Promote Islamic Values To Combat Religious Extremism - OIC Sec Gen, Susilo

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) secretary-general Iyad Ameen Madani and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono both agreed there was a need to promote and raise awareness on Islamic values to combat religious extremism. The two leaders emphasised that Islamic values such as justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence through education, were highly important to combat extremism and intolerence spearheaded by terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State (IS) militants. Madani, who is on an official three-day visit to Indonesia beginning Wednesday, met Susilo in Bali on Thursday, where both attended the UN Sixth International Symposium of the Alliance of Civilisations. During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the enhancement of bilateral ties focusing on issues aimed at tackling the current critical challenges facing the Muslim World. Madani praised Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, for being a model of religious tolerance and cultural pluralism, as well as for encouraging interfaith dialogue by hosting the Bali symposium. Susilo commended the role of the secretary general and the OIC General Secretariat in strengthening the principles of joint Islamic Action and pledged Indonesia's full support in this regard. According to the OIC statement Madani also suggested to Susilo that an international forum of health ministers of the 57 OIC member countries be held to discuss ways to tackle the spread of Ebola virus. The suggestion was made under the framework of Indonesia's Chairmanship of the OIC Council of Ministers of Health, the OIC said. In a separate statement, Madani welcomed the long-term ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine sealed on Tuesday night. He hoped that this would be a start to a solution to end the Israeli blockade on Gaza Strip by reopening all crossings and allowing access of humanitarian aid and products to help "repair the devastation left behind" by the massive Israeli aggression. The secretary-general reiterated the OIC's commitment to mobilise support for the Palestinians. --BERNAMA