Youth delegates adopt ‘Istanbul Declaration,’ with call for unity, reform, justice for Palestine

ISTANBUL

The 5th International Model OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) High School Summit concluded on Monday with the adoption of an “Istanbul Declaration,” in which student delegates from across the Islamic world called for justice for Palestine, reforms to the global system, strengthened cooperation among OIC member states, and expanded youth engagement in policy processes.

The four-day summit in Istanbul, hosted by the Beyoglu Anatolian Imam Hatip High School (AIHL) in cooperation with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Beyoglu Education and Culture Foundation (BECF), brought together delegates from dozens of countries for committee debates on Palestine, Syria, defense cooperation, and climate change.

After the declaration was read, organizers presented gifts to all delegates.

Istanbul Declaration: Justice, unity, system reform

In the final declaration, Omar Abdurrahman of Lebanon, representing Albania in the Council of Al-Quds, opened by urging unity through Islamic principles, recalling the Qur’anic injunction to “hold fast to the rope of Allah” and calling on youth “to be the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

Aya Al-Asi of Palestine, representing Türkiye in the Council of Foreign Ministers, condemned “the failure of international organizations to protect the most basic human rights” in Gaza, and denounced “the Zionist entity and its supporters,” while reaffirming support for Syria’s reconstruction and territorial integrity.

Kamaluddin Ali of Benin, representing Suriname in the Council of Al-Quds, stressed the need to develop defense industries as a path to “independence, security, and peace,” and warned of “the danger of threats related to global warming.”

Baken Gawhar of Kazakhstan, representing Tajikistan in the ICM Committee, backed “legal and economic measures” for Palestine and called for reforms to an international order that “marginalizes Muslim communities.”

Rizana Kayoshi of Kosovo, representing Niger in the ComSec Committee, urged deeper cooperation on Syria’s reconstruction, defense industry development, and collective climate-resilience strategies.

Closing the declaration, Muhammed Yusuf Geksu of Türkiye, representing Thailand in the ICM Committee, conveyed “high appreciation” to the organizing institutions, praising the summit as “the most attended and a generally successful” gathering.

Opening remarks: solidarity, memory, responsibility

In the closing ceremony, Beyoglu Education and Culture Foundation President Saban Kurt told participants that the summit had taken place “with rain for four days,” which in Islamic tradition symbolizes blessing.

He urged students not to forget Istanbul, Palestine, or Gaza: “If we forget Palestine, we forget our own past. … Most importantly, we forget that we are human beings.”

ICYF President Taha Ayhan also praised the students’ discipline and commitment, calling the summit a “leading platform” for meaningful youth engagement.

“The skills you strengthen here are vital for global engagement and are deeply connected to the Islamic principles of consultation, cooperation, and excellence,” he said.

Turkish Deputy Education Minister Celile Eren Okten emphasized identity and cultural memory, saying: “Remembering is family, remembering is identity,” and encouraged students to carry forward what they learned into future achievements.

Summit achievements and youth diplomacy

Delegates spent four days in parallel committees operating in English and Arabic, discussing Gaza, Syria’s revival, defense industry cooperation, and climate policy.

They later merged all committees into a single Islamic Summit session, where resolutions were adopted and synthesized into the Istanbul Declaration.

In his address, Burak Omer Demir, founding president of the Beyoglu AIHL Model OIC Club, summarized the summit’s four-day program, noting its “vigorous schedule” of Arabic and English committee sessions on Palestine, Syria’s revival, defense-industry cooperation, and climate action.

He highlighted the summit's mosque visits and joint worship aimed at giving delegates “a good sentiment of Istanbul being the center of your life,” and said the Islamic Summit Session brought all committees together to adopt resolutions and form the Istanbul Declaration — “the summary of what the youth wants to say to the world.”

Demir thanked the ICYF, the Beyoglu Education and Culture Foundation, Beyoglu AIHL, and the students who “worked tirelessly for about four months,” as well as delegates who lobbied “until midnight.”

Following him, Secretary-General of Model OIC Club Omer Faruk Gules said “every idea you shared” strengthened the summit’s collective vision, adding that delegates were “the reason our hopes for the future remain strong.”

He introduced the Istanbul Declaration as a document “crafted with collective dedication to make the youth voice heard,” before inviting committee representatives to present it.

Final address

Turkish Presidential Chief Advisor Israfil Kisla, delivering the final speech, congratulated the organizers, and said the delegates’ work on justice — especially for Palestine — was significant in “an era where Western values, human rights, and equality do not exist in practice.”

“You will shape the future of the countries,” he told the students. “May Allah enable you to establish a just system in which the rights of the people are not crushed by the strong.”