Seminar on "Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by Complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts"

It is our pleasure to invite three representatives from your esteemed organization to participate in a seminar jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Islamic Outreach ABIM. The seminar on "Protection and Assistance of Civilians Affected by Complex Emergencies and Armed Conflicts"will be held on 14th October 2009, from 8.00am-4.15pm at Hotel Equatorial, Kuala Lumpur.

The objectives of the seminar include:

To enhance dialogue on humanitarian issues between representatives of Islamic organizations and the ICRC, which has substantial activities in Muslim countries;

To discuss the challenges faced by humanitarian relief workers in situations of complex emergencies and armed conflict, as well as issues of coordination and inter-agency collaboration that may come up during those situations; also, strategies that can be developed to facilitate collective coordination of organizations such situations ; and

To bring about awareness and recognition of the humanitarian needs of those affected by armed conflict and complex emergencies, and explain how international humanitarian law is one way to address those needs.

The one-day event would begin with addresses by the Chairman of Islamic Outreach ABIM as well as the Legal Advisor on the Muslim World from the ICRC, followed by the keynote address by the Guest of Honor. The seminar itself would consist of two sessions – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon; the panelists would take around twenty minutes each to make their presentations. Each panel would consist of a moderator and 3 speakers, and it would end with a question and answer session.

The speakers would comprise a small panel of prominent experts in Syariah and humanitarian law, both national and international, with the tentative line-up being Dr. Ameur Zemmali, Advisor for Islamic Affairs, ICRC, Dr. Mohd Daud Sulaiman, Malaysian Relief Agency, Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd Kamal of IIUM and a Speaker from the National Security Council or Prime Minister's Department.

Attached please find the Draft Program of the event.

Please kindly note that the deadline for sending us your nominations is 9 October 2009 (Entrance is free).

Should you have further questions or need any clarifications, do not hesitate to contact us at 03-42569822.

We look forward to hearing from you, Wassalam.

Azril Mohd Amin
Chairman
Islamic Outreach ABIM