“The Summit also reaffirmed the OIC’s support for the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination, as well as the special attention the OIC attaches to Muslim communities and minorities in Member States, especially to the issue of the Rohingya Muslim community,” the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha said during his closing remark of the 15th OIC Summit in Banjul on Sunday.
“The conference appreciated the pioneering role played by The Gambia in defending the Rohingya issue, as well as the efforts made by Bangladesh and other countries in hosting Rohingya refugees. The Resolutions adopted by the Conference have strengthened the solidarity and unity that bind the OIC Member States,” he added.
The OIC SG also expressed profound gratitude to President Barrow for his “skillful chairmanship of the Summit, and for all the conditions provided by The Gambia to make this Conference a success.”
“I wish to reiterate my thanks to the President and his Government for the efforts that have been invested to ensure the successful organisation and smooth running of this 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference, which has greatly contributed to its success.”
The meetings that were held since Tuesday, April 29, he said, discussed the issues on the Summit agenda, in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and understanding that has led to consensual outcomes with regard to issues reflecting the unified positions and solidarity among Member States.
The Summit, he went on, has issued a Resolution on the Cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and a Final Communiqué covering all the political, humanitarian, legal, economic, cultural, social and media issues on the Summit agenda, in addition to the Banjul Declaration.
The Resolution on Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the OIC SG continues, has confirmed the OIC’s principled position in support of the Palestinian people and their just Cause.
“It demanded an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, as well as facilitating adequate and sustainable delivery of aid to the Strip, and continuing the Islamic actions to support the right of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations, leading to the embodiment of the State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”
“The Summit also affirmed its support to the UNRWA and the continuation of its vital role, in addition to pursuing legal action to prosecute Israel in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and hold it accountable for its heinous crimes against the Palestinian people.”
“Regarding other areas discussed by the Summit, he said, the Leaders of Member States and the Heads of Delegations stressed, during their deliberations, support for the Afghan people, as well as opting for dialogue to reach peaceful solutions to the situation in Yemen, Libya and The Sudan.”
“Emphasis was also laid on supporting efforts to promote security, stability and development in the Sahel region and Lake Chad Basin.”
“In addition, the Summit underlined the importance of accelerating development to achieve sustainability, developing intra-OIC trade, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of science and technology.”
“The Conference accorded special attention to promoting the rights of women, children, people with special needs, and youth, enhancing economic cooperation, trade exchanges, and agriculture to support food security, and protecting the environment.”
“The Conference discussed Islamophobia and religious hatred, and the increase of international efforts and cooperation to counter this phenomenon. It welcomed the appointment of a Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Combating Islamophobia, who will work with all the concerned parties and the international community to step up efforts in the face of this phenomenon.”
“In this regard, the Summit stressed the need to enhance dialogue and mutual understanding among religions and cultures.”
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