International Islamic News Agency Becomes A Union

The Jeddah-based International Islamic News Agency (IINA), which had just elected Bernama into its Executive Council, will be developed and turned into a Union of OIC News Agencies (OIC-UNA).

IINA is a specialized organ of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC),

At the IINA General Assembly held at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on Sunday, the other elected members of the Executive Council for the new session were United Arab Emirates, Oman, Djibouti, Gambia, Benin, Ivory Coast, Pakistan and Azerbaijan  as well as permanent members -- Saudi Arabia, Palestine and the OIC.

"The OIC-UNA shall operate within the OIC framework and serve as an umbrella for the news agencies and training centres.

"Its main objectives shall include highlighting and defending the issues of the Muslim World, foremost of which are the question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and combating the discourse of racism, hatred, extremism, racial discrimination and Islamophobia," the OIC said in a statement.

Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, who is Chairman of the IINA Executive Council told the General Assembly that IINA was going through a new phase with the view to converting it into a union of OIC news agencies.

He indicated that this required the support of all OIC Member States to enable IINA-cum-UNA to carry out its mission and complete its projects and plans to achieve the objectives of the Muslim Ummah in the field of media.

Dr. Al-Awwad added that the new entity would enhance its role in supporting and qualifying the capabilities of media professionals in all member news agencies, and launching programs and projects that highlight Islamic issues and the OIC message more broadly.

OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen said IINA was on the verge of a new phase reflected by its development vision and efforts to turn into a union of news agencies of the OIC Member States.

This will enhance coordination among the agencies, raise the level of media coverage of prominent Muslim issues and encourage investment in human resources working in the media sector in the OIC Member States to improve their skills and raise their professional and media performance.

Head of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Abdullah Al-Hussein, who chaired the General Assembly, said the move to a union allows IINA to broaden its scope of work 'to serve as a forum for media activities, a centre for unifying and guiding them towards common issues, and a communication channel with the international media.'

The General Assembly also approved the request of Djibouti to host the next session.