Head of Saudi-based Islamic group resigns after Egypt joke

OIC chief Iyad bin Amin Madani’s joke angered the Egyptians, with foreign minister Sameh Shukri declaring that it had cast doubt on his ability to run the OIC.

RIYADH // The secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has resigned, days after making a joke about the purportedly frugal ways of Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The Saudi-based OIC announced on Monday that Iyad bin Amin Madani resigned “for health reasons”.

“The OIC General Secretariat takes this chance to express its utmost appreciation and respect to all member states,” the 57-member bloc said.

Mr Madani, a Saudi, made the comment last week after he mixed up Mr El Sisi’s name with that of Tunisian president Beji Caid Sebsi at a conference.

“Mr President Beji Caid El Sisi. Sebsi sorry. This is a big mistake. I’m sure your fridge has more than water, your excellency,” he told the Tunisian leader.

It was a reference to a comment recently made by Mr El Sisi claiming that for a decade his fridge had nothing but water – a message to Egyptians to endure the harsh economic conditions their country is experiencing.

Mr Madani’s joke angered the Egyptians, with foreign minister Sameh Shukri declaring that it had cast doubt on his ability to run the OIC.

“Such remarks do not conform with the responsibilities and the duties of the organisation’s secretary general position, and fundamentally affect his ability to carry out his duties,” he said.

Mr Shukri also said Egypt would “revise” its approach to the OIC and its chief, saying the remark was “a serious encroachment against a founding member state of the organisation and its political leadership”.

Mr Madani, who had headed the bloc since 2014, apologised and said he meant no “insult to the Egyptian leadership”.

Saudi Arabia has nominated its former minister of social affairs, Youssef Al Utaymeen, to replace Mr Madani, the OIC said.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said it supported the nominee, “appreciating the important role Saudi is doing in the support of the activities and goals of OIC”.

“Egypt looks forward to continuing its strong cooperation with the general secretary of OIC and its secretariat,” it added.

* Agence France-Presse and Associated Press