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OIC ministers call for peace, stability in Muslim countries

Abu Dhabi - Ministers are discussing a range of issues including support for Muslim communities outside the Arab world.

Fifty-six foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have gathered in the Capital to discuss various political, economic, religious and social issues, with peace and stability in the Muslim countries topping the agenda.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who was also announced as the new President for the 46th council of foreign ministers inaugurated the meeting on March 1.
At the two-day Abu Dhabi conference, which coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OIC, the foreign ministers are discussing a range of issues including support for Muslim communities outside the Arab world and combatting hate speech.
"The UAE welcomes this large number of participating countries and looks forward to a fruitful constructive dialogue for the establishment of cooperation programmes that advance the interests of the OIC member states," said Sheikh Abdullah in his key note speech.
"The UAE is looking forward to seeing this conference strengthen the role of the organisation in strengthening the bonds of joint Islamic action and ending conflicts in Muslim nations."
The annual meeting titled "50 Years of Islamic Cooperation: The Road Map to Prosperity and Development" also saw the ministers tackling the issue of Palestine and counter-terrorism in addition to discussing 131 draft resolutions.
Continued support for Palestinians
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed had in his speech delivered a message of support to the Palestine people to the foreign ministers, reaffirming the country's stance that they have a right to independence.
"We reiterate UAE's support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state and to exercise self-determination," said Sheikh Abdullah.
He said the UAE is closely monitoring the deteriorating situation in Palestine including the violations carried out by Israel and called on the United Nations to take action to ensure decent living standards for the Palestine people, and bring to an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
"Islam is a religion of peace and discourages violence, hatred and injustices of all forms. We call for necessary measures to end extremism of all forms and fight everyone involved in supporting terrorists in any form," Sheikh Abdullah.
He also urged Iran review its measures and policies intended to destabilise the region including financing terror groups and to mend relations with its neighbours to ensure peace and stability among Muslim nations.
"The world is facing transformation of challenges and we call upon all nations to embrace tolerance, fraternity and empowerment of youths and women so as to have a peaceful future," said Sheikh Abdullah.
Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the OIC, said: "Muslims are facing a lot of challenges including conflicts, terrorism and poverty and this needs our combined efforts to find solutions to these problems.
"The Palestinian people are facing atrocities from the Israelis and they have intentionally been denied peace. We call upon all nations to implement the resolutions that grant the Palestinians sovereignty so as end the threats and killings by the Israels."
According to Al Othaimeen, the conflicts and instabilities in the Islamic states like Syria, Libya, Iraq, Palestine and others, threaten the future of the youths and the social, political and economic developments in these nations.
"I would also like to re-affirm the OIC's solidarity and support to all Islamic states to see that peace and stability prevails everywhere," he said.
"The OIC is working on the implementation of the ten-year development plan including; fighting poverty, educating the youth, empowerment of women and promoting them to higher levels of authority, consolidating families and ensuring of peace in all nations."
All nations deserve peace and stability
Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, who is also the outgoing President of the council of foreign ministers said humanity is above all and that nations should look forward to seeing peace and stability in all nations.
"We must all work towards peace, justice, fraternity and human development. Acts of intolerance, inequality and injustices of all forms should be rejected," he said.
"Terrorism in a real threat to the entire world and we must fight terror collectively. We must not allow terrorists to use our territories to kill people and deprive others of their peace."
The Bangladeshi minister said minority Muslims in some states like Myanmar are marginalized, discriminated and mistreated, and called for the end of such injustices.
"We must find solutions for the root causes of conflicts like that in Rohingya. Bangladesh has tried to support the Muslims from Rohingya but we cannot solve this crisis alone. All OIC states have to join hands to end the injustices and ensure peace in for Muslims in that part of the world," he added.
He discussed the latest situation on the repatriation of the Rohingyas as per the agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar and urged members to extend all possible cooperation and support to Bangladesh for implementation of the terms of the agreement.
The foreign ministers also discussed the issue of integration and cooperation among the OIC members in addition to ways of enhancing development opportunities and inter-cooperation by looking for opportunities to accelerate the pace of economic-cooperative development.
The OIC member states will be putting forth draft resolutions on financial support mechanisms for Palestinians and will continue working on the Development Fund for Palestine Refugees.
The next foreign ministers of OIC meeting will be held in Niger.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com