Tashkent, NU Online
Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have established the Contact Group on Peace and Conflict Resolution (CG-PCR), an initiative proposed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The proposal was made on the sidelines of the 60th Asia-Africa Commemorative Summit in 2015.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said on Wednesday that the CG-PCR was expected to be used by OIC members to draw up a joint strategy in dealing with problems such as radicalism, extremism and terrorism.

“The CG-PCR should be used as a forum to share experiences, strategies and knowledge to find solutions for the challenges facing Muslims,” Retno was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying during the 43rd OIC Ministerial Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which focused on education as its main theme.

Retno has also called on all OIC members to increase their commitment to education, in an effort to bring back the days when Islam greatly contributed to the sector.

“It is through education that we can achieve a more peaceful world and become a more prosperous community,” she said.

Retno raised the importance of Islam in the history of civilization and its grand contributions to education and the sciences, but lamented its lack of influence in modern times.

“We have to revive the great role Islam played in education and its contributions to discoveries and innovation, as well as world peace and prosperity,” she said.

Education has been a priority issue since the founding of the OIC, and it remains a key component of the 2025 OIC Action Plan alongside science, technology, innovation and the empowerment and progression of women’s roles.

In regards to this, Retno urged OIC members to increase funding to the education sector, particularly for educational projects, saying that Muslim countries should ensure that equitable access to education continued to be promoted as a necessary national policy recommendation and that adequate funding was allocated at the national level.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister also underlined the importance of empowering women and in mainstreaming their roles in education. She said it was necessary to safeguard the basic right of women to education access and that OIC members had to realize their commitment through concrete and feasible policies.

“It is regrettable that even in the 21st century, there are still many women who haven’t gained access to education. For this cause, Indonesia is ready and willing to [continue promoting this cause until all] women have the same rights to education,” the minister asserted.

“Women as the main educator of children have the ability to promote and strengthen tolerance and peace as values to be shared among the Muslim community,” she added.

The Indonesian government allocates 20 percent of state funds to education, as mandated by the constitution.

Retno also reiterated the state’s commitment to involve more women in governance, as is evident in the current cabinet of President Jokowi, in which 30 percent of Cabinet posts are held by women. (Masdar)