ANKARA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth, and Africa is the continent where Islam is growing the fastest, Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said on Wednesday.

    Ihsanoglu made the remarks at a meeting titled "Religious Leaders from the African Continent Muslim Countries and Societies", hosted by Turkish Directorate General of Religious Affairs, held on Wednesday at the Dolmabahce Palace in Turkish largest city of Istanbul.

    Ihsanoglu was quoted by Turkey's Anatolia news agency as saying that in the last summit of the OIC, a decision was made to establish a fund to end poverty in African Islamic countries.

    Ihsanoglu said that relations between the Islamic world and the West are going through a tough time, adding that "We are doing all we can to foster dialogue and tolerance between countries."

    Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin also made a speech at the meeting, saying that "role of Turkey within the European Union (EU)is vital not only for itself and Europe but also for the humanity."

    Aydin added that "Islamic world is facing very serious challenges and problems today because of various reasons", saying that the Islamic world has insufficient reliable information that may solve very big problems caused by globalization.

    "None of the countries can solve the problems alone. Solution of the problems requires solidarity," Aydin said.

    "Without a country whose culture and spiritual world is Islam, the EU can only be a Christian union in cultural means. Such aunion is not sufficient enough to ensure security and happiness by itself," according to Aydin.