Biggest trouble-maker

The UAE and Arab nations at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have called on Iran to stop spreading chaos and sectarianism across the region. Speaking at the 46th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Conference of the OIC at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “We reiterate our demands to our neighbour Iran to review its policy and to stop interference in the affairs of states, supporting groups that fuel conflicts and to stop supporting, financing and arming terrorist organisations that clearly violate our (OIC) Charter, the Charter of the United Nations and our Islamic values.”

Representing the Arab Group, Adel Al Jubeir, Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Iran continues to commit terrorist activities, flaring up sectarian sedition, supporting terrorism and occupying three UAE islands, Gulf News reported. Al Jubeir reaffirmed UAE’s sovereignty over the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, and reiterated the Arab Group’s support for all peaceful means and measures taken by the UAE to restore its sovereignty over the occupied islands. Gathering amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, Shaikh Abdullah said the OIC needed to have a stronger role in consolidating international peace efforts.

Shaikh Abdullah opened the two-day conference - which started on Friday morning - in the presence of Dr Yousuf Al Othaimeen, secretary general of the organisation, with the participation of 56 member states and five observer states. The conference coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OIC, and foreign ministers will discuss a range of issues regarding peace and stability in the Muslim world, as well as integration and cooperation among OIC members.

The council will also discuss decisions related to economic, humanitarian, science, technology, legal, regulatory, media, administrative and financial matters, as well as the OIC-2025: Programme of Action. India was a guest of honour at the conference in view of it not only being home to millions of Muslims but also for its stature in world politics. Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, offered peace and called for combating terror in her speech. However, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Quraishi boycotted the OIC meeting in protest over India being invited to the event.