind request for the Minister to clear the dates of 17-19 April 2018 in order to be able to attend the important event for, international alia, consolidating the Joint Youth Policy among OIC Member States.
Mr. Khan Joy while welcoming the important efforts of the ICYF in contributing to the betterment of youth in OIC Member States, assured his country’s resolve to continue supporting the OIC institution responsible for implementing the Joint Youth Action Plan and fulfilling the role of ICYSM Secretariat for youth issues.
Also in attendance were Mr. Md. Faizul Kabir and Mr. Md. Mofazzal Hossain, Joint Secretaries at the Bangladeshi Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ms. Fahmida Faiza, Bangladesh National MOIC Coordinator, and Mr. Sim Shadman Sheikh, Secretary General of Bangladeshi National MOIC.
The 1st Meeting of the “Al-Quds OIC Youth Capital 2018” Council of Patrons begins with the participation of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the OIC Member States.
6th February 2018, Ramallah, Palestine
#OpeningCeremony of the #AlQudsOICYouthCapital2018 international programme
Over 30 delegations arrived to Ramallah, Palestine for the Grand Opening of #AlQudsYouthCapital 2018 after hours of overcoming border control, difficulty and taking detours on isolated and treacherous roads.
Inshallah Al-Aqsa, the furthest Mosque, will become closer…
Closely follow the ICYF narrative on the program unfolding step-by-step on our social media accounts.
RUMORS AIMED AT UNDERMINING ICYF UNITY AND INTEGRITY ARE FALSE AND PROVOCATIVE
ICYF denounces all recent provocative messages spread in social media campaign targeting the unity and integrity of the Organization with regard to recently announced lunch of “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” #AlQudsYouthCapital Programme, as completely false and provocative.
So called “informed social media accounts” recently spread information that decision on #AlQudsYouthCapital Programme was opposed by the number of ICYF member organizations. They further speculate that some ICYF organizations “backed by respective Member States” “appealed to OIC and certain countries to question and apply diplomatic pressure” on ICYF leadership.
ICYF would like to underline that such messages are false and groundless. All important decisions are being adopted through democratic procedure at ICYF relevant bodies. Thus, the announcement of Al-Quds Ash-Sharif as the OIC Youth Capital on 25 July 2017 was fully supported by ICYF Executive Board; unanimously adopted at the Selection Committee (comprising of authorities of hosts to previous Youth capitals and the OIC General Secretariat along with ICYF); and further welcomed by the Final Communiqué of the OIC Executive Committee held at the level of Foreign Ministers, on 01 August 2017. The recent review of preparations for the Programme opening also demonstrated a great attendance by a number of Member States and organizations.
However, the timing of such “news” distribution 6 month after announcement of the Programme, and few days in advance of its actual launch in Palestine is indication that certain quarters are disturbed by ICYF recent activity – be it on promotion of youth solidarity on Al-Quds issue or principal position on soonest adoption of the OIC Youth Strategy and intend. Thus, these messages aim to intimidate ICYF decision-making organs to retract from its principal position by emphasizing on “possible consequences”. ICYF recalls once again that “Al-Quds – OIC Youth Capital 2018” Programme is the 1st practical implementation of unanimous position on Al-Quds declared during the OIC Istanbul Extraordinary Summit held on December 13th, 2017 and in line with international consensus on 2-state solution of the Palestinian conflict. Therefore, support toward ICYF at this crucial juncture is a vivid test to the Member States commitment to their declaration on Al-Quds at the highest level.
ICYF states that such black-mailing can not detract it from following its course in the interest of Muslim youth of our geography. Moreover, in line with the above stated, provocative actions aimed at targeting ICYF and the success of the important year-long programme on Al-Quds will be closely watched so the initiators and implementers to be disclosed to the OIC Member States, ICYF member organizations and youth audience at large.
Model OIC for the High School Chairmanship Training Camp kicks off in İstanbul!
ICYF’s first Model OIC Charimanship Training Camp for high schools; co-organized with Beyoğlu Education Foundation and hosted by Beyoğlu Anatolian Imam Hatip High School was launched on 22 January 2018. During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Ahmet Halit Hatip, Director of International Projects of ICYF welcomed more than 120 High School students from 26 different schools from all over Turkey, highlighting the significance of the MOIC Chairmanship Camp for selected candidates who have the potential to serve as future diplomats of OIC countries, particularly in developing diplomatic and academic skills. The opening ceremony was followed by a speech by Mr. Ömer Faruk Yelkenci, General Director of Education of Istanbul Province, who stated: ‘Here, we are experiencing a historical moment’, while sending his graditute to all who took part in this project.
In the first Academic session of the MOIC Chairmanship camp, Dr. Ismail Yaylaci, Academic Coordinator of the Model OIC project presented on Political and Economic Integration in the Islamic World and the historical concept of Islamic unity under the Ummah.
On 18 January 2018, a Protocol Agreement between Beyoğlu Education and Culture Foundation (BECF) and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) was signed to allow implementation, in Arabic, of the High Schools Model OIC Project at ICYF Headquarter in Istanbul, Turkey.
During the signing ceremony, ICYF was represented by Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director General of Youth Policy, Education and Training, who seized the opportunity to thank BECF for their enthusiasm and commitment to the successful implementation of the project, while highlighting that the initiative was seen as landmark Model OIC Project; an ICYF flagship initiative approved by relevant OIC Conferences. The BECF was represented by Mr. Şaban Kurt, Board Chairman of BECF, who expressed the significance of the project for all schools involved, especially in training new generations on the immense challenges facing the Muslim world.
Among the events that are to be held under the Model OIC for High Schools Program will be a 4-Day long MOIC Chairmanship Camp, weekly diplomatic trainings and a simulation of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers with the participation of 400 students from around 80 reputable high schools in OIC Member States.
According to the protocol, the program begins with Model OIC Chairmanship Training Camp from 22 to 25 January 2018 in Istanbul, to be organized by both parties.
ICYF takes part in the proceedings of the 13th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) Conference convened in Tehran, IRI, on 16-17 January 2018.
The resolution on “PUIC -ICYF Cooperation” is among the agenda items of the Conference.
