The Islamabad Declaration was issued at the end of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, which concluded its work on Wednesday (March 23) in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, according to a release issued by the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) and received here on Thursday.
The OIC foreign ministers reaffirmed unequivocal support for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, including non-use of force, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and pacific settlement of disputes.
The OIC foreign ministers also re-emphasized the centrality of the question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the Muslim Ummah, reaffirming their principled and continued all-level support to the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination and the independence of the State of Palestine along the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
In addition, the ministers stressed their duty to protect the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 194 and to unequivocally counter any denial of these rights.
Moreover, the foreign ministers renewed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed full support for their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the OIC as well as the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The OIC foreign ministers commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for convening and Pakistan for hosting the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on December 19, 2021, to mobilize humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan.
The ministers welcomed the operationalization of the Humanitarian Trust Fund during the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), and in this regard, lauded the pivotal role of the Islamic Development Bank.
Furthermore, the OIC foreign ministers expressed deep concern over the rising trend of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred and strongly condemned all attempts to denigrate the sanctity of the Holy Prophet and Islamic Symbols, to inflame sentiments of Muslims across the world, and to foment inter-cultural divisions and tensions.
They also welcomed the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution proclaiming March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and called on OIC member states and the international community to raise awareness at all levels in countering Islamophobia, building a better understanding of Islam and its precepts, and fostering a message of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and inter-faith and cultural harmony among all religions, races, and nations.
The OIC has decided to appoint a Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Islamophobia to lead collective efforts and institutional engagement with the international community.
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Sri Haryati
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