The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, on Monday attended a virtual ceremony declaring Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka the “OIC Youth Capital 2020.”
Al-Othaimeen praised the efforts of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s efforts and continued support to the OIC, its institutions, and the activities that the organization carries out for the sake of the Muslim Ummah and especially for the youth.
He urged the youth in the Muslim world to drive change through greater involvement and interest in the fields of science, technology, and innovation and reject intolerance, terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
The secretary-general said that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic would have a long-lasting social, cultural, economic, political and multidimensional impact on all societies.
He said the youth are affected the most by the pandemic as it hindered many of them from continuing their regular studies and employment. He said the situation calls for taking immediate measures to support the youth.
The OIC chief also called for comprehensive solutions to the challenges facing the youth, combining elements from all pillars of the OIC Youth Strategy with the objective of responding to the COVID-19 crisis and defining a better tomorrow for the youth.
He reiterated the readiness of the OIC General Secretariat to cooperate with member states as well as with OIC institutions in all matters that would contribute to the promotion of youth-related issues.
