ISTANBUL, June 15: Members of the world's largest Islamic organization were unable to reach a consensus on the group's next leader and agreed on Tuesday to hold elections for the first time to choose the head of the 57-nation bloc.
The current secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Abdelouahed Belkeziz of Morocco, finishes his term at the end of the year. "It is the first time in the history of the Islamic Conference that elections are being held," Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said.
"This shows that reform, democratization is starting within the organization." Traditionally, the next OIC leader should come from Asia. Turkey, Malaysia and Bangladesh are each pushing for their own candidates.
The election, which could be held as early as Tuesday, comes at a time when the organization and its members are under increasing pressure to reform. Turkey's candidate is Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the head of the Islamic Conference's cultural arm, the Istanbul-based Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture.
Secular, democratic Turkey is frequently showcased as a model for democracy in the Islamic world and a Turkish secretary-general could strengthen the organization's relations with Europe.
But some Muslim nations are suspicious of Turkey's close relations with the United States and Israel and oppose a Turkish candidate. Bangladesh's candidate for the post is lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, adviser to the prime minister on parliamentary affairs.
Malaysia has put forward senior diplomat Hasmy Agam, the country's representative at the United Nations since 1998. Malaysia has in the past held the position of secretary-general and some countries might be reluctant to support a second Malaysian for the post.
The new candidate will take up the position on Jan. 1, 2005, after Belkeziz's four-year term expires. The OIC is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was founded in 1969. -AP
