Mohamed Salah Tekaya, Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), delivered remarks at the plenary session of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World," held as part of the XV International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum-2024."
Tekaya conveyed the greetings of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to the event participants.
"The OIC highly values the relations between our countries, which align with the charter and values of our Organization. We deeply appreciate the opportunities afforded to Muslims in Russia, where they enjoy full rights and actively participate in all spheres of life. The existence of the Strategic Vision Group 'Russia - Islamic World' exemplifies this cooperation, its significance growing amidst escalating global challenges spanning political, military, socio-economic, and environmental domains. Regional organizations and states increasingly play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. The OIC is committed to fostering cooperation grounded in shared objectives, in line with the UN and OIC charters, advocating for principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, good neighborliness, regional unity, sovereignty preservation, and peaceful conflict resolution based on equality, mutual respect, and justice," affirmed the speaker.
Tekaya placed particular emphasis on the situation in Palestine:
"We fervently advocate for the protection of Gaza Strip's population, urging the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, in accordance with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative," underscored Tekaya.
Reminding the audience, the OIC representative reiterated the organization's stance on global crises:
"The OIC is dedicated to prompt resolution of crises across various regions through dialogue and reconciliation founded on mutual respect and trust. Additionally, we staunchly oppose all forms of terrorism and extremism, rejecting any attempts to associate these scourges with religion, culture, or nationality."
"We stand firm against Islamophobia and hate speech targeting any culture, advocating for heritage preservation and the protection of rights for individuals of all demographics - men, women, children, and the elderly. We champion indigenous and traditional family structures and marital relations," concluded the OIC representative.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"