The foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation met in Nouakchott on Thursday to discuss security, terrorism and Islamophobia.
The 49th session of the council of OIC foreign ministers, “Moderation is the Key to Security and Stability,” also tackled efforts to develop relations between Islamic nations, while hailing the Saudi-Iranian agreement to restore diplomatic ties that was announced last week.
During the opening of the meeting, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said the Kingdom is hoping that the agreement would bolster Gulf and Arab security and stability and support collective Islamic work.
“Saudi Arabia believes in the importance of the religious and neighborly ties that bind us. It always extends its hand to dialogue and resolving disputes through peaceful means,” he added.
This is why it held “for over two years, several rounds of dialogue with its brothers in Iran, in each of Baghdad, Muscat and then, Beijing,” he remarked.
The agreement, which was sponsored by China at an initiative by its President Xi Jinping, was announced from Beijing.
These efforts were capped by the agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations based on respecting the United Nations Charter, OIC and the sovereignty of nations, refraining from meddling in the internal affairs of others, and resolving disputes through dialogue, continued Prince Faisal.
“We hope the agreement will bolster our security and stability and collective Islamic work,” he stated.
Moreover, he noted that the OIC meeting was being held as the world marked International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15.
He cited the attempts to desecrate holy sites, the burning of the holy Quran and incitement against Muslim minorities. “This demands that we underscore the need to respect values of moderation, respect for others and coexistence with them,” he stressed.
Turning to the Palestinian Territories, Prince Faisal called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in putting a stop to the violations committed by Israeli forces against the Palestinian people.
These violations are undermining opportunities to revive the peace process, he warned.
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani urged Islamic nations to resolve differences between them so that they can achieve sustainable development and growth, while hailing the Saudi-Iranian agreement.
He called for reaching “immediate peaceful and sustainable solutions to all disputes in the Islamic world, such as the conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Libya.”
He added: “We encourage all negotiations and dialogue aimed at overcoming disputes and bridging divides between Islamic countries and peoples.”
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha welcomed the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, hoping it would help consolidate peace, security and stability in the region and give a new push for cooperation between members of the OIC.
