Dhaka: A meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has begun in the West African country of Niger, emphasizing the unity of Muslims in tackling Islam phobia.
The two-day meeting, which begins Friday (November 27), will focus on tackling Islam phobia for peace and development.
The meeting of OIC foreign ministers was inaugurated by Nigerian President Mahamadu Isouifu. OIC Secretary General Yusuf Al Othaimeen spoke on the occasion. This year's session is being held at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center in Niger, the capital of the country.
During the two-day session, the foreign ministers of the OIC member states will discuss a number of issues. The situation of Muslim minorities and communities, especially in non-member countries, will be discussed.
At the inaugural session, the UAE Minister of State for International Aid, Reem Bint Ibrahim, handed over the presidency of the CMF to Niger's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Yakubur on behalf of the UAE Foreign Minister.
After the inaugural ceremony, the heads of delegations of the OIC member states will address various multilateral issues related to the Muslim world as per the pre-arranged schedule. The foreign ministers of the member countries are expected to elect the next OIC secretary general within the meeting.
During the CMF meeting, OIC foreign ministers will discuss how to co-operate with Gambia, which has filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Rohingya genocide.
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen was supposed to attend the meeting but could not go as he has been infected by Corona. The day before he left for Niger, his Covid-19 test in Dhaka came back positive. In his absence, A delegation led by Bangladesh's ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh's permanent representative to the OIC Dr. Mohammad Jabed Patwari will attend the meeting.
In November last year, Gambia filed a lawsuit against Myanmar in the ICJ with the support of the OIC, Canada and the Netherlands. The first hearing was held at ICJ from 10 to 12 December. On January 23, the ICJ issued an interim order to stop the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar.
At a joint press conference on Saturday, the OIC foreign ministers and the OIC secretary general and president of the 47th CFM will announce the end of the two-day meeting.
It is to be noted that this is the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the 57-nation OIC.