Bahrain attends OIC coordination meeting

New York, Sept.29 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, stressed the importance of strengthening Islamic solidarity as one of the main sources of combating terrorism, promoting peace and achieving development and prosperity, in accordance with Islamic values and international charters. This came as Dr. Shaikh Abdullah delivered the speech of the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Coordination Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which was held on the sidelines of the meetings of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. He noted that the meeting provides an important opportunity to exchange views and consultations and review the performance of the OIC in light of the rapid developments of the world that target international peace and security. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa warned against the development of terrorist methods and techniques, and the expansion of its operations and the damage it causes. He stated that "it is regrettable that some people try, ignorantly or deliberately, to link terrorism with Islam. They also try to attribute to it such brutal acts and mass killings, and this must be corrected promptly." The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Bahrain's firm position regarding the Palestinian cause and the status of Jerusalem, he also noted the Kingdom's support for the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable rights, their right to self-determination and sovereignty on their territory in line with the borders of the 4th of June 1967 and according to the relative UN resolutions. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah stressed the Kingdom's categorical rejection of the systematic crimes committed against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, which constitute a serious violation of international law and the international humanitarian law. He called on Myanmar Government to immediately restore security and stability to the Rohingya areas, to take measures to put an end to such grave violations and to protect all persons regardless of their race and religion. In this regard, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for its efforts in providing assistance to the Rohingya victims, which he personally witnessed while visiting Cox's Bazar refugee camp on the sidelines of the 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC in Dhaka. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah called for concerted efforts to develop practical and just solutions to the challenges facing the Islamic world, namely wars, crises, poverty and unemployment, in order to reach sustainable development.