Istanbul Gathers Islamic Worlds Democrats

The meeting will bring together pro-democracy politicians and intellectuals from many Muslim countries and opening remarks will be made by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and by Jordanian Foreign Minister Mervan Muasher.

The United Nations (UN) Development Fund is important as the first political union dedicated to spreading the culture of democracy in the Islamic world after the First Islamic World's Democrats Congress organized by the U.S. National Democracy Institute and the Turkish Democracy Association.

Amat Al-Aleem, Yemeni Minister for Human Rights, Bahrain Chamber of Deputies member Salah Ali Abdurrahman, and Jordanian Princess Basma Bint Talal are among the participants.

Leading academics and scientists of the Islamic world will also present papers on the issues of democracy and women's rights.

The U.S, England, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bahrain and Yemen support the meeting. Along with Princess Basma, Moroccan Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Mohand Lasenser will make a presentation on the panel on 'Islamic Culture and Democratic Tradition'.

The participants will discuss how Islam and democracy can live together in daily life and how to integrate Islamic rules into a democratic administration.

Many people are expected to attend the conference, which is the first one to bring political leaders for a democratic culture in the Islamic world.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Mehmet Aydin, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Kemal Dervis, former Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz, former Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay and many other famous foreign guests are also among those invited. (EAY/SB/YE)