Emir: Redouble efforts to face challenges
Date
4/14/2016 9:49:32 PM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani along with other leaders attending the opening session of the 13th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit at the Convention Center in Istanbul.
ISTANBUL: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday called on the Islamic countries to redouble efforts to address the serious challenges facing the Islamic world.
The Emir was delivering a speech on behalf of the group of Arab States at the opening session of the 13th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit at the Convention Center in Istanbul.
“This summit is being held at a time when many of our states are facing serious challenges that require redoubling efforts and joint work to address them and meet the aspirations of our peoples” the Emir said and hoped that the summit and its outcome would contribute to meeting the aspirations and hopes of Muslim nations.
The Emir on behalf of the group of Arab States conveyed appreciation to Turkey for hosting the summit and the warm reception and generous hospitality.
The Emir expressed confidence that Turkey’s presidency of the summit will be a constructive addition to the progress of Islamic cooperation.
The Emir thanked the OIC Secretary-General Dr Iyad Ameen Madani and his staff for their efforts to serve joint Islamic action.
More than 30 heads of state and government from Islamic countries are attending the two-day summit being held under the theme ‘Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace’. It seeks to narrow down differences between Islamic countries and promote joint action on issues of common interest.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his opening address proposed a body within OIC to solidify and institutionalise cooperation against terrorism. “It is necessary to conduct operations against terror organisation on the ground while there should [also] be efforts to target their financial and human resources.
“For that international cooperation is vital. Establishing a body that would solidify and institutionalise cooperation against terror within OIC is the right step to take” he added.
Erodgan also proposed a Council of Women’s Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to defend Muslim women’s issues affirming Istanbul’s readiness to host the first conference of Muslim women.
Madani said the Palestinian issue tops the summit agenda urging Palestinian parties to overcome differences to achieve a balanced and self-determining Palestinian government devoted to work for Palestine.
He stressed that any disagreement or disputes between OIC member states will impact the organisation adding that OIC lacks a collective organisation to resolve conflicts.
In his speech the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said: “We are required to address the Islamic nation’s causes by finding a just solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and international legitimacy’s resolutions put an end to the Syrian crisis according to the decisions of Geneva 1 and Security Council Resolution 2254 and support existing efforts to end the Libyan crisis.”
Referring to Yemen he expressed his country’s support to UN efforts towards the success of consultations to be held in Kuwait in line with Security Council Resolution 2216.
“Our reality today requires us all to come together more than ever to fight the scourge of terrorism and protect the young generation from being under its fierce attack” Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted King Salman as saying .
“We have made a serious step in this direction to form an Islamic Military Alliance to fight terrorism which includes 39 countries to coordinate all efforts through intellectual media financial and military initiatives based on OIC’s principles and objectives” he added.
“Our battle against terrorism is a hard and long one however it will be pursued with resolve” said Kuwait Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
He affirmed his country’s stance alongside the international community on the combat against the global menace.
He called on the Security Council to pressure Israel to accept relevant UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative regretting the declining interest in the peace process thus “aggravating the deteriorating conditions.”
He said the summit is held in the shadow of delicate and dangerous political and security circumstances and deteriorating conditions of the Islamic world at various levels.
Sheikh Sabah hoped that deliberations at the summit would lead to mapping out a new strategy “that unifies our ranks and cements our position against these challenges”.
On the sidelines of the summit Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla and his delegation. The Emir also met Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his delegation and discussed relations between both countries and topics on the summit agenda.
The Emir met Fayez Al Sarraj Chairman Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of Government of National Accord and his delegation. Talks dealt with issues of joint interest particularly the latest developments in Libya. QNA & Agencies