OIC Chief Stresses Importance Of Sports In Protecting Youth Against Extremism

Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen stressed the importance of sports in protecting youth against extremism as he addressed the 10th session of the General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Riyadh on Monday

RIYADH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2017 ) :Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen stressed the importance of sports in protecting youth against extremism as he addressed the 10th session of the General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Riyadh on Monday.

Al-Othaimeen observed that the outstanding success recorded during the 4th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games is the best testimony to the important and critical role of the ISSF in strengthening the bonds of unity, harmony, and friendship among Islamic countries.

Also, he expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Azerbaijan for the excellent hosting of the session. The secretary general added that the OIC attached serious importance to sports, youth welfare as well physical and mental health, in view of the fact that the Muslim world today faces grave challenges threatening its entity and identity, including the increasing spate of organized terrorism, violent extremism.

He stated that sports were one of the major factors for building strong and healthy societies that will contribute to strengthening understanding among the world's youth communities, and spread the message that islam and Muslims contribute to human commonalities and reject extremism and violence.

Al-Othaimeen disclosed that in this regard, an OIC strategy to develop sports was adopted during the 3rd session of the Islamic Conference on Youth and Sports which was held in Istanbul in October 2016.

He also noted that the ISSF did take essential initiatives and made noteworthy efforts in the context of implementing these strategies in coordination with all relevant parties to promote sports in the member states.

In this regard, the OIC chief welcomed the nomination of Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to head the ISSF. The secretary general expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for the care and attention they accord to sports activities and their continuous commitment to youth issues.