14 August 2012, Male';The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Ms. Dunya Maumoon todaty briefed the media regarding the participation of President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan in the Extraordinary OIC Summit currently being convened in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Summit has been organized by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in response to the call of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque, King Abdulla Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Heads of States/ Government of the OIC countries are invited for the Summit which is aimed at restoring the relationship among Islamic nations and enhance Islamic solidarity and to address the challenges facing the Islamic Ummah. During the Summit, discussions will take place on the situation and challenges in many countries of the Muslim World and the need to intensify efforts to address and overcome these challenges.
At the press briefing, State Minister stated that the Prior to the Summit, a Senior Official's meeting was held from 11 to 12 August 2012 and a Ministerial level meeting was held yesterday in Jeddah. Minister of Foreign Affairs,H. E. Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla is leading the Maldives delegation in Ministerial Meeting. During the Senior Officials meeting, four draft resolutions were adopted. Those Resolutions were, Resolution on Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, Resolution on the situation in Mali and Sehel region, Resolution on Palestine and Resolution on Syria. Maldives maintained consistent position and supported all the resolutions. The Draft Resolution on Palestine reaffirms OIC's enduring commitment to the Palestinian cause. The Draft Resolution on Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, and the situation in Mali and Sahel region call for upholding Islamic values and protecting human rights.
In support of resolution on Syria, Minister Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla said that,
"The OIC should be mindful of the need to be able to exert influence the situation in Syria, and remain engaged with Syria. Nevertheless, the consistent and continued defiance shown by the Government of Syria to the calls and appeals by the international community has left the OIC with no choice but to take these strong measures. I therefore hope and pray that the Syrian leadership listens to the voices coming from the Islamic Ummah and the larger international community"
The Government of Maldives also supports the draft resolution on Syria. The Maldives is deeply concerned about the fast deteriorating situation in Syria and extends its support to the Arab and UN initiatives on resolving the conflict in Syria. Maldives has kept a consistent position on Syria and voted in favour of the all resolutions tabled in Human Rights Council and General Assembly on violence in Syria.
End.