INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT REPORT ON IICO ACTIVITIES FOR 1425-1426

All praise be to Allah, by Whose Grace all virtuous deeds are accomplished, and peace and blessings upon His Prophet, who was sent as a mercy to all the worlds.

Currently work in the charitable sector continues to face major challenges at all levels, with an adverse overall impact on the targeted goals of development. Perhaps the most critical challenges and obstacles are those encountered in exchange and transfer of funds and currencies via financial institutions due to the rigid attitude of exchange banks in Paris and New York which control the exchange of the U.S. dollar and the Euro, as well as hastily-passed regulations and restrictive measures governing the collections in various countries.

Regarding the IICO’s work, the most noteworthy features which distinguish the period covered by this report are as follows:
– Despite the obstacles and challenges, the IICO’s resources continue to grow at a remarkable rate. (And may the goodness and bounty of the Ummah established by God’s Chosen and Beloved prophet (SAS) never cease until the final day of judgement.)
– Hindrances to money transfers had a negative impact on the implementation of projects in various countries.
– The IICO’s investments registered positive growth as a result of moderate and prudent investment policies that were put in place during the time period of this report.
– Continuation of sound organizational and administrative development within the IICO, which led to improved levels of efficiency and performance.
– The 2004 Plan of Action for the IICO, approved and authorized by the Board of directors and General Assembly during their last meeting (2004 A.D. / 1425 A.H.), set goals for fund-raising and activities which were supposed to be completed during the five-year period of 1425-1430 A.H. Goals were set out in the following areas:
– Resource development.
– Empowerment activities.
– Local programs.
– Emergency aid programs.
– Assistance to minorities.
– Coordination of charitable works programs.
– Development of IICO’s domestic branch offices in Kuwait and foreign offices.
– Improved management of investments and finances.
– Administrative development and training.
– Continuing of efforts to spread an Islamic culture of moderation and tolerance.
– Activation of women and youth`s role.

Fund Raising
Ever since the 2004 plan was authorized the IICO has taken steps to move rapidly – with God’s Grace and Aid – towards achieving its goals. The plan set the goal of achieving resources up to 13 million Kuwaiti dinars ( 44 million U.S. dollars) for 1425 AH . The plan specified the realization of 15.6 million KD (US $53 million) in 1426 AH. The actual amount achieved was 12.5 million KD in 1425 AH and 15.1 million KD in 1426 AH.

Investment
The investment sector witnessed a strong upswing during the period covered by this report – especially in 1426 AH, when the IICO was able to sell some investments at profit rates as high as 25 percent, 50 percent, 500 percent or even 900 percent. In 1425 AH the value of IICO investments reached 25,449,968 KD (US$ 86,709,032) with an increase of 20 percent over the previous year. In 1426 AH investments reached 30,790,040 KD (US$ 104,902,865) – an increase of 21 percent over 1425 AH.
It must be mentioned that certain IICO investments totaling approximately 6 million KD did not realize a net profit during the period of this report such as Real estate investments which will not realize a tangible net profit until their actual sale (Burj Al-Jawaar in Mekkah Al-Mukarramah, with investment of 3 million KD). And 4,5 million invested in real estate projects which are still under construction (Seven buildings in Kuwait and other unyielding investment ).

Overall profits earned through investments in 1425 AH reached 2,265,773 KD (US$ 7,195,577) including realized profits of 1,520,918 KD and unrealized book value profits of 744,855 KD. In 1426 AH profits reached 3,626,697 KD (US$ 12,356,297) including the realized profits of 1,612,569 KD and book-value profits of 2,014,128. Thus the profit rate on investments was 9% in 1425 AH and 12% in 1426 AH.

If we exclude the value of presently non-yielding investments (approximately 6 million KD), the amount of productive investments becomes nearly 19 million KD (US$ 65 million) for 1425 AH and nearly 24 million KD (US$ 82 million) for 1426 AH. In this case the profit rate on investments becomes 12 % for 1425 AH and 15 % for 1426 AH.

(The following tables contain details of investment and income .)

EMPOWERMENT
The 2004 plan earmarked for empowerment projects and aid programs an mount of 5 million KD ($17 million) in 1425 AH. Actual expenditures in the year was 8.3 million KD – 66 percent over the amount projected by the plan. For 1426 AH the plan specified 6 million KD ($20.5 million US$). Actual expenditure for that year was 9 million KD (approximately US$ 31 million ) – 51 percent over the amount projected in the plan.

IICO activities in the field of empowerment include projects and aid programs in all areas of education, culture, development and care for orphans, as well as seasonal projects and other activities.

The following Tables enclosed illustrate the activities of IICO and its specialized committees in all areas.

UNDER THE MOTTO ‘IBNE MADRASA TUHAYYI UMMAH’ (BUILD A SCHOOL TO RESURRECT A NATION)
Construction of Al-Ru’ya school has been completed in Sudan. It has been equipped with furniture and supplied with an academic curriculum. Also teaching and administrative staff has been appointed in preparation to start the school in July this year 2006, God willing.

The school principal has recently visited the IICO’s Kuwait headquarters, where he was able to get a first-hand look at Al-Ru’ya school in Kuwait, as well as several other schools in this country.

On the other hand, work on buildings and facilities for Qatar Educational Center in Niger is also nearing completion. Meanwhile, agreements have been reached with the Islamic Development Bank for cooperation in establishing and supervising several schools in different areas of the world. God willing, the first fruits of this cooperation will be realized in India.
RADIO STATIONS
In accordance with the directives of its Board of Director, the IICO resolved to establish a number of radio stations in various countries. A number of such stations have been launched and have achieved spectacular results. However, the establishment of some other stations has been facing snags, as the local side could not obtain broadcasting licenses or clearance to operate on an allotted broadcast frequency. For instance, a radio station was set up in Burkina Faso quite a long time ago, but still it has not been able to obtain an authorized broadcast frequency to utilize. Nevertheless, endeavors continue in this area, with the latest effort being towards the launching of a radio station in Uganda in cooperation with the Board of Ifta and Al-Jami’a Al-Islamia in Uganda.

BANK FOR THE POOR PROJECT
There are two ways to accomplish this project. Firstly: Setting up the administrative structure and earmarking a budget to execute the project. This is a very costly approach. It requires a budget and considerable spending of money before the project takes off. This is known as a ‘top to bottom’ approach. Secondly: Implementing the idea of a ‘bottom to top’ approach, without large expenditures in the initial stages of the project, followed by gradual step-by-step administrative and supervisory expansion until administrative and technical infrastructure is complete, whereupon their funding would come from the project’s own activities.

The IICO has chosen the later approach. Correspondence has been made with many groups that implement IICO projects in various countries. The IICO has explained its idea of establishing a bank for the poor to them, and has asked them to provide the IICO with their own ideas in this regard depending upon their local circumstances. Of special importance is what economic activities would be suitable for them and whether they are prepared to participate in this project.

The IICO has received many positive responses to the idea of a bank for the poor. Meanwhile, expansion has been completed of funding for micro-projects via the IICO’s foreign offices and some other reliable agencies. Contact has also been made with some other agencies, which previously set up banks for the poor, in order to benefit from their experiences.

IICO FOREIGN OFFICES
The period of this report has seen considerable improvement in the work method of the foreign offices in terms of organization as well as communication between the IICO and its foreign offices. Development projects supervised by the foreign offices have also seen major progress. The IICO has directed foreign offices to increase their focus on micro-projects that help empower needy people to aid themselves through their own efforts (by
His Grace). This is for the sake of arriving at a final shape of a bank for the poor, in accordance with the Board of Director directives on this matter. The large amount of care and attention given in this regard is reflected in the reports sent to the IICO by its foreign offices.

PROJECT FOR SPREADING THE CULTURE OF MODERATE UMMAH
The IICO did not adopt its project to spread a culture of tolerance and moderation in Islam as a mere response to the global reactions that immediately followed the events of September 11. Instead, the IICO looked deeply at both the ongoing events of the times and those that might lie ahead in the future, and resolved to undertake a number of initiatives and activities to promote correct Islamic ideals.
Following is an outline of these efforts:
– In Kuwait the IICO organized many conferences in cooperation with various other social and civic organizations. Concerned individuals and experts participated in these conferences and these efforts had a large positive impact as the participants were engaged in discussion in various brain storming sessions.
– After that further seminars were organized in Kuwait which were open to the public. They brought together Muslim religious scholars (ulema) and thinkers from the whole Islamic world. The aim of these conferences was to educate the public about the moderate culture and raise social awareness about religious moderation and tolerance. Among these conferences was an extended symposium held on 22-24 Sept. 2001. This discussion circle was held on the sideline of the choice of Kuwait as the official capital of Arab culture.

The IICO made extensive media coverage of this symposium. Papers of the symposium were published in a book entitled ‘The Culture of Moderate Ummah’. The book was widely distributed by the IICO, and subsequently translated into Urdu.
– The IICO has also moved on the international level in this regard. A number of conferences were organized in cooperation with the Islamic Educational, Scientific
– and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). One of them, in Italy, brought together all responsible individuals from Islamic organizations and centers in the western world to discuss this urgent issue, further spread the knowledge about the culture of Moderate Ummah and to train preachers in the principles of moderation in Europe and other regions.

– The IICO organized two conferences in Singapore on moderation and tolerance in Islam. Both workshops saw the gathering of officials from Islamic centers, organizations and civic unions on the pan-Asian level who emphasized the need to reject violence in all its forms and explained the method of the Prophet in pursuing da’wah work through wisdom, good advice and convincing arguments. The Director general of the IICO participated in al seminars.
– The IICO organized a media campaign under the patronage of His Highness Prince Sabah Al-Ahmad, the ruler of Kuwait when His Highness was Prime Minister. Under the umbrella of this campaign the IICO organized a conference on 21 May 2005 in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaaf and Islamic Affairs titled ‘Tolerance and Moderation are Ways for Life’.
– The IICO issued two publications entitled “Moderation” along with the deliberations of the conference. These two journals analyzed the issue of moderation and tolerance in Islam and contained reports and articles on the phenomena of extremism, fanaticism and religious intolerance, and called for promoting tolerance.
– The IICO is currently initiating another media campaign in cooperation with “CIRCLE” a company of media services to further foster social awareness on these issues under the slogan ‘Moderation is Light.’

The IICO continues to work with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) to promote these principles through further international conferences in foreign countries. This work is being done under the protocol of cooperation established between the two agencies.

PROJECT FOR A SATELLITE TV CHANNEL
This project began following the announcement of the Honorable Brother Abu Badr (Abdullah Ali Al-Mutawa’) – member of the IICO Board of Director and IICO treasurer that he would donate funds to establish a television channel dedicated to religious moderation and disseminating the merits and principles of Islam in a suitable and appropriate manner.

Subsequently, there were sustained efforts and discussions of experts in order to generate the studies necessary for such a project. An agreement was concluded with a media consulting agency to make a study on the feasibility of launching such a TV channel. The study includes the following stages:
1. Gathering of data about the current state of media in the Arab and Islamic world.
2. Analysis and summary of the gathered data, with special focus on marketing, financial and production analyses.
3. Preparation of the study’s initial draft and discussing of it with the IICO.
4. Preparation of the study’s final version.

Discussions of the initial draft are currently underway between the IICO and the media consultancy firm.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO DEFEND CHARITABLE WORK
The IICO and other Islamic organizations have attended a number of international conferences and meetings with the participation of non-Muslim organizations and western governments, to find solutions to remove the international impediments that confront Islamic charity work. These efforts require unceasing work commitment, persistent strong will and coordination between Islamic organizations in this regard.
A list of conferences, meetings and workshops in which the IICO has participated is enclosed with this report.

EMERGENCY RELIEF AID
The period of this report witnessed several major catastrophes which required rapid work in order to deal with them, as well as provision of needed aid that the IICO was in a position to offer.

Relief efforts in all such crises were coordinated through the Kuwaiti Joint Relief Committee, the Relief Committee of the World Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief in Cairo and the UNHigh Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The missions of the Kuwaiti joint Committee for Relief with the participation of IICO`s representatives continued to conduct relief operations for victims of the undersea earthquake and tidal wave that struck Asia in 1425 AH and 1426 AH. Emergency aid was also provided to victims of the following catastrophes:
– Drought and Food shortage and resulting famine in Niger .
- The civil war in west Sudan.
– The earthquake which recently occurred in Pakistan and the Kashmir region.
– Famines in Somalia and Niger.
Aid was also provided to the needy people in Iraq. In this regards efforts are being made to coordinate with the UNHCR, which is linked to the IICO through a protocol of cooperation in emergency relief efforts in disaster hit areas around the world.

In regard to the catastrophic situation in Sudan’s Darfur region, the IICO provided aid through the Kuwaiti Joint Committee for Relief, as well as the IICO’s foreign branch office in Sudan and a number of other individuals and organizations. Large-scale efforts were made by the IICO to provide emergency aid to both refugees and other groups affected by the Darfur crisis. These consisted of the following:
– March 2004 / Muharram 1425
The IICO and the Direct Aid Society organized a joint aid caravan that was officially seen off by the Minister for Social and Humanitarian Affairs, the chairman of the Darfur Emergency Aid Committee, the Honorable Ambassador of Kuwait in Khartoum and directors of both charity organizations.

– July 2004 / Jamadi Al-Ula 1425
Following a visit by a delegation from the Kuwaiti Joint Committee for Emergency Relief to the Al-Janeenah region in Darfur, the IICO’s Sudan office arranged an airborne relief shipments which included food, medicine, clothing, agricultural supplies, and other materials.

- August 2004 / Jamadi Al-Akhira
Work continued with three additional relief shipments to Al-Janeenah containing agricultural materials and planting seeds for the coming crop season to be given to refugees, as well as other relief supplies that had been stockpiled at the airports of Khartoum and Al-Abyad.

– September 2004 / Rajab 1425
The relief program was officially concluded in the presence of a delegation from the Kuwaiti Joint Committee for Emergency Relief, headed by the committee’s general secretary. Consultations for further relief efforts were concluded between the IICO’s Sudan office and the Direct Aid Society. As a result the delegation traveled to the city of Niala and organized an additional aid caravan. Among other things the caravan assisted in rehabilitating refugees in their own villages.

In regard to the tsunami disaster which struck numerous Asian regions as well as parts of Africa close to the Indian Ocean, the IICO worked through the Kuwaiti Joint Committee for Relief to organize an extensive relief campaign for disaster victims in a large number of the affected areas with the cooperation of UNHCR and a number of other regional and international organizations. It included sending emergency supplies and tents as well as delegations. Joint agreements were reached between the IICO and other groups to provide shelter projects and empowerment programs for victims of the catastrophe.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES
The IICO continues its domestic work with a number of programs in Kuwait, such as the (‘May God grant you coolness’) which provides poor people with refrigerators, water coolers and air conditioning equipment in order to cope with the intense summer heat in the country. A second program for the cold season, ‘Make it a Warm Winter,’ supplies poor people with sleeping covers and winter clothes, as well as other supplies for heating and warmth.

The IICO is also continuing contacts with schools, hospitals and social welfare agencies affiliated with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. In addition, the IICO participates in the humanistic program (Food Bank) for impoverished families in Kuwait in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Zakat House and the General Secretariat for Awqaaf. The IICO also participates in (The Needy Student) program along with the aforesaid organizations.

HEALTH CARE HOSPITAL
Construction of the building has been completed and installation of equipment and facilities is underway. Appointment of several individuals for management and supervisory positions is also completed. Selection of essential administrative and operational staff necessary for the initial stages of launching the hospital has been completed, and scientific and technical preparations are also underway through conferences and meetings of specialists and experts in the field of medical therapy. An
endowment fund has been established for the running expenses of the hospital and a specialized company has been established to serve as the hospital’s managing body.

The amount of the IICO’s expenditures on this hospital project, from its initial establishment until the end of 1426 AH, has reached 3.6 million KD (US$ 12.3 million). This does not include direct non-cash donations of material and equipment.

ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Due to the rapid and continuous increase in IICO investment in real estate, a monitoring system has been established for engineering, construction and property maintenance affairs under Al-Safwah International Development Company. It oversees IICO real estate projects as well as maintenance and upkeep of the properties. The new administrative arrangement has definitely contributed to improving work quality, reducing operational expenses and upgrading the level of services provided in this particular area of operations.

AL-SAFWAH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The IICO executes a number of its investment and real estate activities with Al-Safwah International Development Company, which is affiliated with and subordinate to the IICO. The report prepared by the IICO and its financial center includes details of Al-Safwah company’s financial activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Overall, the IICO’s administrative affairs continue to run on a smooth and well-regulated course, and to \allah is the Praise in this regard. The IICO’s monitoring system continues to ensure that work is done in conformity with all applicable legal codes and statutes. It also diligently monitors personnel affairs and a number of other administrative
issues. During the period covered by this report administrative and financial affairs of IICO and its specialized have been integrated .

In regards to the financial affairs specifically, operational procedures within the monitoring system have seen steady progress and improvement in all aspects. This system has played a major role in watching over ongoing financial affairs related to the health care hospital project and the Al-Ruwaad youth center, as well as affairs of the various specialized committees within the IICO.

Internal audit
The Internal audit department is working under the guidance and direction of the chairman according to IICO regulations and principles. It also participated in auditing the financial accounts of IICO foreign offices, accounts and financial reports of IICO specialized committees, and accounts and reports of the health care hospital project. The monitoring unit also prepared numerous accounting and audit reports concerning major ongoing projects such as Al-Ru’ya School in Kuwait.

MEDIA, PUBLISHING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
During the period covered by this report the IICO’s Media and Public Relations department successfully conducted a number of media and ad campaigns aimed at raising additional funds for the IICO, under the slogan ‘An-Naas Li’n-naas’ (People for People). This campaign received positive response from the public. The IICO media department also worked to ensure publicity and media coverage for all ongoing activities and programs of the IICO and its affiliated committees and organizations through publication of IICO’s Al-Alamiyyah magazine as well as public relations outreach work in radio, TV and print media.

The main convention center was witness to many public activities and events organized by the IICO and its affiliated organizations as well as numerous other civic and social organizations in Kuwait.

The IICO’s media and public relations department also worked to pursue IICO directives to promote and spread a moderate and tolerant Islamic culture.

As an overall result of the items mentioned above, the period covered by this report witnessed numerous media and public relations events and activities. Among the most prominent of them were the following:
– Preparation and execution of ad and media campaigns in 1425AH and 1426 AH in coordination with the IICO’s Fund-raising and Media department.
– Participation in the Cairo Television and Radio Festival with several highly-acclaimed TV ads which were nominated for the festival.
– Execution of an English-language media campaign for the very first time .
– Publicity campaigns to highlight various ongoing IICO projects and initiatives, such as publicizing and marketing the health care hospital project, local domestic projects in Kuwait, seasonal projects, publicity campaigns to promote water and energy conservation and environmental protection, and the ‘Together Against Drug Abuse’ initiative.
– Public relations-related events and receiving distinguished visiting guests.
– Conferences organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaaf and Islamic Affairs, such as the conference held under the title ‘Tolerance is a Way for Life.’
– Issuing the IICO’s yearly publications and reports.
– Publishing the Al-Alamiyyah magazine on a monthly basis.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND FOLLOW UP
During the period covered by this report the Department of Planning and Development engaged in the following:
– Suggestion of new directives and principles for planning and blueprinting future projects.
– Monitoring and follow up of the execution of plans already approved.
– Preparation of a monthly report on the department plan and activities .
– Providing all departments with relevant magazines and publications pertaining to administrative organization and development.
– Activation of programs planned by the IICO for training of its management and employees.
– Preparation of studies on developing, enhancing and upgrading a number of IICO activities.

Information Technology :
The IICO’s IT/Computer Section continued its endeavors to upgrade the functions and operations within the IICO through developing softwares and computing devices in numerous sectors of the organization. The IT section is currently implementing management directives concerning both domestic and foreign aid projects through distribution of computers and IT equipment to other charitable organizations and societies. Likewise the IT department is equipping the IICO’s foreign branch offices such as Jordan and Sudan with computer training labs.

WOMEN’S AFFAIRS SECTION
During the period covered by this report, the work of the IICO Women’s Affairs Section witnessed a significant increase in community outreach activities, such as visits to patients in various hospitals and people in need of assistance in various social care centers, and likewise visits to meet with distinguished women of the community. Charity markets and bazaars were held to highlight and promote IICO projects and conferences were organized on women’s affairs.
The most prominent activities conducted by the women’s affairs section during 1425-1426 included the following:
– Organizing and holding the third annual gathering to honor prominent women involved in charitable community work in March 2004.
– Fund-raising visits to numerous women donors to the IICO and implementation of a special outreach program to strengthen IICO ties with them.
– In coordination with the domestic activities section of the IICO’s fund-raising department, the Women’s Committee implemented the food program for needy families. The Committee closely assessed 500 cases of poor families. It may be noted that the program is implemented jointly by IICO, General Secretariat of Awqaaf and the Kuwaiti Zakat House. Under this program poor families are provided with food cards that entitle them to provisions for the period of one year. The cards are renewed on an annual basis.
– The Women’s Committee also visited hospitals throughout the year as well as the elderly and people with special needs.
– The committee and its affiliated groups also held conferences and public events to commemorate various noteworthy occasions, The Women’s Committee continues to stay in close contact with the IICO’s honorary women members in order to cooperate with them and bring them into direct participation in ongoing IICO activities.

SPECIALIZED COMMITTEES OF THE IICO
Work continued on a steady basis in the IICO’s various special committees, including the Committee for Muslims of Asia, the Charitable Committee for Palestine, the Help Your Muslim Brother Committee, and the Al-Shuruq Committee for Young People. Tables enclosed in this report illustrate the activities of these committee during the period covered by this report in full detail.

In 1426 AH Al-Shuruuq Committee for Young People dedicated itself mainly to an ambitious project to provide training, education and moral instruction to youth through a number of field projects and programs. In the summer of 1426 AH the committee launched a program to guide young people for employment in the private sector in various recognized establishments within Kuwait. This project received a large amount of recognition and attention in the media and the public at large. 180 young men and women participated in this program, in which each participant was awarded seasonal employment in a specific work position for 50 days during the summer.

Al-Shuruuq Committee also strives to propagate values related to work ethic and personal achievement among young people in ten defined general areas (The ten fields of Al-Shuruuq for Success’):
1. Sense of self-identity
2. The intellect
3. Financial skills
4. Social involvement
5. Family ties
6. Physical fitness and health
7. Faith and religious commitment
8. Volunteering and charitable deeds
9. Hobbies and personal interests and activities
10. Training, technical and professional skills

To achieve this goal the Committee prepared various training programs covering all the above mentioned fields.

AL-RUWAAD CENTER FOR YOUTH TRAINING
Al-Ruwaad Center continued its customary activities during the period covered by this report. During this time the following activities took place at the center:
– A youth trip to Lebanon (spring season).
– A youth trip to Iran (summer season).
– Organization of a trip to Bahrain during Eid Ul-Fitr vacation.
– Organization of a trip to Malaysia under the title ‘Nujuum Al-Mustaqbal’ (Stars of the Future).
– Nujuum Al-Mustaqbal camp for young men during Eid Ul-Fitr vacation.
– Organization of two youth training workshops – one providing training for working in stock exchanges and the other workshop of financial transactions and operations.
– Two large-scale public training sessions – one on administrative management skills and expertise and the other on (Sinaa’at Ath-thaqaafa (Making of Culture).
– Organization of courses for the center members in the following areas:
Punishment in Islam
Recitation of the Noble Quran (Tajwid)
Practical Fiqh
Oriental Studies and Orientalism
Introduction to Literature
Principles of Economics
Origins and Renewal of Fiqh
Faith and Belief
Social Revival and Advancement
Power and Influence

Center for CHARITABLE STUDIES
The activities of the Charitable Studies Center still yet to be launched due to the lack of necessary budget required for its reactivation.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The IICO recently established a special office dedicated to international relations in order to follow up the implementation of joint cooperation agreements between the IICO and numerous international organizations. Perhaps the most significant of these agreements is the protocol of joint cooperation between the IICO and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). Under this agreement the IICO and ISESCO have carried out social, developmental and cultural programs in many countries in the world during 2004-2006.

The IICO also works in close cooperation with many UN international bodies. The most notable cooperative agreement in this area is the one between the IICO and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugee Affairs.
In regards to both international and regional conferences and assemblies, officials of the IICO participated in a large number of such events during the period covered by this report. The most noteworthy ones are as follows:
– Consultative meetings of charitable organizations from the Arab world and the Gulf held in Qatar, Kuwait, Geneva and Bahrain (January, May, September 2004).
– Meetings of the World Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief in Cairo.
– The Third Arab Symposium on the affairs of the aged people held in Dauha.
– The IICO Director General and Assistant Director General participated in the workshop organized by the International Organization of Schools in Amman, Jordan and during their stay in Jordan both of them inspected the ongoing IICO`s regional activities and programs (March 2004).
– The meeting of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Cairo (April 2004).
– Meetings of the 31st session of the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers (Istanbul, June 2004).
– The first-ever meeting of charitable foundations working in Jerusalem (Beirut, June 2004).
– Meetings of the Islamic Foundation in Britain (London, July 2004).
– Constituent meeting of the Union of Islamic Ulema (London, July 2004).
– Participation in a meeting which was held in London between officials of the U.N. and representatives from charitable and humanitarian organizations across the world (London, July 2004).
– Meetings of the Executive Committee of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). On the side lines of these meetings a meeting of the officials of UNCHR and representatives of various charitable organizations was also held to discuss and look into ways of joint cooperation (Geneva, September 2004).
– Meetings of the Constituent Committee for dominant investment companies in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, at Islamic Development Bank headquarters in Jeddah (Four meetings were held during 1425 / 2004).
– Conference micro credit Loaning in the Middle East, which was organized by the Arab Gulf Program for Assistance to U.N. Organizations in Amman (October, 2004).
– Second conference of the Coalition for Global Charity in Beirut (October 2004).
– The International Arab Symposium on rehabilitation and development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Beirut, October 2004).
– The first regional Islamic conference organized by the International Islamic Conference in the city of Kanu, Nigeria (November, 2004).
– The Arab Conference to combat Drug Abuse which was held in Cairo (November, 2004).
– The first Gulf conference of the Gulf charitable associations and organizations held in Kuwait, under the title ‘Future Horizons of Charitable Work -- the Fact and Challenges’ in November 2004. The IICO participated in the conference with a paper presented by its Director General on the subject of ‘Charitable Foundations between Integration and Cooperation.’
– The sixth regional meeting on the framework of joint cooperation between the UNHCR and non-Gulf organizations (Manama, Bahrain, December 2004).
– The chairman of the IICO participated in the activities of the international committee which was in charge of planning and supervision for the International Islamic Conference which was to be held in Amman from 23-24 February 2005, in response to an invitation from the Minister of Court for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
– international conference on ‘Islamic Da’wah and the Religious schools" which was organized and held by Al-Falaah University in India on February 25-27, 2005. Likewise, Director of the Committee for Muslims of Asia, represented the IICO at the annual conference of the Sunni Islamic Cultural Center in India, held in the state of Kerala at the same time as the Al-Falaah conference (February, 2005).
– On Saturday, March 12 2005 a cooperative joint meeting was held between the IICO and ISESCO, which was represented by Doctor Mustafa Al-Rabakh, ISESCO’s Director of Education. This meeting focused on reviewing and discussing the mutual cooperation protocol between the IICO and ISESCO for 2005. Following the meeting, the official minutes of the sessions were published. The minutes included those joint projects which were agreed to be implemented during the current year.
– On Wednesday 6 Safar 1426 / March 16 March 2005 the Honorable Director General of the IICO participated in the meetings of the committee for establishing investment companies in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These meetings were held at the Islamic Development Bank’s headquarters in Jeddah. In addition, the Director General visited the Urban Development Company to inspect the current state of the IICO’s investments in Burj Al-Jawaar in Macca .
– The IICO participated in an international conference – ‘Dialogue Between Cultures and Civilizations in the Context of Globalization’ – which was organized by the Institute of Objective Studies in India on April 8-10 2005.
– On Monday 9 Rabi’ Al-Awal 1426/ 18 April 2005 at its Convention hall, the IICO organized a seminar on ‘International Dimensions of Women’s Issues’ and ‘Gender – Origins of the Concept and Its Consequences.’ Lectures were delivered during the seminar by the Director of the International Center for Women and Children of the World Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief.
– The chairman of the IICO participated in the international conference on ‘New Expectations and Outlooks for Volunteer Organizations in the Islamic World in the Recent Environment of Challenges and Changes’ which was held in Istanbul from on 30April-1 May 2005. The conference was organized by the Association of Volunteer Organizations in Turkey (TGTV).
– Under the cooperation protocol signed between the IICO and ISESCO the following two training courses seminars were organized:
1. A National Training Course for Trainers of Teachers for Quranic Schools in the Maldive Islands, 2-7 May 2005.
2. A National Training Course for Teachers in Islamic Educational Schools in Niami, the capital of Niger, 9-14 May 2005.
– The IICO chairman participated in the Executive Meeting of the World Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief held on Wednesday 3 Rabi’ Al-Akhir 1426 / 11 May 2005. Also Brother Muhammad Sa’eed Bughayth, who is currently in charge of educational and cultural affairs at the IICO, participated in the meetings of two committees for education, publishing and da’wah that are affiliated to the Council.
– The IICO participated in organizing an international conference on the subject of moderation and tolerance in Islam, under the title ‘Tolerance is a Way for Living,’ in Kuwait on Saturday 13 Rabi’ Al-Akhir 1426 / 21 May 2005.
– The Assistant Director General of the IICO, participated in a conference sponsored by the Islamic Emergency Relief organization in Britain under the title ‘Towards a Unified Vision for Islamic Charity Organizations’ held on 30 June 2005. The participants discussed and looked into possible ways of bringing about true and effective partnerships between Islamic charitable organizations and other international charitable and humanitarian organizations. Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all over the world as well as officials from the United Nations and the British government participated in the meeting. The IICO had hosted a preparatory meeting of the conference in Kuwait in July.
– The IICO Director General participated in the meetings of the Committee of the Islamic Development Bank held for studying the issue of setting up of investment companies in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, on 14-19 June 2005.
– The IICO participated in the constituent meeting of the World Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief which was hosted by the Ministry of Awqaaf and Islamic Affairs on 12-15 September 2005 in Kuwait.
– The IICO hosted the fifth consultative meeting of the Gulf charity organizations on 14-15 September 2005.
– Both the IICO Director General and the Assistant Director General participated in consultative meetings of NGOs as well as the meetings of the UNHCR which were held at U.N. offices in Geneva from 27 September - 7 October 2005.
– Under cooperation protocol signed by the IICO and ISESCO, a seminar on ‘Cultural Diversity for the Sake of Developing and Enriching Societies from an Islamic Perspective’ was held in cooperation with the Islamic Da’wah Association on 23-25 September. The IICO Director General participated in the events and activities of this seminar.
– Under the same cooperation protocol a national-level training session was held for Arabic language teachers in Madrid, Spain on 20-25 Sept. 2005.
– The IICO Assistant Director General visited the IICO’s foreign offices in Sudan and Uganda from 18-27 2005.
– The IICO Assistant Director General participated in an international workshop in Istanbul on establishing cooperation for the sake of removing obstacles which currently confront the functioning of Islamic charity organizations around the globe, on 23-25 November 2005.
– The IICO chairman participated in the meetings of the Council of Secretaries of the Islamic Da’wah Organization in Khartoum from 14-15 Dec. 2005.

The IICO’s participation in all of these numerous events has come as a step towards implementing the recommendations of the IICO Board of directors and General Assembly for creating partnerships between the IICO on one hand and other humanitarian NGOs and the international UN organizations.

And Truly Allah is the sources of success and rightousness.