Syed Hamid Heads Malaysian Group At US-Islamic World Forum

By Lena Liew

DOHA, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar heads a group of prominent Malaysians who will address the annual United States-Islamic World Forum that began in Doha today until Feb 20.

Syed Hamid is set to address the opening session alongside US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes, Organisation of Islamic Conference Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanaglu and Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al-Khlaifa.

The other Malaysian speakers are former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Musa Hitam, the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah and Bernama chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini.

The third instalment of the forum, organised annually by Brookings Institute's Saban Centre for Middle East Policy and hosted by the Qatari government, is themed "Leaders Effect Change".

The Forum seeks to promote more positive relations between American and Muslim world leaders, said Dr Peter Singer, the director of Brookings Project on US Policy towards the Islamic World.

"The dangerous tension that has grown between the United States and the Muslim states and communities is not only tragic but a critical impediment to cooperation on a breath of vital issues of joint concern, ranging from terrorism and radicalism to human development and freedom," he told local and international media at a briefing here today.

More than 170 people from 38 countries ranging from government ministers and chief executive officers to journalists, scientists, religious leaders and actors are taking part in the forum.

Among the other notable speakers this year are former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, American novelist Amy Tan and Grammy-nominated hip-hop artiste Ali Shaheed Muhammd.

"We are not here to impose or formulate declarations, but to hold frank discussions," Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow-up Affairs Mohamad Abdulla al-Rumaihi told the media.

-- BERNAMA