Its truly said the world of today is the world of Business!Amazingly we(Ummah) also awakened by the fact that economic growth is the vital way to improve our country's growth and long term prosperity.

World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) is the successor of OIC Business Forum. The 2nd Session of WIEF is being organized jointly by the Government of Pakistan and the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) by November 5-7, 2006.
It is being held in the picturesque capital city of Islamabad surrounded by lush green foothills of Himalayas, in the state of the art Jinnah Convention Center.The Forum brings together heads of governments, top business leaders, political elite,entrepreneurs, journalists, intelligentsia, opinion makers, and representatives of civil society.
WIEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the Muslim communities by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape the future world,ensure social and economic gains for people and integrate Muslim communities into the global economy. It was founded in 2003 as OIC Business Forum, and was re-named as WIEF in 2004. It has its Secretariat in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia.
The theme of WIEF Islamabad being held from 5th to 7th November 2006 is ‘Unleashing the potential of emerging markets’.
The key note speakers include the following statesmen:
• General Pervez Musharraf, President Islamic Republic Of Pakistan
• Dato’Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia
• Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan
• H.E. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Former President, Sri lanka.
Other eminent speakers likely to attend are:
• Mr.Bob Hawke,Ex-Prime Minister of Australia
• H.E. I. Ali Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia.
The following key business leaders are also expected to participate as speakers/panelists:
• Mr. Farooq Kathawari, Chairman Ethan Allen Interiors, USA
• Mr. Mohammad Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Group UAE
• Mr. Abdul Razak Daud, Chairman Descon, Pakistan
IM currently serving Descon,So its so exciting event for me too!
• Naguib Swahiris, ORASCOM, Egypt
• Lord Michael Hastings, Global Head - Corporate Social Responsibility,
KPMG International
• Sir Anwar Pervez, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Best
Way Group, UK
• Mr. Syed Babar Ali, Packages Ltd, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
• Mr. Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Chairman, Aktel, Bangladesh
• Mr. Selcuk Erden, Regional Manager, Southeren Eurasia Region, The Coca
Cola Company
• Tan Sri Hassan Merican, President and Chief Executive Officer, Petronas
Malaysia
The Forum will include discussions on critical issues such as:
• Challenges for Muslim leadership in a globalized world
• Successful Entrepreneurs in a Global Marketplace
• Opportunities in Infrastructure Development, Public Private Partnerships,
Information, Telecommunications and Outsourcing
• Managing Energy Demands
• Leveraging the Global Supply Chain for competitive advantage and value creation
• Tourism
• Diversifying investment portfolios for profit and security
This forum provides the premier platform for exploring opportunities in Muslim
economies, including an excellent opportunity for informal business interaction,
networking and regional consultations. The Forum offers the opportunity of identifying and developing new partnerships in energy, agriculture, industry, trade and services and will contribute to the evolution of the global, economic and social agenda.The Forum will help evolve strategies for creating a better understanding of business opportunities in emerging markets, integration with the global economy, participation in the global supply chain and harnessing modern technologies to our mutual advantage. On the sidelines of the Forum, special sessions have been organized to focus on young entrepreneurs and women business leaders. The Forum’s aim is to continue to think and act cooperatively in order to promote harmony in the world leading to improved business environment and better understanding among different civilizations and religions.

Discussion Agenda

CHALLENGES FOR MUSLIM LEADERSHIP IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD
Muslim leadership in the 21st century face colossal challenges ranging from poverty, infrastructure development, social uplift of its people, women empowerment and above all managing the clash of civilizations. Rising above the differences created within the Islamic world, the Muslim leadership must focus on the core issues faced by people in their countries. Despite the challenges faced, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright. Muslim countries such as Malaysia have made tremendous economic progress and achieved prosperity for their people. The Forum will seek to draw key lessons from the progress made by Muslim countries such as Malaysia, U.A.E, etc., and how these can be applied to the leadership and policy making of other Muslim
countries.

The session provides an excellent opportunity for participants to indulge in an active debate and draw a strategy to lead the Muslim world in this new century. Problems have been identified and solutions may be discussed in this session towards a universal strategy for the uplift of Muslim world. The session should look into the root causes of global terrorism, and discuss openly as to why the blame of terrorism has been forced onto the Muslims. The recent strikes on Lebanon by Israel will also be a topic of interest for this session, and a roadmap for the complete solution to the Middle East crisis must also be sought. Role of the industrialized world in the issues surrounding the Muslim world, especially the territorial conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Palestine, Lebanon, etc. must be highlighted and a unified and joint solution proposed. There should also be a consensus amongst all participating countries (both Muslim and Non Muslim) that there will be worldwide tolerance for beliefs and religions of all. Muslim leadership should
lead the debate and find common ground for peaceful coexistence with all other religions and nations. The Forum should look into causes of global terrorism and how these problems could be solved for once including major issues of illiteracy, poverty, discrimination, oppression and extremism.

In a nutshell this Forum provide top Muslim leaders an opportunity to find out common problems of Ummah.The agenda contains solid points like

1)RESURGENCE OF CONSERVATIVE VIEWS
2)POST 9/11 PERCEPTION OF THE MUSLIMS
3)LACK OF WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
4)DIALOGUE WITH THE WEST
5)SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ISLAMIC WORLD
which also are discussable on our CSS forum too..

Best Regards,