President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has departed on an official visit to attend the 14th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), due to be held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on the 31st of May 2019.

The summit will gather together heads of states and governments of Muslim-majority countries to discuss some of the pressing issues confronting the global Muslim community, including the prevalence of Islamophobia, regional peace in the Middle East and the various issues and difficulties dealt with by Muslims worldwide.

Since its inception in 1969 the OIC has aspired to speak as the collective voice of the Islamic Ummah. Currently it comprises of 57 member states representing over a billion people. Summits are held triennially in accordance with the OIC charter to discuss matters of importance to Muslims.

The venue of this summit affords the Maldives’ delegation the opportunity to positively engage with Saudi Arabia on our bilateral relations and development cooperation.

Whilst in Mecca President Solih will also perform Umrah rites prior to returning to the Maldives.