OIC ministers seek new media strategy to improve image of Islam

02/02/2009

OIC ministers of information met in Rabat to discuss improving the image of Islam in the media. The Rabat Declaration called on the media in OIC member states to express the true concerns of citizens in Muslim countries.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 02/02/09

[Sarah Touahri] Ministers of information from the Islamic world met in Rabat to discuss ways to boost image of Islam in the media.

The eighth session of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference's ministers of information meeting, held January 25th-28th in Rabat, underlined the need for the Muslim world to liberalise its media and to encourage intercultural dialogue.

The ministers agreed to develop a new media strategy to better address the international community. A pilot ministerial committee will devise the programme in the languages best understood by the international community, so as to address the "incomplete picture" given of Islam and ensure that its "noble message" is heard. Senior officials created a special fund to which member states, institutions, and private individuals can contribute.

The Rabat Declaration said the media in OIC member states needs to express the true concerns of citizens in Muslim countries. Also underlined was the need for appropriate dialogue and communication to improve foreign media's portrayal of Islam and highlight its values of tolerance, its rich cultural heritage, and its secular civilisation.

In a message to the delegates, King Mohammed VI called on information ministers to engage in "renewed and objective media dialogue… by using modern communication methods and drawing up effective plans making it possible to make the voice of the Muslim world heard, explain its point of view and advance its righteous causes."

The king stressed that the Muslim world must encourage dialogue between cultures and civilisations in support of humanity's ideals and objectives.

Moroccan Communication Minister and government spokesman Khalid Naciri said that the media must abandon its stance of merely "protesting against views that are hostile towards us."

Naciri added that communication must "draw strength from its positive nature in conveying a well thought-out media message based on its ability to ask itself questions and also its mission of reaching out to others persuasively… Islam is a religion of openness and brotherliness, and our media must emphasise this and put over the true and bright picture of who we really are."

OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that any information policy must take account of the strategic potential of modern information tools. He added that these tools must play a decisive role in portraying an accurate and positive image of the Muslim world, dispelling the misconceptions that have sullied its name, and defending its noble principles and ideals.

"Following certain acts of terrorism perpetrated by a handful of individuals who claim to be acting in the name of Islam, some people within the media have shown a tendency to misuse the word 'Islam'," Ihsanoglu stated.

"We want to underline once again that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, altruism and compassion, the fact that it regards human life as sacred and condemns all criminal acts, and that those who commit such crimes face the strictest punishment provided for by Islamic law."

Moroccan law student Mohamed Bahanis noted, "We've got to be able to explain that extremism exists everywhere and within all religions, not just Islam."

Moroccan civil servant Afaf Berrada believes it is the Western media who must make an effort to understand the Muslim world and avoid conveying subjective messages about it. "It's not our job to open up, because we've already done that. It's the West that must open itself up and view Islam objectively."

The next OIC meeting of information ministers is due to take place in Gabon in 2011.