Chair of OIC Banjul Summit lauds Moroccan King’s support for Palestinian Cause

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, Chair of the 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has hailed the unwavering support provided by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to the legitimate Palestinian cause.

In his opening address at the Summit, taking place in Banjul April 4-5 under the theme: “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development”, the Gambian president also praised the tireless efforts engaged by the Monarch to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinians and help them achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East region.

He also pledged to promote unity, solidarity, and sustainable development within the Islamic world. Mr. Adama Barrow voiced commitment to prioritize initiatives that enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural exchange, and address pressing issues, such as poverty and access to education and healthcare.

King Mohammed VI is represented at the Banjul summit by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Sovereign. The Moroccan delegation also includes Foreign minister Nasser Bourita and several senior diplomats.

In his speech, the Monarch reiterated urgent call for an immediate, sustainable, and comprehensive end to these unprecedented acts of aggression, and for allowing unfettered access of humanitarian aid to the entire Gaza Strip.

Following the brutal aggression on Gaza, my “heart bleeds for the proud Palestinian people, who now live in extremely dangerous conditions that are a stain on the world’s conscience”, said the King, decrying the attacks perpetrated by extremist settlers on the West Bank, at the behest of Israeli government officials.

He also recalled the humanitarian assistance delivered directly to Gaza and to al-Quds, as well as the support provided by Bayt Mal al-Quds Agency to the inhabitants of al-Quds and some hospitals.

The Gaza Strip is part of the unified Palestinian territories, which must enjoy peace and independence, in keeping with a two-state solution and in accordance with international resolutions, underlined the Monarch.

He called for an end to the illegitimate, unilateral Israeli measures affecting the occupied Palestinian territories, including al-Quds al-Sharif and the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, and which are designed to change the legal and cultural status of the city of al-Quds al-Sharif.

The OIC Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, said the Palestinian cause remains the OIC’s central issue and urged Islamic countries to press the international community to stop the aggression and genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

He also called on the OIC member countries to continue to mobilize international support for the recognition of the State of Palestine and help it gain full UN membership.