Within the celebration of Doha as the OIC Youth Capital 2019, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of State of Qatar and Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events Center, will organize an international youth forum in order to bring young leaders together and integrate solving chronic problems for the betterment of youth development under the theme of “Good governance and Transparency among Young People, Youth and Sustainable Development, Youth and the Safe Use of Social Media and Diplomatic Simulations”
For more Information and Registration: https://www.dohaiyc.qa/en/dohaiyc_events/doha-islamic-youth-forum/
IMPORTANT! ONLY SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INFORMED.
The host country will cover travel expenses from his/her own country to Doha including local transportation, accommodation, and meals.
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, The Amir of the State of Qatar ICYF organized official inauguration ceremony of “Doha – OIC Youth Capital 2019” together with the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the State of Qatar and Qatar Culture Heritage Events Center in Doha, the State of Qatar.
On 28 April 2019, Official Inauguration Ceremony of the “Doha – OIC Youth Capital 2019” was kicked off with the participation H.H. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar, H.E. Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports of the State of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF, H.E. Gen. Jibril Rajoub, Chairman of Higher Council for Youth and Sport of the State of Palestine, H.E. Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhoof Al-Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs of Oman, heads of diplomatic missions of the OIC Member States and their youth representatives.
The opening ceremony carried out with the introduction of Doha OIC Youth Capital 2019, its main activities that are Doha Muslim Youth Forum, Doha Oasis for Innovation, Volunteering and Humanitarian Relief Work Camp, Doha Awards for Youth Creativity and Grand Closing Ceremony in order to provide effective platforms for young people where they can discus common challenges, recognize their common values and strengthen solidarity, unity under the hospitality of the State of Qatar.
Doha OIC Youth Capital 2019 is designed for the betterment of youth development and underlines the importance of youth with its special motto `Youth is the power of Ummah` for youth, with youth and by youth.
During the ceremony the opening speech delivered by H.E. Mr. Taha Ayhan, ICYF President, in his capacity as the implementing Agency of the Program, as well as the keynote speech addressed by H.E. Gen. Jibril Rajoub, in representation of the previous OIC Youth Capital, which was Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
Mr. Ayhan started his speech by thanking to H.H. Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al-Thani, The Amir of the State of Qatar, for granting his high patronage, which is a clear sign of his personal commitment to development of young generation. He continued by emphasizing that “in spite of the challenges that Islamic geography faces in our day and age, youth must retain a critical intellect, yet a deep optimism of the spirit”. In such context, “ICYF is working in such an approach to developing an integrated youth program that addresses increasing economic opportunities for youth. This includes promoting employment, access to basic services, reducing disparities and enhancing their role in the decision-making process..”
“This beautiful, iconic city will be home to the various of events, and its slogan reflects the deep thinking and strategic vision of the Ministry of culture and sports in bringing the Muslim youth together in service of the Ummah”
Mr. Ayhan added.
At the end of ceremony, H.H. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar, H.E. Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports of the State of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF handed over `KEY of DOHA OIC Youth Capital 2019 ` to young people for opening array of youth activities in the city of Doha, State of Qatar.
The Secretariat of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an international institution affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in follow up to the Resolution No.: OIC/ICYSM-3/2016/R9-Y “On the OIC Youth Capital” adopted by the 3rd Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sport Ministers (ICYSM) held in Istanbul, the Republic of Turkey, on 5-7 October 2016; and Resolution No.: 8/43-C adopted by the 43rd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan, on 18-19 October 2016,) which respectively state:
“To call on the Member States to ensure active participation of respective government and youth representatives in the activities of the (OIC Youth Capital) Programme”;
“Approves the annual “OIC Youth Capital” international programme implemented by ICYF; calls upon the Governments and Municipalities of the Member States to actively cooperate with ICYF for achieving overall success of the “OIC Youth Capital” International programme as important tool in strengthening development of and solidarity amongst Muslim youth”,
has the honor to announce the Call for Applications for the OIC Youth Capital 2020 International Programme.
It is important to note that the OIC Youth Capital International Programme aimed at fostering cooperation among the Member States in the field of youth policy as well as enhancing Muslim youth solidarity, fostering inter-cultural diversity and the spirit of unity of youth from the OIC geography was initiated at the ICYF 2nd General Assembly (09-11 October 2014) and successively endorsed by the corresponding Sessions of the OIC CFM and ICYSM. While Istanbul (the Republic of Turkey) in 2015/16, Putrajaya (Malaysia), Shiraz (Islamic Republic of Iran) and Fes (Kingdom of Morocco) in 2017, Al-Quds Ash-Sharif (State of Palestine) in 2018 hosted successfully set of activities as the previous OIC Youth Capital. Doha (State of Qatar) is running creative activities as the host of “OIC Youth Capital” for 2019.
Having this said, the Esteemed Ministries (relevant Government Authorities) responsible for Youth of the OIC Member States are kindly requested to consider the “Requirements and Procedures for Selection of OIC Youth Capital” with a view to submitting suitable candidate city(ies) for the nomination to host OIC Youth Capital for 2020. The application form (available below) is to be kindly filled in and sent latest by 31 July 2019 to the ICYF Secretariat.
(Email: oicyouthcapital@icyforum.org Fax: +90 212 465 3670).
For further information and/or clarification, please, feel free to contact with Ms. Tugba Ceren Cerci (Project Coordinator, ICYF-DC Secretariat, E-mail: c.cerci@icyf-dc.org, Phone: +90 212 465 3939).
ICYF and Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey is holding the Grand Closing Ceremony of “Al-Quds Ash Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” with participation of respective OIC Member States’ ministries, head of diplomatic missions, Palestinian youth and youth of Muslim world.
The closing ceremony started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. During the closing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF, delivered a welcoming speech, appreciating the successful implementation of the Al-Quds Ash-Sharif OIC Youth Capital 2018 throughout the year by partner organizations. Mr.President welcomed the guests and started his speech by expressing appreciation and thanks to His Excellency Abu Mazen, President of the State of Palestine, for high patronage provided to the OIC Youth Capital Programme, H.E. Dr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey for the excellent arrangements and hospitality and the Higher Council for Youth and Sports and his Chairperson, H.E. General Jibril Rajoub, for his cooperation and commitment, support for the successful implementation of Al-Quds OIC Youth Capital 2018.
Mr.Taha Ayhan highlighted that “The OIC Youth Capital programme, is also one of tolerance, sharing and raising high the standard of youth; underlining their creativity, dynamism and all that they have to offer to their societies, nations and the world”.
The Grand Closing Ceremony of “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” International Programme held with the participation of Palestinian youth and International Photography Exhibition entitled “Human Faces of AL-Quds” was displayed during the Ceremony.
“Today, when the Muslim world is not able to establish sufficient solidarity with the Palestinian people and our Palestinian brothers, we are suffering painfully in all the Muslim geography, and even in the case of Jerusalem, which is the symbol of our Islamic character, we are witnessing violations to its status” H.E. Mr.Ahmet Büyükgümüş ,Vice President of Justice and Development Party and the Member of Parliament,Yalova delivered a speech in the Closing Ceremony.
He also expressed his thanked for ICYF active role in promoting role of youth in Islamic world .
The speeches followed by H.E. Amb. Salem Mubarak Al Shafi, Ambassador of Qatar to Ankara, H.E. Yavuz Selim Kıran, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, and H.E. Gen. Jibril Rajoub, Chairman of the Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine.
Grand Closing Ceremony of al-Quds Ash-Sharif OIC Youth Capital 2018 was attended by Ambassadors, Diplomats and Representatives from 56 OIC Member States in Ankara as well as head of institutions and international organizations such as TUBITAK, T3 Foundation, Isdb, Arab Town Organization, SESRIC, and Ibn Haldun.
H.E. Dr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey also delivered a keynote speech, he emphasized that “Today’s event summarizes our work as such programs, where our youth come together to share knowledge, culture and social relations, are quite important to boost solidarity among Muslim countries” and he highlighted that “OIC Youth Capital is an important part of OIC’s youth strategy.” “We present our sincere good wishes and continues support to ICYF and its President Mr.Taha Ayhan for the implementation of the resolutions taken in the 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports and the success of its future activities,” Mr. Kasapoğlu added.
During the closing ceremony, successful Participant of the “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif OIC Youth Capital 2018” programs which held throughout the year were awarded. -Ms. Muazzez Gül, the Participant of Discovery of Our Civilization: “Quds”
-Mr. Durim Abazi , the Participant of ICYF Youth Media Capacity Building Camp
-Mr. Burak Omer Demir, the Participants of High School Arabic MOIC Programme
-Mr. Abdallah A. A. Nouri , the Participant of Establishment of Palestinian National Youth Council -Ms. Zehra Nur Düz , the Participant of Muslim Future Thinkers Forum
-Ms. Ghazel Hasan Abunemeh , the Winner of Human Faces of Al-Quds Photo Contest
Within the scope of the Grand Closing Ceremony important partners that have outstandingly contributed to successful implementation of the 2018 Al Quds 2018 Program was presented with an award as a symbol of appreciation for their generous support to the initiative.
On this special occasion, Gen. Jibril Rajoub expressed appreciation of the State and people of Palestine for ICYF efforts in supporting Palestinian youth and advocating for their integration into OIC and international youth programmes and projects.
Al-Quds was hand over the OIC Youth Capital Key to Doha, as the owner of the program for 2019.
The Program ended with the signing of cooperation agreements between ICYF and several high-level institutions that are to cooperate with ICYF on implementing important projects in 2019 and beyond with the ultimate purpose on serving the youth of Ummah. The institutions that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are as following:
Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Turkey,H.E. Dr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu
Ibn Haldun University, Prof. Recep Şentürk, Rector
Arab Towns Organization, H.E Ahmad AL Subih, Secretary General
T3 Foundation, Mr. Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of Board
Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) , H.E Amb. Musa Kulaklıkaya Director General
Beyoğlu Education and Culture Foundation, Mr Şaban Kurt, Chairman of Board
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) , Mr. Mesut Karaca, Secretary General
After the Closing Ceremony Mr.Taha Ayhan,ICYF President and Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed AL-Hajri, Adviser to the Minister of Culture and Sports of State of Qatar met with local and international press. Mr.Taha and Mr.Al-Hajri answered the reporters’ questions in the Press Conference.
The Grand Closing Ceremony of “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” International Programme, organized by Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) in cooperation with the Higher Council for Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine and with the kind hospitality of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey, will be held at its Conference Hall on 11 March 2019 in the Turkish capital Ankara, in which Al-Quds will hand over the OIC Youth Capital Key to Doha, as the owner of the program for 2019.
During the year of 2018, in a historic decision of solidarity with Palestinian people, Al-Quds Al-Sharif was celebrated as the OIC Youth Capital for 2018 through a year-long international programme of invigorating youth activities co-organized by the aforementioned Council and ICYF, as the Implementing Agency of the Joint Youth Action Plan adopted by the 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2018) and relevant decisions of the subsequent OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
It is our firm belief that the programs held throughout the year, including establishment of the Palestinian National Youth Council, Media Training Camp and Human Faces of Al-Quds Photo Contest and Exhibitions, organized with the kind support of the Ministries of Respective of OIC Member States, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Qatar and Republic of Turkey, have significantly contributed towards raising international awareness on the inalienable rights of Palestinians and Muslims towards the sanctity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and also paved the way for cooperation, joint work and friendship between youth of Ummah and Palestine.
INTERNATIONAL CAMP FOR SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINIAN YOUTH continues in its 2nd and 3rd working days
In the framework of the International Camp for Solidarity with Palestinian Youth, on 7 September, H.E. Gen. Jibril Rajoub, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine had a meeting with the participants holding fruitful discussion with them on challenges and prospective for youth of Palestine.
During the 2nd and 3rd working days (7, 8 September 2018) of the Camp the relevant thematic and practical training sessions were held and participants shared their experiences and ideas on vision and mission for development of Palestinian youth.
2th International Youth Innovation Conference, organized by United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO) and Shenzhen Youth Federation, begins in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China with the theme of “The Positive Role of Youth in Coping Future Challenges”.
At the plenary session of the 2th International Youth Innovation conference; Mr Ahmet Halit Hatip, Director of International Projects at ICYF, delivered a key note speech in which he highlights the significance of establishing effective collaboration channels between organizations and institutions for leveraging youth entrepreneurship at global level and he also presented the OIC Startup Platform, a multiphase entrepreneurship program developed by ICYF, which is among the 14 priority Joint Youth Actions adopted by the 3rd Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Minister (5-7 October 2016, Istanbul) and endorsed by the 43rd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (18-19 October 2016, Tashkent).
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Dear “ICYF YOUTH MEDIA CAPACITY BUILDING SUMMER CAMP” Programme Applicants,
ICYF thanks for your valuable interest in our camp programme that we received more than applications online. Also, we would like to inform you that the selection process is over and only selected participants will be informed via e-mail at the first week of September. Please stay tuned with us for further opportunities.
ICYF Celebrates the International Youth Day
The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) on behalf of its member institutions representing the youth in the OIC Member States joins the international community in observing one of the most important international days in the United Nations’ calendar, the one dedicated to youth. This year’s theme, “Safe Spaces for Youth”, is a well-chosen one as the ICYF backs the UN understanding that youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves.
In fact, today, the world should see itself celebrating the limitless potential of young people. Those to whom ideas and inspirations are put into spotlight as a potential powerful tool change the world. Their courage, passion, and the positive change they make every day has inspired the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to decide in its 44th Council of Foreign Ministers (Abidjan, Ivory Coast, July 2017) to adopt the 3rd of September of each year as the OIC Youth Day.
The ICYF is therefore committed to providing opportunity for youth to ensure that they are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also hope lights of today. Whether it is ensuring boys and girls have equal access to education, improving abilities to strengthen youth leadership in civil society, business and academia, or providing a young entrepreneur with the capital and network to grow a start-up. The ICYF understands such projects and activities as investing in the potential of the young people within the needs of OIC Member States towards their young people as underlined in the recently adopted OIC Youth Strategy by the 4th Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2018).
The ICYF, in this regards, congratulates all youth around the world, especially those in the OIC geography with the message for them to always remember that they are energetic, hopeful, fearless, smart and determined while being the future of a country and those that are close of making the impossible possible. Happy International Youth Day!
Istanbul, 12 August 2018
TheIslamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) Expresses Concern over Civilian Casualties in Yemen
ICYF expresses concern over the continuing casualties of civilians, many of whom are teens and children, in Yemen in the results of escalation of the ongoing conflict. While welcoming the call by the United Nation Secretary-General António Guterres for an independent investigation into the air strike that killed dozens of children on Thursday, 09 August 2018, ICYF emphasizes that Islamic principles on preserving the life of innocent during the battle as well as international humanitarian law on safety of civilians during the conflicts should be unconditionally respected.
As organization dedicated to strengthening Islamic solidarity and peace ICYF reiterates its deep concern over the protracted conflict in Yemen which inflicted much damage on the country and great suffering on the brotherly Yemeni people. Reiterating its support for the international community’s stand in urging all parties involved to take urgent measures to spare the civilian population, respecting the principles of distinction, proportionality and access of humanitarian aid to civilians ICYF also calls for Islamic Ummah to take all necessary measures, including mediation to cease the fire to lead to political solution and lasting peace in the war-torn nation.
Istanbul, 10 August 2018
