Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalam Alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakaathuh,
I would like to begin by extending my sincere gratitude to the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for hosting the 14th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The warm hospitality extended to us since our arrival is a testament to the excellent arrangements made for the meeting and the Summit.
I am confident that under your able leadership, and that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Ummah is in good hands. Let me also take this opportunity to wish prosperity, blessings and goodness to our Ummah, and all of mankind, during this Holy Month of Ramadan.
I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, and the Secretariat of the OIC, for their tireless work and the impeccable manner in which the Secretary General continues to represent the values of the OIC at this critical juncture in Islamic cooperation.
I would like to commend the outgoing Chair, Turkey, for the excellent manner in which they have steered the work of this organisation under their leadership.
Mr. Chairman,
At a time when our Ummah is facing multifaceted threats and challenges, the Maldives views the OIC as one of the most important platforms to discuss all matters which affect the wider Muslim world. We will strive to highlight and address the most significant issues facing our Ummah, by strengthening cooperation and sharing experiences to find common solutions. Our faith, our historic and friendly relations, and our belief in the principle of Shura is what unites us.
Mr. Chairman,
This year, the people of Gaza faced a deadly start to Ramadan, marked by funerals, debris and anguish. The plight of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination will always remain an international priority for the Maldives. I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support to a resolution involving international consensus on a two-state solution, with an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its Capital, so that our brothers and sisters in Palestine can live with peace, prosperity and dignity. We also stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who face persecution and suffering in different parts of the world.
Mr. Chairman,
Terrorism is a scourge faced by all nations today. It has no border, no religion and no principles. The only thing it has is pure evil. We need full international cooperation to root out this evil.
We believe that hate speech must be rooted out as well, from public discourse in favour of tolerance, understanding and peaceful co-existence and harmony. The Maldives would support a mechanism which ensures the coordinated efforts of the OIC and the wider international community that contributes to countering the prevalent atmosphere of Islamophobia around the world.
Climate change, Mr. Chairman, is a global phenomenon that requires global cooperation. For us in the Maldives, climate change poses grave risks that could endanger our very survival. The world must recognise the urgency of addressing this imminent threat to humanity.
In conclusion Mr. Chairman, the Maldives will always remain committed to being a responsible member of the international community and work closely with our international partners in this organisation to further the noble and peaceful values of Islam. We remain ready to work hand-in-hand with our partners in the OIC to find common solutions to the challenges faced by our Ummah to ensure a prosperous and peaceful world.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.