REJUVENATING KNOWLEDGE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD: A SHARED VISION

The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most advanced and civilized in the world. The teachings of the Quran and Sunnah inspired many Muslims to their accomplishments in many spheres. During the rise of Muslims’ civilization, they contributed vastly to arts, science and cultural growth of mankind. However, the decline of the Muslim world came about as a result of complacency in the understanding and implementation of Islam.

This session will discuss the means and challenges of rejuvenating knowledge in the Islamic world, whilst using Al-Quran and Sunnah as the basis of this progress. How can Muslims regain leadership in knowledge and promote the interchange of knowledge for the benefit of the Ummah?

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REALIZING BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

It is widely accepted that the path to economic prosperity can be promoted through enhanced economic cooperation and regional groupings to mitigate the influences of globalization. Despite its potential and resources, the OIC Member Countries’ share of world trade only stands at just over 6%, while intra-trade between the OIC countries is equally small. Yet, Islamic nations possess vat resources including oil, gas and minerals.

This session will discuss areas of economic cooperation, which provide maximum opportunities to develop shared interests and reap mutual benefits. How can we leverage the economic potential of Muslims worldwide? How can we strengthen business cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim businessmen? Where are the synergies? Where are the growth areas?

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SPECIAL MINISTERIAL SESSION - ISLAMIC FREE TRADE AREA, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR MUSLIM BUSINESSMEN, OIL & ENERGY SECURITY, AND POSSIBLE AREAS FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS

- Islamic Free Trade Area, Opportunities and   Challenges for Muslim Businessmen - Oil and Energy Security, and - Possible areas for collaboration between   governments

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KEY INGREDIENTS TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS

Research shows that, when a country increases its per-capita income from USD500 to USD1,000, it increases on average, life expectancy by nearly four years. Hence, economic success is important and it is governments that help decide how successful their people can be.
Many economists state that political stability, good governance and access to capital are among the critical ingredients to a successful economic development. This session will also explore if reforms are needed and how the private sector could get involve. The session will also look into the direction the global economy is heading and what are the challenges in store for us.

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UMMAH INITIATIVES IN A GLOBALIZED ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Muslim population is concentrated in three major continents of Arab, Asia and Africa with pockets of Muslim communities in other parts of the world. Over half of the Muslim population in the world lives in four Asian countries of Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Every community has its own agenda for the development of its ummah – economically, politically and socially. This session will explore the need to have constructive dialogues and specific programmes as well as action plans that could help lead to desired changes and improvement. The session will also explore ummah’s initiatives that could help them take an active part in the globalization process and positively contribute to the emergence of a new world order based on greater solidarity and justice.

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OPTIMIZING INTELLECTUAL AND HUMAN CAPITAL: COMPETING SUCCESSFULLY IN THE GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

Many observers describe today’s global economy as one in transition to a ‘knowledge economy’, or an ‘information society’. But the rules and practices that determined success in the industrial economy of the 20th century need rewriting as knowledge or intellectual capital are more critical than other economic resources.

The value of high-tech companies is not in physical assets as measured by accountants, but in their intangibles such as knowledge and patents. The session will explore how globalization, knowledge intensity, networking and connectivity act as the driving forces that are changing the rules of business and national competitiveness. What policies must be put in place to influence this positive development as well as issues and challenges that could be faced by Muslim communities worldwide? What are the specific skills and training that Muslim should focus on?

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PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR SYNERGY" LEVERAGING SCIENCE AND ICT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Science and technology including ICT have been recognized as being important factors in economic development, pervading nearly all aspects of human activity of any country irrespective of its economic system. This session will discuss the benefits as well as challenges, dilemmas and realities faced by countries in pursuing national science and technology policies. The session will also debate on how governments, private sector NGOs and multilateral organizations can collaborate to identify new forms and directions of scientific and technological cooperation as well as promote the use of ICT in poor Muslim economies. The session will also look into how science, technology & ICT can help facilitate acceleration of commerce and trade ties among Muslim communities worldwide?

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ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE: TRIUMPH OVER THE ODDS, SYNERGY IN ACTION, PROGRESS FOR ALL

The purpose of this World Islamic Conference is to analyze the convergence of Islam and the Islamic renaissance through the triumph over the odds, synergy in action and progress for all.

Interest in Islamic Renaissance has grown considerably during last decade. The challenge now is therefore to hold true to the teachings of Islam. It has been more than 14 centuries after the Prophet Muhammad brought the message of Islam to the many. Over this period, the many interpretations to teachings of Islam have brought about a deep division of Muslims globally. In order for a renaissance to be meaningful, Muslims must preserve their religion and culture, particularly in moral values.

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THE EMERGING POTENTIAL OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN THE 21ST CENTURY

In the era of globalization, where human intellectual capital is a key to economic development, many countries have overlooked the potential of women in their communities. There have been many impediments that stand in the way of progress and contribution by women in some societies.
This session will discuss the challenges faced by women in general, but Muslim women in particular, including issues such as education and training, change of mindset and the role of international organizations that could provide some solutions to the current situation.

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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGAINST POVERTY: BREAKING ITS VICIOUS CYCLE

There are approximately 6.1 billion people in the world, where 2.8 billion have to live on less than two dollars per day. It is thus important for governments and civil society to address this issue effectively. This session will explore how governments, NGOs, private entities and civil society can work together to help eradicate poverty within their community.

Among others, the session will also discuss how market economy can be use to bring prosperity to the poor masses, the need to develop a framework of law and rules and the suitability of the “bottom-up” approach in organizing the poor to help themselves. The session will also explore Malaysia’s Permodalan Nasional Berhad model as a vehicle to improve the economic wealth as well as to encourage the development of entrepreneurship and investment skills of Bumiputera community.

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