24th Council Meeting

Participants arriving from across the world gathered in Cologne, Germany, to convene the 24th Council Meeting of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW). On the first day of the program, a visit was paid to the headquarters of WEFA International Humanitarian Relief Association in Cologne, which hosted this meeting. WEFA President Mr. Hakan Musab Aydın expressed immense satisfaction in hosting the council assembly. Mr. Hakan outlined the humanitarian relief projects executed by WEFA across 70 countries since 2006, including orphan sponsorship, orphanages, water well drillings, cataract eye surgeries, and various multi-sectoral projects. Following a city tour and dinner, the delegation proceeded to Düsseldorf.

The 24th Council Meeting officially opened at the NH City Nord Hotel in Düsseldorf on the second day with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Following the reading of the meeting agenda, participants presented institutional briefings before entering formal council deliberations.

UNIW Secretary General Atty. Ali Kurt delivered an introductory presentation outlining UNIW operations during the morning session.

Subsequently, UNIW Deputy Secretary General Mr. Eyüp Akbal presented details regarding the 3rd International NGO Fair scheduled for November 17–18. He evaluated the outcomes of the 2nd NGO Fair, which saw the participation of 163 member organizations representing 35 countries.

Dr. Rabiye Yılmaz, Co-President of the Women, Family, and Youth Commission (KAGE), briefed members on the International Family Institute (IFI / UAE), the upcoming High Advisory Board meeting, International Muslim Women's Union (IMWU) council meetings held in Sudan and Pakistan, and consultation visits conducted with IFI High Advisory Board member organizations in Morocco.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, President of the Kashmiri American Council and UNIW Council Member, presented details on the 2nd International Kashmir Conference planned for 2019, outlining speakers, thematic content, and paper topics, while sharing insights from his recent visit to Pakistan.

Details regarding the Africa Congress scheduled for 2019 in Khartoum, Sudan, were deliberated. It was noted that UNIW member Munazzamat al-Da'wa al-Islamiyya will host the congress in Khartoum with the participation of NGOs from 40 countries, and feedback from council members was recorded.

Mr. Muhammad Abdus Shakoor, President of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, presented updates regarding the Rohingya consultation held under UNIW auspices hosted by AFAD, providing recent briefings on the International Rohingya Consortium (ICR) and its field operations.

Briefings were also presented on the International Civil Society Academy (USTA), a key strategic initiative under UNIW's 2018 action plan, evaluating joint academic cooperation with Istanbul University.

Mr. Umer Farooq, UNIW Desk Officer for Asia, presented details on the 14th International Youth Gathering taking place immediately after the council meeting in Lahore, Pakistan (Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2018) under the theme "United for Freedom".

Furthermore, addresses were delivered by Dr. İbrahim Altan, General Manager of Turkish Red Crescent; Adnan Tanrıverdi, President of ASSAM and Chief Adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; İsmail Emanet, President of TÜGVA; and Metin Uçar, Board Member of Turkey Youth NGOs Platform (TGSP), detailing their respective organizational operations.

Mrs. Bahar Karahan delivered a presentation titled "Muslim Integration in Europe and the European Refugee Crisis".

In the final session restricted to council members, administrative matters were evaluated, and past and future operational programs were deliberated.

The 24th UNIW Council Meeting concluded with closing Quranic recitations.