In a speech to the fourth extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Makkah (ŮŽAugust 14-15), and which was read on Wednesday by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, the Sovereign said that Muslims are left with a single option: further their common interests and ensure the best possible investment of available resources.
The Islamic Ummah is invited to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in order to open up new prospects for economic and scientific cooperation so as to expand its experience and to ensure more efficient mobilization and use of its wealth as well as of its natural and human resources, said HM the King.
However, underlined the Sovereign, "this can be achieved only through an economic partnership based on the promotion of inter-Islamic trade as a prelude to establishing a free economic zone that would serve as the cornerstone for the emergence of an Islamic Common Market."
One of the greatest challenges the Muslim world is currently facing, said HM the King, "is the hostile campaign against our tolerant faith. It seeks to tarnish the image of Islam and undermine its sacred values."
"This campaign has become more conspicuous in some Western media. Therefore, the media in Islamic countries should play an active part in correcting the distorted, stereotypical depiction of Islam and bring our faith’s tolerant principles and lofty ethical values into the global spotlight," underscored the Monarch.
"Changing this negative image of Islam and Muslims must be accompanied by the consolidation of the channels for dialogue and communication between different civilizations, cultures and faiths on an equal basis, making sure there is mutual respect for the cultural identity and specific features of different peoples and nations," said the Sovereign.
At the same time, Muslims should develop their resources and expand their cooperation and solidarity, in accordance with the ideals of the tolerant Islamic faith, added HM the King, underlining that "the major challenges facing the Muslim world are matched only by the protracted or current political crises in our region. These crises make it incumbent on us to adopt a homogeneous, responsible solidarity-based approach to address them."
In this respect, Morocco reaffirms its support for all well-meaning initiatives which are aimed at promoting joint Islamic action in all sectors, and revamping the Organization of Islamic Cooperation so that it may play an active, influential role in the international arena.
The Kingdom has spared no effort to harness its energies in order to support Islamic unity, promote rational, constructive dialogue and solidarity with sister Islamic nations concerning all our crucial issues, and serve the objectives of peace, stability and comprehensive human development.
Morocco pledges, once again, "to remain deeply committed to this constructive course of action and to contribute to all beneficial actions and initiatives that are designed to help us enhance our unity, close our ranks, serve the common interests of our Ummah and achieve its security, stability and invulnerability," concluded the Sovereign.