NEW YORK, Oct 3 (UNB): Bangladesh calls for greater unity and cooperation among the Islamic Ummah, "particularly at a time when it confronts manifold challenges".
Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said this while addressing the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly here Tuesday.
"We must strengthen cooperation among member states to prevent conflicts, achieve an independent Palestine, safeguard the rights of the Muslims where they are a minority, and prevent unilateral actions against Muslim states," he told the conference.
Iftekhar Ahmed underlined the importance of the OIC to focus on development and said in the economic and scientific fields, the Islamic world must achieve higher levels of development and prosperity as it has abundant resources and capacities.
"It's important that we make the best use of our comparative advantages to promote our socioeconomic development," he added.
He also urged the OIC to pay a special attention to the Least Developed Countries within the Ummah and assist them through special measures.
Iftekhar Ahmed regretted that Islam is often equated with terrorism in Western mind and said, "Islam is a faith of peace, and that the Islamic world is united against terrorism."
He, however, said it is important to address the "root causes of terrorism" and eliminate them.
He said Bangladesh will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Islamic brethren in the rest of the Ummah to meet the challenges it faces today and join the endeavours to overcome them through common strategies.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh would be happy to expand relations with Costa Rica as it has the reputation of a responsible international actor.
The foreign adviser said this after holding bilateral talks with his Costa Rica counterpart Bruno Stagno at the UN Headquarters Tuesday.
Costa Rica is a candidate for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) this year.
Speaking to the media, Iftekhar Ahmed said, "Until now, we've not been able to explore the possibilities of economic and trade relations with Central American countries. It'll be to the benefits of all involved to do so."
Both Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Bruno Stagno had served as ambassadors and permanent representatives of their respective countries at the UN earlier.
They were also deeply involved in UN reforms.
Dhaka calls for greater unity of Muslim Ummah
FE Team | Published: October 04, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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