Dakar, 2008 Mar 13, IRIB 

The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's second largest body after the United Nations, is holding its 11th Summit in the Senegalese capital Dakar today and tomorrow.

At least 33 heads of state, and nearly 5,500 delegates representing member countries and international organizations have attended the summit.

Saudi Arabia, which has the OIC's headquarters, has highlighted the summit's significance and hopes it will strengthen Muslim unity.

"The summit is being held at a time when Muslims in the world are suffering from challenges and hardship that demand collective efforts," IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said upon departure to Dakar, Senegal.

The conference has discussed ways and means to combat poverty in the Muslim world and a proposal for a special program for the development of Africa.

The Palestinian issue, the worsening security situation in Iraq and the political crisis in Lebanon also figured high on the agenda.

OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the Summit of leaders would also review the progress of the 10-Year Program of Action approved by the extraordinary Islamic summit in holy Makkah in December 2005.

The program includes restructure of the OIC, revising of the organization's charter and reactivation of its institutions.

A high-level panel has already revised the organization's charter which have been presented to the Summit of leaders for approval.

Under the program, serious efforts will be made to enhance the scope of political participation, ensure equality, civil liberties and social justice, and promote transparency and accountability, and eliminate corruption in member countries.

The OIC, which was founded in 1969, aims to promote Islamic unity and serves as a voice for the Muslim world.