Morsi hosts Islamic summit, Egypt assumes OIC presidency

Mohammed Mursi

flickr- Ugur Ertas

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is set to host the 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

Since 1969 the OIC is the second-largest inter-governmental organization, after the United Nations, with 57 member states. The summit sees the participation of all member states, including the attendance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who takes part in the summit for two days as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

The issues discussed during the 5-day summit relate to the challenges faced by the Muslim world. Specifically, leaders hope to work out an international law strategy that will help combat religious intolerance against Muslims. 

According to the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the leaders of Islamic nations need to have a new approach for dealing with the threats of Islamophobia. 

Leaders will also address the Syrian crisis and the Palestinian cause, as well as the situations in Afghanistan and Somalia. 

During the summit Egypt assumes presidency of the OIC for the next three years.