Morocco’s King has called for distancing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states from division and sectarianism.
King Mohammed VI’s remarks were delivered in a message read by Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on Thursday during a celebration marking OIC’s 50th founding anniversary.
The Organization’s work over a half century “compels us to make the collective effort exerted by member states a motivator to correct the path of joint Islamic action,” the King said.
He stressed that this would lead to political stability and the economic and social well-being of the Islamic nation’s people.
OIC has become the second largest inter-governmental organization, with 57 member states, representing nearly two billion Muslims from various races and continents, King Mohammed noted.
He said this celebration comes in light of critical and complex international circumstances created by crises in some OIC member states.
These crises, he stressed, have had serious repercussions in the region, not only exacerbating the risk of division and horrible sectarianism but also fueling extremism and terrorism.
The King highlighted the need to address the causes and factors that have led to this situation, work sincerely to resolve differences and adopt mechanisms to protect the OIC from the risks of division.
“We should stand up to the parties seeking to exploit the crisis to provoke division or redraw the map of the Islamic world,” he said, noting that these parties have been trying to interfere with the OIC nations’ fate and are jeopardizing global security and stability.
He also called on Islamic states to adopt a new roadmap that would help bolster the Islamic world’s human and natural resources, implement a new proactive and future-oriented approach to development, develop appropriate strategies and plans for upcoming generations, take actions to consolidate political stability, promote sustainable development, guarantee safety and food security and protect the environment.
He spoke about the OIC member states’ “unwavering faith” in the Palestinian cause, affirming Morocco’s firm position in supporting Jerusalem and Palestine.
The King emphasized that Morocco’s government and people reiterate their commitment to “preserve the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights by all political, diplomatic and legal means.”
He also urged the international community to develop a new roadmap that would enable the implementation of UN resolutions and international peace accords, and find practical solutions for the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
