The Union of NGOs of The Islamic World (UNIW)

REPORT

VII. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING

January 2012

It is the report of Seventh International Youth Gathering organized in Khartoum between 23rd and 29th of January 2012 at the auspices of Vice President of Sudan Republic.

BRIEF INFO ON THE UNIW International Conference of Non-governmental Organizations of the Islamic World: Searching for a New Vision in a Changing and Challenging World was organized with the participation of more than three hundred non-governmental organizations from 40 countries on May 1, 2005 in Istanbul. On the first day, then the Chairman of Turkish Parliament Bulent Arin and then the Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul delivered speeches as protocol speakers. Representatives of NGOs and participant organizations also took the floor delivering speeches. In the last session of the conference, a debate was initiated over the draft regulation of the association, and the establishment of the Union of NonGovernmental Organizations of Islamic World (UNIW). At the end it was agreed upon with the votes of the representatives who participated to the conference to establish union. For the first three-year period, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation of Volunteer Organizations of Turkey (TGTV) Necmi Sadikoglu was elected as Secretary General of the UNIW. Istanbul was chosen as the general headquarters of the UNIW. The Union of NGOs of The Islamic World (UNIW) has completed its official foundation process with the Cabinet Decree dated December 31, 2005 under the provisions of the Act No. 3335 regarding the Foundation of the Organizations Having International Characteristic. It has about two hundred members from 50 countries.

YOUTH GATHERINGS The program aims at strengthening the consciousness of unity and solidarity between the youth coming from different countries and maintaining socio-cultural cooperation between them, who are connected with UNIW member organizations. First International Youth Gathering (Summer 2008 - Turkey) Second International Youth Gathering (Summer 2009 - Turkey) Third International Youth Gathering (Winter 2010 - Indonesia) Fourth International Youth Gathering (Summer 2010 - Turkey) Fifth International Youth Gathering (Winter 2011 - Morocco) Sixth International Youth Gathering (Summer 2011- Turkey)

SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING a) Aim: By means of this gathering, it has been aimed to strengthen the consciousness of a union among youth of different countries and to form socio-cultural solidarity and cooperation among these young members. To exchange their experiences in their own countries, to share their successful programs and projects, to make them good friends on the basis of brotherhood are included among the other aims. b) Fundamental Discussion Topics on the Role of Youth in the Islamic World: 1- Unity of Muslims: Definition of Muslims and Conceptual Framework 2- Sociological and Cultural Aspects of Boundaries 3- Economic Problems Preventing Unity of Muslims 4- Social, ethnical and tribal problems preventing Unity of Muslims 5- Political and state structures preventing Unity of Muslims 6- Quest for Solutions toward the Unity of Muslims 7- Examples of state or worldwide unions like UN, EU, AL, OIC, AU, D-8 and etc 8- Case studies: UNIW, IIFSO and worldwide NGOs c) Slogan

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

d) Organizer: Women, Families and Youth Commission of the UNIW consisting of volunteers and representatives of UNIW members. e) Participants: Students and youngsters from UNIW member or sister organizations around the world. f) Participatory Countries: Turkey, Palestine, Iraq, Cameroun, Albania, Libya, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia, Macedonia, Russia and Somalia. g) Content of the Programme Visits: Official institutions and NGOs were visited as well as a touristic visit to Nile River. Forum: Participants presented their papers on The Unity of Muslims: Role of Youth at the forum held during the seventh IYG. Participant Profile: University students and youth representing member organizations of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) h) Activities and Dates: Seventh International Youth Gathering (IYG) has been organized between 22nd and 29th of January, 2012 in Khartoum, Sudan at the auspices of the founding member Islamic Call Organization. Meanwhile, there were three days International Forum on Unity of Muslims: Role of Youth within the gathering. j) Organization Committee President: Dr. Shaugar Bashar Committee: Abubakr al Abid, Hana Abdalla and 50 people. i) Advisory Board UNIW Council: Alptekin Cihangir bilir, UNIW General Coordinator M. Fatih Oner, UNIW Deputy Coordinator HOSTING ORGANIZATION Islamic Call Organization National Unity of the Youth in Sudan National Corporation for Development & Rehabilitation OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (S) Official language of the IYG is English.

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

OPENING CEREMONY
29 Safer 1433 / 23 January 2012

The Opening of the Seventh International Youth Gathering: The Seventh Youth Gathering of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), arranged twice a year, started on 23 January 2012 in Khartoum the capital of Sudan with the participation of the ministers and executives of the government of Sudan, representatives of NGOs, various diplomatic missions, media members, academicians and students. The representative of the via president, the minister of youth and sports, Irshad and Awqaf Minister, Head of Shura Council of Government Party, the minister of social progress, the ministers of Khartoum province, media members and many of the representatives of NGOs were some of the ones who participated in the opening ceremony which was held in Martyr Zubair Conference room, which belongs to the Foundation of Islamic Call the member of UNIW. By showing their appreciation for being the ones who hosted the Seventh International Youth Gathering, the executives of the government and the representatives of the NGOs indicated that they not only care about the effort of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) of contributing to the unity and solidarity of the Islamic world but also support it. Meanwhile Mr. A. Cihangir Isbilir, general coordinator of the UNIW took the floor where he thanked the vice president of Sudan, the executives of the government, the state officials, the government of Sudan, UNIW members and Sudanese NGOs for supporting and hosting this gathering. Isbilir talked about the importance of the youth gatherings after congratulating and appreciating the foundations in Sudan which had been supporting UNIW, the project of alliance, since the beginning of its foundation. Speech of Mr. Isbilir is following:

Bismillahirrahminarrahim Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. Dear brothers and sisters, We, as the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World, are happy and excited to hold the International 7th Youth Gathering in Khartoum. I would like to submit my deepest thanks to the Sudanese government, organization board and Suda-

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

nese brothers and sisters who are hosting this gathering. We will be negotiating the Role of the Youth in Establishing the Islamic Unity in this gathering. The union of the Islamic world is our common cause and goal. Struggling and working for the Islamic unity is fardh for every conscious Muslim. Realization of this dream depends on the Muslim youths sticking on to this cause. The awakening and movements that we are witnessing these days from Morocco to Afghanistan, from Tangier to Jakarta shows us clearly to what extend the unity of the Islamic world is an obligation and duty for us. Not only our geography and borders are threatened but also our values, civilization and identity are being challenged. The challenges that we are facing up is not only political and economic but also cultural. However, it is time to get rid of the short-cut way of blaming outsiders for our interior problems because if our enemies and problems had been always from outside we would not have been in such a position today. We should not have a slightest doubt that the obstacles to the unity, development and wealth of the Islamic world are our shortcomings and weaknesses. I would like to underline that we need a strong insight and discreet that will feed off the confidence and hope to overcome these obstacles. We know well that heroic speeches, purposeless meetings and pointless deeds will not have uses for us. We have to take steps with preferences which are result oriented, strategic, moral and logical. We could take surrender the enemies which are ignorance, poverty and dispute with this awareness and understanding. We could revive our civilization with this resistance spirit and resurrection stimulus. We have to raise generations who could form standards and do perfectly whatever they do and we have to get rid of our shortcomings to establish a civilization which could grow under the lights of the Islam.

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

Thus, today we are here to get this awareness. We will discuss the problems of the Islamic world in this gathering with our brothers and sisters who are chosen elaborately by the UNIW members to participate this gathering. Respected brothers and sisters, The Islamic world is a grandiose and deep rooted family. Unfortunately, today some members of this family do not know well the other members of the family. Some of them have been alienated to each other. Even some of them have become enemies to each other. Some of them have forgotten their family and identity. Some of them are seeking places which they think they will find honour and dignity since they are unaware of the honour and dignity of their family. Some of them are tried with starvation and some of them tried with wealth! Some of them are fighting against dictators and tyrants. Some of our brothers and sisters are under occupation and captivity. Some of them are under pressures of anti-Islamists in non-Muslim countries. The leader of this awesome family is the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). We have perfect history and wonderful book which has been sent down by the Lord of the worlds (Rabbul Alamin). We find dignity, honour and pleasure in membership to this family and obedience to its leader and book. We may be from different countries, colours, habits and cultures. But these differences are much less and unimportant than our common values and bonds which bind us each other. We have to act without forgetting this fact even for a short while.

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

We have to fight against those who try to inject us with hopelessness, animosity and derogation whoever they are even at the expense of our lives. We should efface the evil intentions of those who try to efface our spiritual binding bonds with our unity and solidarity. Dear brothers and sisters, We have righteous cause and a real message that we need to convey to humanity. We will convey this message through our code of conduct not through our tongues. We will get across this message through our scholars with sense of responsibility, compassionate administrators, wise orators and hardworking businessmen. We will convey this message by reflecting the beauties of the Islamic morality into our personal, social and political life. We will deliver this message to humanity through living up our beliefs. We will show to the positivist mentality of today which says I do not believe what I do not see! that how Islam is a key to the bliss through developing in every aspect. We cannot deliver this message by opposing or ignoring the principles of the Quran which commands us to think deeply, solidarity, unity, fraternity and seeking the truth. We cannot take a dignified position for humanity either. Only a youth who recognizes the truth as truth and obeys it and who recognizes the evil as evil and avoids it could accomplish this. Only a youth who ranges himself with the oppressed not oppressor could achieve this. An impassive, carefree, lazy, intolerant and unloving youth could not deliver the message of the Islam to the humanity! Thus, we have gathered here today to complete our shortcomings. Valuable brothers and sisters, UNIW is a huge unity project which was established six years ago and today it has 200 members from 50 countries. I appreciate you for participating to this unity movement. We have challenging but exciting years ahead of us. We have to work more for the Islamic world and our brothers and sisters and devote ourselves to saving the future generations. We need to take steps considering the next decades, not a few years and we need to move forward with foresight and responsibility considering the whole Islamic world not just ourselves and our country. We are obliged to act based on prophetic principles cheering up the sorrow hearts and helping our oppressed and mistreated brothers and sisters and we have to be cautioned along with the Quranic principles. Let us not forget mention Baghdad, al Quds, Kashmir, Gaza and East Turkestan in our prayers. Let us not leave our dream in which we would like to pray with reverence in Masjeed al Aqsa.

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

Let us acclaim our cause with moderation and insight and feel the dignity and honour of the Islamic civilization in our hearts which embraces not only the Muslims but also all humanity. If we lose our claim and argument we will lose both our cause and honour. Respected brothers and sisters, Coming to the end of my speech, I pray that the 7th Youth Gathering would bring the goodness to the Islamic world. From Khartoum I am saluting to Istanbul, the pearl of the Islamic world, to the Caucasus, the homeland of the valour sons of the Islam, to Palestine, the frontline of the Islamic world, to the oppressed and victimized Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen... I am saluting to Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosova, Macedonia, Albania, Central Asia, Turkestan, Indonesia and Malaysia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunis and Egypt...I am saluting to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Patani and Sri Lanka... I am saluting to Somalia, the door of the African Islamic civilization, to Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Cameroon, the Comoros, Tanzania and the other African countries that our brothers and sisters live in...I am saluting to Mecca, the mother of the cities, to Medina, the abode of the Prophet (pbuh), to Uhud, Badr and Thawr... I am saluting our brothers and sisters who live in Moscow, Beijing, New York, Berlin, Paris and London. I am presenting my thanks to you, respected participants, Sudanese brothers and sisters and government authorities who made us happy with their warm hospitality. Thank you very much. Fi amanillah. The famous musical group of Sudan sang their religious songs in the opening of the program.

UNIW Report - Seventh International Youth Gathering 23-29 January 2012 / Sudan

INTERNATIONAL FORUM: The Unity of Muslims: Role of Youth Introduction Today, the idea and term of Islamic Unity (Ittihad-ul Islam) is basically understood as a must ordered by Allah Almighty to be believed and carried out by fellow Muslims. Based upon 103rd verse of Sura Al-i Imran of the Holy Quran ordering: And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. Throughout centuries Muslims have established communities, institutions, organizations or states wherever they were no matter majority or minority they are. Upon the holy order, Muslims have always been strictly bound to this idea. Since the era of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Muslims tried to hold a unity system which later on became main tenet of Islamic Caliphate namely Four Rashid Caliphates, Umayyad, Abbasid, Ayyubid, Mamluks, Ghaznavid, Seljuk, Morabitoun, Andalus, Ottoman State and so forth. Collapse of Ottoman Empire and post-war era resulted in semi-destruction for whole Muslim countries that were occupied, colonialized or divided. During Cold War process, Muslim countries were forced to be a part of Western World or Soviet World. While artificial divisions at political, social and international relations level were widespread in Muslim countries, most majority of Muslims had abstained from being a tool of both parties and remained steadfast with their unique character, worldview and ideas. Gradual independence from colonialist powers and end of cold-war have put a general picture in many Islamic countries that were under tyrannical, dictator and suppressive regimes based on secularism, dogmatism, nationalism or similar ideologies ignoring religious and cultural identities of their nations. Illegitimate regimes imposed on Muslims in this or that country carried out massive and systematic education systems which were inspired from orientalist and western-minded tradition. However this artificial tradition

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was fully opposed to a rooted tradition of these societies which embraced an authentic Islamic character. Poverty, unemployment, financial, administrative, economic corruption, illiteracy, starvation, sectarianism, epidemic diseases and similar problems were really widespread in Islamic Countries under incompetent regimes. Deep dissatisfaction among Muslim citizens throughout Islamic World has led to popular revolutions starting from Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria called the Arab Spring. Symptoms of mass revolutions were clear to all except the rulers, and demands were legitimate and rightful for all except illegitimate regimes. The revolutionists were simply citizens who were demanding rights, freedom and dignity. In this framework main theme of revolution was re-structure of a system more open, freer and more participatory. When the characters of societies are taken into consideration it is clearly seen that they are Muslim and their demands are surrounded with Islamic Principles. Therefore, successful result of revolutions will be a reflection of demands of Muslim public who thinks, dreams and lives in accordance with Islam. It would not be exaggeration if it were stated that the Arab Spring would set up a new system which will revive the unity of Muslims. This unity was already there though mostly at the hearts and blocked by suppressive regimes to be implemented at the state level. So, the near future will show full solidarity, coordination, cooperation and strong relations among the states most of which will be united at many levels. No doubt that the Muslim Youth will play critical and pivotal role in providing unity of Islamic World. In this regard, the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) organizes an international forum on the unity of Islamic World to discuss the role of youth. PRESENTATIONS Within the forum participants from Pakistan, Albania, Turkey, Sudan, Russia, Somalia Somalian delegate put forward his work and skills Dr.Suleman (Commissioner General of Sudan Humanitarian Aid) an important lecturer and political personality was called for a briefing about the network of NGOs in Sudan. The activities of Al-Khidmat Foundation (Pakistan)

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Seventh International Youth Gathering Ended

6 Rabiul-Awwal 1433 / 29 January 2012

The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) has arranged its seventh International Youth Gathering in Sudan between 23rd and 29th of January 2012. Throughout the program there were representatives of the foundations which are members of UNIW from various countries. These representatives presented their papers on the topic of The Role of the Youth in the Unity of Islamic World where at the end of the forum final declaration was presented. While the importance of volunteering in NGOs and the role of the Islamic youth was emphasized in the closing sitting which took place in Martyr Zubair M. Salim Conference Room, which belongs to the Islamic Call Organization one of founding member of the UNIW, the youth coming from the countries in which the Arab Spring took place were congratulated. Moreover, the young speakers commemorated Turkey and the people of Turkey for the big effort they put into against the blockade of Israel imposed on Gaza sending the ships of freedom, especially Mavi Marmara. Meanwhile Dr. Shawgar Bashar the head of preparation committee mentioned in his speech that Mavi Marmara initiative has to be seen as a triggering reason for eradicating the fear, taking back the boycott of Israel and especially for the beginning of the Arab Spring. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the Islamic world is facing with a very complicated, intensive threats and challenges whereas there is increasing Islamophobia in Russia, China, Thailand and Europe where there is Muslim minority population. Occupations of Chechnya, East Turkistan, Kashmir, Iraq and Afghanistan were mentioned during the gathering. Participants also emphasised on the fact that the cultural, social and political effect of Islam has declined to very low levels in the Balkan states. On the other hand, the people of Syria,

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who are being exposed to severe oppression and massacres, were supported and participants prayed for their success against the brutal regime. While the sufferings and difficulties in the problematic regions of Sudan such as Darfur, Blue Nile and South Keferan were mentioned, it was also indicated that the government of Sudan should offer its entire means to the NGOs in order to solve the problems within unity and solidarity. There were a lot of ministers and executives of the government, representatives of NGOs, various diplomatic missions, media members, academicians and students joining the program which was hosted by the Foundation of Islamic Call, the National Agency of Progress and Improvement in Sudan and the National Unity of the Youth in Sudan which are in the safeguarding of the Vice President Dr. al Haj Adam Yusuf.

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Final Declaration of the Seventh IYG

3 Rabiul-Awwal 1433 / 26 January 2012

The participants of the Seventh International Youth Gathering which was held by the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) on January 23-29, 2012 shared the important points of the final declaration with the public after three days forum. The Declaration: The participants of the Seventh International Youth Gathering shared the following points with the public after thanking the Vice President of Sudan for hosting them, the government of Sudan for facilitating and providing official support during this gathering, all the hosting institutions, preparation committee and the people of Sudan. 1. We emphasize the importance of the continuation of International Youth Gatherings, 2. We request to open a special webpage in which the young members of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World can continue cooperation, coordination and solidarity and actively take part in the social network, 3. There should be various broadcasts on television which concern the youth in the Islamic world, 4. We call the people to solve the problems in the Islamic World via solidarity, corporation and unity, 5. All means of media should be used in order to block and censure the racist, discriminative and Islamophobic movements in a proper way, 6. There should be strategies in order to govern the volunteer efforts in the natural disasters, health and education problems in the Islamic world (such as in the example of Somalia), 7. The Muslim world should provide the basis of career development centres, job counselling business opportunities, 8. The Muslim world should be encouraged to provide powerful unity forums in terms of culture, literature and idea, 9. There should be support for the NGOs in terms of providing resources and encouragement so that they can carry out their work and studies which are expected from them, 10. The relationship between the Muslim countries and other countries where Muslims are the minority should be reinforced, 11. The entire oppression, invasion and cultural, social, religious and political assimilation against the Islamic world cannot be accepted. All kinds of invasions in Chechnya, East Turkistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Patani and in Iraq have to be entirely ceased as soon as possible, 12. We are supporting the rightful revolution of the Syrian people and call for an immediate end to the massacres perpetrated by illegitimate regime, 13. We want to see all Muslim countries especially Sudan, not to be divided and united in terms of all aspects with unity and solidarity.

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DINNERS AND LUNCHES Dinner of the Ministry of Social Welfare. Dinner of H.E. Vice President of Sudan Republic H.E Dr. al Haj Adem Yousif, Vice President of Sudan Republic hailed the efforts of youth in the dinner pointing out that the Sudanese youth work for great strategic projects. He stressed that Muslim Youth plays an important role for the unity of the Islamic World. In his welcoming speech, Dr. Yousif affirmed that the Arab Spring which led to the rise of Islamists in various countries also found its way to Sudan for a long time. He invited Muslim youth to work hard for providing the global Islamic unity. Lunch of National Union of Sudanese Youth Lunch of Maarij Foundation Dinner of Islamic Call Organization Lunch at Presidential Yacht Lunch VISITS Ana Sudan Organization Maarij Organization Amanat al Shabab The African House for Printing the Glorious Quran International African University Marawi Dam and Lunch Fair of Muslim Orders (Tareeqah) SPONSORS

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