The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, delivered the national statement at the 15th Session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 4–5, 2024, under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development." The Minister is attending the summit as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's Special Envoy.

In his remarks, Islamic Minister Dr Shaheem called for the implementation of a sustained ceasefire and the guaranteed provision of adequate and urgent humanitarian aid.

Expressing profound distress over the failure of the United Nations Security Council to take immediate and essential steps toward lasting peace, he urged Islamic nations to do more to hold Israel accountable for its genocidal acts against the Palestinian people. He then reiterated the Maldives’ support for Palestine’s establishment as an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as their capital and their bid for full UN membership.

Reflecting on the dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, the Maldives pleaded to work closely with The Gambia to prevent Rohingya genocide as an intervening state in their case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. He also stressed the urgent need to combat Islamophobia through the dissemination of information on the true teachings of Islam, which are all about peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and tolerance.

The Islamic Summit of the OIC held every three years, brings the leaders of the Islamic nations together to deliberate, make policy decisions, and provide guidance on issues pertaining to the Ummah as outlined in the OIC Charter. During this year’s summit, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, handed over the chairmanship of the summit to The Gambia. The summit will adopt three outcome documents, including a resolution on the issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Ash-Sharif.

The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC, comprising 57 member states, since becoming a member in 1976.