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.
ICYF Participates in IDB Seminar on the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’
Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo: Director General for Youth Policy, Education & Training represented the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) at the IDB Seminar on the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’, to introduce the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’, and discuss the Youth Policy Score Indicator for OIC countries. The Seminar was held by the Capacity Development Department of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and also attended by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
While addressing the meeting, Mr. Mutualo shed light on the significance and impact of the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’ on youth-related policies in OIC member countries.
ICYF Participates at the Permanent Joint Committee on Youth Affairs Meeting
Mr. Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Director General of the Cabinet, represented the ICYF at the 4th Session of the Meeting of the Permanent Joint Committee on Youth Affairs (PJCYA), which was held on the sidelines of the Intergovernmental Experts Group Meeting (IEGM) to consider and finalize the OIC Youth Strategy at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 10 January 2018.
Aside from the ICYF, the meeting was attended by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), and the International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) under the Chairmanship of the OIC General Secretariat.
While addressing the meeting, Mr. Mehdiyev reviewed the undergoing preparations for the 4th Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM) and other ICYF ongoing activities made towards in the implementation of the Joint Youth Action Plan (JYAP), including the holding of the Al-Quds OIC Youth Capital – 2018.
Under the Y-Shiraz 2nd OIC Youth Capital Film Festival, more than 100 short film submissions were received from OIC Member and Non-Member States. On December 17 2017, after a lengthy judging process, the jury selected 6 short films for awards, which were screened during the awards ceremony by youth and local guests. The programme was followed by a series of workshops by professional film makers who delivered key information and technique on ‘Poetry Short Films’.
Winners of the Y-Shiraz 2nd OIC Youth Capital Film Festival will be recognized and awarded during the Grand Closing Ceremony of Shiraz OIC Youth Capital 2017 today.
As part of the celebrations of Shiraz as OIC Youth Capital 2017, award-winning and outstanding short stories were announced at the Short Story Contest ceremony on December 17, with prizes awarded to winners and participants. The Contest was organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Fars Province Authorities and the Hoza Honari Art Center; with the participation of 25 local and international young writers from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States following the collection of significant international applications.
In workshops on December 18 2017, young writers were given lectures on composing creative stories and effective writing skills. At the end of the workshops, they composed short stories under different themes and were able to receive feedback on their work from a jury and expert lecturers.
At the end of the 2-day programme, the jury announced the Award-Winning and Outstanding Works of the Contest. The Award Winners are as follows:
1st place: Mr. Mirmehdi Agaoglu from Azerbaijan, “The Eighty-Fifth Day”
2nd place: Ms. Atef Saadat Tavasoli from #Iran, “Saturday”
3rd place: Mr. Yusuf Usman, from #Nigeria, “Survivor of the Insurgency”
Short Story Contest Special Acknowledgement Certification
1. Ms. Sevda Mammadova, from #Azerbaijan “The Well of Ignorance”
2. Mr. Yusuf Yusubov, from Azerbaijan “The Tomb of Pigeon”
As part of the festivities in Shiraz as OIC Youth Capital for 2017, a two-day calligraphy workshop took place in the Hoza Honari Art Center from 17 -18 December 2017. The workshop was organized by Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Fars Provincial authorities.
The workshop brought 12 young chosen calligraphers from theOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) geography, who were given guidance by the famous calligraphers Mr. Abdolreza Asnaashari and Mr. Alireza Karimpour from Iran, lecturing them on the theories of Islamic Calligraphy as well as the characteristics of Iranian Calligraphy. The Youth also showcased their talents, developed their skills and engaged in drawing calligraphy to learn from leading artisans and performers throughout the program.
By unanimous decision of its Board, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an international institution affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemns the U.S. President’s decision to recognize Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel.
The unilateral and ill-advised decision by the U.S. President Donald Trump not only disrupts any attempt at peace or reconciliation, it also undermines the prospect of a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Moreover, this decision contradicts the opinion of the international community; violates international law; harms the status of the United States as an objective “honest broker” in its mediation efforts and emboldens the appeal of radicals and extremists in the region.
During this fragile period when the Middle East region needs tranquility and peace more than all else, ICYF calls upon the OIC Heads of States to show necessary solidarity and reactions for the taking of adequate and effective action during their Extraordinary Summit to be held in Istanbul, on 13 December 2017, upon invitation of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of the Republic of Turkey, in his capacity as the current chair of the OIC Summit Conference.