Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has called for greater Islamic solidarity and to enhance cooperation in the fields of human rights, commerce, information exchange, while emphasizing the need to embrace the teachings and principles of Islam.

He said this in his statement at the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

In his speech, Minister Shahid briefed Member States on the recent democratic and human rights achievements of the Maldives following last year’s elections.

Highlighting the need to combat radicalization and intolerance, Minister Shahid voiced the Maldives’ condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, especially those committed in the name of Islam.

Minister Shahid also reiterated Maldives’ support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, while also calling for unhindered access for humanitarian aid for the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Minister Shahid will conduct a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the OIC, and will meet with the organization’s Secretary-General.

The Maldives became a Member State of the OIC in 1976, which comprises of 57 largely Muslim countries. The Maldives is also in the process of conducting multiple OIC activities in the country, including the process to agree to the Statute of the OIC Women’s Development Organization.