Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations took part in the Third Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member Countries’ Think Tanks, organized by the Azeri Center for Strategic Studies (SAM) on 2-3/3/2012 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The paper presented by the Centre’s General Manager, Prof. Dr. Mohsen Mohammad Saleh, entitled “The Implications of the Changes and Uprisings in the Arab World on the Palestinian Issue” discussed the strategic changes affecting the Palestinian issue in light of the uprisings in the Arab World. He indicated that these changes came on three levels: the human level, that of the strategic space and that of the political system. He also spoke about the scenarios faced by the region; and showed that each scenario has its own implications on the Palestinian issue. He said that conditions may evolve in the direction of building a civilized, encompassing and liberal plan, or in the direction of a kind of local withdrawal into self, or of having corrupt regimes reproducing themselves in new forms. He also warned against going in the direction of scenarios that aim at fragmenting the region along sectarian and ethnic lines. Nevertheless, he said that the current general direction of events is going in a positive way in favor of the Palestinian issue, and of altering the equation of the struggle with Israel.
The forum included a select group of experts, thinkers and researchers from various study centers, which have influence on decision-making in Islamic countries. It also included a number of Islamic official and diplomatic personalities. During the sessions of the forum, the attendees addressed the social, economic and political changes in the Islamic countries and the way to evolve the political and administrative dynamics in the Muslim World. The forum’s activities included a speech by Malaysian former Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in which he talked about his vision of building the “Ummah” along the lines of the Malaysian experience. He also discussed economic development based on providing employment opportunities and opening global markets to Malaysian products, in parallel with improving education in the interest of building and developing the state. This speech was followed by discussions and dialogues in the same place.
The participation of Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations in this forum came as part of its priorities, which is communicating with scientific research institutes around the world, as well as decision-making centers in Islamic countries. The Centre received the attention of many personalities, experts and specialists from various official and non-official studies centers and think tanks, which expressed interest in opening communication channels with it, for cooperation in various areas of common interest.
Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, Beirut, 6/4/2012
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