The issues related to the ongoing Rohingya crisis and the plight of Palestinians, who have long been struggling for an independent state, will get prominence in the upcoming 45th meeting of the council of foreign ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held in Dhaka on May 5-6.       

The foreign minister, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, informed this while briefing heads of all diplomatic missions and international organizations in Dhaka yesterday on the preparations of the meeting, according to some envoys, who attended the diplomatic briefing at the state guest house, Padma.

He also talked about the theme, contents and programmes of the event, they said. The theme of the CFM is “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development”.

Issues including Palestine, challenges facing the Muslim ummah such as the conflicts, division, tension and instability of the Muslim world will receive focus at the Dhaka meeting, a foreign ministry press release said quoting the foreign minister.

Problems in regards to terrorism and violent extremism, sectarian tendencies, hatred, prejudice and Islam phobia, massive humanitarian crises with forced displacements from and to the Muslim countries seriously affecting rights and dignity of the Muslim minorities such as the Rakhine Muslims of Myanmar will also be discussed with due importance.

Issues of persistent poverty, socio-economic backwardness of Muslim societies and protection of their rights and fundamental freedoms will also get priority during the meeting of the foreign ministers from 57-member OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations.

A visit to the makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar sheltering Rohingyas from Myanmar will be organised for the interested heads of delegation and representatives of international organisations.