28 May 2015, Kuwait; Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dunya Maumoon has highlighted the important values of moderation and tolerance in Islam and called on to regain its glorious character and status around the world by joining “hands to rebuild the[se] fallen bridges of tolerance and moderation”.
The Minister made the remark in her address to the 42nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, currently underway in Kuwait this morning. In her address the Minister underscored the true values of Islam. “Islam is not only a religion, but a civilization. It once was the standard bearer, not only in science and innovation, but also in maintaining peace and promoting tolerance. Indeed, tolerance was once the soft power of the Islamic Ummah. Radicalism has no place in Islam. Nonetheless, in every corner of our Ummah, faces of radicalism stare back at us. It is most distressing to the Maldives that external actors provide all forms of support to such radical elements particularly, in emerging democracies”.
“To enjoy the glory of the true values of Islam, Muslims should stand united. There is no power without unity”, said Minister Dunya.
Referring to ongoing conflicts and some key issues in the Islamic world and underscoring the Maldives stand on those, the Minister stated, “the Maldives continues to be concerned over the situation in Palestine. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the Government of Maldives condemn Israel’s illegal settlements in Palestine. The Maldives calls on countries around the world, to support the State of Palestine and to recognize its sovereignty over its territories”. Similarly, she said, “Peace has to win over war in Syria, Libya, and Yemen. [And] compassion has to be shown to the large number of Rohingya Muslims stranded in the open seas in South East Asia.”
In concluding her address the Minister highlighted the Islamic character of the Maldives and the determination of the Government to continue its efforts to consolidate democracy. “The Maldives has been a Muslim country for the last 800 years. The Agenda for Reform introduced by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has transformed the country into a vibrant multi-party democracy without compromising our Islamic values and heritage. The Government of President Yameen is determined to see through the reform process. Islamic civilization brought revolutionary changes to the systems of governance. It recognized the dignity of the human”.
On this note she also emphasized on the OIC’s important global role in alleviating the image of the Islamic Ummah and said, “the OIC is ideally placed to reposition the Islamic Ummah in the global platform as the new-age House of Wisdom”.
ENDS.
