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Foreign Minister Shahid calls for greater Islamic solidarity in the OIC, to collectively cooperate on common challenges.

01 March 2019

The Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Abdulla Shahid today called for greater Islamic solidarity within the Islamic Ummah, and to enhance cooperation in the fields of human rights, commerce, information exchange, while emphasizing the need to embrace the noble teachings and principles of Islam.

In delivering his statement at the ongoing 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Minister Shahid briefed Member States present on the recent democratic and human rights achievements of the country following the historic elections that was held last year.

Minister Shahid also spoke about the need to combat radicalization and intolerance, voiced the Maldives condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, especially those committed in the name of Islam.

While focusing on international issues that are important to the Islamic Ummah, Minister Shahid reiterated the support of the Maldives to an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, while also calling for unhindered access for humanitarian aid for the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

During his visit to Abu Dhabi, where this year’s OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is being held, Minister Shahid will conduct a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the OIC, and will meet with the Secretary-General of the OIC.

The Maldives became a Member State of the OIC in 1976, which comprises of 57 largely Muslim countries. The Maldives is also in the process of conducting multiple activities of the OIC in the country, including the process to accede to the Statute of the OIC Women’s Development Organization, amongst others.

ENDS