Jammu Kashmir-Just, Long-standing Issue of Deep Concern – Palestine Requires Joint Islamic Action

Islamabad: 22 March 2022 – The 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) kicked off on March 22, 2022, in Islamabad, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, with the theme “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”.

The opening session was attended by the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, and the Secretary General of the OIC, Mr Hissein Brahim Taha.

During this session, Mr Hassoumi Massaoudou, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Niger, Chair Country of the 47th CFM, handed over the presidency to Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Chair Country of the 48th CFM.

Addressing the meeting, the Pakistani Prime Minister underlined the importance of declaring March 15th of each year as “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”. Credit for this achievement, he said, goes to the efforts undertaken by the OIC Member States, noting that Muslims in Western countries have been suffering just as a result of an extremist individual having perpetrated a terrorist act.

He asserted that there is only one Islam, the religion of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH), pointing out that there are extremists and ordinary people in each and every society, and that the charge of terrorism cannot be attributed to a particular religion.

For his part, the OIC Secretary-General extended his sincere thanks and gratitude to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the excellent cooperation and coordination efforts they have made in preparation for this session of the OIC-CFM.

He expressed his great pleasure that this session coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s Independence Day and took this occasion to extend his warm congratulations to Pakistan.

The OIC Secretary General commended the outstanding efforts the Republic of Niger has made during its tenure as Chair Country of the 47th CFM and renewed the expression of his high appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the host country and the Chair Country of the 14th session of the Islamic Summit, for its continuous support for the work of the OIC.

Mr Hissein Brahim Taha stressed that the perpetuation of the Israeli crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people, their land and their sanctities dictates the need to work in strong solidarity and joint Islamic action.

He also referred to Jammu and Kashmir, which he considered as another just, long-standing issue of deep concern to the OIC.

Regarding Afghanistan, the OIC Secretary General indicated that he will pursue dialogue with de facto authorities and international partners in order to achieve peace, security and development in Afghanistan. On the other hand, he stressed the necessity to intensify efforts to drive peace and stability in the countries of the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, calling on Member States, the OIC organs, and international partners to help these regions rise up to the challenges they are facing. He noted, in this regard, that the Central African Republic, Mozambique and Guinea are of particular interest to the OIC.