Puan Leads The OKI Parliamentary Session, Calls Islam Has Capital To Become A New World Power

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, chaired the session of the General Committee (General Committee) of the Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) or conference of the Parliamentary Association of countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OKI), which was held in the Plenary Room, Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 14. He called Islam, which has the new world power.

This session is the 26th meeting of the PUIC General Committee in which the Indonesian House of Representatives acted as the host of the 19th PUIC Conference which took place on May 12-15, 2025. Puan was seen sitting at the chair table of the session flanked by the Secretary General of PUIC Mouhamed Khouraichi Niass, and the Deputy Secretary General of PUIC Ali Asgahad Mohammadi Sinjani.

"By saying Bismillahirrohmanirrohim, I declare that the 26th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) General Committee is open," said Puan opening the trial marked by beating the court hammer 3 times.

Puan welcomes and highest appreciation to all Leaders and Parliament Delegations of member states of the OKI Parliament who have been present in Jakarta since the beginning of this week. The event in Jakarta in 2025 also marks the 25th anniversary (silver jubilee) of PUIC since it was first founded in 1999.

Although the official opening ceremony will only be held tonight, the 19th PUIC series of activities have started since Monday, May 12, with a number of important meetings. Starting from issues related to Palestine and Muslim Minorities, Civilization and Religion Dialogue, Economics and Environment, as well as issues of Human Rights, Women and Families.

The 19th PUIC Conference was attended by a parliamentary delegation of 37 OIC member countries. A total of about 500 members of the delegation attended, including from observer countries.

"We gather to discuss important and crucial issues for the existence of people in Muslim countries and countries with Muslim majority populations," he said.

Puan then mentioned about Muslims in the world which reached two billion people. He said the Muslim population had dominated almost 25 percent of the global population.

"Ideally, we can become a new element of world order. At one point, Islam has the capital to become a new world power. We are a power of civilization that emphasizes the unity of the people," said Puan.

Islam is a civilization that respects diversity and pluralism, as reflected in the Medina Charter. Islam has even reached a golden and glory era that gave birth to philosophers, scientists, engineers, who contributed to the development of world technology and culture," he added.

Even so, Puan said that the various challenges both domestically and globally currently overshadow Muslim countries and countries with the majority Muslim population in displaying their role as a group that is considered in the world.

"At the domestic level, we still need to answer various questions from the public regarding whether we can provide good, transparent, and accountable public services," said Puan.

"On the other hand, we must also navigate various global political interests and strengthen efforts to maintain solidity among OIC member countries," continued Puan.

Puan admitted that she was happy to see the OKI State Parliamentary Delegations being present discussing the main topic of this conference, namely "PUIC Silver Jubilee Good Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillar of Resilience.

"This topic is an option as an effort for us to see and build inwards, both as a country, parliament, and a PUIC organization, so that it can contribute better to the people and the public and the world," said Puan.

Since the establishment agreement in 1999 and then officially operational since 2000, Puan has said that PUIC has done a lot.

"Organizations between Islamic state parliaments and the majority of Islam have navigated various trips in an effort to strengthen solidarity between parliament and the people," he continued.

"Now along with the 25th celebration of PUIC (silver jubilee), it is time for us to reorganize how a parliamentary and inter-parliamentary organization runs," added Puan.

In the 26th Session of the PUIC General Committee session, the Secretary General (Sekjen) of PUIC Mouhamed Khouraichi Niass and the 18th PUIC President, Chairman of the National Council of Republic of Ivory Coast, Adama Bictogo also expressed his views.

Puan also praised the success of the Ivory Coast parliament which holds the chairmanship of PUIC in 2024, especially the chairman, Adama Bictogo, who holds the 18th PUIC Presidency stick.

"The significant role of the 18th President of PUIC in leading the PUIC in the past year and navigating organizational interests in various global agendas is a valuable role in the history of PUIC," explained the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

After expressing his opinion, this session then selected the composition of Bureau Leadership for the 19th PUIC Conference consisting of the President of the Conference, two Deputy Chairmen and Rapporteurs (reportors).

In line with Article 4 of the PUIC Statute, the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, as the host, will lead the 19th PUIC Conference. Meanwhile, the other two deputy chairmen will be elected from the chairman of the parliamentary delegation from other areas, namely the African Group and the Arab Group. Then, the Raporteur will be selected from the delegation present.

Puan then asked for the approval of the PUIC members who attended the trial on these names.

"On this occasion, I ask for the approval of the participants to recommend the names to be approved as members of the 19th PUIC Conference Leadership Bureau. Can it be approved?" asked Puan.

"Agreed," replied the participants of the trial simultaneously followed by the beating of the hammer at the Puan trial, a sign of ratification.

In addition to choosing the 19th PUIC Conference Leadership Bureau, the session participants also agreed on the agenda and work programs of the 26th PUIC General Committee, as well as the results of organizational work reports on activities related to the PUIC General Committee.

For information, the 19th PUIC Conference will open tonight which is planned to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto. Puan is also scheduled to receive a PUIC presidency relay from the Chairperson of the Ivory Coast Parliament.

"As a sign of the end of this meeting, I declare that the 26th PUIC General Committee meeting is closed," said Puan while tapping the trial hammer.