“As the current Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, I confess that I am deeply troubled by the conflicts in several Member States. Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace, so it is with deep concern that we helplessly watch the unjust suffering of our Muslim brothers and sisters in various regions of the globe,” he said.
He thus appealed to the warring parties in Sudan to silence their weapons and engage in genuine dialogue as the way forward. “The ongoing conflict has inflicted untold suffering upon innocent civilians, who yearn for safety and stability in their homeland.
“Similarly, I urge the governments and Peoples of Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint and use diplomatic channels to resolve their differences. Sustainable peace in South Asia would not only serve the interests of these two great nations but also contribute to global stability,” he outlined.
Barrow continued that the prevailing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza also demands urgent attention and action. “Many United Nations agencies and humanitarian organisations operating in the Middle East have confirmed that the situation in that region has grimly worsened with devastating loss of innocent lives, widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, and acute shortages of essential supplies.
“I sincerely call upon Israel to cease its military operations and ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid to reach the civilian population in Gaza. They are going through unbearable hardship! As members of the global community, we cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities and excessive human suffering.”
He welcomed the recent lifting of sanctions on Syria, which he said offers a crucial opportunity for its new government to rebuild the nation and restore its standing within the international community. “Reconciliation and reconstruction must now be prioritised to heal the wounds caused by their prolonged civil war.”
