The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for stabilising the rising tensions between India and Pakistan that “threaten the peace and stability of the population”. As it adopted a 50-point Abu Dhabi Declaration on Saturday, the OIC stressed the need to find an immediate political solution to “all crises and conflicts in South East and Central Asia”.

“We welcome the positive initiative undertaken by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, to hand over the Indian pilot as a gesture of goodwill,” OIC member states said in the declaration. They were referring to Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured in Pakistan after his plane was shot down, and handed over to India on Friday.

After issuing the declaration, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – who’s also the new president of foreign ministers of the member states of the OIC – said: “Having India as a guest of honour at this year’s meeting was a historical moment for both India and the OIC and we hope that it would help in promoting cooperation geared at achieving peace and stability among Muslim nations. The OIC appreciates India’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and its relentless efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Asian region.”

The Abu Dhabi Declaration aims to guide Muslim nations towards achieving peace and stability by strengthening mutual cooperation and jointly fighting extremism. It was adopted as the two-day session of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi ended.

In the declaration, the OIC called on Iran to “respond positively” to the peaceful calls of the UAE to end the occupation of the three Emirati islands through dialogue and direct negotiations or by seeking international arbitration.

The member states reaffirmed that the Palestinian issue was a “central” one to the Arab and the Muslim nations. They reiterated their position to attempt to reach a “comprehensive and permanent solution” and to establish an independent Palestinian state according to the borders set on July 4, 1968, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In another resolution, the OIC member states condemned all Israeli violations against the brotherly Palestinian population, and procedures adopted by the Israeli occupation forces.

Houthi actions condemned

The declaration also talked about the member states’ commitment to preserve the unity, sovereignty and territorial independence and integrity of Yemen and refuse any interference in its internal affairs. It also condemned all violations made by the Houthi militia in Yemen and their continuous obstruction of humanitarian and relief aid meant for the Yemeni population.

The member states have renewed their collective position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed concerns regarding the danger of terrorist groups, which threaten the stability, security and territorial integrity of member states.

They also emphasised the importance of setting the legal legislative measures to promote counter-extremism, including combating discrimination and hatred; criminalising actions related to disdaining religions and sanctities; combating all forms of discrimination; rejecting hate speech; and criminalising discrimination between individuals and groups based on religion, belief, rite, race, sects, colour or origin.

Sheikh Abdullah said: “The religion of Islam is against discrimination of all forms and hatred based on colour, tribes, religion and all other sentiments and these must be addressed with concrete legal action. We are committed to promoting peace and stability in the Arab region and all the Muslim nations.”