OIC silent over challenges in Islamic world
Iranian deputy FM criticized the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation over being silent towards major challenges in the world of Islam, including terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.
Iran condemns the attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran and pursues to identify and punish those responsible, Seyed Abbas Araghchi said speaking at the meeting of the OIC foreign ministers held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
He ensured the outcome of the investigations would be announced soon.
The meeting was held upon a call by Riyadh to study incidents regarding its embassy and consulate general in Iran, days after a group of protestors to the execution of the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr attacked its embassy in the Iranian capital and its consulate general in the northeastern city of Mashhad which led Saudi Arabia and some of its allies to cut ties with Iran.
Araghchi expressed regret that OIC keeps silent towards main challenges of the Islamic world, the issue of Palestine in particular, but at the same time rapidly reacts to the issue of Saudi Embassy attack in Iran.
Meantime, Iranian senior diplomat pointed to Iran’s successful nuclear talks with the world which have finally led to the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on January 16 and accordingly, the removal of anti-Iran sanctions.
Iran’s deputy FM also noted Tehran’s policy to boost unity and convergence among Muslim states and to reduce tensions among neighboring regional countries. “Unfortunately, Iran’s readiness to hold dialogue has not been welcomed properly as it seems there are certain countries that are not interested in reducing tensions in the region and prefer confrontation.”
Araghchi left Tehran for Jeddah on January 20 to participate in an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He held separate meetings with officials from Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan on the sideline of the OIC meeting.
M. Wassouf