OIC Reaffirms Unified Stance On Palestine Amid Ongoing Israeli Aggression

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has consistently prioritised the Palestinian issue and Jerusalem, uniting its member states to end Israeli occupation. The OIC is dedicated to defending Islamic interests and safeguarding Muslims' vital concerns globally. Saudi Arabia, a central figure in the Islamic world and home to the Two Holy Mosques, hosts the OIC headquarters in Jeddah.

With 57 member countries across four continents, the OIC's roots trace back to September 1969 in Rabat, Morocco. The first meeting was convened by Moroccan King Hassan II after an attempt to burn Al-Aqsa Mosque, responding to a call by King Faisal bin Abdulaziz. This conference led to establishing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, initially known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The Palestinian cause remains central to the OIC's mission, prompting numerous regular and emergency summits. The Second Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, in February 1974, praised Palestinian sacrifices and Arab resistance against Zionist aggression. Saudi Arabia has called for an extraordinary summit in Riyadh tomorrow to address ongoing Israeli actions in Palestine and Lebanon.

The OIC's Charter was signed in Jeddah in 1972 by representatives from 30 founding countries. It mandates that the Conference of Kings and Presidents, the organization's supreme body, convenes every three years or as needed to address Muslim world issues and coordinate policies. Since its inception, OIC has hosted 14 Islamic summits and over 20 extraordinary foreign ministers' meetings.

An urgent meeting took place on October 18 this year in Jeddah to address Israeli actions against Palestinians. This meeting emphasised the importance of the Palestinian issue and supported Palestinians' rights while condemning Israeli aggression and Gaza's siege. The OIC held Israel accountable for Gaza's dire situation under siege and bombing.

The organization rejected any attempts at displacing Gaza residents and warned against escalating violence by Israeli forces and settlers. It called for international protection for Palestinians under international humanitarian law standards. The OIC continues urging global responsibility to resolve this conflict.

Commitment to Peace

The OIC remains committed to peace through international laws and resolutions alongside principles from the Arab Peace Initiative. It views this initiative as a strategic choice for achieving just peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The organization's unwavering stance on Palestine urges international action towards resolving this longstanding issue.

Saudi Arabia's significant role within both regional contexts underscores its dedication towards serving Muslims worldwide through initiatives like calling for summits addressing pressing issues such as continuous Israeli aggression across Palestinian territories or Lebanon-related developments.

With inputs from SPA