Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamed Asim has called on the Authorities of Myanmar to intensify its efforts to counter incitement to hatred that leads to violence. Minister Asim made this call while speaking today at the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims.
In his statement, Minister Asim further expressed grave concerns over the reported human rights violations and appealed to the Government of Myanmar for urgent action in providing assistance to the affected communities. He also urged neighboring countries to extend assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
The statement while underscoring President Yameen’s Government’s deep concern on the issue, expressed its firm belief in promoting and protecting the inherent dignity of all human beings.
Emphasizing on the rising tendency of Islamophobia around the world, Minister Asim in his statement reiterated the call on the international community to take action to stop discriminations and apartheid policies against Muslim and other minority groups. “International organisations, such as the OIC and the United Nations, as well as the national governments, all have a shared responsibility to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected wherever they are”, said Minister Asim.
Minister Asim is leading the Maldives delegation at this Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC council of Foreign Ministers. The Maldives delegation also includes Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ibrahim Shaheeb, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Malaysia Mr. Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, Deputy Ambassador of Maldives to Malaysia Ms. Ghaniya Abdul Ghafoor and Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Moomina Ibrahim.
Statement by Foreign Minister at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohamed Asim at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers
Kuala Lumpur, 19 January 2017
Ref: 2017-017
بســم اللّـه الرّحمـن الرّحيــم
In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful
Peace be upon our prophet Mohamed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam,
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies
AssalamAlaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakathuh,
It is an honour for me to attend this Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation convened to discuss an important matter that is before the Islamic Ummah. Like all other issues that befall the Islamic Ummah, the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar requires our collective effort to demonstrate our solidarity to help lessen the sufferings of our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
I thank you the Distinguished Chair, for gathering all of us here for this noble cause. Let me also express my profound gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended to me and my delegation and the excellent arrangements made for this Meeting by the Government of Malaysia.
Excellencies,
The Rohingya Muslim community has suffered decades of human rights violations; violations of inalienable rights; violations of human dignity beyond measure, which is indeed unforgivable. My President, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the Government of Maldives are deeply concerned over the continued acts of human rights violations and persecutions against the Rohingya Muslims.
The Maldives firmly believes in the inherent dignity of all human beings. Every person deserves a life of dignity and respect – to be free from violence and degrading treatment. These universally accepted norm of rights must be extended and guaranteed to all persons, regardless of their race, ethnic group, or religious belief. International conventions promote and call upon States to protect all minority groups and uphold the rights entitled to them.
We call on the authorities of Myanmar to intensify its efforts to counter incitement to hatred that leads to violence. We call for urgent action in providing assistance to the affected communities. We also urge neighboring countries to extend assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
Excellencies,
In recent years, we have witnessed a rising tendency of Islamophobia around the world. International organisations, such as the OIC and the United Nations, as well as the national governments, all have a shared responsibility to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected wherever they are. Action must be taken to stop discriminatory apartheid policies against Muslim and other minority groups.
This trend is most clearly epitomized in the occupied Palestine. The Maldives welcomes the landmark Resolution adopted by the Security Council on 23 December 2016 which stated that the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine since 1967, are illegal and constitues a major obstacle to a two-State solution. The Resolution also demanded that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestine including East Jerusalem. The message to Israel must be very clear: abide by the international law and respect the demands of the international community.
Excellencies,
As we gather here today to discuss the situation of Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, let us all pledge to make a prolific step towards a successful session which satisfies a purpose; safeguarding the interest and ensuring the wellbeing of all the Muslims around the world.
The choice is ours. Let us choose not to let down the plea of our Muslim Ummah. Let us hold our hands and unite together in quest for peace and stability. Let us hold onto the true values of Islam and unite together for the betterment of Muslim Ummah.
May Allah Subuhaanahu Watha’aalaa guide us all.
Thank you.
Wassalam Alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakaathuh
StatementsStatements
Maldives calls upon the authorities of Myanmar to intensify its efforts to counter incitement to hatred that leads to violence
